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| re: one of the more awkward/forced lyrics in Broadway history, I think | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 06:50 pm EDT 08/16/17 | |
| In reply to: re: one of the more awkward/forced lyrics in Broadway history, I think - davei2000 05:11 pm EDT 08/16/17 | |
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| I agree about Rice in general just having fun with unexpected references, etc. And both the Bacall and the Dior references are at least in period, even if I do tend to wonder if Eva would be wanting to compare herself to Bacall. If also always wondered if "Anything Goes" is meant to be a topical reference as well - though if so, does that somehow try to link Bacall to the Porter musical, lol? (I don't really think so, but the way the lyric works does prompt that question.) I think Joseph, Superstar, and Evita all have moments where Rice uses colloquial references to add a bit of contemporary spin on the story. "Israel in 4BC had no mass communication" or "One was a butler, the Jeeves of his time" etc. He's having irreverent fun, and for me, that works. My essential problem with the Hart lyric is "reaching from," which yes, I understand is meant ironically, but it also makes no logical sense. (I also have to say that for years I didn't even get that THAT was the joke - I was misled by wondering who busted his arm and why, and if "check" was meant to mean "hit" as in sports, etc. The idea of him avoiding picking up a tab never even occurred to me. Though I tend to disagree with Sondheim's general dismissal of Hart as a lazy lyricist, this is one hugely sloppy lyric to me.) |
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| re: one of the more awkward/forced lyrics in Broadway history, I think | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 01:28 am EDT 08/17/17 | |
| In reply to: re: one of the more awkward/forced lyrics in Broadway history, I think - Chromolume 06:50 pm EDT 08/16/17 | |
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| But the examples you give are examples of it working because they are different kinds of moments in the show. It's not Judas in context of the story saying to Jesus "Israel in 4BC has no mass communication" as if it makes sense to be said. In Evita, Eva is not outside the story or context of the scene, she is in it and talking to another character in it. She's not commenting on it or stepping outside of it or speaking to the audience or speaking after her death. | |
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| re: one of the more awkward/forced lyrics in Broadway history, I think | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 11:38 am EDT 08/17/17 | |
| In reply to: re: one of the more awkward/forced lyrics in Broadway history, I think - Chazwaza 01:28 am EDT 08/17/17 | |
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| Ok then, what about: "Always hoped that I'd be an apostle. Knew that I would make it if I tried. Then when we retire, we can write the Gospels So they'll still talk about us when we've died." ;-) |
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| re: one of the more awkward/forced lyrics in Broadway history, I think | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 12:15 pm EDT 08/17/17 | |
| In reply to: re: one of the more awkward/forced lyrics in Broadway history, I think - Chromolume 11:38 am EDT 08/17/17 | |
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| Ha, yes, that is absolutely ridiculous and always has been. That's a good example of it not working. :) | |
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| re: one of the more awkward/forced lyrics in Broadway history, I think | |
| Posted by: davei2000 08:27 pm EDT 08/16/17 | |
| In reply to: re: one of the more awkward/forced lyrics in Broadway history, I think - Chromolume 06:50 pm EDT 08/16/17 | |
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| There's one I come down on the other side, "israel in..." bothers me a little because the setting of 4 BEE-cee is so odd. The playful anachronism is cool though... | |
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| re: one of the more awkward/forced lyrics in Broadway history, I think | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 08:43 pm EDT 08/16/17 | |
| In reply to: re: one of the more awkward/forced lyrics in Broadway history, I think - davei2000 08:27 pm EDT 08/16/17 | |
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| "israel in..." bothers me a little because the setting of 4 BEE-cee is so odd. I agree. |
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