soundtrack – Page 24

My Brother Lived in San Francisco (from “Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens”)

From MotD fan Kent P., a first-time contributor:

“My Brother Lived in San Francisco” is the most heartbreaking song about AIDS I know (and I make a point to seek them out). It’s from the off-Broadway show (song cycle) Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens (1989), based on the NAMES Project Quilt.

It begins in C for two verses about specific people (real or composites?), then modulates up to C# for the third verse, into a more upbeat feel, to address the general sociological phenomenon of San Francisco as a gay mecca in the 1970s/80s, symbolizing the hope and happiness the City represented. Lastly, the tune unexpectedly makes a devastating full-tone drop to B for the unadorned reprise of the refrain, hitting us with the gut-wretching reminder of what the song is really about. Modulating down is rare enough, never mind a full step, but the emotional journey of this song hits so much harder because of it.”

Scott Alan | Never Neverland

Scott Alan‘s “Never Neverland” (2007), performed here by three-time Tony Award nominee vocalist Stephanie J. Block, alternates between A and F major throughout the song.

Gee, Officer Krupke (from “West Side Story”)

“Gee, Officer Krupke” is from Leonard Bernstein‘s seminal 1957 musical West Side Story. Eb major is tonicized in the chorus before a return to C major in the verses, and the song modulates briefly to Eb major at 3:46 for the very end.

Take Me or Leave Me (from “Rent”)

“Take Me or Leave Me” is from Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking 1996 musical Rent, sung here by original cast members Idina Menzel and Fredi Walker. Key change at 2:27.

Rosemary Clooney | Hey There

“Hey There,” from the 1954 musical The Pajama Game, was subsequently recorded by several prominent artists after John Raitt performed it in the original theatrical production. Rosemary Clooney‘s version reached #1 on the Billboard chart in 1954. Written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, the ballad modulates at 0:42 and then reverts to the original key at 1:04.

Betty Hutton | Murder, He Says

They don’t make them like this anymore. Betty Hutton makes her MotD debut with “Murder, He Says” from the film Happy Go Lucky (1943). The tune was written by Frank Loesser and Jimmy McHugh. Key change at 2:14, but you have to experience this whole performance.

Run, Freedom, Run (from “Urinetown”)

“Run, Freedom, Run” from the hit 2001 musical Urinetown by Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann, features a key change at 1:56. Inspired to post this song this week, as I am about to open Kotis and Hollman’s new musical, Yeast Nation, at College Conservatory of Music on Thursday.

Electric Light Orchestra | I’m Alive

The 1980 film Xanadu featured the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) track “I’m Alive.” While the film did poorly at the theaters and with critics, its soundtrack was a double-platinum smash hit, peaking at #4 on the end-of-year charts. The tune, which features Jeff Lynne‘s trademark stacked vocals and plenty of real strings layered in with synths, modulates at 2:03.

Eydie Gorme | As Long As He Needs Me

We’ve posted this song before, but it is high time Eydie Gorme made her debut on MotD. They don’t make them like this anymore. From the musical Oliver (1960), written by Lionel Bart. This 1969 performance features a key change at 2:16.

My Bathroom (from “Bathtubs Over Broadway”)

The documentary Bathtubs Over Broadway included this tune, “My Bathroom,” from a 1969 industrial musical entitled The Bathrooms are Coming. There’s a key change at 1:26. For more on what an industrial musical is, check out https://www.industrialmusicals.com.