Summer's Facade

I know you.

You whip out your i-pod and listen to LMFAO or Lady Gaga. Maybe you actually like quality music.

However, I doubt you like musical theatre.

Don't try to deny it...

I know you.

That's why I'm taking this opportunity to link you to some of my favorite songs.

It's not at all because I'm lazy and have a huge paper due tomorrow.

Nope. This is definitely for your educational value.

1. Spring Awakening: All That's Known

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJnwd-FsE4c&feature=related

I'll be honest with you. I don't care for this musical. Actually, it annoys me. Come on... a musical about sex? It seems like they were trying too hard to be edgy and modern. In any case, I do like this song. It's not life changing or anything, but I do like it.

2. Billy Elliot: Electricity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1Q08xO7Zsg

Oh my goodness. I love this musical. I love this song. I love Liam Mower. This morning my mom told me that if I save up enough money we might be able to see it in the spring... oh my goodness. My life would be made.

3. Next to Normal: Light

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp_IFg-mjyM

This is one of my absolute FAVORITE musicals of all time, which is saying something. Given, I've never actually seen it performed... to be perfectly honest, all I know about it is what I've heard on youtube. Nevertheless, I'm in love with it. It was so hard to choose a song to put here, because I love all of them... I chose this one because it's so powerful. Of course it's powerful... apparently, it's the final song. Final songs are ALWAYS epic!

4. Les Miserables: One Day More

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IddP8AAIGTQ

This IS my absolute favorite musical of all time. I don't even know where to begin, so I just won't. All I can say is that if you don't love it, you don't have a soul. FACT.

5. Chess: Someone Else's Story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUUAK-fLFYU

Oh, what I would give to be able to sing this song... let alone like Lea Salgona. Seriously, this is one of the few songs I would actually love to sing. but alas...

6. Jekyll and Hyde: Facade

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09VXUGeMRmE

I've always loved this song. It's so epic... definitely one of my favorites from this musical. I also love their epic top hats.

7. Rent: Seasons of Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwJayC5sDIM&feature=fvst

I'm sorry... I know everyone loves this song. but come on... it's brilliant! Probably the best in the show anyway.

8. Dreamgirls: And I Am Telling You, I'm Not Going

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3lTXB4t2so

Unfortunately, I couldn't find a recording of the original cast. Oh well. It's such a powerful song! I've been singing it since I was tiny... sadly, not exactly the same as Jennifer Hudson.

9. Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1yih-p6uiw

Yes, another too-well-known song. Sometimes songs are well-known for a reason. Also, Elaine Paige is one of my favorite singers of all time. She's amazing in any role I've seen her play. Genius! Also, she is NOT dressed to the nines. That dress was a very, very bad idea.

10. Sunset Boulevard: As If We Never Said Goodbye

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WCwGM_Yusk

I bet you didn't know Glen Close could sing!

These songs were in no particular order, and they may not even be my favorite musical theatre songs of all time. However, they were the first ten that came to mind.

I hope you appreciate musical theatre a bit more now.

I equally hope that you now think of Chess as something more than "One Night In Bangkok". Seriously. That song isn't even all that good.

Less than three,

~ Summer

p.s. This song is the story of my life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7LHT0t2Uro Seriously. Sometimes it scares me how much I can relate to this character...