The one where Spencer Gives you some Sondheim to Watch.

So today is his lord and Savior, Stephen Sondheim's 85th Birthday. So I've been sitting here all day thinking about what my favorite songs of his are. I mean there are SO many. I've narrowed this list down to just a few, because. They are listed here in NO certain order.


Let's start this list off with MORE from Dick Tracy. Steve wrote 3 songs for the movie in which Madonna put on her I'm Breathless Album, which by the way will celebrate it's 25th Anniversay of release in May.

https://youtu.be/GpiE8JEkp7M

The next one I'm going to throw at you is Anyone Can Whistle from Anyone Can Whistle. Whenever I'm having one of those moments that I'm having a hard time letting go of something I cue this one up and "relax and let go".

https://youtu.be/Rj4h7EYw20s


The next two songs I'm going to talk about are from the same show. Merrily We Roll Along.

First is Now You Know, because at times (especially of late) things get crummy. This song reminds me that even through pain and heartache and set backs, it'll all work out and whatever just happened is the best thing that could have ever happened.

https://youtu.be/UCwCBZzNAN8

Second is Old Friend. I love this one because, well I'm fortunate to have friends. A lot of you have been with me through some very dark times. I cherish all of my friends, new and old. 'Here's to us, who's like us? Damn few."

https://youtu.be/pwoDo0VJJvQ


Last year I had the fortunate luck to do one of my favorite Sondheim Musicals A Funny thing Happened On the Way to the Forum, luckily for the audience I wasn't tasked with any solos. This song has always been a favorite of mine from the show, and listening to the guys sing it every night was a highlight of waiting for my first entrance.

https://youtu.be/Ahqu1nd3Zu8

One of the last shows that I saw before leaving D.C. was FOLLIES at The Kennedy Center. I didn't know much of the show other than just a few songs. The next two songs totally blew me out of the water, mainly because I didn't know them and to see them in context of the show was just well it was a religious experience. Both of them are Phyllis's songs, and let me tell you Jan Maxwell gave it to me.

The first one is Could I Leave You. I mean come on, how many of us have been in this exact situation?

https://youtu.be/aBkARq5miQw

The second one is her Follies number, watch this!

https://youtu.be/-1SqMZZjGQI


The next one up is The Boy From ... I mean come on it's just down right HILARIOUS.

https://youtu.be/qyW2IJM_ZCY


Let's be honest, we all know I love GYPSY. And we all know that I love Rose's Turn. So here it is but little do you know it's not my favorite from the show. To be honest with you my favorite is You Gotta Get a Gimmick.

I really prefer Patti's Rose's Turn when it comes to recordings, mainly because it's the one that I had the pleasure of seeing.

https://youtu.be/Mi18C2Y1HS4

Another Spencer Secret, after I saw the Bette Midler in GYPSY, the made for TV movie, was one of the first times I knew I was a homo. I wonder how many people have said that? 

https://youtu.be/R5z9fgPEOAw


Few Songs can reduce me to tears like this one. Yes. I cry. I just don't like to do it in public.

https://youtu.be/11jJu5hMrn8


And Finally, How could any list of mine not include this little ditty? I mean no explanation needed.

RISE! RISE! RISE!

https://youtu.be/virv-1o2KjE


This is more of a bonus, because it's a fucking fantastic medley of two great songs!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEVlHFbXi00


Well, that's all I got, there are so many wonderful songs to pick and these are just a small sample of my favorites.

xo