THE GREATEST SHOWMAN : Soundtrack

[jo]

[jo]

It looks like the songs are very popular, except with a few so-called traditional musical theatre purists on Broadway (check out BWW, except some disagreed and said they liked the "poppy" sound). Also, Vulture tweeted that Hugh's singing is "awkward rapping" ( but someone replied and said emphatically "that is not rapping!"). I have also noted occasional negative reactions (from 2 older tweeters). So-- as it was meant to be -- the score will hit it as a surefire winner with the younger generation.

As for "us" -- someone tweeted "It is as if I am 13 again!" Amen!!

Re Best song -- I have initially thought that THIS IS ME would be the likely winner. But if THE GREATEST SHOW is an indication, it could very well have some strong competition from the rest of the musical score of SHOWMAN. And we still have Hugh's "FROM NOW ON" finale number which Variety described as "uplifting and powerful"! Who knows, there might be one or two more which could be a popular Oscar choice.

If any of these songs from SHOWMAN ( esp those featuring Hugh) become Best Song contenders, that can only enhance Hugh's chances for a nod and maybe a win? We have only heard the singing in THE GREATEST SHOW -- there is still the dancing that will probably accompany it -- and the whole spectacular scene. This could all be dazzling!

If Greatest Show gets nominated and is chosen to sing at the Oscars -- ha - that audience are going to be stomping and clapping and joining the chorus, I tell ya!




Jo

[jo]

Variety did capture some of the promise of the score from Pasek & Paul.

variety.com/2017/artisans/news/songwriters-barnum-greatest-showman-1202573848/

Interesting that some people thought that THE GREATEST SHOW evokes a song from DEAR EVAN HANSEN. We don't know which was written first -- but we know that Pasek and Paul started writing the score for SHOWMAN before they worked on Hansen and La La Land... so which is which

Pasek and Paul must be grinning widely -- they probably don't want this year to end ( La La Land/ Dear Evan Hansen and soon - A Christmas Story-live musical adaptation with new songs... and THE GREATEST SHOWMAN). We hear that there might be some publicity tie-ups for Showman during the telecast of Christmas Story...

And these two talented songwriters sound very level-headed but always very enthusiastic artists!


Jo

[jo]

[jo]

[jo]

A film site reviews the 2 released tracks --


www.slashfilm.com/the-greatest-showman-soundtrack-songs/


Excerpts --

Greatest Showman soundtrack below.

First up, this sounds like it could be one of the breakout tracks from The Greatest Showman:

The Greatest Show

The track has a contemporary feel to it, despite the fact that the story takes place during the late 1800s. So we’re not looking at a musical like Chicago where the music from the soundtrack fits in with the style of music from that time period. In fact, this track in particular almost sounds like it could be on an Imagine Dragons album, for better or worse. I’m not sure if that will be a hit with the musical crowd or not, but it doesn’t sound half bad.

Stick around to the end of the track and you’ll hear Keala Settle, Zac Efron and Zendaya get in on the track, but this is primarily Hugh Jackman’s time to shine. But that’s not the only song you can listen to from the soundtrack. Here’s the track “This Is Me,” letting Keala Settle show off her pipes.

This sounds like a little more like a traditional musical track, but again, it features a style that is much more contemporary than the story. There’s still flairs of that Imagine Dragons sound, but there’s also a gospel influence here too. And that voice of Keala Settle’s is quite the showstoppper.


For those curious, here’s the full track listing for The Greatest Showman soundtrack:

The Greatest Show – Hugh Jackman, Keala Settle, Zac Efron, Zendaya
A Million Dreams – Ziv Zaifman, Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams
A Million Dreams (Reprise) – Austyn Johnson, Cameron Seely
Come Alive – Hugh Jackman, Keala Settle, Daniel Everidge, Zendaya
The Other Side – Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron
Never Enough – Loren Allred
This Is Me – Keala Settle
Rewrite The Stars – Zac Efron and Zendaya
Tightrope – Michelle Williams
Never Enough (Reprise) – Loren Allred
From Now On – Hugh Jackman

In case you haven't read my three posts on the subject -- you can listen to the music onscreen when the movie opens on December 20 instead of December 25, 2017! Yes, they moved up the date to a previous week Wednesday opening!


