As If We Never Say Goodbye, Glenn Close

[SuperMonahan]

Glenn Close's performance channeled Gloria Swanson's in a way that Patti LuPone's did not. Ms. LuPone's performance of this song is less dramatic and, in my opinion, less theatrical. Some criticize Close for chewing the scenery a bit with this number, and while she is certainly over-the-top, so was Swanson, and hers is the indisputably definitive Norma Desmond. Vocally, Patti's is more stunning, and I listen to her recording more frequently, but I'd rather watch Glenn Close's Norma than Patti's.

[NeuwirthFan]

Approaching the role of Norma Desmond in a realistic way, I can clearly say that LuPone's version of Norma is more suitable in terms of singing range and of course stage acting. Most importantly she sings the notes in the original key. On the other hand Close lost the subtlety of the role, exaggerating it which caused the character to become more challenging for the audience. I would indeed prefer LuPone's version although I have respect for Close's work.

[maliwahtallhei]

Huh, Cruella DeVil can sing? Who knew?!

[Arieliondotcom]

I'm listening to the autobiography of Patti Lupone where she mentions how Close's being given this song & the role that LuPone originated were unfair and the song adjusted to make it easier for Close to sing. She's right. Listen to LuPone's version. It's in a much higher league.

[maleficentdiva]

wow who knew that Cruella could sing! LOL! love her costume in this! great performance. :)

[maleficentdiva]

she didn't need an award for this, the fact that she is playing the part is the award in itself!.

[writercat]

This is a great performance, but does anyone who sings the song on the Sunset Boulevard The original Broadway Cast cd? It was just released in July 2011. It seems very old and the sound is not all that great, but the voice on this song is the bomb! I can't make out who singing.

[TsiMingWong]

we wont say good bye :)

[TsiMingWong]

shes a great actress dat i respect ,so emotional play

[beautypinkbaby]

still makes me cry wen she i see this

[xibenny]

was waiting for her to start catching dalmations :/

[pidy]

I love this performance so much.

And I just Live her :)

Thanks for posting this video.

[Mawilk]

See, she breaks your heart.. because she is THE ACTRESS.. she is THE CHARACTER>.. yes there are greater voices .. but this is the CHARACTER!!

[BennyJayRuss]

PERFECTION!

[crorrfreefly]

I think what sets Glenn apart from other performers is the way she acts. Admittedly, there have been more technically gifted singers to perform this. Ruthie Henshall, Lea Salonga, etc. But perhaps because she's an atress first and foremost, the gestures, movement, expressions Close gives are just soo superior to anyone else i've seen play Norma Desmond

[HouseOnSunset]

The freaking video has the title of the song written in it and you STILL got it wrong?!?!?!

[rbweinbaum1]

wonderful! However, you all might want to listen to Betty Buckley for perhaps even a better reading of the song.

[miska734]

Genial!!!

[necktieguy1]

She is incredible! Try listening to her sing on the soundtrack of the Broadway play, Barnum." She is incredible. Thanks for this post.

[AsyaSergeeva]

Fantastic performance!!! Bravo!!!

[fabupez]

que cabrona!



[charliebear692]

Close doesn't have the vocal power of Lapone but By

God she nailed this one. Bravo!

[FaceTune]

Sorry God but I can't help it...I'm a girl of 17 years old and I'm in loooove with this woman... Glenn Close is a goddess and does everything with so much talent and power!

[hischildtwo]

I was watching Pierce Morgan and he had Andrew Llyod Webber on and he said this was his favorite rendition of all the music that he composed and of all the wonderful singers Mr Webber said this was his favorite "Glenn Close" I tip my hat to you Ms Close so beautiful, your one amazing, talented lady! God bless for sharing another part of you to the world.....

[Leon61491]

I LOVE GLENN CLOSE!!!

[MamaHatter]

I can never figure out which version I love more.

Glenn Close or Patti LuPone.

I love them both so much.

Why oh why did Glee do this?

That show ruins so many songs.

[houstonstation]

Who knew ??



[BillF1967]

I don't think much of this show but, damn, do I love her so.

[res321123]

After this, she became Cruella de Ville and then became the star of Damages... such an inspiring artist

[MrBarsty]

Awesome woman, I'm not the biggest Lloyd Webber fan, but with this woman and these orchestrations you can actually see he has real moments of genius

[womad]

thumbs up if the hold on 3:07 caught you by surprise!!

[TheMrBritbrit]

these kind of performances are weird now on days :/ we need more legit divas like ms.close :)

[mds1978]

I saw glenn close in sunset blvd. (the show this song is from) three times and she was magnificent. Didn't like the glee version at all.

