I like musicals. In my head I can sing and dance like nobody's business, but in real life? Not so much.
From "Mame," Open a New Window is one of my all-time favorite show tunes–oh, how I love its music and message! It's lyrical fresh air.
I learned it a thousand years ago at Jennie Arnold Edwards Y Camp, one of the numbers for our end-of-summer Big Show. Having performed in a half-dozen or more Big Shows, Open a New Window is the only song I recall singing. That's significant, but I'm not sure if it says more about my pathetic memory or more about the song itself. Feel free to speculate.
In any event, I found myself humming it this week in response to a Very Big Door being closed in my face; something I had been working on for a while now that seemed like a Very Good Thing didn't materialize. Though disappointed, I'm eager and expectant for some new opportunities, and you might say this setback has only fueled my fire in a different direction.
Maybe one day I'll share….
I tried my darndest to find a decent video or .wav file of this song, but none exists. You can click Amazon's link to hear a clip to get an idea of it if you're not familiar, but if you are, feel free to thank me for the chipper ear worm I've just implanted in your brain.
Open a New Window
Open a new window,
Open a new door,
Travel a new highway,
That's never been tried before;
Before you find you're a dull fellow,
Punching the same clock,
Walking the same tight rope
As everyone on the block.
The fellow you ought to be is three dimensional,
Soaking up life down to your toes,
Whenever they say you're slightly unconventional,
Just put your thumb up to your nose.
And show 'em how to dance to a new rhythm,
Whistle a new song,
Toast with a new vintage,
The fizz doesn't fizz too long.
There's only one way to make the bubbles stay,
Simply travel a new high way,
Dance to a new rhythm,
Open a new window ev'ry day!
Your turn: What's your favorite show tune? Do you have a go-to "anthem" that encourages you when you've faced defeat?
Bonus: If y'all rally and get 100 people to comment to this post, I'LL record myself singing this portion of the song. It won't be pretty. It might break youtube. But it will be The Worst Karaoke On The Planet, I can promise you that (but i'm not holding my breath…I haven't seen 100 comments in ages!).
I really, REALLY hope you get 100 comments!
My favorite pick-me-up from a musical is “I’ve Got Confidence,” from the Sound of Music.
Aw, sorry Robin. =( (I’m not familiar with that song.. no ear worms here.) 😉
I actually wrote my own Go To song many years ago.. It’s based on Psalm 62 (http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Psalm+62) and the chorus repeats “I will not be shaken!” It got me through several years of hard financial and marital years. Something hard would hit my day and I’d just start singing. =)
I do hope that you find a new project for your fire. =)
Robin,
It’s an old Margaret Becker song:
I’m not gonna write
About the way things have been
‘Cause lately they haven’t been so great
I keep falling down
I keep giving in
I’m scared this is my fate
If this is all that life would be
If this is all there was for me
I would not go on
I’m not gonna lie
About feeling fine
And knowing everything’s okay
I just gotta believe
That His hope inside
Will lead me to a better place
With every tear that I cry
I cling to the hope that will not die
He won’t leave me here
I will not lay down
This won’t be my end
I will not lay down
(I will not lay down, no, I will not lay down)
I do so heart your words.
God Bless
robin
i m kregs kity laska (th luv kity)
kreg duz not no tu many peeple on line cuz he duz not blog til munday (hee sez he mite not bee redy even then – he’z scurred)
ann he sed u nede currijment
mi fav muzical iz cats – stop laffing!
my fav song iz memrees
wun part goze
Day lyt, I must wate fore the sunryz.
I must think uv a nu lyf,
And I musent give in.
go lisen to it
hav tu go now – kreg is kuming
i hart yore wurdz tu
Robin,
Sorry, he does that when I’m not around. Where are those kitty handcuffs? Well – the good news is that it’s 3 comments more toward 100.
God Bless and thank you again.
I feel pretty, oh so pretty!
Well, I bet I could talk my husband into commenting…
I am sorry for your disappointment. I know about that, and I’m walking into possibilities and open doors now, kinda wondering if it will stay open.
I’m not necessarily in to musicals, but I DO want to hear you sing!
