Carousel - 1956 - Soliloquy

[maximumpwnage]

my goodness, this is beautiful.

[DebsTasha45]

When he starts talking about 'my little girl' is so cute!

[xxkewldudexx]

What's the range/key of this song?

[xxkewldudexx]

This song is just amazing...makes me proud to be a baritone. (Not a heavy bari like McRae, more of a baritenor, but still.)

[vintage52]

Probably the best song to come out of a musical. 2nd best is You'll Never Walk Alone,,,,,from the same musical. Saw my dad cry - for the only time - watching the clip from the movie. Brings tears to my eyes now I'm a dad too.

[Fishstixj4l]

1:07 - 3:12 I'm using to audition tomorrow O_O

[tweektica]

Hugh Jackman's 2002 Carnegie Hall concert performance is also pretty stellar

[dante144]

was it just me or was the ending distorted? Bummer, cause it is my favorite part!

[granbranfan]

Incredibly brilliant music. Incredibly brilliant voice. Incredibly brilliant actor.

[nancypo1]

I think it was all filmed in Boothbay harbor, Maine

[nancypo1]

Gordon MacRae had such physical presence as Billy, with his big chest. It's amazing what he did with this scene. And it's one of the longest musical scenes ever written for 1 character, by themselves. It's an incredible piece of acting by MacRae. Wow, what a voice... and an excellent actor, IMO...

[Loejyrrab]

@nancypo1 Nancy, nice tribute. He is not forgotten, nor are the "incredible" composers of this masterpiece.

[DickieAnginson]

Gordon MacRae ... what a marvelous performer. His kind of talent is missing today in Hollywood.

Shirley Jones in an old interview said that of the R&H musicals in which she appeared, "Carousel" was the most beautiful. I agree.

[tonypass3]

my dad used to show me this when i was little i am now 21 and love this song what a gorgeous voice and a lovely song. Reminds me of my dad and brings a tear to my eye x

[multipurpose92]

At first I didn't like this movie. I thought it was dark and depressing. Why would Julie, the lead character, hook up with such a loser? Years later, I wanted to hear the music from Carousel, the beautiful song creations of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Julie gives this complicated man a chance and is difficult for an audience. His beginning "transformation" from this song shows his deep ability to love and to "learn" to accept love from them. It is a spiritual transformation from the beginning.

[scabbard1597]

Life changing, love the minor key when the realisation that the unborn child may be a girl and how he accepts this so unconditionally. My Mother bought this record in 45 format and i play it now and then. Never forget whereryou came from. Cracking stuff.

A lifein a song.

[pacedom1]

Random question.. I know that most of Carousel was filmed in Maine.. but can anyone confirm if this was shot in Paradise Cove in Malibu? Would appreciate it..

[Josie5100]

What a voice!

[oldestludwig]

A musical that changed my life and attitude-thank you R&H.

[AidanParle]

I keep coming back to this. I just love it. Quite hard to put into words

[musicistheanswer96]

I'm actually working on this show right now, and the last section of this song always gives me chills. This is a fantastic rendition of it, and I'm so glad that it has been recorded so that it can be heard forever.

[elpresidio]

That was great but what happened with that last note? Sound's like it was taken from somewhere else.

[jwdman]

@elpresidio

I believe this was played back at a faster speed and it changed the key he appears to be singing. Right at the end, it goes back to the original, correct key. Weird. I sing this song all the time and I've never heard him sing it in this key.

[fernglamour13]

I cry EVERY time I watch/listen to this.

[MandeeSparkle]

R&H at their finest, performed by Gordon of course.

[FRANKHODGES39]

He deserves this reprise! He was quite good.

[granbranfan]

Tears are pouring down my cheeks...no matter how many times I watch Gordon sing this song, it moves me so emotionally...beautiful in every way. Such a tragedy that he passed away so young, like one of my other favorite singers, Billy Fury from the UK. Bless you both.

[AidanParle]

Truly incredible. Grew up on this. Ah........the good old days when you couldn't cover up. You either had it or you didn't. And I'm only 32 !

