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As I have written entries for my "Great Song" blog over the past 25 months, I have used the word "legendary" quite a few times for artists I felt deserved it.
Today, however, as I write about Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim, the word "legendary" may be accurate...but it doesn't quite do justice to his importance to musical theatre...and popular music.
Mr. Sondheim passed away yesterday at the age of 91. Variety Magazine's comprehensive obituary covers his life, times, and talent far better than I ever could.
You can read it here:
As a person who has spent the majority of his 67 years in and around the theatre, Stephen Sondheim has been omnipresent. Most of my theatre friends have appeared in one Sondheim show or another. I myself have appeared in four separate productions of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," and directed it once.
But since this blog is about "Great Songs of the '70s," I want to zero in on one show in particular: 1973's "A Little Night Music," and the song "Send in the Clowns."
Without digging too deep into it, the character of Desiree' sings the song as a reflection of both regret and furious, but controlled anger. Sondheim explained that "clowns" in this sense are not circus clowns...but FOOLS.
The song was sung by Glynis Johns in the original production, and it was such a memorable song right from opening night, other artists lined up to record it.
Quite possibly the best cover came from Judy Collins, whose lovely version charted TWICE! In 1975, it reached #8 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart--and won the 1976 Grammy for "Song of the Year!".
Judy's version was re-released in 1978, it went to #15 on the AC Chart...and it Canada, it went to #1!
In 1984, Herb Alpert's wife, Lani Hall charted in the mid-teens in both the US and Canada, and in 1986, Barbra Streisand took it to #2 in Canada.
The song has also been covered by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Glenn Close, Bing Crosby, Kenny Rogers and Carol Burnett.
There are SO many other "Great Songs" by Stephen Sondheim--and I'm sure every theatre person has their own favorite. Mine is "Send in the Clowns," which also happens to be a "Great Song of the '70s!"
Rest in Peace, Mr. Sondheim.
Judy Collins:
Lani Hall:
Barbra Streisand:
Glynis Johns:
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