Ok, I just spent the last two weeks seriously listening to the film soundtrack to “Carousel”.
As in, seriously listening to the soundtrack.
And I have formed an opinion.
Richard Rodgers once said that of all the scores he composed, “Carousel” was his favourite. That coming from the man who also composed “Oklahoma!”, “The King and I”, “South Pacific”, “The Sound of Music” and “Flower Drum Song”, to name a few.
Therefore, I just had to take a good listen to the “Carousel” soundtrack to hear for myself what it was all about.
Firstly, let me just say that I don’t really recommend listening to Broadway soundtracks before watching the movie (which was what I just did).
Cos that’s just not right, I think.
Broadway soundtracks are not really meant to be like pop music albums.
I believe you’re supposed to watch the Broadway production first, then listen to the soundtrack to better appreciate the music.
Every Broadway song tells a story. It helps move the story along. So if you’re just listening to the individual songs before watching the production, you’re highly unlikely to make head or tail of what’s going on in terms of the entire plot of the musical.
Which was what happened to me.
I can roughly understand what each song is about, but I still don’t quite get what the entire musical’s plot is about.
…
June Is Bustin’ Out All Over!
The music from “Carousel” is powerful. Very powerful.
Most of the songs might not grab you upon first listening, but they will grow on you.
My favourite song is currently “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over”, which is an impeccably brilliant ode to the changing of seasons.
It’s such an amazing song. Catchy, uplifting, singalong…in the mould of “Get Me To The Church On Time”, or “Bloody Mary” or “There Is Nothing Like A Dame”.
Click (here) to listen to the song on YouTube.
And the lyrics…oh my!
Proof once again that Oscar Hammerstein had no peer when it came to lyric-writing.
Here are some excerpts from the song:
June is bustin’ out all over
The ocean is full of Jacks and Jills!
With the little tail a-swishing’
Ev’ry lady fish is wishin’
That a male would come and grab ‘er by the gills!
.
.
.
June is bustin’ out all over
The sheep aren’t sleepin’ anymore!
All the rams that chase the ewe-sheep
All determined there’ll be new sheep
And the ewe-sheep aren’t even keepin’ score!
Notice the incredibly witty rhymes especially with “ewe-sheep” and “new sheep”.
Simply brilliant.
Nobody writes lyrics like these. Ever.
…
Other Songs
Other songs I really like include “You’re A Queer One, Julie Jordan”, “When I Marry Mister Snow”, and “When The Children Are Asleep”.
How good are the songs in “Carousel”?
Well, another colossal, titanic work is the song “If I Loved You”, which stands as one of the great ballads in all of Broadway.
There is also a song in “Carousel” entitled “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, which…oh, happens to be the OFFICIAL ANTHEM FOR THE LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB, sung by die-hard supporters at almost every match which Liverpool plays.
And of course, who can forget the main “Carousel Waltz” theme? It’s wonderful.
So yeah, now you have a pretty good idea how great the songs in “Carousel” are.
…
Now to get my hands on the DVD.
