« Shakespeare songs » Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register. Jul 30, 2010, 12:10pm

PROFILES

FAQ

RESOURCES

The Boar's Head Tavern :: Shakespeare :: General Shakespeare Discussion :: Shakespeare songs Page 1 of 2 » Jump to page   Go     Author Topic: Shakespeare songs (Read 3,011 times) shaxper Administrator member is offline Pardon me.  I seem to have misplaced some princes. Joined: Mar 2002 Gender: Male Posts: 534 Location: Meadville, PA Shakespeare songs « Thread Started on May 2, 2002, 6:14pm » Hey folks, I'm trying to compile an anthology of modern music inspired by, or based upon Shakespeare.  I'd appreciate any suggestions.  Right now, I have: 1. Prospero's Speach, Lorraina Mckennet (The Tempest) 2. Romeo & Juliet, Indigo Girls (R&J) 3. Exit Music (for a film), Radiohead (R&J) 4. The End, The Beatles (general) 5. The Flesh Failures, "Hair" (Hamlet) Thanks! « Last Edit: May 2, 2002, 6:19pm by shaxper » Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged "Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will hum about mine ears; and sometimes voices, that, if I then had wak'd after long sleep, will make me sleep again; and then, in dreaming, the clouds methought would open and show riches ready to drop upon me, that, when I wak'd, I cried to dream again" Harry Duke member is offline Joined: Apr 2002 Gender: Male Posts: 152 Location: Michigan Re: Shakespeare songs « Reply #1 on May 2, 2002, 9:09pm » How could you forget the entire score from West Side Story (Romeo and Juliet)? And, there's the score for the Rogers and Hammerstein musical The Boys From Syracuse (Comedy of Errors) and Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate (Taming of the Shrew). The Love Theme from Zefferelli's Romeo and Juliet got a lot of play on the radio. I don't suppose you will admit as "modern" the various 19th century operas and incidental music, though they are still quite popular. Kiss Me, Kate included the unforgettable (even if you'd prefer to forget it  ;D ) Brush Up Your Shakespeare. It was sung by two mob hitmen. Brush up your Shakespeare Start quoting him now Brush up your Shakespeare And the women you will wow! Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged A little touch of Harry shaxper Administrator member is offline Pardon me.  I seem to have misplaced some princes. Joined: Mar 2002 Gender: Male Posts: 534 Location: Meadville, PA Re: Shakespeare songs « Reply #2 on May 2, 2002, 10:44pm » I had considered all of those (especially Kiss Me Kate), and had given the various Branagh soundtracks orchestrated by Patrick Doyle some consideration too, but I'm really looking for a thoroughly contemporary tone for this anthology, though at some point I would like to make a project of compiling the various Operas written on Shakespeare as well.  I'd also add the two Faust operas for good measure.  Maybe you can help me compile that list, Harry  ;) « Last Edit: May 2, 2002, 10:46pm by shaxper » Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged "Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will hum about mine ears; and sometimes voices, that, if I then had wak'd after long sleep, will make me sleep again; and then, in dreaming, the clouds methought would open and show riches ready to drop upon me, that, when I wak'd, I cried to dream again" inhiding Guest Re: Shakespeare songs « Reply #3 on May 3, 2002, 6:15am » The only one I know was the Indigo Girls one, but you already have that one. Our teached plsayed it for us in our class when we were studing the play. Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Harry Duke member is offline Joined: Apr 2002 Gender: Male Posts: 152 Location: Michigan Re: Shakespeare songs « Reply #4 on May 3, 2002, 6:42pm » Hmmm... Maybe it's all a matter of perspective. I'd consider Rodgers and Porter pretty modern composers.  ::) And, West Side Story came out only a few years before Hair. Bernstein was much more modern than either Rodgers or Porter. I'd say he'd sound about as modern as Hair. The Zefferelli R & J Love Theme WAS contemporary with Hair. The best part about that Flesh Failures song from Hair is that the words being sung aren't verse. It's a Shakespearean prose passage ("What a piece of work is man..."). I can hardly say the speech out loud without singing it to the Flesh Failures tune. Also, Hamlet immediately followed the lines quoted in The Flesh Failures with a denial of homosexual intent. In the production I saw (Boston, spring 1969) the song was sung by two boys holding hands. Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged A little touch of Harry shaxper Administrator member is offline Pardon me.  I seem to have misplaced some princes. Joined: Mar 2002 Gender: Male Posts: 534 Location: Meadville, PA Re: Shakespeare songs « Reply #5 on May 3, 2002, 7:22pm » I think I meant a modern sound, rather than the age of the works themselves.  It's hard to explain.  Fesh Failures qualifies as relatively comtemporary music for me, while West Side Story is classic show tunes.  There's no real logic, except perhaps that Hair was highly conscious of contemporary music and is really the predecessar of the Rock Opera, while West Side Story seemed to belong to the decade before it.  I guess it's a matter of taste.  As for the Zefferelli theme, doing themes and compositions based upon Shakespeare would necessitate an entire library of albums.  Patrick Doyle alone would require at least three.   I'm particularly fascinated with modern, popular music borrowing from literature that, in contrast, is often seen as archaic and inaccessible.  I find it fascinating that the Bard is making his way into music heard on MTV and VH1.  I find it less remarkable that his plays have inspired the scores to film adaptations of those same plays.  Some day, I'd like to have a full collection of every piece of music ever inspired by Shakespeare, but that's not my goal with this particular tape. Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged "Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will hum about mine ears; and sometimes voices, that, if I then had wak'd after long sleep, will make me sleep again; and then, in dreaming, the clouds methought would open and show riches ready to drop upon me, that, when I wak'd, I cried to dream again" Harry Duke member is offline Joined: Apr 2002 Gender: Male Posts: 152 Location: Michigan Re: Shakespeare songs « Reply #6 on May 5, 2002, 10:39pm » Of course, it's your collection so you get to make the decisions.  :) I'd just point out that the Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet and several of the songs from West Side Story WERE on the '50s and '60s equivalents of MTV and VH1. We did have popular music before there were music videos.  ;D I asked my daughter, a Loraina McKennet fan, about the Prospero speech. She didn't recall it and couldn't find her CDs (she's still not unpacked after coming home from college). She did mention a piece from Cymbeline (which she couldn't find either) and The Lady of Shallot and The Highwayman. McKennet seems to do a lot of that sort of thing. Well, yes, Hair was one of the original Rock Operas. Tommy and Jesus Christ, Superstar being the others. I don't think that anything else has come close to those three. I could argue that Hair was more of a Broadway show (despite its deliberate shocking of audiences), though. Another old rock and roll song was Just Like Romeo and Juliet. I found these lyrics on the Internet. ROMEO AND JULIET (ooh-ooh-oop) Findin' a job tomorrow mornin' Got a little somethin' I wanna do Gonna buy (gonna buy) somethin' I could ride in a-Take my girl (take my girl) datin' at the drive-in Our love's gonna be written down in history a-Just like Romeo and Juliet I'm gonna buy her pretty presents Just like the ones in a catalog Gonna show (gonna show) how much I love Let 'er know (let 'er know) one way or the other Our love's gonna be written down in history a-Just like Romeo and Juliet (ooh-ooh-oop) (dooo, doot, doot, doot, doot, doot, doot, doo-doop) It may have been recorded by The Reflections. It's one of those old rock songs which rarely show up on moldy oldies programs. My memory says that this was popular in the early '60s or maybe late '50s. I'm sure there were more verses. Now that I've thought of it, I can't get the tune out of my head. Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged A little touch of Harry Harry Duke member is offline Joined: Apr 2002 Gender: Male Posts: 152 Location: Michigan Re: Shakespeare songs « Reply #7 on May 5, 2002, 10:45pm » Humpf! This is two posts because the site wouldn't accept it as one. Maybe Cole Porter isn't precisely to your taste. And few of his songs are heard on MTV, but Brush Up Your Shakespeare ought to be included in any collection. Track Title:               Brush Up Your Shakepeare Prime Artist:              Harry Clark Vocal:                     Jack Diamond Written by:                Cole Porter       (C. Albert P.) From the Show:             Kiss Me