[MsSoliloquy]

@AidanParle I grew up on this too - My dad used to sing it to me all the time in the 70s when I was a kid, he'd serenade me as I tried to wriggle away. I don't talk to him now so this makes me kinda sad and nostalgic at the same time. Amazing song though, I have always loved it especially how tender his voice turns when he sings about his girl.

[lilsisasu]

Watching this brings back memories! I'm 20 years old and have watched this movie so many times! It's one of my favorites. However, the choreography in some of the songs are a little cheesy, but then back then, it wasn't considered cheesy.

[glacierbirdgirl]

Yes, Macrae proves how Lloyd Weber has ruined the musical with those lousy "tenors" and other so-called singers! Macrae was a REAL singer. Nice to look at too.

[kingward100]

This is the baritone against which all others must be measured.

[buckskipper]

@kingward100

Exactly!  No other can compare.

[madamerotten]

This piece inspired James Stafford to write "My Girl Bill" in 1974.

[madamerotten]

Love the lap dissolve at 3:45.

[pacedom1]

Alcoholic or not.. He was awesome

[GEF69]

ttta fuck happened to his voice at the end? Is this a pastiche of different recordings of fim?

[StellaOmega]

My son won't be no sissy!

But if he's a girl he'll learn to love being slapped in the kisser.

[ggpmhouse]

the world was blessed when Frank Sinatra turned down the part. 

[bushka99]

Doesn't get any better than this!!!!!!!!!! Sends chills down the spine. Especially the ending. Oh my gosh!

[LYttleLotte17]

Oooooh how I've missed this song... I got some goosebumps! Gordan MacRae is incredible, end of story! Such an amazing song and a fantastic performance!

[ivyarora]

i love gordon's voice, and this song fits him well. this movie's amazing.

[buckskipper]

You can have fun with a son, but you gotta be a father to a girl...

[buckskipper]

'Gulp'...thanks, Dad.

[fongchaynun]

One of the greats.

[LorraineBowenTV]

Where was this filmed?

[Staymewithflagons]

My Dad Jay Hartley Nixon sang this part...and had the exact same voice as MacRay...really!..so listening to this makes me feel like he's singing to me again,

Up in heaven though...grab a star for me Dad!

[SublimelyMatt]

@Staymewithflagons Does anyone else think this comment is really ironic, considering the plot of Carousel?

[SISCUV1]

I really think the live Sinatra Version on his 80th cd is way better,but the original is great!

[tamarexxe]

I agree with everyone who adores Mr MacRae's voice. I think that, largely because of his voice, this is, for me, the finest 8 minutes in any R&H musical. He was amazing as Curley in Oklahoma!. The contrast between his Curley, the quintessential honest American pioneer, and Billy Bigelow, the absolute definitive depiction of a flawed man who cannot find his place in the American dream, is amazing. His work ranks high atop the greatest musical performances of the 20th Century

[sicon67]

A true tragedy that this great great singer died so young. He's better than Sinatra and that's saying something.

[daisyXOXOXO]

gawwwd. i'm crying. just bought the dvd... i saw the musical played by the u of a in 2005. i think i went to see it 12 times :D i just LOVE the music....

[lilactor18]

omgsh...chills...I LOVE his vibrato!! :D

[roseof92]

i grew up with this musical and still love it to this day <3 Gordon is soooo handsome and his voice only adds to his appeal! What a talent!

[slotte88]

This what life was about...Thank you for sharing...we will never see this again until libbychecks decides to share with us the same...please include the same features as it will be a tremendous part of my life!

[RoryAlanna]

the daughter part is going to be the father daughter dance at my wedding WHAT A VOICE gordan had

[lootje145]

where can you buy such a man???

[cavies1234]

What life changing decision did Bill make??

[modeness]

this song always hits my heart, I have three sons, when i use to watch this film, and had my boys i loved this song and when it breaks into My liitle girl i used to cry, then i had a daughter so this song means so much to me and i still get very emotional when i watch this film .

[courthousedoc]

The planes are hysterical. Realistic 1870's New England.

However, the big question for me is at the end -- did they have to change the lyrics for the standards people? It's supposed to be "i never knew how to make money, but I'll try, BY GOD, I'll try"? A great performance. I prefer it a bit more operatic, but that's just me, but still great.

