Top 10 Best West Side Story Songs
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Date: 2023-11-20
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Comments and reviews: 30
airplane800
A lot of songs in musicals have a problem called poor rhyme. Because they need to tell a story many times the lyrics and the music don't fit well, and the singers need to go faster or slow to make the lyrics and song match. Sometimes we hear songs and lyrics that are just a perfect match. You can see in musicals that most people like and remember the same songs. I volunteer in a theater, and I always see the same people. I ask them which songs they remember from the previous play and there is only one or two songs. I am scheduled to watch West Side story 5 times in July. I want to see which songs really stick in your mind. The movies make the songs more memorable than the plays. Most people remember the songs from the movies.
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A lot of songs in musicals have a problem called poor rhyme. Because they need to tell a story many times the lyrics and the music don't fit well, and the singers need to go faster or slow to make the lyrics and song match. Sometimes we hear songs and lyrics that are just a perfect match. You can see in musicals that most people like and remember the same songs. I volunteer in a theater, and I always see the same people. I ask them which songs they remember from the previous play and there is only one or two songs. I am scheduled to watch West Side story 5 times in July. I want to see which songs really stick in your mind. The movies make the songs more memorable than the plays. Most people remember the songs from the movies.
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Tony
Being born in Manhattan and growing up there, West Side Story is my favorite film and musical of all time. In fact my wife looked like Natalie Wood, my favorite actress. So, I have my own opinion of my top 10. For me this is a love story and Tonight has to be number 1 followed by Maria. These two songs are classics. Rounding out my top 5 is three more classics, America, I Feel Pretty and Somewhere. The next five I have the Jet Song, Something's Coming, Gee Officer Krumpke, A Boy Like That and the Prologue. The last one was the hardest since I love Cool and Tonight Quintet. But this was the opening of the musical and movie.
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Being born in Manhattan and growing up there, West Side Story is my favorite film and musical of all time. In fact my wife looked like Natalie Wood, my favorite actress. So, I have my own opinion of my top 10. For me this is a love story and Tonight has to be number 1 followed by Maria. These two songs are classics. Rounding out my top 5 is three more classics, America, I Feel Pretty and Somewhere. The next five I have the Jet Song, Something's Coming, Gee Officer Krumpke, A Boy Like That and the Prologue. The last one was the hardest since I love Cool and Tonight Quintet. But this was the opening of the musical and movie.
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Aspie
I just saw the new version of this movie last night. I normally don't like musicals, but I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. I've never seen the old version before. I now see how ahead of its time the old version was. Gee Officer Krupke really explored reasons that force people into organized crime rather than just portraying them as Dirty hoodlums, as was popular for the time. It explored race relations and how the police target ethnic minorities, something you didn't hear a lot about in 1961.
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I just saw the new version of this movie last night. I normally don't like musicals, but I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. I've never seen the old version before. I now see how ahead of its time the old version was. Gee Officer Krupke really explored reasons that force people into organized crime rather than just portraying them as Dirty hoodlums, as was popular for the time. It explored race relations and how the police target ethnic minorities, something you didn't hear a lot about in 1961.
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StanTheMan
The first time I was allowed to go to the movies it was West Side Story playing and I fell in love with it FOREVER. 60 years later it is still my favorite of all time. Anita was my love from the first time she stepped in the scene. On top of that my junior high school crush played her in a school play which made me only love her more. Rita Moreno killed that role but Ariana Debose resurrected it and killed it again. I love this movie
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The first time I was allowed to go to the movies it was West Side Story playing and I fell in love with it FOREVER. 60 years later it is still my favorite of all time. Anita was my love from the first time she stepped in the scene. On top of that my junior high school crush played her in a school play which made me only love her more. Rita Moreno killed that role but Ariana Debose resurrected it and killed it again. I love this movie
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Jonna
As a high school dance teacher I have taught the four dance sequences from West side story for years. I understand your choices but Cool and the Prologue are leaving out two of the four dance pieces. Jerome Robbins won a special academy award for dance for west side story. I enjoy officer Krupke but I think it couldve been on the honorable mention list. Such a great musical I think all of the music should be in the top 10.
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As a high school dance teacher I have taught the four dance sequences from West side story for years. I understand your choices but Cool and the Prologue are leaving out two of the four dance pieces. Jerome Robbins won a special academy award for dance for west side story. I enjoy officer Krupke but I think it couldve been on the honorable mention list. Such a great musical I think all of the music should be in the top 10.