Craig cracks me up. His kitty, too!!
Doh, I guess this counts as another comment, huh? Sorry! (Sort of.) =P
I Love Musicals, but my go-to isn’t really something peppy or upbeat, but it does sum up my feelings when facing disappointment.
Epiphany from Sweeney Todd
My dream role is Sweeney! I’ve been Miles Gloriosus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Judd In Oklahoma.
Hope you get 100!
I am not a showtunes person, though I (and my daughter, and, more hilariously, my husband) have been known to spontaneously break out into, “I feel pretty, oh so pretty,” etc.
In fact, in Hummmmmble, we routinely change the rules so we don’t get stuck in the Broadway category forever!
Anyway, sorry about the opportunity that wasn’t. Hoping for something even better for you soon!
Hugs!
I couldn’t possibly narrow down my love of showtunes to just one. I love them all. Truly. Bonus of Julie Andrews sings it. Love, love, love. Now I need to find some more people to comment….
Oh my word! I LOOOOove musicals! And I would love to hear you sing!
Some of my favorites are “Matchmaker” from Fiddler on the Roof, “Bless Your Beautiful Hide” from Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, and “These Are a Few of My Favorite Things” from Sound of Music.
Well I HAD to come and do my part to increase your comments – LOL! I do love all show tunes and in my head I am a great singer – HA! I can’t narrow it down to one, but I do so love everything from The Sound of Music!
Hello i’m heeeeeeerrre. I wanna hear you sing. Maybe you can tag someone else besides me and get a different kinda blog hop going. Karaoke blog hoppin. Does Tomorrow from Orphan Annie count for lack of another thought of one going through my head? Well, let me tweet this post so that we can get some more comments going. 😀
I LOVE musicals! 🙂
And I would LOVE to hear your sing!
I’m happy to oblige in being 1 of 100 commenters in order for you to sing! If PW can sing like Ethel Merman and still be standing, you can sing a Mame tune!
Great tune, by the way!!
Have a fantastic day!
You know, you didn’t say you needed 100 different PEOPLE to comment…so we can come back and comment often until we get to hear you sing! 🙂
I love show tunes, period, but I don’t know Mame at all! Isn’t that sad? I like to blare Defying Gravity from Wicked.
@Jeni I was just thinking the same thing. Whoops what do you know….here’s my second comment ;). Chants Sing Robin Sing…Sing Robin Sing….Sing Robin Sing (in my mind).
Just found your blog -what a hoot! You’re on my blogroll now. Thanks for the “ear worm” (didn’t know what they were called…I get ’em all the time!)
Careful what you wish for! 🙂
Tiffany, I *think* I'm ok 😉
You can do it!! Hehehe.
I’ll be checking back. …and if you do, TELL me! Because then I might be willing to try it too!
Come on over and say “hi” will ya? Maybe “like” me on Facebook? I recently set up a page, you can find it here:
http://facebook.com/MarnisOrganizedMess
I really hope that you get 100 comments because when you are forced to rise to an occasion, sometimes that is the best thing that can ever happent to you.
Anything from RENT. I love “La Vie Boheme” because when I can remember all the lyrics, it’s fun.
Love musicals! I’m sure your singing is fantastic 🙂 Looking forward to it!
I love Guys and Dolls from the same musical 🙂
I adore “DeLovely” from Mame! We did that musical my senior year in high school. 🙂
ohhhh so many show tunes i love i can’t really narrow them down. i love “defying gravity” from wicked but i also love “spoonful of sugar” from mary poppins, or “steam heat” from pajama game, or “do you hear the people sing from les miserables, or or or… 🙂
I REALLY wanna hear you sing sister!!!
So many show tunes, so little time! I am a musical junkie! Don’t know how many more comments are needed, but SING ROBIN, SING!!! 🙂
I’m going to tweet this again so that we can get some more comment love for you! 🙂
I {love} show tunes! My favorite musical is Music Man. But I love Guys & Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, and I love the songs from Newsies. Oh, and my parents introduced me to Labrynth when I was little. That’s a crazy movie for a little girl. 🙂
I’ll give you some comment love. 🙂 I love show tunes!