[JonBlake310]

They are birds guys...

[scotpens]

@courthousedoc And they also had to change "I don't give a damn" to "I don't give a hang," and "skinny-lipped virgin" to "skinny-lipped lady." Hey, it was the Fifties, you know.

[findo]

@scotpens They also made his suicide into an accident to suit the sensibilities of the 50s.

[al1936ful]

@courthousedoc I thought maybe they were seagulls. It is Maine, you know.

[TheDADDYBAILEY]

sinatra version good but gordon mcrae is the best Carousel great musical, great songs,but this is the favourite.

[findo]

@TheDADDYBAILEY I heard that Sinatra was originally supposed to do the film.

[thesp467]

This is one of those films that made me fall in love with musicals and theater his transition to my little girl makes me cry...

[animaliac]

are those planes from pt mugu naval base @ 1:18

[lutomsky]

well spotted!!

[malate5]

truly an amazing voice. thanks for sharing

[hayley1963]

amazing voice..this was my dads favourite movie

[gazaguy]

a soliloquy is spoken... this is a solo..

[TheatreLuvr1776]

@gazaguy the song is called soliloquy =)

[nancypo1]

He had such an amazing voice! WOW! I remember as a kid thinking anyone could sing like that. Later I found out how wrong I was. What a talent...

I heard him sing this live in the 70's in a concert, still had that voice!!!

[cbgflygirl]

And to think they almost had Frank Sinatra play Billy. Nothing against Frank but no one could have pulled of the song the way Gordon could and did. Gordon was the perfect Billy.

[JoshA1990]

Incredible song, incredible performance. 6:40 onwards I just get shivers...

[xoxoalidancerxoxo123]

amazing!

[miyoshiumeki]

Actually, he is ending it on a "G" which is the correct and original key. This song is usually sung by a bari-tenor. It's nice to hear a real baritone sing it. in this case...although this recording is a bit distorted.

[aboverise]

its got to be up there with the best song ever written and the best perfomance too . .

[DivaBehavior]

The ending verse is a key higher than typical -- He ends on an F# instead of an F.

[findo]

@DivaBehavior Nope, it's written 'G'

[phantomxr]

yes the soundtrack/video is screwed up ,but how do you begin to write a song of this magnitude?close your eyes and let the imagery of the words make pictures in your head.This is songwriting of the highest order ,pure genius,absolute fu---ng perfection.

[Operalover12002]

Correct me if I am wrong. But I have heard that Gordon MacRae was dubbed.

Does anyone know about this?

[cbgflygirl]

No he wasn't.

[Dougoulako]

His transition to another understanding is one of the most beautiful in all media.

[summergirl5678]

To these ears (and I'm an opera singer), Gordon had the finest voice of anyone I've ever heard. The most beautiful tone, great support, a perfect, seamless vibrato, and most of all such heartfelt expression - and all from a man who was mostly self-taught. Melted chocolate is my favorite way to describe it. Too bad this recording is all screwed up. You can't get the full impact of his voice!!

[corwinofamber8]

@summergirl5678 I am also an opera singer and always loved Mr. MacRae in Carousel and Oklahoma. I watched both with my parents when I was young and learned a lot because I have a very similar voice type and range.

[themooseking]

@summergirl5678 You can hear more of his voice in the last 2 notes...this is where the recording fell back into the correct key a half step lower than we'd been listening to the whole time. I've heard that can happen in recordings at times - something to do with syncing the video up to the audio which has to be slightly sped up for some reason. Anyway, I'd really like to hear the whole thing at the lower pitch level - I bet we'd hear more of the true richness and color of his voice.

[windstorm1000]

@summergirl5678 ditto to all what you said. He was magnificent.

[Staymewithflagons]

@summergirl5678 My father...Jay Hartley Nixon... had this exact same voice and style of delivery...as if they had plucked their talents off of the same shelf...and he played the leads at Longwood Gardens when I was a little girl. Listening to Gordan sing this brings my Dad back to sing for me. Having had three boys first...my Mom said he was in fact amazed when they first had a "little girl"!