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nyanhial
why didnt the prologue make it? my fav part from the prologue is before the jets run into bernardo the hop with one arm out and one leg in and tony mordente and david bean did it the best in my opinion and my other fav part is whenever the sharks get revenge on the jets telling them its their tur or beat it! classic loco luering tiger and gee-tar to a tunel
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why didnt the prologue make it? my fav part from the prologue is before the jets run into bernardo the hop with one arm out and one leg in and tony mordente and david bean did it the best in my opinion and my other fav part is whenever the sharks get revenge on the jets telling them its their tur or beat it! classic loco luering tiger and gee-tar to a tunel
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Mervyn
Back in the 90's I was on the Board for a tutorial program in Marin County, CA. I was the only person of color and one of three working class members on the board.
One of our trust fund members was expressing her concern that the boys might be members of a gang. I told her not to worry, none of the guys can dance. I don't think she got it.
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Back in the 90's I was on the Board for a tutorial program in Marin County, CA. I was the only person of color and one of three working class members on the board.
One of our trust fund members was expressing her concern that the boys might be members of a gang. I told her not to worry, none of the guys can dance. I don't think she got it.
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Jane
I recall reading 1000 Films to See Before You Die of which this film was one, that the filmmakers wanted Elvis Presley to play Tony but Col. Tom Parker wouldn't let him out of his contract. I haven't seen this film in a long time, but I'm looking forward to the remake later this year.
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I recall reading 1000 Films to See Before You Die of which this film was one, that the filmmakers wanted Elvis Presley to play Tony but Col. Tom Parker wouldn't let him out of his contract. I haven't seen this film in a long time, but I'm looking forward to the remake later this year.
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Agentrock47
Maria is definitely not a simple song it is very much a very complex and an overall really hard song to sing. The orchestra plays completely different parts from the lyrics in almost a mocking way that can make even the most competent of singers mess something up.
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Maria is definitely not a simple song it is very much a very complex and an overall really hard song to sing. The orchestra plays completely different parts from the lyrics in almost a mocking way that can make even the most competent of singers mess something up.
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Colin
If you see the stage version for the first time, prepare to be confused and disappointed. Cool and Gee Officer Krupke swap places, I Feel Pretty is after the Rumble, and worst of all, America is a shadow of the film version, as its only sung by the Shark girls.
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If you see the stage version for the first time, prepare to be confused and disappointed. Cool and Gee Officer Krupke swap places, I Feel Pretty is after the Rumble, and worst of all, America is a shadow of the film version, as its only sung by the Shark girls.
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shakehd
any song with tony is crap
any song with the gangs is good
maria's i feel pretty solo is also good
the two gangs are the 2 real protagonists of the movie and tony and maria are the antagonists that ruin everything for them
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any song with tony is crap
any song with the gangs is good
maria's i feel pretty solo is also good
the two gangs are the 2 real protagonists of the movie and tony and maria are the antagonists that ruin everything for them
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Zamya
My list:
1) Tonight
2) America
3) I Feel Pretty
4) One Hand, One Heart
5) Maria
6) Somewhere
7) Tonight Quintet
8) Cool
9) A Boy Like That/I Have a Love
10) Gee, Officer Krupke
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My list:
1) Tonight
2) America
3) I Feel Pretty
4) One Hand, One Heart
5) Maria
6) Somewhere
7) Tonight Quintet
8) Cool
9) A Boy Like That/I Have a Love
10) Gee, Officer Krupke
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Laura
I agree with America but personally feel the Tonight Quintet is a very close second. It's a masterpiece of music. Of course, there is so much awesome music it's difficult to put them in a best to worst order.
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I agree with America but personally feel the Tonight Quintet is a very close second. It's a masterpiece of music. Of course, there is so much awesome music it's difficult to put them in a best to worst order.
