Gifts

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>I've decided to start a thread entitled "Gifts". The subtitle of the thread will be, "Songs I've Never Heard in Auditions." Second subtitle: "But would like to." So I'm going to ask that only professionals who hear auditions all the time--teachers, agents, directors, casting directors--post songs here. (Everyone is welcome to comment, of course.)</p>

<p>Students are always looking for new material, and we keep telling them that the best new material is older than any of us, i.e. pre-1940. But there's almost no chance that the students have heard any of these songs, or know how to find them without help. I’m going to post the lyrics, rather than just the titles, so that students get some flavor. (I think we’re okay with copyrights, as long as I post those too.) I’ll also point you toward some recordings.</p>

<p>So here--for Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa--are some little gifts. Happy holidays. ☺</p>

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<p>One of my favorite Gershwin songs: music by George Gershwin, lyrics by his brother Ira, originally written for FUNNY FACE, which ran for 244 performances starting November 22, 1927, starring Fred Astaire and his sister Adele. According to Ira, this song was rejected from the show. Unbelievable. Here are his wonderful lyrics:</p>

<p>He:<br>
As a tot, when I trotted in little velvet panties,
I was kissed by my sisters, my cousins and my aunties.
Sad to tell, it was Hell, an inferno worse than Dante’s.
So, my dear, I swore, “Never, never more.”
On my list I insisted that kissing must be crossed out.
Now I find I was blind, and oh, lady, how I’ve lost out.</p>

<p>Refrain:<br>
I could cry salty tears;
Where have I been all these years?
Little wow, tell me now, How long has this been going on?
There were chills up my spine,
And some thrills I can’t define.
Listen, sweet, I repeat: How long has this been going on?
Oh, I feel that I could melt;
Into Heaven I’m hurled!
I know how Columbus felt,
Finding another world!
Kiss me once,
Then once more.
What a dunce I was before!
What a break! For Heaven’s sake!<br>
How long has this been going on?</p>

<p>She:
‘Neath the stars at bazaars often I’ve had to caress men,
Five or ten dollars then I’d collect from all those yes men.
Don’t be sad, I must add that they meant no more than chessmen.
Darling, can’t you see, ‘Twas for charity?
Though these lips have made slips, it was never really serious.
Who’d a’ thought I’d be brought to a state that’s so delirious?</p>

<p>Refrain: </p>

<p>I could cry salty tears;
Where have I been all these years?
Listen you, tell me do: How long has this been going on?
What a kick! How I buzz!
Boy, you click as no one does!
Hear me, sweet, I repeat: How long has this been going on?
Dear, when in your arms I creep,
That divine rendezvous,
Don’t wake me, if I’m asleep,
Let me dream that it’s true.
Kiss me twice,
Then once more.
That makes thrice, let’s make it four!
What a break! For Heaven’s sake!<br>
How long has this been going on?</p>

<p>Copyright 1927 by New World Music Corp.</p>

<p>Kristin Chenoweth and Rufus Wainwright have recorded versions recently, and they’re very nicely done, and the way they should be done in auditions—i.e. straight musical theatre style. But for fun, and to hear the greatest jazz singers, listen to the versions by Ray Charles and Sara Vaughan.</p>

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<p>Wow - thanks so much! I hope others add to this list.</p>

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<p>This is going to be very fun!!! YAY and thank you doctorjohn. :D</p>

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<p>doctorjohn,
I want to thank you for always giving so generously of your time to students and parents here. You are a great resource to us all, given your expertise. </p>

<p>This is a great idea. I have to say that I run into many high school students who are seeking MT college programs who seem to mostly be aware of common MT songs and are pretty limited in their own MT repertoire, as well as knowledge of the MT canon. Hopefully this thread will be a great start and they will seek to explore further. </p>

<p>Out of curiosity, since my own MT kid is home for a visit, I asked her if she knows How Long Has This Been Going on by Gershwin, and she was like, “Of course! It’s a standard!!” :smiley: Admittedly, she has always seemed to have a vast knowledge of MT songs, shows, and composers for as long as I can remember. I hope other kids who love this field, let alone plan a career in it, really research the wide variety of music out there beyond the most common or popular MT songs. I hope your thread will be a start for some to do that.</p>

