Well, at least I know where their tastes lie. As in, not with mine. :)
(That said, I'm with them that any Gavroche song belongs near the bottom of the list; I'll be taking that chance and Fantine's blubbering on for a pee break.)
I love Les Mis (dramatic version - I have never read it), but I think it probably would have been stronger if Hugo had eliminated Eponine entirely. (I know -- heresy.)
Not sure how "One Day More" isn't #1. Of course, I'm not particularly fond of "Bring Him Home" (OK when actually watching the show; boring to just listen to) or "I Dreamed a Dream." Also, the finale is easily in my top 5. "Castle on My Cloud" is my least favorite; I skip it literally every time I listen to the show.
I have to concur with the description of the Finale: "the three-part harmony on "take my hand / I lead you to sal-va-a-tion" is scientifically engineered to induce weeping." That is absolutely the truth. It's the most difficult spot to sing along with.
My top 8 were in agreement with their #2-9, in almost the same order (I'd have One Day More #1 and Confrontation #2), but I don't get the love for On My Own. It's fine, and I like it better than the Cosette songs, but it would probably be #12-15 on my list. Odd that we were so close other than #1.
It's interesting listening to/thinking about Les Mis as an adult (which of course I've been doing nonstop in prep for the film - no shame here) versus as a teenager. When I first saw the show almost 20 years ago (yikes!) I absolutely empathized with Eponine. I WAS Eponine (as I'm sure every other tween and teen feel they are). "One more day with him not caring" just shattered me every time. Now? I'm a little more like "girl, you said it yourself - he doesn't like you like that. Move on." (The "Hey little boy, what's this I see?/God, Eponine, the things you do" exchange used to just break me apart and now? Girl, get a copy of He's Just Not That Into You and CERTAINLY do not work as message delivery service for the girl he actually likes.) Suddenly "On My Own" and her part in "One Day More" feel whiny, whereas Fantine's gutteral cry of "I Dreamed a Dream" is way more interesting somehow. That said, Cosette is still totally boring. Am I the only one who's grown out of my Eponine phase or am I being too harsh?
As for the order, I agree with it generally, but also with those above who've said "One Day More" should be #1.
Ok, this is slightly off-topic since it's not about the music, but it always bothered me that the other factory ladies wanted Fantine fired. Just b/c she has an out of wedlock child?
I discovered that Eponine resonates in yours 30s if you have a crush on someone. I am still apparently 15. However, for years, "On My Own" would pretty much make me cringe. As an adult, I have sympathy for her, but...yeah. Eponine, honey, you need to move on.
I think you're also supposed to get that there is jealousy there -- she keeps herself so pure and clean, as if she's putting on airs and above everyone else. Why shouldn't she submit to the foreman as any other woman he has his eye on has done? She doesn't, and they are jealous. And women just like to take women down for some reason. This is probably why I hung out with boys more in middle and high school.
"2. "I Dreamed a Dream""
ReplyDeleteWell, at least I know where their tastes lie. As in, not with mine. :)
(That said, I'm with them that any Gavroche song belongs near the bottom of the list; I'll be taking that chance and Fantine's blubbering on for a pee break.)
Aside from Bring Him Home, which should be top 5, I was surprisingly okay with their ranking.
ReplyDeleteI love Les Mis (dramatic version - I have never read it), but I think it probably would have been stronger if Hugo had eliminated Eponine entirely. (I know -- heresy.)
ReplyDeleteI like Eponine as contrast to Cossette myself.
ReplyDelete(BTW - my post wasn't really a reply to Finn, but more a reaction to the #1 slot. Apologies.)
ReplyDeleteNot sure how "One Day More" isn't #1. Of course, I'm not particularly fond of "Bring Him Home" (OK when actually watching the show; boring to just listen to) or "I Dreamed a Dream." Also, the finale is easily in my top 5. "Castle on My Cloud" is my least favorite; I skip it literally every time I listen to the show.
ReplyDeleteI'm also not sure what "Work" refers to.
I have to concur with the description of the Finale: "the three-part harmony on "take my hand / I lead you to sal-va-a-tion" is scientifically engineered to induce weeping." That is absolutely the truth. It's the most difficult spot to sing along with.
ReplyDeleteMy top 8 were in agreement with their #2-9, in almost the same order (I'd have One Day More #1 and Confrontation #2), but I don't get the love for On My Own. It's fine, and I like it better than the Cosette songs, but it would probably be #12-15 on my list. Odd that we were so close other than #1.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting listening to/thinking about Les Mis as an adult (which of course I've been doing nonstop in prep for the film - no shame here) versus as a teenager. When I first saw the show almost 20 years ago (yikes!) I absolutely empathized with Eponine. I WAS Eponine (as I'm sure every other tween and teen feel they are). "One more day with him not caring" just shattered me every time. Now? I'm a little more like "girl, you said it yourself - he doesn't like you like that. Move on." (The "Hey little boy, what's this I see?/God, Eponine, the things you do" exchange used to just break me apart and now? Girl, get a copy of He's Just Not That Into You and CERTAINLY do not work as message delivery service for the girl he actually likes.) Suddenly "On My Own" and her part in "One Day More" feel whiny, whereas Fantine's gutteral cry of "I Dreamed a Dream" is way more interesting somehow. That said, Cosette is still totally boring. Am I the only one who's grown out of my Eponine phase or am I being too harsh?
ReplyDeleteAs for the order, I agree with it generally, but also with those above who've said "One Day More" should be #1.
Ok, this is slightly off-topic since it's not about the music, but it always bothered me that the other factory ladies wanted Fantine fired. Just b/c she has an out of wedlock child?
ReplyDeleteI discovered that Eponine resonates in yours 30s if you have a crush on someone. I am still apparently 15. However, for years, "On My Own" would pretty much make me cringe. As an adult, I have sympathy for her, but...yeah. Eponine, honey, you need to move on.
ReplyDelete"I Dreamed a Dream" still does nothing for me.
I think you're also supposed to get that there is jealousy there -- she keeps herself so pure and clean, as if she's putting on airs and above everyone else. Why shouldn't she submit to the foreman as any other woman he has his eye on has done? She doesn't, and they are jealous. And women just like to take women down for some reason. This is probably why I hung out with boys more in middle and high school.
ReplyDelete