Jo

[jo]

It looks like this site appreciated the approach to the song THE GREATEST SHOW --

maddmusic.com/heres-hugh-jackman-awkwardly-rapping-on-a-new-song-from-the-greatest-showman/

Here’s Hugh Jackman Awkwardly ‘Rapping’ on a New Song From The Greatest Showman
By Anne Perry 2017-10-28 0 Comments

The Greatest Showman is a movie musical about P.T. Barnum, played by Hugh Jackman, inventing the circus. So, course, it needed a song where Barnum explains what a circus is. Welcome to “The Greatest Show,” in which Jackman awkwardly raps and people in the background shout “Oh! This is the greatest show.”

In advance the film’s Christmas release, you can now listen to two the songs from the film: the aforementioned “Greatest Show” and “This Is Me,” which can be heard in the trailer. Dear Evan Hansen and La La Land’s Pasek and Paul wrote the music for the movie. If this is any indication, it will be loud and full “this is” statements.

Since the song was supposed to have been lifted from the motion picture soundtrack, simply listening to the song does not provide the establishing scene for the song, visually-speaking. It must have also been fully acted by Hugh (aka Barnum) as he introduces his show, maybe a little unsure of himself, and probably for the first time.

I can't wait for that particular scene to unfold


Jo

[jo]

Comments on the YTube upload of THE GREATEST SHOW --

*they liked his voice here better than his Valjean voice
*the singing voice was more like his BOY FRO OZ sound.


He does vary his singing voice and style

Just like a chameleon

Compare his singing in --

*Too Much In Love to Care ( Sunset Boulevard) -- pure musical theatre with all the money notes!
*Oh What A Beautiful Mornin' ( Mackintosh concert) -- ahhhhhhhh! ...If Lea Salonga and Maria Friedman...and British royalty can fall in love with that voice and that form -- how can mere mortals resist him
*The Surrey With the Fringe on the Top (Oklahoma!) -- seductive and teasing...Laurey is disarmed!
*Gaston ( Jonathan Ross sing-off from Beauty...) -- again, musical theatre pedigree compared to Luke Evans.
*Once Before I Go ( Boy from Oz) -- emotional and ringing eleven o'clock number!
*I Go To Rio (Boy from Oz) -- sounds like a jubilant Aussie!
*Fever ( Back on Broadway) -- pure seduction but having fun!
*Billy's Soliloquy ( Back on Broadway) -- emotional and truthful, powerful, bringing the house down singing/emoting!
*If I Loved You ( Carousel with Audra) -- seductive, melodious...lucky Audra!
*Valjean's SOLILOQUY -- Oscar quality!


*2009 Oscars opening number -- playful and natural/ Wolverine ID notes brought house down
*2004 TONY awards (BiCoastal cum Not The Boy Next Door) - shameless, funny, and just wonderful
*2005 TONY awards ( Medley opening number) - versatile and engaging
*2014 TONY awards ( seducing the leading ladies) - how can anyone say NO
*Way back - Bethlehem Morning - future stage and movie musical star!


He doesn't really have ONE definitive singing voice -- he blends his acting with his singing. That results in varied appeals to the emotions, while reflecting the artistry of a singer, and emphasizes the nuances of a character being portrayed... entertaining us with the powerful sound of musical theatre or simply the joy of singing -- from an actor who fell into singing ( as he calls himself). He sounds a little different in The Greatest Show - MTV quality ( although I thought Blackbeard was devilishly whispering a phrase or two)... and I am pretty sure we will find other reactions to other songs that he is expected to entertain us with in the movie musical!

What I am sure of... is that what we heard is only half of it! When viewed with the acting chops and dance moves... and the establishing scene of where and why it happens -- it seems certain that it will appeal in an even more eye-popping, awesome way!