[JanaHLee77]

Best interpretation, bar none. The best best best.

[jhr459]

@JanaHLee77 She IS Norma Desmond. You're right - the best interpretation of all of them.

[vsophis]

Patty Hewes, I'm so in awe of you.

[1419sunnyside]

I didn't know Glen Close could sing and has a beautiful voice.I know her as a great movie actress.

[fullofblah]

oh my god! I didn't know that Glenn Close could sing!

[jhr459]

@fullofblah - not to be a jerk or anything, but where have you been?

[marconicalindas]

Love love glenn close...what a talent!

[browneyedbeauty286]

when was this filmed?

[sorted2]

Listen to Kurt in Glee. Really made something of this odd tune :)

[jomel10]

@sorted2 Odd tune??? One of the best show tunes of all time!!!!

[HouseOnSunset]

@sorted2 I hate you and hope you're die of every cancer and HIV related illness that exists.

[Conortastic]

I'm not a Glee-hater or anything like that, I quite love the show. However, they BUTCHERED this song. Totally ruined it.

[VidWatcher45673]

@Conortastic I agree with you there, and I too love the show. You have to agree though that Kurt would be the ONLY one to sing the song.

[jhr459]

@Conortastic I hardly think 'butchered' is the word. Perhaps you think it is misplaced, but certainly not butchered. I don't think that Chris could butcher a song. And I thought it fit in with what was going on in the show at the time

[ribbaable]

total mistress of her craft.

[Conortastic]

I love this song. I don't know the back-story to the musical, but it so sums up where I'm at in life at the moment. Just about to graduate from school and it really struck a chord with me.

[vonKyle777]

love, love!

[Alexaty5]

She's stunning! I can´t help loving everything she does, one of my all time favourite actresses, now that's what i call a real woman! many new amateur girls could never top this!

[falaai]

She is great. Greetings from Brasil  Bravo

[falaai]

She is great. Greetings from Brasil

[Lethia13]

OMG according to Wiki, Glee is covering this in their supersize ep "Born this way" next week :O Rachel singing it, I wager? Tho the lyrics doesn't really fit her storyline, unless she's singing to Jesse, if he comes back in that one too.... hmmm intriguing (sp?)

[valaralazala]

@Lethia13 Chris Colfer (Kurt) is singing it.

[Lethia13]

@valaralazala awwwwww that'll be marvolous :D

[arff2003]

Saw her perform this in LA; brings back great memories of a great night; thanks.

[Silverfenix2456]

I prefer this version over the Barbara Streisand version.

[jleetj]

@Silverfenix2456 Me too! Even though I'm a huge Barbra fan, I think Glenn Close is more believable as a deranged woman. Barbra's too in-control.

[stevesg92]

@Silverfenix2456 good for you... the performance here perhaps but not the voice... no one can match Barbra's voice live.. well not when it was at it's best anyway.

[kissxxmyxxconverse]

... I had no clue she could sing. And I'm just completely blown away.

[kerryoke68]

She's incredible, Flawless voice on top of her flawless acting. love her

[officialfilmweb]

Glen Clove?! OMG!!!

GLENN CLOSE!!!

[Hanneliliable]

Wow. I did not know Glenn Close was a Broadway performer, and I am sorry I didn't. This was the best performance of the song I have seen! Wish I could have seen it on B-way!

[tommyburgos]

@Hanneliliable: Not only is she a great Broadway star, she's won three Tonys out of four nominations

1980: Best Featured Actress in a Musical – Barnum (nomination)

1984: Best Actress in a Play – The Real Thing (WIN)

1992: Best Actress in a Play – Death and the Maiden (WIN)

1995: Best Actress in a Musical – Sunset Boulevard (WIN)

[avesraggiana]

3:49 to 3:54. I love how she gets that crazed look on her eyes, like her barely concealed insanity is showing through. At this point, Norma Desmond’s grip on reality is even weaker than it already is, now that she’s “back at Paramount Studios”.

[DubaiGuy08]

This is a tour de force performance by Glenn Close. Her voice is fabulous, and she's got the acting skills to add superb dramatic impact to the song.

[dramajames8]

She's such an amazing talent... this is absolutely amazing. Glenn Close IS Norma Desmond in this

[lightcloud435]

she fits this role very well! like this one!

[Trepessa]

She does a great job even though vocally I prefer some of the other singers but she seems to fit the part best. She has the flare for it. What a surprise...she is really good.

