Re Mauceri's recording of the R&H overtures: the "Flower Drum Song" cut replaces "Like a God" with "I Enjoy Being a Girl." Liner notes say the change went in after 'Girl' became a hit. Do you know when the change went into performances? It wasn't there when I saw the show in June '59.
I'm curious, too, about the idea that the song became a hit. I never heard it played on the radio, fwiw. Elvis was taking over. The number itself did get a big hand in performance -- Suzuki even nodded to acknowledge the ovation. (The only recording of a song from the show that made jukeboxes, at least as I recall, was Johnny Mathis' version of "Love, Look Away."
FWIW, also: I like the revised overture. "I Enjoy Being a Girl" is, to me, a much better song than "Like a God" and the use of it really tops off a solid overture. |
