Idina Menzel ~ Unexpected Song ~ ALW 14th September 2008

[notabeth]

Guys, guys, clearly Bernadette Peters sings this the best.

[demilovatofan64]

Great great great performer!!!

[LingLingRox]

Everyone stop arguing. Idina just belted a G.

[kalynnmmp]

Okay ppl let's just take a chill pill here. Idina menzel and sutton foster are both amazingly talented performers. They both have very talented and beautiful voices. Idina sings this beautifully but I have to say only one person can sing it better and that person it's the amazing Bernadette Peters.

[suttonfosteristhebes]

Idina Menzel's voice is so squeaky and she is so ugly! She should stop following in the footsteps of the amazing SUTTON FOSTER! Sutton Foster can sing, dance, and act way better than Idina ever can. Sutton's videos on Youtube trump ALL of Idina's so-called "best" performances!

[QueenBernPeters]

@suttonfosteristhebes Sutton Foster??? Her voice is just as squeaky, plus she is the most overrated actress in the world!

[ruthiehenshalllesmis]

@suttonfosteristhebes Let's see: walt1896, suttonfosteristhebes, onlysuttonfostersgood, walt1896theclone, RadiationViolet, lmajoy94, SFMusicals1...SFMusicals100, etc. Wow, with your 200+ Youtube accounts worshipping your anorexic Sutton Foster idol, criticizing other performers, and marking as "spam" all comments on Sutton's videos not worshipping her, you are Youtube's #1 TROLL, lol! Idina is so much better -- and popular -- than your overrated idol.

[lesyllphide]

Ok that's just mean. You can't compare anyone to Bernadette peters, so why do so? Indian was pretty great I think! She was obviously nervous and did even better taking that into account!

[famosyyo]

@lesyllphide who's "indian" lol her name is Idina....

[BroadwayBaby4817]

@AtLastOnTheGround even though she may not sing like Bernadette Peters or Betty Buckley she's still amazing and you don't have to post comments like that. If you don't like it, keep it to yourself.

[AtLastOnTheGround]

A wretched, throaty mess. Can't even compare to the standards set by Bernadette or Betty Buckley.

[akimkcwr]

@megflam your crazy idina is amazing and so inspirational

[chocolatexpqx]

My opinion.. Rachel Tucker should have sung this.

[TheEvilsquiril]

@chocolatexpqx I AGREE MY FRIEND XD x

[DEMoVIDRMX]

I was expecting the high notes at the end but over all she is amazing vocalist.

[iloveidinamenzel1]

@kimberlyrosebower don't doubt someone you love if you love them so much! 

[knmusic1]

Following up on my last comment, Bernadette doesn't even take the high notes in her rendition...not in high chest voice or in head voice. I just wanted to point that out.

[knmusic1]

Speaking as a voice coach, I thought Idina started out a little weak.Her intonation was a little flat on a couple of notes near the beginning but I'm wondering if maybe that had to do with it being on her break and she maybe wasn't warmed up. Regarding the chorus at the key change, different people have different expectations about how they like it. Given Idina is a high belter, it was a good choice for her. VERY few women have a belt range that goes that high. When you've got it, flaunt it!

[af2un]

Sorry, but her squeaky voice didn't help getting the "it sucked" out of this performance.

[NYCprincess7]

@af2un squeaky????

[ImABroadwayLuver]

she's amazing

[iloveidinamenzel1]

WHAT THE FUCK 31 PEOPLE DISLIKE THIS WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!?

[HagbardCeline42]

Oy. Why does Indina Menzel insist on singing the torch songs of much better singers?

[JollyMe08]

It's so weird hearing Idina's version right after hearing Bernadette's. I love Idina tons, but I prefer Bernadette for this song.

[hcybtiw]

@JollyMe08 My God, the same thing happened to me right now. I agree, only to the sweetness that Bernadette manages to produce (and her great talent, of course)

[scaj16]

She's amazing, and damn anyone who says differently!