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Bethany
10: A Boy Like That/I Have a Love
9: Dance at the Gym
8: Jet Song
7: Gee, Officer Krupke
6: Somewhere
5: Tonight Quintet
4: Maria
3: I Feel Pretty
2: Tonight
1: America
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10: A Boy Like That/I Have a Love
9: Dance at the Gym
8: Jet Song
7: Gee, Officer Krupke
6: Somewhere
5: Tonight Quintet
4: Maria
3: I Feel Pretty
2: Tonight
1: America
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Dr
I haven't watched west side story yet but I want to and the only reason I know some of these songs is bc of glee
EDIT 1 NOVEMBER: IM FINNALY WATCHING IT IM LITERLY WATCHING IT RIGHT NOW
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I haven't watched west side story yet but I want to and the only reason I know some of these songs is bc of glee
EDIT 1 NOVEMBER: IM FINNALY WATCHING IT IM LITERLY WATCHING IT RIGHT NOW
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johntlew
Dont count Dance at the Gym its not a song. Take I feel pretty off of list. sillyeven Stephen Sondheim hated it. Cool, One Hand One Heart and Somethings Coming have to be included.
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Dont count Dance at the Gym its not a song. Take I feel pretty off of list. sillyeven Stephen Sondheim hated it. Cool, One Hand One Heart and Somethings Coming have to be included.
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Laura
Kinda disappointed that they did not say that this musical/ movie is based on Romeo and Juliet since they did say somewhere has some Romeo and Juliet in there
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Kinda disappointed that they did not say that this musical/ movie is based on Romeo and Juliet since they did say somewhere has some Romeo and Juliet in there
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Matts
Did you know that in, Officer Krupke Sondheim wanted the last line to be f-ck you but I guess he couldn't write that so he had to write, Krup you instead.
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Did you know that in, Officer Krupke Sondheim wanted the last line to be f-ck you but I guess he couldn't write that so he had to write, Krup you instead.
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Karen
Cool - Honrable Mention. Are you kidding me. Somewhere should have been number 2: A Boy Like That and I Have A Love 3; Tonight should have been number 4.
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Cool - Honrable Mention. Are you kidding me. Somewhere should have been number 2: A Boy Like That and I Have A Love 3; Tonight should have been number 4.
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Sandra
Somewhere is the most beautiful song ever written. The melody itself is exquisite. It has been my favorite song since I saw the movie in 1961.
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Somewhere is the most beautiful song ever written. The melody itself is exquisite. It has been my favorite song since I saw the movie in 1961.
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Marilyn
Well, 'A Boy Like That' was right after Tony had killed Bernardo. Everything just happened so fast! It was so sad. Bernardo killed Riff. :(
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Well, 'A Boy Like That' was right after Tony had killed Bernardo. Everything just happened so fast! It was so sad. Bernardo killed Riff. :(
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Joseph
Most of the songs SUCK, except of course for I FEEL PRETTY and AMERICA. Bernstein and Sondheim are definitely not Rodgers and Hammerstein.
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Most of the songs SUCK, except of course for I FEEL PRETTY and AMERICA. Bernstein and Sondheim are definitely not Rodgers and Hammerstein.
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Douglas
How can you tell if a musical is great? When the 5 honorable mention songs are better than 90% of the music of all other broadway shows.
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How can you tell if a musical is great? When the 5 honorable mention songs are better than 90% of the music of all other broadway shows.
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lizmorganjake
Why have a countdown? Let's just say every song is wonderful.
That being said, I do agree with America taking the top spot.
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Why have a countdown? Let's just say every song is wonderful.
That being said, I do agree with America taking the top spot.
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nyanhial
im always happy in gee officer krupke i played arab in the school play and we did both the movie version and i got a big fat nothin
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im always happy in gee officer krupke i played arab in the school play and we did both the movie version and i got a big fat nothin
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Eduardo
One hand one Heart is the best for me. Only by listening the melody you know that a tragedy will break the dreams of Tony & Maria.
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One hand one Heart is the best for me. Only by listening the melody you know that a tragedy will break the dreams of Tony & Maria.
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Dr.
This clip would have been a lot more interesting if SHE could just spare us her comments and instead let us listen to the songs.
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This clip would have been a lot more interesting if SHE could just spare us her comments and instead let us listen to the songs.
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ethan
I am SO glad America is number one, but i feel like A Boy Like That/ I Have A Love should have been a bit higher on the list.
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I am SO glad America is number one, but i feel like A Boy Like That/ I Have A Love should have been a bit higher on the list.
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Dr.
This clip would have been a lot more interesting if SHE could spare us her comments and instead let us listen to the songs.
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This clip would have been a lot more interesting if SHE could spare us her comments and instead let us listen to the songs.
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Leah
I feel like Maria has transcended time. Its on my top list and i cant help but sing it whenever I hear the name Maria
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I feel like Maria has transcended time. Its on my top list and i cant help but sing it whenever I hear the name Maria
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