I’ve been trying lately to follow and reach out to more bloggers, and wanting to collaborate with them! The idea for this post came from fellow blogger and musical theatre fan Em of http://thisisemsworld.com/

Em and I started talking about doing a post about our favourite musical theatre songs, but as that is such a broad question and we have so many, we decided to narrow it down to favourites that fit certain moods we’re in.

My playlist would go thus:

When I’m Happy, I Play

My Petersburg – Anastasia

This Broadway musical is a recent discovery of mine, and one I’m a little obsessed with! It takes all of the music that I loved from the film, and mixes it in with a slightly different and (in my opinion) better story, with new characters and songs. One new addition is the song I’ve chosen, sung here by Derek Klena, the original Broadway Dimitry.

He’s telling Anya all about his life and how he grew up – and the combination of the music and lyrics never fail to make me smile so much I burst into song as well! It’s loveable and cheeky, just how I imagine Dimitry to be.

When I’m Sad, I Play

Your Daddy’s Son – Ragtime

When I’m sad, I’m probably a little bit unusual in the sense that I don’t always go immediately to the songs that cheer me up. I like to take a minute to wallow and work through those feelings – and cry them out when necessary! Your Daddy’s Son from Ragtime always moves me and makes me shed a tear without fail, so it’s my go to sad choice.

When I’m Angry, I play

Funny – City of Angels

Sick and tired of his life as it is right now, struggling screenwriter Stine proceeds to sing this awesomely bitter and cynical ballad called Funny. I’m uncannily like Stine when I’m angry, and can get really mopey and generally fed up with the world so blast this one on loop!

When I Need A Laugh I Play

A Musical – Something Rotten!

It was so difficult to choose just this one, as the entirety of Something Rotten makes me belly laugh! The musical follows brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, who run a theatre troupe struggling in the shadow of William Shakespeare, who is portrayed as a total Rockstar.

Determined to find success, Nick visits a soothsayer, Thomas Nostradamus, who tells him the next big thing in theatre will be “a musical”. Then this glorious, clever, witty thing happens!

When I Need Hope, I Play

Someday – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Forever and always my go to when I need to restore my faith in humanity/life in general, which feels odd as its context within the scene and the whole musical is heartbreaking, but the lyrics are so beautiful in their simplicity and message!

When I Need Cheering Up, I Play

Endless Night – The Lion King

My other favourite song from The Lion King, included only in the musical. It’s essentially Simba dealing with his grief, but ends on a lovely, hopeful note! I especially love the lyrics: “I know that the night must end and that the sun will rise”, I hold onto that when I’m going through tough times and it helps me.

When I’m Feeling Romantic, I Play

I Have Dreamed – The King & I

Most people I know don’t like Rodgers & Hammerstein as they think their music/work is dated. Me personally? I adore it and they are my second favourite composers: I think their music is rich and sumptuous and their lyrics though simple, are really poignant. This number from The King And I is my favourite when I’m feeling romantic: it simply says: I will love being loved by you and that, coupled with the stunning orchestra gives me chills every time!

When I Need Motivation, I Play

Maybe This Time – Cabaret

Nothing gives me more motivation than listening to and pretending I can sing this one! The lyrics have always stayed with me & I love the jazz feel of the music.

Thanks Em for letting me join in on this one, be sure to give her blog a follow folks!