Fast-forwarding to something a bit more modern, I'd love to do Rent today. Rent deals with some touchy subjects (LBGT, drug use, AIDS) in a not-so-subtle way and it was pretty innovative for its time (early 90s). Nowadays the issues are more commonplace and openly/widely discussed, but the way the topics are handled in Rent is still pretty relevant and moving.
I have not seen the Broadway version (lamentably). I only have experience with the movie, so I'll post my favorite numbers from that.
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Rent is a rock musical with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson[1] loosely based on Giacomo Puccini's opera La bohème. It tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive and create a life in New York City's East Village in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
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Let's start with what I would consider to be the most iconic song of the show,
La Vie Boheme. People who have not seen this musical often know this song, just because it's so funny, random, and on-point, not to mention effing catchy! It's supposed to make the characters seems shockingly self-aware but it also has an emotional note at the end. Because I've heard this 1996 recording first, I'm going to post it.
"Do you really want a neighborhood where people piss on your stoop every night?" The song really picks up at 2:33, so skip to there if you're bored.
It's kind of hard to follow the song since so many characters are singing, but I think it's catchy enough to appeal to an audience who hasn't seen the full show.
Take Me or Leave Me is a great great great!! song about being on the verge of a break up, with both parties just at the tipping point. You love each other, right, but you just are SO different that it's starting to bring you both down, or one is jealous and the other isn't, or whatever it is that has driven you to that point. Okay, it's lesbian love, but I think a lot of people can relate to this song actually. I do.
"Cause every night, who's in your bed?! WHO!? Whooo~~~ooo's in your bed?"
"Womeeee~~eeen...what is it about them? Can't live WITH them or WITHOUT theeeee~~eeem!!!"
I really love their voices together. Awesome song about an awesome, dynamic relationship. I'm all about belting this one out when I'm home alone (or in the shower).
Seasons of Love is honestly just a major winner. It is a beautiful, glorious, joyous and sad song all at once. In the context of the film, it's kind of about loss, but out of context, it's positive and inspiring. If you don't like this song honestly, do you have a soul? It's so powerful, and not cheesy at all. That's hard to do in musicals sometimes.
All in all, I can't say I recommend Rent as a film, but it's got a really great soundtrack. If you liked these songs you'd probably like a lot of the others. Check it out!