The Best Part’s the Singing: Scenes From Classic Musicals

“Big Spender” from Sweet Charity

Musicals can be sexy (see Chicago). This scene from Sweet Charity shows that clearly- I love this song, know every word and yes, have even devised my own moves in the shower (conditioner as microphone) and while doing the dishes.

“I Could Have Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady

Audrey Hepburn was  one of the greatest actresses to appear on the silver screen. However, it’s not her voice used in this famous tune, even though she played the part of the cockney flower girl Eliza. The director of the film wouldn’t let Hepburn sing the part- her voice simply wasn’t strong enough. She even saw a voice coach & recorded the music for it.

It doesn’t matter, though, since the acting is as epic as the music and this song is brilliant.

“Matchmaker, Matchmaker” from Fiddler on the Roof

“Fiddler on the Roof” is my favorite classic musical, and all of the songs are favorites. I love the three characters who sing this part and how the hope expressed in this song develops through the rest of the musical.

It’s cool.

“I Feel Pretty” from West Side Story

What woman hasn’t hummed this song to herself? In fact, some men hum it in their lighter moments- it’s so nice to feel pretty. And truthfully, no matter your gender or age- when you feel good, d@mn it, you feel pretty.

“And I’m Telling You (I’m Not Goin)’” from Dreamgirls

This song, when sung correctly, is unforgettable. It was best known for years as the song that made Jennifer Holliday famous. However, when Jennifer Hudson took on the role of Effie in the film version of Dreamgirls, she did it absolute justice.

She just sinks her teeth into this song and tears it to beautiful pieces.

How many times have I stood in my bedroom with a hairbrush lip syncing this song with the radio?I have no idea but I will tell you this: the deep, loud gasp just before the final long note makes my stomach do flips.

“Climb Ev’ry Mountain” from The Sound of Music

This whole movie is like a restful Sunday afternoon. It’s simple, romantic, the music is beautiful. There are at least 3 songs that can move me to tears in this movie (My Favorite Things is played so beautifully by John Coltrane, that I listen to it at least 6 times per day- it is my favorite song of all time).

However, Climb Ev’ry Mountain is one of the most inspiring songs I have ever heard. Perhaps even more than Amazing Grace or Ave Maria, it connects you to something higher than yourself.

“The Circle of Life” from The Lion King

I think this may be the most famous opening scene in film history. People all over the world recognize it instantly. When I first saw it, I was living in Japan, still staying in the hotel the US Navy had put my family in until we could find a house.

And I will never forget a single moment of that first viewing. I remember all the kids trying to sing this song- having no idea what language it was or what it meant. It was the first film that really moved me–and I will always cry when Mufasa falls off the cliff.

Always. Even when I’m forty & it becomes too pathetic for words.

“If I Only Had a Brain” from The Wizard of Oz

My mother recorded this from television when I was small- she left the commercials in and to this day, I can watch that grainy old tape and see the old early-90s commercials for Log Cabin Syrup, Cadbury eggs and steamy chicken noodle soup.

This song was my favorite- Somewhere Over the Rainbow was in the early, black & white part that I never watched, so I didn’t really appreciate that until I got older. Scarecrow was the brainiest character in the movie & I just loved him. Although it appears to be a silly song, If I Only Had A  Brain is really what The Wizard of Oz is all about – wanting something that you already have.