I get made fun of a lot. Yes, a lot I do tend to bring on myself, like falling all the time and being a complete ditz, but something I can't control is my obsession and love for musicals. They give me goosebumps with their songs, they make me feel alive when the lights come on, and they make my car dancing go to the extreme. Everyone always says they can't relate to musicals and think they're stupid, but here are some of my favorite songs from my favorite musicals that will show you why you should blast them on your car radio.
1. "Do You Hear The People Sing" - Les Miserables
This song is sung by literally everyone in this tiny town that is fed up with the French rulers, and they all come together during this song. It is also the final song that is played. It pumps you up and makes you feel like you should start a protest over something because you feel unproductive with your life because you're not trying to overturn the French ruler with your friends.
2. "No Good Deed" - Wicked
This is when the wicked witch, Elphaba, realizes that since she cannot save her love, the scarecrow, she is officially wicked. She promises to never do a good deed again because "no good deed goes unpunished." If this song doesn't make you feel like the baddest you-know-what and that you're awesome, then you're not listening to it right.
3. "The Phantom of the Opera" - The Phantom of the Opera
This is when the Phantom is kidnapping Christine, and if the vocals don't give you chills, the scenery in the play will. Don't even get me started on the organ solo.
4. "As Long As You're Mine" - Wicked
This is when Elphaba puts a spell on Fiero to make him fall in love with her, and honestly when have we not wanted to do this to someone? Just me? Okay.
5. "On My Own" - Les Miserables
This is when Eponine realizes that one of the male lead characters, Marius, will never love her because he loves Cosette, and she's basically singing about how she will always love him, but on her own. Nobody can tell me they have never related to this situation. Jam to this and you're guaranteed some tears.
6. "Without Love" - Hairspray
Before Zac Efron was the heartbreaker and heartthrob in the role of Link in the movie version of the famous musical, it existed on a stage. Either way you listen to this song, it's a good song to belt out and accept the fact that even though you may be a cynic when it comes to love, nobody can really live without it.
7. "I Dreamed a Dream" - Les Miserables
Personally, I prefer Anne Hathaway's version over the original Broadway musical cast version, but who wouldn't? Anne rocks. This song will get you in your feels real quick by her singing about her pain she endures on a daily basis and how she saw so much more for herself and that she could not obtain that desired future. This is me with finals.
8. "The Music of the Night" - Phantom of the Opera
The vocals in this song are the sole reason this is one of the most famous songs from this musical. The phantom is singing to Christine about how he wants her and how he can help her become a great singer. Though the phantom is ultimately just a creepy dude, I feel sorry for him because he really just loves this girl and can't do anything else with his life because of his undying love for her. I can relate.
9. "I'm Not That Girl" - Wicked
This is another "right in the feels" song. Elphaba is singing about how she loves Fiero but he loves Glenda, and basically she's saying how she'll never be that girl that he loves and she's really sad about it. Relatable? Thought so.
10. "Defying Gravity" - Wicked
Okay, you knew this would be on here. If this song does not make you feel the most self-empowerment you've ever felt in your life and like you can conquer the world, then I don't know what will. Had a bad day? Listen to this song. Failed a test? Listen to this song. Love yourself? Listen to this song.
Musicals are life, and if you listen to them you can see how much they actually relate to us. They offer good stories if we are willing to listen to them. I am forever proud to be a musical junkie.