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<p>Wow. Please keep this going. I recently purchased a stack of 1930-40’s classic song books and the D’s voice teacher said most of the song’s were in “men’s keys.” And the lyrics weren’t really suitable for a 16 year old, any way. I love Kristin C’s recording with all the old tunes but many of them are out of print. And if a song is on “her” recording does that make it ill-advised for teens? What I dream about is a collection of songs from the wonderful old 30’s - 40’s movies that featured teens in the leads.</p>

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<p>Soozie: Yes, “How Long” is a standard, and I’m glad your d. knows it. (She’s been in an MT program for four years–she should know it! :smiling_face:) But very few high school students know the standards from this era.</p>

<p>Classicalbk: Good idea about those books. Yes, some of the lyrics may not quite fit, but many will. And keys can be changed fairly easily nowadays. I also wouldn’t worry about doing something from Chenoweth’s recording. The songs are standards, not signature pieces for her.</p>

<p>But here’s one for young soprano ingénues. It’s called, “I Have to Tell You”, words and lyrics by Harold Rome, from his musical FANNY, written in 1954. It’s a terrific musical which deserves to be revived. </p>

<p>Fanny is a young woman living in Marseille—played by Florence Henderson on Broadway and by Leslie Caron in the movie—whose boyfriend Marius goes off to sea, leaving her pregnant. Given attitudes at the time, she marries an older man, Panisse, who happens to be best friends with Marius’ father, Cesar. The musical is based on a trilogy of plays by French author Marcel Pagnol. On Broadway, the fathers were played by Walter Slezak and Ezio Pinza; in the film, by Charles Boyer and Maurice Chevalier. Incredibly, the movie is not a musical. Rome’s music was used for the underscoring, but the songs were cut.</p>

<p>There are several songs worth looking at. Fanny sings “I Have to Tell You” to Marius. He sings “Fanny” to her. The Admiral sings something called “The Octopus Song”, a delightful patter song for a bass-baritone. </p>

<p>The CD of the original cast recording is available. Sheet music for the first two songs can be found at some sites, including music notes . com (spaces added for safety.) The song “Fanny” is also included in some anthologies for tenors. Make sure you check the keys, however. The original recording of “Fanny” is a full third higher than the music I downloaded, and Florence Henderson sings, “I Have to Tell You” one key higher that the music I just printed. The sheet music also lacks the coda on the recording which takes the singer up to a G.</p>

<p>Wikipedia and other sources have articles about the musical and the film.</p>

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<p>Fanny</p>

<p>I have to, I have to, I have to tell you!
I have to, though I don’t know where to start.
I have to, I have to, I have to say what I’m shouting in my heart!
I love you, I love you, I’ll always love you,
Love you, need you, want you my life through!
I’ve said it, I’ve told you, and now forget it,
Unless you have to say it, too.
Maybe you do.</p>

<p>© 1954 by Harold Rome
Copyright Renewed Chappell & Co., Inc.
From the musical “Fanny”</p>

<p>The lyrics may seem cliché but the musical setting makes them work.</p>

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<p>Marius</p>

<p>Only you, long as I may live, Fanny,
Fanny, Fanny.
You, long as I may live, Fanny,
If I could love, that’s what I would say.
But my heart isn’t mine to give, Fanny,
Fanny, Fanny.
No, no, not mine to give, Fanny,
For it is gone, given long away
To the sea, my one love in her gray green clothes,
Deep with wonders beyond the shore;
To the isles ‘neath the winds where the spice wood grows.
I must know them all, or sleep no more!
Here’s a boy with no heart to give, Fanny,
Fanny, Fanny.
Not worth one tear you’ll cry, Fanny,
Oh, Fanny, good-bye!</p>

<p>© 1954 by Harold Rome
Copyright Renewed Chappell & Co., Inc.
From the musical “Fanny”</p>

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<p>*The Admiral *</p>

<p>I’m in love with an octopus
A curly, girly octopus.
I’ll be true to her lips of blue
And those eight loving arms around me.</p>

<p>The catfish howl, the dogfish growl, the starfish twinkle and I
As she floats gracefully by,
So bashful, blushing and shy.
But she’s mine, all mine,
Every identical tentacle mine! Ah, ha!</p>