[swbuza]

I played this role when I was 21.. some 22 years ago now :)

[Staymewithflagons]

Should add...this is not an easy piece of music to sing! (let alone walk on rocks singing!) ...MacRae at his best!!

[scotpens]

Walking on slippery WET rocks at low tide, no less! Of course, he was lip-synching to a playback of his own voice, but it's a wonderful performance.

[Staymewithflagons]

My Dad played this role on the Longwood Gardens stage in the 1960's...anyone old enough to remember?

[gilmorernj]

haha my music appreciation class watched this my freshman year :)

[796824]

Gordon MacRae was superior vocally to all the baritones in musicals.

[garymyrick]

The performer who still owns this is the late, great John Raitt (father of Bonnie), who originated the role and who Rogers & Hammerstein had in mind when they wrote it.

Second only to him is this magnificent rendition By Gordon McCrae.

[1915fas]

I thought this was suspiciously high pitched and then at the end the actual pitch of the recording comes in. There are also a couple of edits in this. The picture is better than is the case with some earlier posts.

[garymyrick]

I have this on DVD. The edits seen here are not in it. The edit on the ending is particularly jarring and is done that way not in the movie.

[1915fas]

I thought so. Thank you for your response.

[Staymewithflagons]

I noticed that too...I thought Gordan would have fallen off his chair...but it probably happend in some sound room...I'm thinking maybe to edit for tv...and they messed up and lost the key by turning a knob or something. (yikes!)

[Staymewithflagons]

...meant this as a response to comments on pitch change on last note.

[AtLastOnTheGround]

How is this song so easy for him?! This is an IMPOSSIBLY hard song to sing (Good luck finding time to breathe in that last big verse), but he makes it look SO easy!

[startrekkinchic]

if only people still sang like this today!

[Staymewithflagons]

that was to answer...Phantdom17...somehow it posted up here.:)

[Staymewithflagons]

My Dad played this part on the Longwood Garden's stage in the 60's. His voice was exactly like MacRae's...maybe better. And he was handsomer. His name was Jay Nixon. I have his cast script with his name penciled at the top. ...Love you Dad...pick a 'star' for me!

[Staymewithflagons]

Suppose is sounds like I'm making that up...but...it's just true.

Love you lots Dad...

been one year since he went to sing all the leads in heaven.

[stan4clark]

Perhaps the greatest showstopper in any musical. I like Goulet's voice better (I learned to sing trying to imitate Goulet in his 60s albums--my Dad told me he couldn't tell the difference, the greatest compliment I ever got in my singing career.), but the audio isn't very good in the Goulet clip.

If you Google Shirley Jones and go to the Wikipedia page, you'll see that it was Jones who wanted MacRae as Bigelow in "Carousel," after they did "Oklahoma" together.

Stan Davis

Lakewood, CO

[ahfclass]

Agreed; McRae is great, but Goulet is THE Billy Bigelow.

[1915fas]

I always thought Bob was too nasal. I like imitating his version of 'If Ever I Would Leave You'

[ClanMacTavish]

Compared to this, the Frank Sinatra version sucks. It just doesn't have the same level of emotion.

It's really funny when he realises it may be a girl, the way he says 'Bill. Oh Bill.' like it's his fault!

[1915fas]

Sinatra's voice is unlike any other whereas Gordie is a supreme example of a lyric baritone with all that brightness and range. But Sinatra makes a song his own because the power of his personality comes through in his interpretation. He becomes the guy in the song. You don't even have to like him to experience that. It's interesting to hear his versions of Christmas carols too.

[binkle1]

I love Frankie's Christmas carols, but I have to say I enjoy Gordie's version of this song. I like Raitt's version, too. I even like Jackman's! It's actually FRANK's version I find too pretensious, like he's trying too hard. Oh, well, and Sinatra could act, too! My mother used to be in show biz, so she gave me a critical eye, but also showed me how to enjoy different versions of the same thing. ME? I can't sing a freaking note!

[1915fas]

More posters on this site should be like you. It's that undefinable something that distinguishes one interpretation from the other which goes beyond surface differences and challenges our ears and eyes.

