“All aboard guilty pleasure central”
Musicals are cool aren’t they? I mean, telling an entire story though a few songs… it’s practically unheard of (!) But seriously, musicals are actually cool. Not those weird one off musical episodes of a cult TV show, that’s not cool. But, what’s cool is those things where you go and sit in front of a stage and people sing and dance for you to make a huge story that moves you.
Some of my favourite musicals are Les Misérables, Into The Woods, Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Dream Girls and Wicked. Face value – these musicals seem a bit generic and fancy, yet considering the story and context of these musicals, they provide social commentary, historical detail and escapism into a fantasy world. Example – Hairspray is about the racism of the 60s, and a ‘big’ girl becoming the main star of a TV show, that’s enough of social and historical commentary on it’s own. Let’s get started with my top 10 songs from musicals, albeit with some musicals appearing more than once, and other songs originating from film adaptions which have been adapted into the stage versions. Starting in reverse order, from tenth to first.
10. Blackout – In The Heights
What else can I say apart from – LOOK AT THE FIREWORKS
9. Listen – Dream Girls
Get it Beyoncé, get it. This song is all about becoming your own, using your own voice and not being controlled, becoming so iconic despite not being in the initial stage production, that it could perhaps be one of the most iconic songs from the whole of Dream Girls. Such a strong voice, and such a strong message.
8. Voulez Vous – Mamma Mia!
Included the movie version of the song because I find the whole scene to be actually quite intense, really lending to Sophie’s (Amanda Seyfried) anxiety attack. Plus, the beginning of the song with the kind of women vs men is just really cool… then BAMN “I’m your dad” x3.
7. Little Fall of Rain – Les Misérables
I adore this musical, I really do. Back in year 7, I played the role of ‘Urchin’ in the school production, I know… I’m a superstar. Ever since then, all those years ago, I now adore the story of Les Misérables, I’ve read the book, I went to see the film at the cinema with a bunch of friends for a close friends birthday (which was a surprise, he thought it would just be 5 of us, turned out to be over 15 of us). Éponine is probably one of my favourite characters from the story, and her death in the film absolutely killed me, Samantha Barks is great, and Eddie Redmayne is fantastic as Marius. If I could, I would essentially have all the Les Mis songs in the list, however… I kind of have to give other musicals a chance.
6. I Know Where I’ve Been – Hairspray
The ultimate protest song, If I had gone to the Anti-Austerity march in London recently I’d have just been blasting this song out loud (even though austerity and race have no direct correlation). Again, the movie version made it so much better with cinematic angles and lighting, a really tender moment in an otherwise quirky and slightly cheesy musical.
5. Defying Gravity – Wicked
I MEAN, HOW COULD I NOT?! Such an iconic song! I don’t know what’s more iconic for Idina Menzel – Let It Go or Defying Gravity? Or maybe that awkward christmas song she did with Michael Bublé. I kid of course, Idina is brilliant. This song is brilliant, this musical is brilliant, and I’m super pumped for the film adaption released in a year or two. Also, the Colleen Ballinger/Miranda Sings version makes me laugh so that’s a bonus.
4. Dancing Queen – Mamma Mia!
How fun? Such fun. Older women, younger women, all women can have fun. Heck, I was even bobbing along to the song when I first saw this film. It’s a rather good film if you just need something to smile at.
3. Prologue (Act One) – Into The Woods
I WISH MORE THAN ANYTHING
I loved the stage version, so when I heard they were making a film adaption I was more than ecstatic. I wasn’t totally disappointed, apart from stuff that was cut from the stage adaption to fit the film, but I do understand why it was cut (can’t have all that gross death stuff in a Disney film). Anyway, the prologue is relatively long (14+ minutes), but it really is a great way of introducing all the characters with a catchy tune that explores the entire story of ‘what happens after happy ever after’.
2. Seasons of Love – Rent
Honestly, this song is one of my favourite songs of all time, so, so good. Idina Menzel seems to be appearing everywhere on this list (Wicked, Rent), a bit like Amanda Seyfried (Les Mis, Mamma Mia) and Daniel Huttlestone (Les Mis, Into The Woods). I just love the sense of unity in this song.
1. One Day More – Les Misérables
Every time I hear the intro to this song, I get chills. I remember performing this song during my school production 7 years age so vividly, the whole cast (apart from Fantine of course) were formed in a triangle, and we were marching up and down on the spot. It felt so real and so powerful. This song is without a doubt my favourite song from a musical, because it’s so strong. Everybody seemingly comes together and the war begins, heck it was a goal of mine a few years back to perform in a flash mob playing the role of Thénardier, and I’d still love that if I wasn’t an awkward bundle of awkwardness. Éponine’s sorrow amidst the hopefulness of Enjolras, whilst Marius and Cosette declare their love for each other and the Thénardier’s steal a few things, it’s just a powerfully overwhelming song that makes you want to march around your house.
A few songs that only just didn’t make the cut
Take a Chance On Me – Mamma Mia!
Master of the House – Les Misérables
Empty Chairs at Empty Tables – Les Misérables
Popular – Wicked
Welcome To The 60s – Hairspray
Big Bright Beautiful World – Shrek The Musical
That’s all for now, see you soon!
Bye!
Totally Culture
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