[waliice]

This is really good, but I definitely think that Bernadette Peters' version of the song is the best I've heard! I do love Idina though...she's the queen of Wicked!

[97footprints]

lovely :)

[loveremains1]

I LOVE Idina..But I must admit the best version I've heard of an unexpected song is Bernadette Peter's version - Idina is belting those top notes instead of putting them into her head, it is a classical song - she has an amazing range though. I get goosebumps from hearing her sing in Wicked...She can sing amazingly, and she can sing this, but it's not really her style or thing..I've heard her do better suff :)

[rarimus]

This is really a beautiful performance, and an extremely challenging song.

Proves how truly talented Idina really is!

[kimberlyrosebower]

I love Idina... but I thought that was awful... I've heard her sing so much better than this.

[iloveidinamenzel1]

@kimberlyrosebower you are crazy!

[kimberlyrosebower]

@iloveidinamenzel1 I'm not crazy... Just saying I don't think this shows off to her best qualities and I don't like this interpretation of the song.... I've heard her sing so much better than this. I love Idina...

[Dobson73]

Wow, that is a beautiful performance. A very different version from someone like Bernadette Peters but beautiful just the same.

[crazykidzsab]

she sucks....she was amazing in rent when she was in her early twenties now she is a hot mess. sorry idina fans.

[volleyball613]

@crazykidzsab wow.... that was a terrible comment.... you didnt even back up why she sucked...

[joshgardell]

@jgardell (John): I'd say her voice is an "acquired taste." Those who have gotten familiar with it, inasmuch as it sounds like a chipmunk's, and have gotten to like her personality don't mind it. I personally like her, too.

[mdiamse]

No, not Alvin, but like Minnie Mouse!

[aaprato]

She sounds like Alvin from Alvin and the Chipmunks.

[jgardell]

She has such an UGLY voice!

[Pattifish]

I love this women's viberance.

[defyingravity08]

I WAS THERE!! <3 i loved it so much

[DeitraWren]

She's ok. Personally I don't like her version, but she sings it well. Didn't like the last note though.

[kate22uk]

I love Bernadette Peter's version, I kinda think of this as her song...but this is good and Idina is always fantastic :-) Weird question, but was that John Barrowman at the end?

[Brooklynguy169]

It is a difficult song to sing because the timing really doesn't work vocally.. Part of my thinks Sondheim wrote it with the idea that the singer would set the pace and rhythm to express meaning as opposed to the typical broadway score. Idina came very close. 

[pegsball]

@Brooklynguy169

Isn't this a Webber song?

[lacouerfairy]

@pegsball Yes.

[joshbygosh89]

@Brooklynguy169 Sondheim didn't write this song.

[hellokitt1234]

@Brooklynguy169 ummm...Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber wrote this...not Sondheim. 

[singer50001]

Isnt the original in a totally different key i think its much higher

[islamazon1]

@singer50001 This version is actually lower but Idina chooses to belt the whole thing so it sounds very different. She changed the ending too because she couldn't belt the high notes. I like the Bernadette Peters version much better. Idina's better at songs that are meant to be belted, like in Rent and Wicked.

[nvalentino75]

I have performed this song numerous times and those "I" notes are tricky. They're so short and you have to be so open, sometimes they get swoopy. She gets a hold of them when she starts really belting. She's Idina, after all. When you listen to the Bernadette version, she's in a completely different key... much higher. But Dee is such an alto.

I thought is was gorgeous.

[ernesthroop]

i wish she had recordered it and you could find the track on itunes or something :'(... so beautiful

[hack3man]

I thought she did a good job with it...I sang this at an audition and it is a strange song to sing. I liked the original better, but she did no large changes!

[babbitsmom]

Sondheim is not "Pop"y. Can we just let the Glee people stick with Gaga? Or at least sing what they are able. Unexpected Song should never be altered, Idina.

[GavinLiamLogan]

@babbitsmom "Unexpected Song" is not by Sondheim. It's Andrew Lloyd Webber.

[1astonishing]

Idina menzel is mazing and whoever knocks this performance is just jealous they're not as good as here. Lol

[91LisaLou]

I love this performance! Whatever anyone says about her, there is no doubt she can sing <3

[vangeles]

thanks for posting this, I remember hearing that Idina was doing a UK tribute to ALW and thought I would never be able to see the performance.

Eden Espinosa's version much better, do search on youtube. Idina sounds like see was just talking for alot of the song.

[phantomcrawford]

her I's drive me crazy. they seem to difficult for her. they kill my ears! as i said before, she has a cute voice but not for a song that isnt in her range

[phantomcrawford]

I dont think she has the right voice for this song. it is a small sounding and cute voice.

[JamieZeleneGlades]

She looks so ethereal and angelic in this video. Good job whoever shot this.

[MzCharmedFan0214]

i absolutely loveeeeee idina...but i think bernadette peters does it better... :)

[p3fan09]

i love her but her dress looks like it's just gonna fall off if she moves too much... but she is EPIC!

[laurapakora]

It's a shame she can't sing. It might be good otherwise.

[Whiirp]

@laurapakora What??? Idina Menzel is a goddess. She's frickin amazing. This may not be the perfect song for her, but she is one of the best singers of the decade. Easy.

[puggiepie97]

@laurapakora Idina is n incredible singer dont say she cant she is n incredible person and DAMN she can sing!!!!

[LittleMissMe2006]

@laurapakora She has an amazing voice you should buy her album I Stand it will just blow you away!

[islamazon1]

disappointing that she didn't do the ending, but other than that it was good.

[catiecop]

haha can you hear the aussie aussie aussie at the start? hahaha we're fools :) x

[zelmanzelman]

The song is beautiful. Idina is spectacular. It doesn't get any better. Thank you. Thank you.

[islamazon1]

@zelmanzelman

It get's better when Bernadette Peters does it. Check it out. :-)

[AbsolutelyEmerald]

Thanks for sharing this!

I love her, and the way she's done this- the warmth of some of the notes and the quiet ending were beautiful!

I don't expect everyone to agree, but I would like to point out that the way the song's been cut her interpretation is perfectly valid- it's completely taken out of the 'break-up' context, lyrics wise it's a straight love song, she's given it a complex range of emotions from confusion to wonder to triumph- she HAS to do it differently- it's a different song.

[skitscuddlydoo]

She gets kind of shrieky when she sings high....I don't know I just don't think she can control her voice. She's good in other songs that fit her voice better but she shouldn't attempt this song

[puggiepie97]

@skitscuddlydoo sdhe can totally control her voice youtube search this : idina menzel sleepy man. yeah she can control it!!! shes incredible

[Janeux]

I think she did fabulous and I love BP too : )

[kayokada]

she's so beautiful! i luv her! :)

[antibaka6502]

I thought no one could ever come close to Bernadette, but I have been proven wrong.

As far as American chicks singing this song go, Idina more than did it justice. Amazing job.

[cinderella1901]

For the people who dont like her singing, WHY the heck are you even watching it?

[laurapakora]

@cinderella1901 to laugh.

[lesmisfan100]

All she ever does is belt theres more to singing then just belting and singing as loud as you can til your vocal chords cant do anymore which is what she did in Wicked!! Shes no where near in the same league as Kerry Ellis!

[madad0406]

@iceprincess275

As are you.

[kdennisful]

I really don't get this whole Idina Menzel thing. I can't stand her voice. It's way too little girly and nazly. BERNADETTE PETERS KICKS ASS!!!! I never saw her in Wicked so I guess I shouldnt comment. She won a Tony so she must be great in the part.

[lesmisfan100]

@kdennisful i total agree with you!

[dudewheresmydignity]

i think she'd make a great emma.

[itbejess]

@dudewheresmydignity The whole point of Emma's character is that she's british!

[dudewheresmydignity]

there is a hell of a lot more to the character than her nationality. bernadette wasn't british and she played the role. you might as well say people in the lion king should be replaced by real animals.

[itbejess]

Yes, but you've made that comment after watching her sing this song with an american accent. I don't mean its the whole point of the character but it is a major aspect, a british girl in america

[dudewheresmydignity]

slap an english accent on her and she'd be great then. happy? idina's not doing an accent here because it's not the show, but that doesn't mean that she couldn't easily put one on.

[MTwannaB4jesus]

i wish she'd kept her soprano training. beautiful though.

[Roxie761]

I cried when I saw her crying.

[Hariaka]

she is better in wicked

[olgap35]

you lucky!!!! you really got to see her live! she did pretty good a this song and i love her voice!

[mikib4]

She's more Mezzo-Soprano, which isn't the key of the original song, so its not working for her.

[Museleaders]

i thought she was okay.. and people who said bernadette peters owns this song.. BERNADETTE PETERS IS ONE OF THE FEW PREFORMERS ON EARTH THAT IS AMAZING IN EVERYTHING SHE DOES!! i actually think betty buckley does this song the best, but idina wasnt that bad

[edenrubyrox]

i've listened to like 30 seconds and cant stand it already. Bernadette Peters' version is so much better!

[sugarpie710]

Idina is great but she did not sing this song well at all i think. Wasn't right for her, she changed it way to much to make "unexpected song" her song

[achaleenicoll]

beautiful song, a beautiful voice but not a good combination. shes an amazing singer but this did not go well for her. she was awesome in Wicked and Rent but maybe she should keep to more theatrical songs with more of her chest voice. <3

[TheDarkLordofTG]

It's not Bernadette, but I like it better than Sarah Brigthman, so still pass =)

[Alli056]

yeah.....no...

[kpuplover222]

maahh...not a good choice for her

[bennyfitzy]

Awful. Wrong song for Idina in almost every way

[idinaluv]

I really love Idina's version of this song, I listen to it way too much... :P

[musicgeek294]

its just my opinion, but that is absolutely 100% the wrong song for her.

she just butchered it, and that is one of my favorites.

C'mon Idina.

[VoraciousLime]

Have to agree. Bernadette Peters owns this song.

[wannypom]

Awful!!!! Idina is a one trick pony - take her away from Wicked and she doesn't have much going for her!

[ChristineRuud]

Have you seen or even heard of Rent?

[wannypom]

Yea - she screeched in that too!!! If you want to watch her REALLY destroy something watch her in 'Chess' with Josh Groban! Don't get me wrong she was amazing in Wicked, ok in Rent but thats as far as it goes.

[SpazzyHazzy]

she's nothing on bernadette,

but a great effort. Go Idina :D

[crossecat]

i agree!

[AnnieUhOh]

She does a very lovely job! I prefer her voice when she does the softer lower notes than when she gets all belty, though. And really, I'll never be unable to hear Bernadette's rendition. This video made me realize that Idina reminds me of Sandra Bullock.

[regnarts79]

She's hot but I'm so used to seeing her green. It's weird to see her flesh coloured

[TheatreFanatic4eva]

dkw2s I LOVE Deee (as u can c by my channel it's a bit of a n obsession :)) but I think Bernadette OWNS this song... Like Elaine Paige OWNS Nobody's Side. Don't feel bad Idina!! I still love u, and no one can compare to your Defying Gravity!! :)

[kikay2493]

thank you!!! very true bernie owns this song, bit disappointed with idina though

[isabellacinderella]

Apart from Kerry Ellis.

Paha sorry I had to...yes kill me now :P

[turnblad4]

I do happen to prefer the other versions of this song and it's difficult for even someone like Idina to compare to Bernadette. But you all have missed her interpretation completely. She sings on the pop/rock side of style and can account for "girly/cutsie." As for emotion: it's a happy song; her emotion is quite right. I miss the high A-flat but this is not crap; it simply isn't her song and you "critics" will just have to get over it.

