Song into a Monolouge...?

Question

SO for my acting class, my teacher wants us to take a song and read like a monlouge.
My problem is that there are SO many songs out there and when you start reading a song..most lyrics aren't very good.
Does anybody have any suggestions of good songs I could use?

Answer 1

OK, here's my suggestion. You need to go to http://stageagent.com/ and use the PartFinder to see which roles are appropriate for you first. Then go to http://www.musicaltheatreaudition.com/joomla/ click on shows, and look up each role to see what songs each character sings. Out of those songs choose one that you like to perform. It's best to choose something that is appropriate for you. On the main page of the Musical TheatreAudition site you can also click on Songs, then do a search to see what is recommended that way as well.

Off the top of my head what about In My Own Little Corner from Cinderella?

good luck!

Answer 2

Country songs. And why? Because they tell a story- that's what separates them from pop music - extended story-telling.

Try "I loved her first" or "Don't take the girl". Yes, the lyrics may be cheesy, but again, the focus is on development of story and emotion, which is needed in a monologue. You generally will not find this in poppy songs like "Baby One More Time" - they are repetitive, without any plot.

"Don't take the girl" by John Michael Montgomery (I think) basically tells the story of how a man's feelings for a woman change - they are childhood friends, and he doesn't want her to go fishing with him and his father, because it's just a boy thing. Then, as he gets older, they date, and at the movies, someone attempts to rob her- and the young man sticks up for the girl, offering his credit card and watch. As he is an adult man, his wife almost dies in labor, and he's praying to God "Don't take the girl." There is so much room for emotional development in this song.

Answer 3

If you want clever lyrics:

'Nothing' from A Chorus Line

'By The Sea' from Sweeney Todd

'I Enjoy Being a Girl' from Flower Drum Song

'Jesus Christ Superstar' from Jesus Christ Superstar

'I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair' from South Pacific

'I Can't Say No' from Oklahoma

'Adelaide's Lament' from Guys and Dolls

'Popular' from Wicked

'Another Hundred People Just Got Off of the Train' from Company

'Sun in the Morning' from Annie Get Your Gun

'My New Philosophy' from You're a Good Man Charlie Brown

Most of these are fast paced, funny and witty songs. If you can't find anything on this list, look into Sondheim; he's the best with lyrics

Answer 4

My suggestion would be to go to a library or even just go searching online for some musical theatre pieces. They are, for all intents and purposes, monologues with notes. Admittedly, some (Rodgers & Hammerstein, Gershwin, etc.) are pretty cheesy, but there are some more interesting choices out there. Just go searching. I would give you some specifics, but since this is going to be your monologue, a personal connection is important. Find something you like.

Other genres, of course, have plenty of material to draw upon. Folk and country are almost all stories which could be used easily. A number of jazz standards (a number of which are derived from classic musical theatre, actually) and more contemporary jazz songs can be very personal and emotional.

Answer 5

I accept as true with Ms. i exchange into the witch in a production in into the woods final twelve months, and notwithstanding that monologue is to a music, and has a splash beat, it particularly is probable the final guess for a monologue.

Answer 6

"Warning Sign" by Coldplay

Answer 7

My Immortal- Evanesence

I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
'Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone

These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

[Chorus:]
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have
All of me

You used to captivate me
By your resonating light
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind
Your face it haunts
My once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away
All the sanity in me

These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

[Chorus]

I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone
But though you're still with me
I've been alone all along

Or...

4 In the morning-Gwen Stefani

Waking up to find another day
The moon got lost again last night
But now the sun has finally had its say
I guess I feel alright

But it hurts when I think
When I let it sink in
It's all over me
I'm lying here in the dark
I'm watching you sleep, it hurts a lot
& all I know is
You've got to give me everything
Nothing less cause
You know I give you all of me

[CHORUS]
I give you everything that I am
I'm handin' over everything that I've got
Cause I wanna have a really true love
Don't ever wanna have to go & give you up
Stay up till Four In The Morning & the tears are pouring
& I want to make it worth the fight
What have we been doing for all this time?
Baby if we're gonna do it, come on do it right

All I wanted was to know I'm safe
Don't want to lose the love I've found
Remember when you said that you would change
Don't let me down
It's not fair how you are
I can't be complete, can you give me more?
& all I know is
You got to give me everything
& nothing less cause
[4 In The Morning lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]

You know I give you all of me

[CHORUS]
I give you everything that I am
I'm handin' over everything that I've got
Cause I wanna have a really true love
Don't ever wanna have to go & give you up
Stay up till Four In The Morning & the tears are pouring
& I want to make it worth the fight
What have we been doing for all this time?
Baby if we're gonna do it, come on do it right

Oh please, you know what I need
Save all your love up for me
We can't escape the love
Give me everything that you have

& all I know is
You got to give me everything
& nothing less cause
You know I give you all of me

[CHORUS]
I give you everything that I am
I'm handin' over everything that I've got
Cause I wanna have a really true love
Don't ever wanna have to go & give you up
Stay up till Four In The Morning & the tears are pouring
& I want to make it worth the fight
What have we been doing for all this time?
Baby if we're gonna do it, come on do it right

(Give you everything)
(Give you all of me)

Or

Love Like Winter- AFI

Warn your warmth to turn away
Here it’s December, everyday
Press your lips to the sculptures
And surely you’ll stay (love like winter)
For of sugar and ice.. I am made, I am made

It’s in the blood, it’s in the blood
I met my love before I was born
He wanted love. I taste of blood
He bit my lip, and drank my war
From years before, from years before

She exhales vanilla lace,
I barely dreamt her yesterday (yesterday…)
Read the lines in the mirror through the lipstick trace:
"Por Siempre."
She said, “It seems you’re somewhere, far away"
[ Love Like Winter lyrics found on http://www.completealbumlyrics.com ]
To his face.

It’s in the blood, it’s in the blood
I met my love, before I was born
She wanted love, I taste of blood
She bit my lip, and drank my war
From years before, from years before

Love like winter… Oh… Oh…
Love like winter… winter… 3…4…

It’s in the blood, it’s in the blood
I met my love, before I was born
He wanted love, I taste of blood
He bit my lip, and drank my war
From years before, from years before

Or....

Last one I swear!

James Blunt- Goodbye My Lover

Did I disappoint you or let you down?
Should I be feeling guilty or let the judges frown?
'Cause I saw the end before we'd begun,
Yes I saw you were blinded and I knew I had won.
So I took what's mine by eternal right.
Took your soul out into the night.
It may be over but it won't stop there,
I am here for you if you'd only care.
You touched my heart you touched my soul.
You changed my life and all my goals.
And love is blind and that I knew when,
My heart was blinded by you.
I've kissed your lips and held your hand.
Shared your dreams and shared your bed.
I know you well, I know your smell.
I've been addicted to you.

[x2]
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.

I am a dreamer and when i wake,
You can't break my spirit - it's my dreams you take.
And as you move on, remember me,
Remember us and all we used to be
I've seen you cry, I've seen you smile.
I've watched you sleeping for a while.
I'd be the father of your child.
I'd spend a lifetime with you.
I know your fears and you know mine.
We've had our doubts but now we're fine,
And I love you, I swear that's true.
I cannot live without you.

[x2]
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.

And I still hold your hand in mine.
In mine when I'm asleep.
And I will bare my soul in time,
When I'm kneeling at your feet.
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.

I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.
I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow.
I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.
I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow.