DISCOVER THE WORLD OF MUSICAL THEATRE WITH ME
Even though "110 in the Shade" is not my most favorite musical in the world (i think it can be pretty boring), I thought it would be fun to do a "Top 10 Best Songs" list for this story.
Let's go!
And if you don't know anything about "110 in the Shade", click here for more information.
TOP 10
10 - Raunchy
Usually not my kind of song, but knowing the context of this number, the character, and how fun the song can be, I can make a pass.
However, the 1972 version and the 2007 version are very different from each other.
Inga Swenson does quite a bit of voice acting switching from her normal voice to a manly sound to what seems like an interpretation of Minnie Mouse.
I’m not gonna lie, I did cringe from the sound, but I’m guessing that was something funny during that time? Also, Inga’s voice sounded strained in this song. It did not sound comfortable at all.
As for the 2007 version, this musical number sounds like it’s THE song for the show and a showcase to show off Audra McDonald's voice as her singing fits almost perfectly with this revision.
Furthermore, there is a whole new dance section in the middle of this number, and there's no "Minnie Mouse" voice.
Sooooo that's good.
Definitely prefer the 2007 version more.
9 - Everything Beautiful Happens at Night
People are probably going to be surprised that this song is above Raunchy, but I think its the ballroom/waltz-like sound that gets me.
It makes me want to dance, and I love music that makes me feel like that.
It's a chorus ensemble song that gives off a romantic, melancholy like sound.
The 1972 version and the 2007 version are slightly different from each other. The 1972 version is completely an ensemble number and a big slower in tempo. While in the 2007 version, the song is a bit faster, and Lizzie gets some lines to sing about her wishing to have a night with someone special.
I do like the 2007 version better, because there is just so much more in the song than the 1963 version. More solos, more duets, lots of beautiful harmonies, and Lizzie gets a few lines as well.
I just really wanna dance to this song so I think that’s what makes it a good musical number.
8 - Love, Don't Turn Away
I believe this Lizzie’s “I Want” song in the musical, and it’s very pretty.
It shows Lizzie’s desire for love. She dreams to be married and live her life with a wonderful man.
There are different interpretations of this song between the 1963 version and the 2007 version. The 1963 version is more joyful and happy while the 2007 version is more wistful and dreamy. Maybe a little sad.
I like both versions, and I don’t really have a preference. Both actresses did a great job with this number.
7 - Is It Really Me?
This song could be a duet song or a solo depending on which version you listen to.
The 1963 version makes it a romantic duet song between Lizzie and Starbuck, and I remember having thoughts on this. Because it is a duet, it sounds like Lizzie is asking those questions to Starbuck, asking if she is beautiful or not.
It kind of reminds me of the song "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?" from the musical "Cinderella".
So, it's not a bad thing if I didn’t know there is no romantic chemistry between the two characters, and one of them is a con man.
In the 2007 version, it becomes a solo song for Lizzie, and I think that works so much better especially since I think it drives home the whole point of the musical which is “believing in yourself/loving yourself”. So Lizzie doesn’t sound like she’s asking these questions to Starbuck. She is making that realization about herself and is just speaking/singing out loud her thought process.
I don’t think neither versions are good or bad. I just think the 2007 version actually drove home the point of the story.
6 - Wonderful Music
This is basically the ultimate love triangle song.
Lizzie is being pulled two different directions between Bill Starbuck and Sheriff File. I actually enjoyed this song as the men try to sing over each another to get Lizzie to hear them. And, I love overlapping voices in musical theatre numbers...
When it sounds good.
And though the 1963 version is fine, the audio mixing is really strange and distracting.
I hear Starbuck’s voice in my right ear, File in the left ear, and Lizzie’s voice in my forehead. Furthermore, I heard the ensemble in the back of my head, and the instruments just seem to be everywhere. So it’s hard to enjoy.
The 2007 version is much more fun, because the audio mixing is 10 times better. I can actually enjoy the song and listen to the lyrics.