[WestEndGirl96]

well said!!!

lol

G x

[kikay2493]

This is a let down!!!!!!! Bernadette peters!!!!!!! sings this song waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy better!!!!!!!

This is crap!!!!

[guddynatasha]

bernedette is a LEGENDDDDDDDDDDD wkakakakakkak of course!

[broadwaybaby1986]

You know what I thought, I totally agree that Bernadette "owns" this song, and seeing her sing it, doesn't it make you want to sing it too? I'm sure that's what Idina felt. I know I want to sing this song but wouldn't do it justice. It's just the joy of singing it.

[kikay2493]

Yeah it makes you want to sing it, but seeing her way of seeing it, makes me think that's not what she felt. there's a reason you become a broadway star and another reason you become a popstar. there's also a reason why an audience who aren't very fond of pop watch broadway stars, it's because they think that's broadway so they're going to watch it

[Elphieuk]

After hearing Kerry Ellis singing this, this version kind of annoys me. It's like she's trying to sound all girly and cutsie...

[isabellacinderella]

Omggggg sameeeeeeeeeeee I LOVE LOVE LOVE Idina....but Kerry Ellis....It's not like I WANT Kerry to outdo Idina...it's just FOR ME...she always seems to :/

[101Bowles]

i think at the end it looked like she was going for a big finish, kind of dissapointing :( let down

[XvintageloveX]

im sorry but kerry ellis's version is so much better! love idina! but kerry's emotion is there. something i thought idina would have been better at!!!

[tianicolea23]

eh.

this is cute...

but bernadette's version is like 23846985649652894365 times better.

sorry..

i like idina, i do.

but she can't compare to bernadette.

[kikay2493]

I Agree with you completely!!!!!! this is total crap!!!!!!!!

[anna0170]

Idina is lovely. But i miss the high note (Ab) in the ending. It makes the song more emotional.

[1stab]

There's quite a bit of reaching when she sings her 'I's as they tend to correspond to some higher notes and it is less than bearable. I guess there's a reason the ratings have been disabled.

[oirishgurl]

Actually just noticed that they were disabled when you pointed it out, woops. There was no reason, all my other videos have them on, I must have missed this one.

[SaxGurl]

that's just kind of her trademark... she did that in Wicked (on the OBC recording, so after retouching) and in Rent (again, OBC), and it's part of her belt-y voice.

[mightabeenking]

i think she sounds great. i see absolutely nothing wrong with her voice. she sounds great and she's emotionally affecting.

[catwomanplease]

She's kind of terrible? Listen to her :S She's great.

[PunkNDisorderly3]

i loved this performance, she seemed so touched by the crowds at the end. best concert ever :D

and someone said this song is from "song and dance" but i'm sure its "tell me on a sunday"

[brightsunshine]

It's from Song and Dance

[XXxxsoccerluverXXxx]

its from "Song and Dance" i have a book of music from "Song and Dance" and this song is in it

[fantine4life]

Love her as an actress.

As a singer...she's kind of terrible.

[veronica896]

hey what is up with every1? I think this performance is gr8!!! I wud hav luved to be there. And also, Idina is classically trained so I dn't knw what ever1 is tlkin bout.

[EmpressNina]

amazing.... I love that woman.

[2THEBLUEANGEL8]

no.

[encorebc]

I'm not the hugest Idina fan, but I think she did a stellar job with this!!!!

WOW!!!!

(But you gotta see it as what it is and not have Bern or Betty or [insert Sassy beltress here] to enjoy I think).

very different.

nice.

[Cassix94]

why does everyone say she sounded bad

I don't get it i thought it was amazing

[greenemerald152]

because everyone has different opinions on things...

i thought it was good

[Cassix94]

Yeah, but some people make it seem like she sang terribly.

I don't find really anything wrong with it, not just because I'm a fan...

but I don't know ...

