MUSICAL-ly Inclined

As I said, I LOVE MUSICALS!

I love how the story is enhanced by the music while the music tells its own story.

"Written In the Stars" from Aida is one of the most powerful songs performed live. "A Step Too Far" is sung in a triangle, representative of the love triangle in Aida's story. However, my favorite song from Aida is the "Strongest Suit Reprise". It's beautiful in it's simplicity and the duet towards the end has one of the most profound timbres/colors/tones I've ever been able to hear. Here are the lyrics, which only make it better:


Princess Amneris: "I may leave a great impression, 
as I race through a succession, 
of the latest crazes, 
chase the newest fad. 
I feel better when beguiling, 
find that fashion keeps me smiling, 
but in my heart, I know, 
it's rather sad."
Princess Aida: "That a life of great potential, 
is dismissed, inconsequential."
Amneris: "And only ever seen as being... cute..."
"...So I'll flutter to deceive..."
Aida: "No, no. No, you must believe, 
that one day you're bound to find..."
Both: "A stronger suit."



I don't want to spoil the story of Aida for those that have never seen it, but I do want to explain this song. The "Strongest Suit" is sung by Princess Amneris, who is very fashionable/stylish, whatever. She sings the song about how she is what she wears. When she is alone with her slave, Aida (the Nubian princess that no one knows is actually her... well it's complicated...), Amneris realizes that her boyfriend doesn't love her anymore. She sings the "Strongest Suit Reprise" to Aida about how she is peppy and acts like a floozy all the time so that no one sees that she is nothing else but the facade she created.

It is a powerful moment in the story and a huge turning point in the musical. Although it lasts little more than a minute, it is beautiful and raw and exposed and everything I want in a song in a musical.



If you ever get the chance, and you can't decide which musical to go see, choose Aida. It's by far my favorite and you'll fall in love with the story just like I did.