I am prepared to be surprised once again -- he is the perfect actor who can sing! He emotes while he sings the notes! He is in character when he delivers a song! Is there one true voice of Hugh Jackman? Maybe only Deb knows it


Jo

[jo]

A millennial speaks

[jo]

Here are the complete lyrics --

genius.com/Hugh-jackman-the-greatest-show-lyrics

THE GREATEST SHOW


[Intro: Ensemble]
Woah
Woah
Woah
Woah
Woah
Woah
Woah
Woah
Woah


[Verse 1: Hugh Jackman]
Ladies and gents, this is the moment you've waited for (woah)
Been searching in the dark, your sweat soaking through the floor (woah)
And buried in your bones there's an ache that you can't ignore
Taking your breath, stealing your mind
And all that was real is left behind


[Pre-Chorus: Hugh Jackman]
Don't fight it, it's coming for you, running at ya
It's only this moment, don't care what comes after
Your fever dream, can't you see it getting closer
Just surrender 'cause you feel the feeling taking over
It's fire, it's freedom, it's flooding open
It's a preacher in the pulpit and you'll find devotion
There's something breaking at the brick of every wall it's holding I'll let you now, so tell me do you wanna go?



[Chorus: Ensemble & Hugh Jackman]
Where it's covered in all the colored lights
Where the runaways are running the night
Impossible comes true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show
We light it up, we won't come down
And the sun can't stop us now
Watching it come true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show


[Verse 2: Hugh Jackman]
(Woah) colossal we calm these renegades in the rain
(Woah) where the lost get found in the crown of the circus cage


[Pre-Chorus: Ensemble & Hugh Jackman]
Don't fight it, it's coming for you, running at ya
It's only this moment, don't care what comes after
It's blinding outside and I think that you know
Just surrender 'cause you're calling and you wanna go


[Chorus: Ensemble & Hugh Jackman]
Where it's covered in all the colored lights
Where the runaways are running the night
Impossible comes true, intoxicating you
Oh, this is the greatest show
We light it up, we won't come down
And the sun can't stop us now
Watching it come true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show



[Post-Chorus: Zac Efron & Keala Settle]
It's everything you ever want
It's everything you ever need
And it's here right in front of you
This is where you wanna be
It's everything you ever want
It's everything you ever need
And it's here right in front of you
This is where you wanna be
This is where you wanna be


[Chorus: Ensemble, Keala Settle & Zac Efron]
When it's covered in all the colored lights
Where the runaways are running the night
Impossible comes true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show
We light it up, we won't come down
And the sun can't stop us now
Watching it come true, it's taking over you
This is the greatest show
When it's covered in all the colored lights
Where the runaways are running the night
Impossible comes true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show
We light it up, we won't come down
And the walls can't stop us now
I'm watching it come true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show



[Bridge: Zac Efron & Zendaya]
'Cause everything you want is right in front of you
And you see the impossible is coming true
And the walls can't stop us (now) now, yeah


[Outro]
This is the greatest show
This is the greatest show
This is the greatest show
This is the greatest show
This is the greatest show
This is the greatest show
This is the greatest
This is the greatest show

[jo]

genius.com/Keala-settle-this-is-me-lyrics

THIS IS ME


[Verse 1]
I'm not a stranger to the dark
Hide away, they say
'Cause we don't want your broken parts
I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars
Run away, they say
No one will love you as you are


[Pre-Chorus]
But I won't let them break me down to dust
I know that there's a place for us
For we are glorious


[Chorus]
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am great, I am proof
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me
Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me


[Post-Chorus]
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh



[Verse 2]
Another round of bullets hits my skin
Well, fire away 'cause today, won't let this [?] me in
We are bursting through the barricades
And reach above the sun (we are glorious)
Yeah, that's what we'll become


[Pre-Chorus]
Won't let them break me down to dust
I know that there's a place for us
For we are glorious


[Chorus]
Look out [?], wanna put me down
Gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am great, I am proof
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me
Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me


[Post-Chorus]
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh
This is me

[jo]

OMG -- how did Hugh memorize that song and sing it in that tempo ( THE GREATEST SHOW)?

And Zac, too

And their ensemble with their great support



Such energy leaves us breathless!

When it's covered in all the colored lights
Where the runaways are running the night
Impossible comes true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show

[jo]

And THIS IS ME , as someone said, is a real song of empowerment!


Keala sings the anthem of the show!


No wonder Hugh fell in love with it -- and sang it first to the public

[jo]

Look!!


It says it is Official music videos with the soundtracks! But I am not sure if that is the case -- could they have used existing videos of circuses to enliven the soundtrack of THE GREATEST SHOW ??


