Lyrics and Music from the Theatrical Stage to Your Radio

Several years ago, songs from musicals ruled the airwaves. Many of the chart-topping songs came from musicals, proving that the musical theater was a great influence in the music industry during that time. Sadly, this isn't recently the case. Nonetheless, there are still songs from musicals that managed to transition from the stage to the mainstream. This is probably because of their general appeal; while a number of these songs from musicals have lyrics that only those who saw the production can relate to, some of these songs have generalized lyrics which can stand alone without the benefit of the play or the narrative.

These songs are often referred to as show tunes. Although show tunes generally refer to songs from a musical production, this term accurately describe songs from musicals that have become standards. The lyrics of these songs usually do not directly refer to anything related to the musical. For instance, a number of songs from musicals have spoken parts or lyrics where the characters are speaking to each other through song.

With these show tunes, the lyrics of the songs are general yet they still fit in the overall narrative of the production. A notable example here is “Memory” from the musical Cats. Although “Memory” originated from the musical, many people are familiar with it since it was popularly performed by Barbra Streisand. In fact, many people know it as a Barbra Streisand song rather than a show tune.

The “rock opera” Rent also produced a number of show tunes that are still familiar until today. One example of this is “Seasons of Love,” from the second act of the musical. This song is perhaps the most celebrated song from this celebrated musical, and perhaps also the most popular song from any musical.

The first lines from the lyrics of this song are popular and iconic: “525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear. / 525,600 minutes - how do you measure, measure a year? / In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee. / In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife. / In 525,600 minutes - how do you measure a year in the life?” In fact, just like “Memory,” many may know the song (or may be familiar with its lyrics) but do not even know about Rent.

Les Miserables has also produced a couple of standard show tunes, songs that people hear even until today. These songs include “On My Own” and “One More Day.” Of course, between the two, it is “On My Own” that has become a classic. “On My Own” has lyrics are that are meant to be a classic: “On my own / Pretending he's beside me / All alone / I walk with him 'til morning / Without him, I feel his arms around me / And when I lose my way, I close my eyes and he has found me.”

Show tunes probably won't get the same attention it received years before. But with its sincere and well-written lyrics and catchy tunes and music, these songs will continue to be part of our musical consciousness.

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