Kate  1948 (S) Lyrics: -intro- The girls today in society. Go for classical poetry. So to win their hearts one must quote (with ease). Aeschylus and Euripides. One must know Homer and, b'lieve me, Bo. Sophocles... also Sappho-ho! Unless you know Shelley and Keats and Pope. Dainty debbies will call you a dope. But the poet of them all Who will start 'em simply ravin'. Is the poet people call. The bard of Stratford-on-Avon! -refrain- Brush up your Shakespeare. Start quoting him now. Brush up your Shakespeare. And the women you will wow. Just declaim a few lines from "Othella". And they'll think you're a helluva fella. If your blonde won't respond when you flatter 'er. Tell her what Tony told Cleopaterer! If she fights when her clothes you are mussing... What are clothes? "Much Ado About Nussing!" Brush up your Shakespeare. And they'll all kowtow. Brush up your Shakespeare. Start quoting him now. Brush up your Shakespeare. And the women you will wow. With the wife of the British ambessida. Try a crack out of "Troilus and Cressida." If she says she won't buy it or tike it. Make her tike it, what's more, "As You Like It." If she says your behavior is heinous. Kick her right in the "Coriolanus!" Brush up your Shakespeare. And they'll all kowtow. Brush up your Shakespeare. Start quoting him now. Brush up your Shakespeare. And the women you will wow. If you can't be a ham and do "Hamlet". They will not give a damn or a damnlet. Just recite an occasional sonnet. And your lap'll have "Honey" upon it. When your baby is pleading for pleasure. Let her sample your "Measure For Measure!" Brush up your Shakespeare. And they'll all kowtow. Brush up your Shakespeare. Start quoting him now. Brush up your Shakespeare. And the women you will wow. Better mention "The Merchant Of Venice". When her sweet pound o' flesh you would menace. If her virtue, at first, she defends---well. Just remind her that "All's Well That Ends Well"! And if still she won't give you a bonus. You know what Venus got from Adonis! Brush up your Shakespeare. And they'll all kowtow. Brush up your Shakespeare. Start quoting him now. Brush up your Shakespeare. And the women you will wow. If your goil is a Washington Heights dream. Treat the kid to "A Midsummer Night's Dream." If she then wants an all-by-herself night. Let her rest ev'ry 'leventh or "Twelfth Night." If because of your heat she gets huffy. Simply play on and "Lay on, Macduffy!" Brush up your Shakespeare. And they'll all kowtow. Brush up your Shakespeare. Start quoting him now. Brush up your Shakespeare. And the women you will wow. So tonight just recite to your matey, "Kiss me, Kate. Kiss me, Kate. Kiss me, Katey!" Brush up your Shakespeare. And they'll all kowtow. The unlikely rhymes are typical of Porter's style. The tune was catchy. The fact that it was sung by gangsters in the show made it even funnier. « Last Edit: May 5, 2002, 10:48pm by Harry » Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged A little touch of Harry shaxper Administrator member is offline Pardon me.  I seem to have misplaced some princes. Joined: Mar 2002 Gender: Male Posts: 534 Location: Meadville, PA Re: Shakespeare songs « Reply #8 on May 6, 2002, 12:13pm » Okay, you win!  ;) It's included.  I do love that bit.  Since I'm changing the tone of this album, I'll have to include Hair's "What a Piece of Work is Man" too then.  Any other suggestions? Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged "Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will hum about mine ears; and sometimes voices, that, if I then had wak'd after long sleep, will make me sleep again; and then, in dreaming, the clouds methought would open and show riches ready to drop upon me, that, when I wak'd, I cried to dream again" Lord3 Money Lender member is offline 'Tis a lucky day, boy, and we'll do good deeds on't Joined: Mar 2002 Gender: Male Posts: 40 Location: Toronto, Ont. Canada Re: Shakespeare songs « Reply #9 on Jul 9, 2002, 9:46am » Melanie Doane on her Album "Shakesperian Fish" has a beautiful song inspired by Hamlet's letter to Ophelia. The song is entitled, "Never Doubt I Love." Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged shaxper Administrator member is offline Pardon me.  I seem to have misplaced some princes. Joined: Mar 2002 Gender: Male Posts: 534 Location: Meadville, PA Re: Shakespeare songs « Reply #10 on Jul 9, 2002, 9:49am » Melanie Doane? I've never heard of her. What is she like? Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged "Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will hum about mine ears; and sometimes voices, that, if I then had wak'd after long sleep, will make me sleep again; and then, in dreaming, the clouds methought would open and show riches ready to drop upon me, that, when I wak'd, I cried to dream again" Lord3 Money Lender member is offline 'Tis a lucky day, boy, and we'll do good deeds on't Joined: Mar 2002 Gender: Male Posts: 40 Location: Toronto, Ont. Canada Re: Shakespeare songs « Reply #11 on Jul 9, 2002, 10:37am » She's from the east coast of Canada and plays a mean fiddle. She has a pure and lovely voice. I don't know what section she would be found in at the record store, I suppose pop or folk or rock/folk/pop. Very singable tunes. Trust me this song will break your heart. This album was distributed under the Sony label. I believe the catalogue #is ck 80233. there's another # on the back7464-80233-2. Enjoy Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged shaxper Administrator member is offline Pardon me.  I seem to have misplaced some princes. Joined: Mar 2002 Gender: Male Posts: 534 Location: Meadville, PA Re: Shakespeare songs « Reply #12 on Jul 9, 2002, 2:03pm » Thanks, Lord3! I will definitely look into it Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged "Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will hum about mine ears; and sometimes voices, that, if I then had wak'd after long sleep, will make me sleep again; and then, in dreaming, the clouds methought would open and show riches ready to drop upon me, that, when I wak'd, I cried to dream again" actaeon Money Lender member is offline That's me on the right! (as Othello) Joined: Aug 2002 Gender: Male Posts: 13 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Re: Shakespeare songs « Reply #13 on Aug 8, 2002, 6:16am » Another one you'd probably not have come across in the US was a singer called B.A.Robertson who had a couple of lightly humorous hits in the 80s (I think) in the UK, and has since done a lot of theme music for films & TV, etc.. On his album Initial Success, there was a track called To Be or Not to Be, with lyrics roughly as follows: Now I'm a little shy I like to stay homeo Shakespear's my guy Julie and Romeo Now I have found a girl so dear She cares not if Will he was queer Who cares if Hammy made it with his Ma? To be or not to be my lover To me there could not be another To be or not to be's my plea It's as you like it you know To me there could not be another In hardback or in paper cover To be or not to be's my plea Some like the sun They'd be a Barbadian We think it's fun Here in Stratford-on-Avion Kids go out to a disco show We stay and praise Malvolio Who cares if Will He dressed his guys as chicks? To be or not to be my lover etc... We are a couplet heaven knows Undo my doublet baby And I'll undo your hose To be or not to be my lover It's as you like it you know. Well, I found it amusing (edited for a couple of spelling mistakes) « Last Edit: Aug 8, 2002, 6:17am by actaeon » Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged shaxper Administrator member is offline Pardon me.  I seem to have misplaced some princes. Joined: Mar 2002 Gender: Male Posts: 534 Location: Meadville, PA Re: Shakespeare songs « Reply #14 on Aug 8, 2002, 9:34am » Wherever did you find that?! That's absolutely insane. I'll need to look for it on a file sharing server. Thanks! Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged "Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will hum about mine ears; and sometimes voices, that, if I then had wak'd after long sleep, will make me sleep again; and then, in dreaming, the clouds methought would open and show riches ready to drop upon me, that, when I wak'd, I cried to dream again" Page 1 of 2 » Jump to page   Go     Forum Jump--------------------» Home--------------------» Shakespeare--------------------- The Plays- The Sonnets- The Man- General Shakespeare Discussion--------------------» The English Renaissance--------------------- Shakespeare's Contemporaries- Other Renaissance-Related Works- General Renaissance Discussion--------------------» In Performance--------------------- Film Productions- Modern Theatrical Productions- Renaissance Theatrical Productions- General Performance Discussion--------------------» General--------------------- General- Non-Renaissance Literature/Drama- Criticism Discussion- Reading Clubs--------------------» Site Info--------------------- Site Announcements- Questions and Suggestions