[starlightexpress101]

i agree..she was well good but a classical singer would have been better! :) x

[wickediswicked5]

idina is a trained classical singer

[25Maz25]

I think perhaps Idina wasn't in tip top vocal condition so the pitchy problems were probably a product of the fact she wasn't 'show fit'. It happens to everyone, even the best of them. If you stop singing for a while, your vocal chords will not remain perfectly fit. It's just another muscle...

[musicgeek294]

eh.

[lafleurquicache]

Idina is FABULOUS, but I think that this song should be sung by a more classical singer.

[MisstressFurter]

I love her - but no one sings this better than Bernadette Peters.

[blulinx]

I love Idina in recordings, but I cringe at her live performances.

[xHannahRose09x]

What musical is this from?

[mmhore]

Song and Dance. Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Don Black.

[sexylove7411]

I love Idina Menzel.. so cute! But I didn´t like this performance! I´ve seen much better... and I KNOW that she´s better than this!!

IDINA I LOVEEEEEEEEEEE you!

[ballchanging]

awful

[ButHoldYourBreath]

I didn't like that performance at all.

she's an amazing singer, but this performance... wasn't good!

[Jaspervdk]

2.02 everybody screams wtf why the hell the scream it's just 1 simple song she is singing ...

[BTLemming]

My favorite ALW song. It's funny to me that apparently a "Yank" is hosting this particular London event.

[seymichiru]

She makes me cry! She is amazing! All can notice that she feels all songs that she sings!

[LaetitiaBranchi]

Idina Menzel ist just great. *_*

I loved her performance in Wicked and AIDA, but this one is just ... :D

Just love her for this one x)

[GabbyDee32]

This is such a great video thank u! when i saw Idina crying in the concert i was crying to! i just couldnt help myself! beautiful rendition!

[gigglingpixie21]

I was there! Third row back on the left! Best. Day. Ever. I had a job interview the day after this and I was soooo tired but it was well worth it! x

[LiveAndLoveLife]

Idina is amazing. This is not her best performance. I'll bet she was really nervous. I love her low notes, but I feel like she was a little shaky and not warmed up very well.

[GabbyDee32]

shes shaky cause shes cryin she was reli overwhelmed by the crowds amazing response to her - it was great to be there cause i felt so proud of the fellow fans the reli made her feel welcome! u can c here shes reli touched by it

[niltubil]

what happened to the ending?? Bernadette Peters´s version is way much better, is the best version I seen so far...

[syndymine]

woah! jeees! never failing to impress as usual! freaking awesome!

[peerah]

She's perfect for a belter song like this!

[babeandandy]

well actually it's not a belter song, she lowered it (not that i mind) it's actually a really high song for sopranos, that ends in the head voice. It's range is over 2 octaves... it's insane for any singer, Bass, Tenor, Alto or Soprano

But Idina's an insanely amazing singer so it's all good :D

[Evilqueen1985]

This is one of the few performances in which I really actually like Idina singing, her voice is really suited for this kind of song.

[beyondthestars1985]

your quality is amazing! my only complaint is there aren't more clips from the show!

[clairythefairy]

guh *melts*...

[Vessynikol]

I saw Bernadette Peters' performance of this song. Really amazing, she is great, I saw the one of Sarah Brightman as well.

Conclusion: Idina is THE BEST. Her voice is the exact type for that song. You can hear the radio version. It is better than here. IDINA is N1. She proves it once gain. I just can no longer find any comparisons for her.

[BJTDancer]

Of course bernadette peters is better because she played the role!

Idina is doing her own version of this song. She is a belter so of course she is going to give it her all at the end of the song.

[defying18gravity]

i love this song!

she sounds, and also looks, gorgeous :)

[Bradderrss]

2:28.

Her ring flashes, (:

Amazing as always

[zillious06]

aw shes so cute :)

[sopranosinger123]

Wow, you got it filmed it up close! Wow. Thanks sooo much for posting this!!! : )

[Clarinetist0409]

I love Idina!!!!!! She i8s sooo incredible!!!!!!

[chenofan7]

i love her dress