It’s funny what you can come up with after a Twitter conversation with deputy and music editor Lorna Holland and our frivolity editor Naomi Duffree.
From reading Naomi’s My Life in Music piece, I was so pleased to hear that she (like me) is a fan of Wicked. So that got us thinking, what are our favourite songs from the shows on West End and Broadway?
We asked our Kettle team, and this is what we came up with.
‘Revolting Children’ from Matilda the Musical
We had quite a few songs from this musical nominated, and it seems to be a big Kettle favourite. Admittedly I haven’t seen the musical yet, but it certainly appears that Tim Minchin (the comedian) has done a good job of composing some great tracks to tell a classic story written by Roald Dahl.
‘On My Own’ from Les Miserables
You can’t have a musical playlist without having a song from Les Mis, and it didn’t take long for our Kettle writers to select the best one. Quite an emotional song, the musical is done beautifully, and it is still running in the West End so it must be doing something right!
‘Any Dream Will Do’ from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Personally, this is not my favourite of musicals, but alas it was a favourite from the Kettle team. Quite a colourful and catchy song, I find myself singing a lot to it as I write. The musical is currently on a UK tour with X Factor winner Joe McEldderry as Joseph – check out the tour dates here.
‘Maria’ from West Side Story
What a wonderful song and an even more beautiful track chosen by our very own editor Leon Wingham. This is a tale of love and loss – think Romeo and Juliet set in modern day New York.
‘Tell Me It’s Not True’ from Blood Brothers
This brings back good memories from my GCSE drama days when I had to study and review this show. Written by Willy Russell, it tells the story of two twins, Mickey and Eddie, who get separated at birth. It’s a powerful story, but sadly it isn’t running anymore – the performance ran for 25 years and the last show was 10th November 2012.
‘Be Back Soon’ from Oliver!
Fun fact, I was once in a performance of Oliver at the Sunderland Empire. I love this cheery song from the classic musical, as we see dear old Fagin teach his boys how to do a bit of pickpocketing. He wants them to hurry up and come back quickly without being caught by the old Grasshopper.
‘The Journey Home’ from Bombay Dreams
I hadn’t even heard of this musical until it was suggested for the playlist (I know, I was surprised too!) After listening to this song, I fancy going to see this myself. Produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber with music from A.R. Rahman, this show is bringing Bollywood to the West End.
‘The Music of the Night’ from The Phantom of the Opera
Who doesn’t love The Phantom of the Opera? I fell in love with this musical after watching it on Sky movies. And let’s be honest, who hasn’t wrapped themselves in a white towel and pretended to be Christine, miming in the mirror…. no.. just me…
‘Solidarity’ from Billy Elliot
As a Geordie lass I love this musical, fusing my two favourite things – dance and North East history. I don’t think there is any other musical out there like it. To have that history of the mining industry being performed in front of my eyes is something very special. Billy Elliot makes me feel very proud of where I’m from. I look forward to seeing it in Sunderland when it comes next month.
‘Defying Gravity’ from Wicked
Does there need to be anything said about this song? If you haven’t heard it before, then where have you been? It tells the story of the wizard of Oz and is absoloutly magical. ‘Defying Gravity’ is such a kick ass song. If you listen to it on a windy day and sing along, your inner diva will come out as you bring out your inner Elphaba and perhaps even fly above the clouds in the sky and defy gravity.
Which songs would be on your ultimate musical playlist? Let us know in the comments below!
