Somewhere

October 9, 2011 2:24 PM

As he sings, the walls of the apartment begin to move off, and the city walls surrounding them begin to close in on them. Then the apartment it self goes, and the two lovers begin to run, battering against the walls of the city, beginning to break through as chaotic figures of the gangs, of violence, fail around them. But they do break through, and suddenly-they are in a world of space and air and sun. They stop, looking at it, pleased, startled, as boys and girls both sides come on. And they, too, stop and stare, happy, pleased. Their clothes are soft and pastel versions of what they have worn before. They begin to dance, to play: no sides, no hostility now; join, making a world that Tony and Maria want to be in, belong to, share their love with. As they go into the steps of a gentle love dance, a voice is heard singing.

That was Reri Grist (wiki, enthusiastic Japan-based fan site, AllMusicGuide recording credits) singing "Somewhere", from the original cast recording of Bernstein and Sondheim's West Side Story

Some more versions:

• The Supremes, 1968
• Julie Andrews, 1977
• Tom Waits, 1978
• Barbara Streisand, 1985 music video
• The Pet Shop Boys, 1997
• Sarah Brightman, 2000s

posted by silby (10 comments total)

I…have strong feelings about the film version. Largely having to do with this song. But I don't want to derail my own thread.
posted by silby at 2:33 PM on October 9, 2011

Schlong, 1995
posted by Ian A.T. at 2:34 PM on October 9, 2011 [2 favorites]

Wonderful!
posted by silby at 2:36 PM on October 9, 2011

One of the few musicals I can stomach. Brilliant all around.
posted by Skygazer at 2:36 PM on October 9, 2011

Shirley Bassey
posted by mikelieman at 2:53 PM on October 9, 2011 [1 favorite]

Babs does not hit the climactic high note so much as hunt it down and kill it.
posted by Trurl at 3:09 PM on October 9, 2011 [1 favorite]

Babs does not hit the climactic high note so much as hunt it down and kill it.

meh. It's no Glitter and Be Gay (Kahn, 1968)
posted by mikelieman at 3:24 PM on October 9, 2011 [1 favorite]

I feel like the Streisand video was intended to communicate, with what she incorrectly believes is subtlety, that she is God, and it would really save a lot of time if we would all just acknowledge that, because it would be slightly tacky for her to have to openly proclaim it.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 3:24 PM on October 9, 2011 [5 favorites]

There's a fantastic version by Devo out there somewhere entitled "Somewhere with Devo" &dnash; the studio version is worth seeking out, as it demos several other tunes of theirs. Sadly I can't find it online anywhere (except in live versions.)

Anyway, I just wanted to say that, though I love the Tom Waits version, my absolute favorite anywhere is this brilliant and shimmering recording by the Vijay Iyer trio from two years ago. It's cascading, darkly melancholy, and beautiful.
posted by koeselitz at 3:31 PM on October 9, 2011 [1 favorite]

West Side Story will be in movie theaters nationwide on November 9, one night one showing only, to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The event is being presented by Turner Classic Movies. You can find more information about the event here, including a list of participating theaters.

Wow, I can't remember the last time I wished I was in America. Something about the idea of seeing this on the big screen for once is really thrilling.
posted by two or three cars parked under the stars at 4:19 AM on October 10, 2011