The scenes do not look cinematic...but more like clips from live performances.








Jo

[jo]

Oct 30, 2017 7:37:12 GMT -5 jo said:

Here are the complete lyrics --

genius.com/Hugh-jackman-the-greatest-show-lyrics

THE GREATEST SHOW


[Intro: Ensemble]
Woah
Woah
Woah
Woah
Woah
Woah
Woah
Woah
Woah


[Verse 1: Hugh Jackman]
Ladies and gents, this is the moment you've waited for (woah)
Been searching in the dark, your sweat soaking through the floor (woah)
And buried in your bones there's an ache that you can't ignore
Taking your breath, stealing your mind
And all that was real is left behind


[Pre-Chorus: Hugh Jackman]
Don't fight it, it's coming for you, running at ya
It's only this moment, don't care what comes after
Your fever dream, can't you see it getting closer
Just surrender 'cause you feel the feeling taking over
It's fire, it's freedom, it's flooding open
It's a preacher in the pulpit and you'll find devotion
There's something breaking at the brick of every wall it's holding I'll let you now, so tell me do you wanna go?



[Chorus: Ensemble & Hugh Jackman]
Where it's covered in all the colored lights
Where the runaways are running the night
Impossible comes true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show
We light it up, we won't come down
And the sun can't stop us now
Watching it come true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show


[Verse 2: Hugh Jackman]
(Woah) colossal we calm these renegades in the rain
(Woah) where the lost get found in the crown of the circus cage


[Pre-Chorus: Ensemble & Hugh Jackman]
Don't fight it, it's coming for you, running at ya
It's only this moment, don't care what comes after
It's blinding outside and I think that you know
Just surrender 'cause you're calling and you wanna go


[Chorus: Ensemble & Hugh Jackman]
Where it's covered in all the colored lights
Where the runaways are running the night
Impossible comes true, intoxicating you
Oh, this is the greatest show
We light it up, we won't come down
And the sun can't stop us now
Watching it come true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show



[Post-Chorus: Zac Efron & Keala Settle]
It's everything you ever want
It's everything you ever need
And it's here right in front of you
This is where you wanna be
It's everything you ever want
It's everything you ever need
And it's here right in front of you
This is where you wanna be
This is where you wanna be


[Chorus: Ensemble, Keala Settle & Zac Efron]
When it's covered in all the colored lights
Where the runaways are running the night
Impossible comes true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show
We light it up, we won't come down
And the sun can't stop us now
Watching it come true, it's taking over you
This is the greatest show
When it's covered in all the colored lights
Where the runaways are running the night
Impossible comes true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show
We light it up, we won't come down
And the walls can't stop us now
I'm watching it come true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show



[Bridge: Zac Efron & Zendaya]
'Cause everything you want is right in front of you
And you see the impossible is coming true
And the walls can't stop us (now) now, yeah


[Outro]
This is the greatest show
This is the greatest show
This is the greatest show
This is the greatest show
This is the greatest show
This is the greatest show
This is the greatest
This is the greatest show

If you want to sing along with the soundtrack, using the link provided above, you can activate the YouTube video of the song with the link on the upper right hand corner of the LYRICS Page.


Jo

[jo]

Now there's proof if Pasek and Paul succeeded in writing songs for "Wolverine" as they thought they had intended. Here's an article from 4 months ago, which now makes more sense after hearing Hugh singing THE GREATEST SHOW --

www.cinemablend.com/news/1675709/how-wolverine-bizarrely-influenced-the-greatest-showmans-songs

Excerpts --

It is a well known fact that Hugh Jackman can belt out a tune as well as anyone else in Hollywood. The last time audiences got to hear the Australian in song on the big-screen was actually all the way back in 2012 when he played Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. Thankfully Hugh Jackman is going to right that wrong before the end of the year, as we'll get to hear and see him in action as P.T. Barnum in The Greatest Showman. But it turns out that Hugh Jackman's iconic non-singing performances as Wolverine helped to inform some of the musical numbers in The Greatest Showman.
That's because when composers Justin Paul and Benj Pasek were writing songs for The Greatest Showman they repeatedly reminded themselves that Wolverine was going to be singing them. Especially since they wanted some of the superhero's attributes in the character of P.T. Barnum. Justin Paul previously revealed their process writing songs for The Greatest Showman, recalling,

We wrote every song for Hugh, knowing it was going to be Hugh. That was actually really helpful because we were able to sort of... it gives you an extra special litmus test while writing. Because as you write something, you get to ask, 'How would that sound coming out of [Hugh's mouth]?' A lot of it was like, 'OK, we're writing songs for Wolverine to sing. So how can we make it like as cool and muscular as he is? And give Barnum some of that swagger that I know Michael [Gracey] wanted him to have.' We were able to write the songs with that little editing filter on it, which was, 'Remember Hugh's singing this. So how can we make it best for him.'

