The 10 Best Andrew Lloyd Webber Songs of All-Time
Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the greatest composers of recent decades. For proof, look no further than his musicals, which include some of the most successful productions ever. Furthermore, Webber’s songs have been known to become popular outside of their musicals, thus serving as further evidence of his capabilities. As such, the man’s music is more than worth listening to.
Here is our opinion of the ten best Andrew Lloyd Webber songs ever released:
10. “Beneath a Moonless Sky” – Love Never Dies
Love Never Dies is the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. Interested individuals should know that the latter’s fandom cares a great deal about romantic pairings, which has had a transformative effect on the relevant works. Unsurprisingly, Love Never Dies reflects that influence. Regardless, “Beneath a Moonless Sky” is one of the most important moments in the musical because it is when Christine and the Phantom meet for the first time in a decade.
9. “No Matter What” – Whistle Down the Wind
Whistle Down the Wind isn’t as well-known as some of Webber’s other musicals. Indeed, its premiere in the United States was one of the biggest flops in the man’s career. Still, Whistle Down the Wind isn’t without merit, particularly since it was reworked. “No Matter What” is a good piece for curious individuals to check out.
8. “Stick It to the Man” – School of Rock
Rebelliousness is one of the primary emotions driving rock and roll. “Stick It to the Man” resonates with such sentiments, thus making it an excellent choice for people in the right mood.
7. “Love Changes Everything” – Aspects of Love
Love can take on a wide range of forms. Famously, the ancient Greeks had multiple words to describe different kinds of love. For example, storge was the love between family. Similarly, philia was the love between friends. That said, love is always powerful because it can move people to do things they wouldn’t do for any other reason. “Love Changes Everything” is one of the best expressions of that truth.
6. “The Music of the Night” – The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera remains one of Webber’s greatest musicals. Evidence can be seen in how its Broadway production ran for 13,981 performances, thus putting it at the top of the list for New York City’s theater scene. Unsurprisingly, several songs from the musical can make it onto this list. One excellent example is “The Music of the Night,” which is associated with one of the most iconic scenes in a musical ever.
5. “As If We Never Said Goodbye” – Sunset Boulevard
The so-called talkies were similar but not the same as their silent predecessors. As a result, not every star of the silent movie era managed to make a smooth transition in the early 20th century. Some took that with good grace. In contrast, others did so. “As If We Never Said Goodbye” is the moment when Norma Desmond reveals her desire to return to the spotlight, which drives so much of the story. It isn’t just narratively important. The song is also more than good enough to live up to its role.
4. “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” – Evita
Strictly speaking, “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” predates the musical Evita. That is because it came out on a concept album of the same name before being reused in the musical. Once again, “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” is considered one of the Webber’s best songs. Moreover, this opinion is backed by the song reaching the top of the charts in the United Kingdom and several other countries.
3. “Memory” – Cats
“Memory” is another song with similar claims to fame. It is the best-known of the songs from Cats, which is fitting because it is also the one with the greatest narrative importance. Numerous artists have covered the song. It isn’t hard to understand why. The viewpoint character might be a cat. Despite that, it is easy for people to sympathize with her sense of melancholy at the gulf of difference between her past and present.
2. “Gethsemane” – Jesus Christ Superstar
Crucifixion was an awful way to die. Supposedly, it could take a victim days to die, depending on the exact method and conditions. The Romans knew this full well but still crucified people because the suffering showcased the terrible power of their empire. As such, it isn’t hard for people to see why Jesus would be less than enthused by the thought of having to undergo the process, which isn’t even mentioning the spiritual and other non-physical aspects of the ordeal. Jesus Christ Superstar is famous for being a concept that doesn’t sound like it should work but does so anyway. “Gethsemane” is one of the songs that did the most work in managing this seemingly improbable feat.
1. “Any Dream Will Do” – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
“Any Dream Will Do” is representative of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in a way that few songs can ever claim to be. After all, it doesn’t just open the musical but also closes it. A combination that should make the song’s narrative importance clear in an instant. Of course, “Any Dream Will Do” also benefits from having Webber’s full capabilities brought to bear upon it, thus making it one to remember. Many people have released recordings of the song. Donny Osmond is one of the most notable, particularly since he played Joseph in a stage production throughout much of the 1990s before doing the same for the film version.
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