TOP 5
5 - Evenin' Star
I originally had this at the bottom of the list, and I have no idea why.
In my earlier drafts, I wrote down “it is forgettable”.
...
I don’t know why I wrote that, because since then, this musical number has been one of the songs I think about the most.
I love the lyrics, the actor’s voice is so pretty, and in general, the song just feels magically because of the instruments.
This song was made for the 2007 version. It starts off Act 2 and leads into the song “Everything Beautiful Happens at Night”, and it is such a great example of using a musical moment to get a glimpse into a character's thoughts especially with someone like Bill Starbuck.
Love. It.
But I need to move on, because we would be here for awhile if I went into depth about the lyrics.
Soooooooo let’s move on!
4 - Simple Little Things
In my earlier draft, I put down that this musical number was boring.
But then, I saw a video of Inga Swenson singing this song, and I realized how beautiful this moment is in the story.
It’s a delicate and simple song that reveals Lizzie’s true desires for life. And, I think it’s good that the song is so simple. Not all songs should be loud, boastful, and booming with intent. Sometimes, a song that is quiet and soft is enough to get the point across.
I even get chills now when I listen to it.
I actually prefer the 1963 version just because of Swenson’s delicate singing. The 2007 version is fantastic of course. McDonald did an amazing job, but I think I am biased because of the Swenson video.
3 - Poker Polka
It’s really funny that the only songs that involve the father and brothers are the ones that take the top three spots.
What can I say? They had the funniest songs in the musical!
Just like “Lizzie’ Comin’ Home” (spoiler alert!), this song is fun and a faster tempo compared to other songs in this musical as H.C. and his sons are trying to convince the Sheriff File to go out with Lizzie. Unfortunately, every idea the boys come up with the sheriff turns down.
However, again, I like the 2007 version. For one, the audio is much better. Secondly, like the rest of the album, there’s a ton of fun moments sprinkled throughout the song that make the experience so much fun to listen to.
And lastly, the harmonies!!! Especially that ending!!!
Perfection.
2 - Lizzie's Comin' Home
The song is so catchy, and probably out of all the numbers, this is the song that gets stuck in my head the most.
This song is drastically different tempo wise as the number is incredibly fast. It’s understandable, however, as H.C. and the boys find out Lizzie is coming home in 5 minutes, and the house is an absolutely mess. So, throughout the song, the boys are quickly trying to clean up.
The only reason this song is second place is because of the really bad audio mixing in the 1963 version.
Especially that ending. It sounds like one of the boys are screaming instead of singing.
My poor ears.
But I love listening to the 2007 version!
It’s so fun and playful, and I love dancing to it.
And the harmonies at the end!!!
Before we take a look at my top favorite song from "110 in the Shade", let's talk about the other musical numbers!
Special Mentions
the random song
Cinderella
Not much to say.
A super short number of a young girl singing a childhood song Lizzie use to know.
The child’s singing was a bit weird though. That did not sound like a child’s voice haha.
the "i want to pull my ears" songs
Old Maid
The ending musical number to Act 1, and its a bit anti-climatic for me.
This song is like “the dark of the night” type song where all hope feels lost for Lizzie. She is overcome with fear that she will become what the title suggests.
Unfortunately, despite a few listens, I still don’t like this number.
It’s very pitchy to me and way too loud in both the 1972 version and the 2007 version. I mean, it is a soprano operica-type of song, but it feels like too much.
Another Hot Day
This is the opening song for the musical, and usually, you would want the opening to be flashy or mysterious or something that is really gonna catch the viewer’s eye or their ear to listen.
However, “110 in the Shade” takes a very different approach. The song is very slow, and even when we get to the second chorus where the tempo picks up a little more, it’s still very slow compared to other opening numbers.
However, this sets the mood and atmosphere for the rest of the show as the setting is out in the country in an old western town. It feels like you're in the middle of nowhere.
Furthermore, as the title states, its another hot day in town which I’m sure makes everyone feel tired, beat down, and slow from the blazing sun.
So, yes. The opening song does it’s part well, but it’s not a song that I would personally be coming back to anytime soon.
