For those of you who want a little detour from what's currently on the news...
Alright, I've posted about songs that'll get you through the quarter, Disney songs, and now we're onto musical theater songs. Sorry, there's no "Hamilton" on this list, I haven't had time to listen to that album yet.
1. "Everyone's a Little Racist" -- Avenue Q
Why: This song is so powerful in this current day of age. There isn't a good video and audio, but it's important to watch the clip. It's hilarious and crude, but tells a great story.
2. "Bless Your Beautiful Hide" -- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Why: I've never seen this movie, but my boyfriend always talks about it and shows me specific songs. This is the one that always sticks in my mind and that I'll start singing randomly throughout the day.
3. "Hello!" -- The Book of Mormon
Why: Every time I see Mormons I just want to sing this to them. This is the opening number that sets the tone for the whole play, which is important to note that the creators of "South Park" wrote this Broadway play.
4. "Sherry" -- Jersey Boys
Why: You know where most of today's tunes come from? The Four Seasons. The song that the late Heath Ledger sang, "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" was written by Bob Gaurdio, a member of the Four Seasons. Fergie's song "Big Girls Don't Cry" was a take on their version. I chose this song because it gets stuck in my head and fun to sing along with. All the songs are great and amazing. Go watch the movie and the Broadway play and tell me what you like.
5. "Who Am I?" -- Les Miserables
Why: This is essentially Jean Valjean's lament. This is song is so powerful; this song is relatable to everyone. All my male theater friends love this verison and this song.
6. "In the Heights" -- In the Heights
Why: While I haven't seen this play yet, we listened to this song in a history of theater class. I don't have a "Hamilton" selection but this was Lin-Manuel Miranda's first Broadway production talking about living in Washington Heights in New York. Listen to it on Spotify, but watching the clip really puts it in perspective.
7. "Cell Block Tango" -- Chicago
Why: This song some will say it's over done or it's amazing. Regardless, you can't deny the chroegoraphy. It's a tango, so it's very intimate -- It helps tell the story, if you listen to the song without the clip sometimes it's hard to really understand the underlying message.
8. "Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now" -- Hairspray
Why: I love that this song is through the three main girls, Tracy, Amber, and Penny, expressing that they want to be able to do things on their own now.
9. "I Know it's Today" -- Shrek The Musical
Why: It gets stuck in your head so easily, but it's a cute story about Fiona waiting for her prince. Sutton Foster slays.
10. "Gold" -- Once
Why: Everyone loves the duet, "Falling Slowly," which is a beautiful duet, but this song is such a sad but driving song. Seeing it live, with the choreography was even better, it really brought the story out of this haunting song. The film is good, but I recommend the Broadway play.
11. "I Want To Be A Producer" -- The Producers
Why: This is literally my theme song. Go find it and watch it, especially the 2005 verison with Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, and Will Ferrell. It's hilarious and one of my favorites!
12. "Puttin' On The Ritz" -- Mel Brook's New Musical: Young Frankenstein
Why: Frankenstein tries to help them sing this very classic song. Every time I hear the original song, I can't help but put in the grunts.
13. "My Eyes" -- Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Why: It's so haunting beautiful between Neil Patrick Harris and Felicia Day. They have great harmony and the opposite message, but it flows so beautifully. Go watch the whole thing, it's on YouTube and Netflix and it's only 42 minutes long.
Bonus: "Major General" -- The Pirates of Penzance
Why: My theater teacher would make us do lines from this song as warm-ups because once upon a time, he played the Major General.