[vorgon303]

I learned to sing this with Frank Sinatra's version... This one is great too!

[1915fas]

I like trying to imitate them both. I feel differently singing like one or the other. I guess with Sinatra it's like 'I don't sound like anyone else and I understand this Billy being a father my self.' With Gordie it's like I have this enormous voice with a falsetto extension and I can be big and strong or the sweetest, most sensitive masculine voice ever.

[goldenbearvbgirl]

fun fact!: Frank Sinatra was originally supposed to be Billy Bigelow in Carousel, but he turned it down. Both him and Gordan MacRae turned out huge successes!

[FrankySnot]

He is no slouch!

[Firestarhk]

It's kind of funny 'cause this song has been stuck in my head for awhile and the other day in the car we heard it on the broadway channel!

[clazza01]

Thanks so much i love this part of the film - wonderful singer xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx­xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx­xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx­xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx­xxxxxxxx

[phantdom17]

All the acting and raw emotion comes through the unbelievable voice and his commitment to whats on the page. The writing does a lot of the hard work. This is just breath taking - unrivaled in my opinion.

[Staymewithflagons]

You are right...but as I listen as a singer...I can't help but think that singing this song is pretty darn heavy lifting...I could just imagine wondering...where am I in this? Strong narrative...but so necessary for the story and the charactor espose'.

[chrishot10]

I prefer Hugh Jackman's performance. It's not about the voice but the acting. Jackman sang it with much more passion. McRae seems to care more about the singing and tempo, not acting. Jackman conveices me more.

[FrankySnot]

Kids.

[chrishot10]

I'm not a kid and you don't even know me. How can you judge my opinion as silly and immature, an opinion that in your mind, comes from a 'kid' that is only a fan of just another Hollywood star who happens to be sexy and is Wolverine. I wasn't offensive towards anyone and you without a reason offend me with your sarcastic comment. You have the right to disagree with me but you DON'T have the right to underestimate me and my brains. Who is the kid know, you 'smart' guy?

[chrishot10]

McRae just doesn't do it for me. Yes, he has a great voice but he sings this like he gives exams at the conservatory. No emotion. Not at least the way Jackman performs Soliloquy. And from what I can recall, Jackman earned rave reviews for his concert of Carousel at Carnegie Hall so it's not just me 'the kid' that likes the way he sings and acts as Billy Bigelow. And that's MY opinion, if I you still allow me to have one...

[1915fas]

That's interesting. I happen to think Raitt sounds like he's taking an elocution exam whereas Gordie is more naturalistic. I don't know how you can claim Gordie shows 'no emotion.' He uses dynamics and shading and intonation like the great singer he is. By comparison, Jackman is nasal, metallic and showing that he's more of an actor than a singer. Same with his Curly. Finally, I'm glad he's attempted this so we can have discussions like this about how great Gordie is.

[sammyigoe]

I love the change in tempo when he realises he may be a she! Simply beautiful.

[Cestrian1704]

Amazing in every sense of the word.

[SarBear4Ryan]

what a voice!

[meowthno1]

Thank you again, so much!

[796824]

McRae was far superior to all the Baritones on the operatic stage today. Perfect diction and intonation.

[schweitzer006325]

There are still quite a few operatic baritones who are excellent in diction; Sir Thomas Allen, for example, is noted for his diction and command of words (coincidentally he also sang this song recently on one of his CDs).

But I agree entirely, McRae's diction is fantastic.

[rgplmu]

Dmitri Hvorostovsky beats Macrae any day.

[stroodle222]

The best musical in my opinion - and this piece of music the best of the best. Pure genius - full of soul, angst, desperation, love, tenderness and much more. However, the last minute is something else. Absolutely fantastic!

[lindacaroleclarke]

McRae at his best!!!  Thank you for posting this clip.

[44032]

"Some Enchanted Evening" is my favorite song in any musical but this is my favorite dramatic moment. McRae is wonderful and his own failings in real life make this particularly poignant. He was kind of a "Billy Bigelow" himself.

[jakegrady]

best musical ever