Well it seems last week I ended up on a tangent about the Brill Building, Marilyn Monroe and Gwen Stefani. So, I will do my best to stay on track this week.
And yeah it might seem that this trip to Broadway might be a digression from the whole Theory thing. Yet, being that my mission statement (how funny that just said I even had one?) is about helping musicians excel! I think understanding history (& herstory) might just be on point....
So, often we think Ugh! Broadway is too Vanilla and Virgin. Once again, I'm waaaaay tooo cool for that! Let me introduce you to one of my favorite playboys, Cole Porter BIO Now it's not shock value I'm after (although that's always fun) It's the rhyme, the story, the melodic rhythm and the use of words... check this out from his musical, "Anything Goes." Let's also take a moment to notice the timeless themes of rebellion and sarcasm. For me a big part of this magic is that he presents with such ease and humor
In olden days a glimpse of stocking
Was looked on as something shocking,
But now, God knows,
Anything Goes (big deal we see more than that in commercials) NOW
If driving fast cars you like,
If low bars you like,
If old hymns you like,
If bare limbs you like,
If Mae West you like
Or me undressed you like,
Why, nobody will oppose!
When every night,
The set that's smart
Is intruding in nudist parties in studios,
Anything Goes.
more here
Undressing? Nudist parties? Yeah, you get the point.
Need I say more about the brilliance of rhyme, humor and story? Well, just for fun, I will.
Fast Cars , Low Bars - Old Hymns, Bare Limbs - Mae West, Me Undressed -
Some pretty witty internal rhyme there Mr, Porter. And there's some divine time in your melodic rhythm. This is one of so many examples & I could wax on... but let's move on and be romantic instead.
Ah.... "All the Things You Are" written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein (1939!) from the musical "Very Warm for May"
Covered by Many People Including the Late Michael Jackson!!
Analyze it and Learn more Here
"All The Things You Are"
Time and again I’ve longed for adventure,
Something to make my heart beat the faster.
What did I long for? I never really knew.
Finding your love I’ve found my adventure,
Touching your hand, my heart beats the faster,
All that I want in all of this world is you.
(chorus)
You are the promised kiss of springtime
That makes the lonely winter seem long.
You are the breathless hush of evening
That trembles on the brink of a lovely song.
You are the angel glow that lights a star,
The dearest things I know are what you are.
Some day my happy arms will hold you,
And some day I’ll know that moment divine,
When all the things you are, are mine
Charlie Parker said these were his favorite lyrics of all time. This one is also a classic (even as an instrumental) in Jazz Standard literature
Imagery wow! "Angel glow that lights a star"
Nice use of simile! " you are the Breathless hush of evening"
Now, check this out - excerpted from a fairly recent pop tune recorded by many people including Rascal Flatts and become a top 5 hit for the Christian artist, Selah.
(written by Marcus Hummon, Jeff Hanna & Bobby Boyd)
"Bless the Broken Road"
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
But now I'm just rolling home into my lover's arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
more lyrics here
hmmmmm..... do we see the similarity of themes as well as similar expression, I could see this one in a musical. Not actually so different! Because they share vivid imagery, strong story, great use of simile.
Both Brilliant heart warming songs expressing the journey to finding love.
Like I said, you can learn a little from these Broadway Cats...
Take a look at these other favs and TELL ME what you think!
"Some Enchanted Evening" (South Pacific - Rodgers & Hammerstein)
lyrics
"If I Loved You" (Carousel - Rodgers & Hammerstein)
Lyrics
"Unexpected Song" (Song & Dance - A.L. Webber & Don Black, lyrics)
lyrics
"In a Very Unusual Way" (Nine -Maury Yeston)
This is one of my favorite musicals and What a Unique (even unusual?) way to express the theme of love! Breath-Taking
lyrics
"As Long as You're Mine" (Wicked -Stephen Schwartz)
Lyrics
"Til there Was You" Covered by none other than THE BEATLES!
(The Music Man - Meredith Wilson)
Lyrics
"Who can explain it? Who can tell you why? Fools give you reasons, Wise men never try"
(Some Enchanted Evening)
Well, Next Week I'll get to "Defying Gravity" and perhaps even, "Send in the Clowns"
Til then keep an open heart and a bawdy humor...
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