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| ELTON JOHN NEWS |
| Lestat - Second Review Thursday, December 8 2005 |
By Claude Bernardin, author of "Rocket Man".
The first full song I have heard from the Vampire Lestat Musical, Elton's own version. The song is a ballad in the Phantom of The Opera dramatic style, I was going to say "vein".
The song is lovely. It has a great classical piano lead and interlude, that the verses seem to mimick (or is that Memnock?!).
I'll make this short and sweet at the start, it's better than "Written In The Stars" , better than "Can You Feel The Love Tonight", and even has a strength and classical side that rises it above songs like "Nikita" and "The Letter" or "How I Know You" and "Electricity". This is very good theatre music and a close match to the drama, breadth and classicism of Lloyd webber's "Phantom". Some may not like the style, no it's not "Meal Ticket" or "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" but this is very good theatre music and quite accurate to the story and tone of the original novels.
I got chills listening to it the first time, which is always a great sign.
But what I was stunned at was Taupin's brilliant words. Look Bernie has always been able to craft a great, sometimes classic pop song, but I didn't know how he'd be as a musical lyricist.
"Make Me As You Are"
I cannot hide what I've become
it's clear a mother knows her son
and even though your sight grows dim
you see the pallor of my skin
the blood red eyes sunk in my face
you feel the chill in my embrace
the Gothic legend of your youth
stands here tonight as God's own truth
and from that truth I feel no fear
two kinds of death are present here
mine's the age-old act of dying
but yours is like the Phoenix rising
your mother's frail and feeble husk
will soon be nothing more than dust
so let's not dwell on wasted years
my time is short, my choice is clear
Make Me As You Are
tear the hands off clocks
that tick away my final hours
I want to rage against the light
and leave the sun behind
I want to feel the path of everlasting youth inside
take me, give me new life
and we'll live beneath the stars
together and forever
I beg you, Make Me As You Are
(piano interlude)
this cursed gift with which I live
I know not if it's mine to give
but out of love I can't refuse
too much to gain; nothing to lose
the risk is mine, and if we fail
I'll shake the demons by their tails
and spit into the devil's face
and say hell's now was damn, this place
I'm still a fledgling in this frame
I've only killed when hunger reigned
death was final in my wake
but yes this is the chance we'll take
oh blessed thoughts of sweet release
from nagging nurse, and hovering priest
to rid myself of stoop and cane
to breathe without this burning pain
Make Me As You Are
tear the wings off angels that would lift me from your heart
I want to dance beneath the moon
and slip into the dark
I want to feel the night awaken when I leave my mark
take me, give me new life
and we'll live beneath the stars
together and forever, I beg you
Make Me, Make Me, Make Me As You Are
tear the hands off clocks that tick away my final hours
I want to rage against the light
and leave the sun behind
I want to feel the path of everlasting youth inside
take me, give me new life
and we'll live beneath the stars
together and forever
I beg you, Make Me As You Are
I beg you, Make Me As You Are
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin, excerpt from the Musical, Vampire Lestat
Elton John, Bernie Taupin, 2005
It is clear they outlined the plot. It is clear he put his entire energy and talent into this project.
Classic Taupin, classic Elton - and I don't for an instant believe this is the best song in the Musical. They've got better waiting in the "Wings". Ok I have said enough puns now.
"Make Me As You Are" is a strong, solid effort and one of the best Broadway style songs I have heard Elton write. It has a very memorable Gothic, classical feel to it, and it is catchy without being annoying. It is a song one can sing over and over and enjoy. I love the waltz style classical piano introduction and theme through out, the best melody line is right smack dab in the middle of the chorus.
I also notice Elton seems more comfortable with this style, the melody fits and flows more naturally than it did with Aida.
Nice effort here guys, I'm very proud of you.
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Friday, November 11 2005 at 08:56:24
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