<p>I’m in love with an octopus,
A slinky, inky octopus.
Take me back to her cheeks of black,
And those eight loving arms around me.</p>

<p>Those slippery, cold, wiggly, bold,
Eight loving arms around me!</p>

<p>© 1954 by Harold Rome
Copyright Renewed Chappell & Co., Inc.
From the musical “Fanny”</p>

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<p>This is a great idea. Here is one I would love to hear in an audition but never have.</p>

<p>From the Show “Music In The Air” 1932 by Jerome Kern</p>

<p>I hear music when I look at you
A beautiful theme of every dream I ever knew
Down deep in my heart I hear it play
I can feel it start, then it melts away</p>

<p>I hear music when I touch your hand
A beautiful melody from some enchanted land
Down deep in my heart, I hear it say
“Is this the day?”</p>

<p>I alone have heard this lovely strain
I alone have heard this glad refrain
Must it be forever inside of me?
Why can’t I let it go? Why can’t I let you know?</p>

<p>Why can’t I let you know the song my heart would sing?
Beautiful rhapsody of love and youth and spring
The music is sweet, and the words are true
The song is you</p>

<p>Why can’t I let you know the song my heart would sing?
That beautiful rhapsody of love and youth and spring
The music is sweet, and the words are true
The song is you</p>

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<p>“I Have To” is also in the 16-Bar Audition Book, Soprano edition. :slight_smile: By the way, Dr. John, the theatre gods must have read your mind - Fanny is being produced in NYC soon! They are auditioning now. Not sure if it’s an Encores production or full revival.</p>

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<p>steffensdad: It’s a lovely song. Thanks for posting.</p>

<p>CoachC: It’s an Encores production! I didn’t know about it until a few minutes ago, when I received a private e-mail from a former cc poster whose daughter recently auditioned for the lead role. Best of luck to her!</p>

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<p>steffensdad: what is the name of that song from Music in the Air and is it traditionally song by a man or woman? Thanks!</p>

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<p>breezer…I looked it up for you. The song steffensdad posted is:</p>

<p>The Song Is You from Music in the Air composed by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein in 1932. </p>

<p>It was originally sung in the production by Tullio Carminati, but the song is often associated with Frank Sinatra. Thus, I believe it was written for a male. But it has been sung by both males and females such as Art Blakey, Barbara Cook, Anita O’Day, and Bing Crosby.</p>

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<p>breezer: I personally prefer it when sung by a woman, but it works equally well for both.</p>

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<p>He Was Too Good To Me by Rodgers & Hart 1930 (originally from Simple Simon)</p>

<pre><code>There goes my young intended
The thing is ended, regrets are vein
I’ll never find another half so sweet, and we’ll never meet again.
I was a good sport, told him goodbye.
Eyes dim, but why complain

He was too good to me
How can I get along now?
So close he stood to me
ev’rything seems all wrong now.
He would have brought me the sun.
Making me smile that was his fun.

When I was mean to him,
he’d never say “Go 'way now!”
I was a queen to him
who’s going to make me gay now?
It’s only natural I’m blue.
He was too good to be true.
</code></pre>

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<p>It Never Entered My Mind by Rodgers and Hart 1940 from Higher and Higher</p>

<p>I don’t care if there’s powder on my nose.
I don’t care if my hairdo is in place.
I’ve lost the very meaning of repose.
I never put a mudpack on my face.
Oh, who’d have thought that I’d walk in the daze now?
I never go to shows at night, but just to matinees now.
I see the show and home I go.</p>

<p>Once I laughed when I heard you saying
that I’d be playing solitaire,
uneasy in my easy chair.
It never entered my mind.</p>

<p>Once you told me I was mistaken,
that I’d awaken with the sun
and order orange juice for one.
It never entered my mind.</p>

<p>You have what I lack myself
and now I even have to scratch my back myself.</p>

<p>Once you warned me that if you scorned me
I’d sing the maiden’s prayer again
and wish that you where there again
to get into my hair again.
It never entered my mind.</p>

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<p>All The Things You Are by Kern & Hammerstein 1939 from Very Warm for May</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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!</p>

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<p>Kat, I’ve seen Barbara Cook perform He Was Too Good To Me. It’s beautiful!</p>