You're Not Foolin' Me
Not a fan of this song.
The 1972 version especially.
For one, the singers sound very strained as the majority of the song is up high in their singing register especially for Inga Swenson. Her voice sounds scratchy and too high which is crazy as she is a soprano. So, it must be how the song was written that makes it sound grating especially when the two leads sing over each other in the last chorus.
Secondly, the lines between the two characters is confusing.
As the audience, you get to learn more about Bill Starbuck and his family, but no one is sure if what he is saying is true anyways, and then, he accuses Lizzie of being dishonest towards herself when he doesn’t know anything about Lizzie.
I do believe sometimes strangers can see parts of you that no one else who knows you can, but this is a bit of strange. And, honestly, it is not a good way to start the coming romantic relationship between the two.
The 2007 version is better as the voices don’t sound so granting and scratchy, but the dynamic is still there, and the notes are still high up there...
Not a fan.
the ok, but boring songs
A Man and A Woman
A love song between Lizzie and Sheriff File.
We learn more about the sheriff and his thoughts on marriage while Lizzie tries to infuse some positivity into the concept.
However, the two have very different backgrounds when it comes to romance: one being divorced and the other has always been single.
Some people would probably not like this song, but I think it’s simple and sweet. But, it is forgettable like a majority of these songs.
I do prefer the 2007 version as the voices are not so pitchy, and the mixing is better.
The Hungry Men
This song probably wouldn’t pass in today’s society if it was written now as the song is mainly about the women getting the food ready for the picnic while the men complain about wanting the food now.
The men have their reasons as they state some problems happening around the town as the sun continues to blaze on their farms and crops with little grace.
It’s another slow tempo song as the women sing about getting ready, the men sing about their issues, and Lizzie reprises her first song “Love, Don’t Turn Away”.
Just like “Another Hot Day”, there isn’t much to this song after one listen.
The Rain Song + The Rain Song (Reprise)
This first song introduces Bill Starbuck, a man who oozes charisma, claims himself as the man who can make it rain for a fee of $100 (which is pretty hefty during that time!).
This song perfectly reveals the character as a swav man who knows how to woo a crowd and get his way although Lizzie isn’t convinced one bit.
This song reminds me a lot of “The Music Man”, but it’s definitely not as catchy like “Trouble” or “76 Trombones”.
The reprise is the very last song of the show, and the 1972 version and 2007 version are quite a bit different from each another.
The 1972 version shows Lizzie’s struggle trying to decide which man to pick while the 2007 version skips that part and goes straight to the rain coming.
Both the song and it's reprise are fine. Just again, pretty forgettable.
Little Red Hat
It’s a pretty random song in my opinion.
The song is about this side story the audience never gets to really see about Lizzie's younger brother and the girl he has a crush on and how they got together.
The 1972 version is fun and innocent while the 2007 version has a lot more vocal dynamics that make it a little more interesting to listen to, but at the end of the song, something about it felt a little creepy to me.
I think I actually prefer the 1972 version as it’s shorter than the newer version.
WANT TO LISTEN WITH ME?
The Best Song in 110 in the Shade
Melisande
This is a really fun song. Full of imagination as Starbuck takes you on an adventure through his lavish storytelling.
Bill Starbuck decides that Lizzie needs a new name if she doesn’t like the old one she has and creates a fairytale about a man trying to woo a beautiful woman.
The 1963 version is fine, but I like the actor’s voice in the 2007 version better. Also, it’s much more playful and comedic in the 2007 version.
While the 1963 still feels dreamy, it always feels lacking in the instrumental part.
Whenever I listen to the 2007 version, I always want to dance. I’m smiling, my heart is pounding, and my mind is running wild with imagination.
That’s what makes a good musical number.
And the ending always gives me chills.
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Conclusion
And that is it!
I hope you enjoyed my list. Again, "110 in the Shade" is not a personal favorite of my mine, but I can enjoy quite a few of the songs for a couple of listens.
Thanks for reading 🙂