[jo]

An upload of the lyrics with the song THE GREATEST SHOW --

[jo]

[jo]

It's great to see a THUMBS-UP from POPSUGAR for the soundtrack news and the advance release of 2 tracks! Clips provided for their online audience!

www.popsugar.com/entertainment/Greatest-Showman-Soundtrack-44207202

If You Love La La Land, You Need to Listen to The Greatest Showman's Soundtrack ASAP
November 1, 2017 by Kelsie Gibson

Image Source: 20th Century Fox


We've only gotten a few sneak peeks of The Greatest Showman, but it's already shaping up to be a huge showstopper. Not only does[the musical biopic have a stellar cast — including Zendaya, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, and Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum — but it also has a remarkable score. The songs are being written by award-winning music duo Pasek and Paul (Benj Pasek and Justin Paul), who are best known for their work on La La Land and the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen. Plus, who doesn't want to hear Jackman bust out some high notes? Listen to the first two songs from the soundtrack here before the film hits theaters on Christmas Day.


Related
7 Things You Need to Know About Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron's Circus Musical
1
"The Greatest Show"

2
"This Is Me"

[mamaleh]

I love the attention the two released tracks is getting. Good publicity for the movie. But where's the second trailer? C'mon!

Ellen

[jo]

Interesting tweet from an overseas fan --

Translated from Japanese by
Bing

Soundtrack track wanted to listen ✨ songs that touched a lot tears came out-"The Greatest Showman, even fun 💕 @realhughjackman

It seems to me that this musicals fan was happy to have both kind of emotions elicited from the contrasting soundtracks --

*Les Miserables - emotionally-gripping!
*The Greatest Showman - fun!

Both entertained in completely different ways!

[jo]

Another enthusiastic reaction --

Can't stop...won't stop listening

[jo]

BILLBOARD takes note of the early releases and the forthcoming soundtrack from the motion picture!

We have arrived

www.billboard.com/articles/news/8022295/greatest-showman-la-la-land-pasek-paul

Hear Two Songs From 'The Greatest Showman' By 'La La Land's' Pasek & Paul
11/2/2017 by Melinda Newman



Soundtrack Comes Out Dec. 8 on Atlantic Records

Following their Oscar-winning success with La La Land and their Tony-earning acclaim with Dear Evan Hansen, composers Benj Pasek & Justin Paul return Dec. 8 with the original motion picture soundtrack to The Greatest Showman on Atlantic Records. 
The pair wrote the original songs for 20th Century Fox’s film about famed impresario P.T. Barnum, who founded Barnum & Bailey Circus. The movie, which opens Dec. 20, stars Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya, and Michelle Williams. 

Atlantic Records West Coast President Kevin Weaver and Atlantic Records President, A&R. Pete Ganbarg oversaw the soundtrack, which is available for pre-order now.  All pre-orders are accompanied by two instant grat downloads,“This Is Me,” performed by Keala Settle, and “The Greatest Show,” performed by Jackman, Settle, Zendaya, Efron, and ensemble.

Clips are attached!

[jo]

http://instagram.com/p/Ba_mwmaDiNL

[jo]

www.oprah.com/gift/oprahs-favorite-things-2017-full-list-the-greatest-showman?editors_pick_id=71355

Photo: Gregor Halenda

54 of 105


The Circus Is in Town
The Greatest Showman

"'No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else.' So says American original P.T. Barnum, as played by Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman. The soundtrack, with music and lyrics by Oscar and Tony winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, is a celebration of imagination. "This Is Me" should be everyone's theme song."—Oprah
$13
Available at: amazon.com/oprahsfavoritethings