[chaksheba]

Saw her in SSB when it was playing in NY long ago. She owned the role and was amazing! I will never forget!

[ruthiehensh]

She is definitely the best actress to play Norma Desmond. A truly gifted and passionate artist. It's a mistery how she was never awarded an Academy Award. But then again, she is not the first legend not to have won.

[Bombdiggity207]

brilliant, she does this song the best

[ricmaciel]

Many words for that, but i guess only one is good: Wonderful.

[JAMESTOWNECHEF]

Where do you begin....... between the talent of Tim and Andrew along with the fabulous interpretational performance by Glenn Close, this is exceptional! Specifically when she sings "the whispered conversations ......in overcrowded hallways.....for the first time, and the flutes and clarinets appear to be whispering back and forth to each other. Superbly written, not just the lyrics, bit for the musical highlites to match the lyrical phrasing.! A true masterpiece at 3:10 to 3:15, amazing!!!!

[80sgirl2010]

This is one show I secretly enjoy, I like the mysterious tones to the music, who hasn't felt as if their surroundings or changing trends swallowed up their dreams

as in the lyrics to Sunset Boulevard.

[fireball8810]

I wish i had even just a portion of her million talents.

[80sgirl2010]

Me too, people are always saying I'm good at this and that and good at putting raw

emotion into singing, but I know I'm no Glenn Close or Stephanie J. Block.

[dicko2]

I remember seeing this on TV when it first aired, at the time I wasn't aware that Glenn Close was a broadway star aswell, It blew me away.

They should put the powers in motion and get this made into a movie (stage version, like Dreamgirls, Chicago and Mamma Mia) Only with Glenn Close though, no point otherwise

[libbychecks]

@dicko2 I cannot agree with you more. I have petitioned ALW and I hope you will also.

Do this on film with Glenn Close. Otherwise it is wasted by being only available to the few people who were able to view it live in limited stage appearances.

Why ALW insists that his work be only on stage I will never know. He has the money to make sure that it is done his way.

[stitchgrl777]

D.I.V.A.

[hueben28]

Glenn Close is a total package, a magnificent actress and stage performer....BRAVO!

[Dibleyfan]

Love her,the way she sings this song and (with one look) just wow

[SplintersOfTwobees1]

FABULOUS

[mamaina14]

tremendous!

[headwinds333]

Absolutely incredible!!!!! There is no end to this woman's talent!

[tet43]

Ah yes, now i remember why I USED to love musicals! Ms Close...Perfection!!

[libbychecks]

I just hope the video stays up with the name change. Others have been taken down.

[libbychecks]

Her last name has always been Close. It was changed on this site so it would not be taken down. A L Webber keeps close tabs on his work and doesn't want it on youtube. If it were under her own name, it would not be here for use to watch.

[madhatterspunkalice]

her last name is Close

[dquach2k]

thank you for correcting me. her last name has been changed to "Close"

[libbychecks]

@dquach2k

Keeping it as Glenn Clove is what has kept it up on youtube. ALW keeps tight wraps on his productions and their media exposure.

[damens]

@dquach2k Glen Clove ? I think her version is even better than Barbara Garlick's !!

[XxXPerseus]

@dquach2k Description still has her last name as "Clove" =]

[libbychecks]

So true Arnel, so true. She has so much talent that it is hard to take it all in...so we just appreciate it.

[arnelakawhitewash]

Is there anything else that she can't do? One of the most gifted artists of all time! Thanks for posting. I really adore Ms. Close.

[N0vakDj]

@arnelakawhitewash Anythign she can't do? Sing.

[emlodik]

@N0vakDj Shut your mouth, you stupid bitch.

[PrincessAshley18]

finalevil151 Hairspary was also a movie based on a musical based on a musical.

[libbychecks]

Thank you PrincessAshley! I do not understand why the earlier poster seems to think it is a great mystery as to why people would want this musical to be recorded beginning to end as opposed to having a few clips of the show.

I'm glad that there are people who do understand that there can be many reasons to re-do a show.

In fact Glenn Close did her own version of South Pacific, which is great. I suppose it didn't NEED to be done, but I for one am glad she did it.

[PrincessAshley18]

I would kill for this to be done on dvd. It would be awesome.

[libbychecks]

I'm right there with you Princess. I have the Glenn Close CD but would be much happier if I could see the entire production on DVD. I cannot imagine why it was not ever recorded in total by a film crew.

ALW certainly miscalculated his audience if he chose to do this as only a stage performance and never brought in cameras.

[PrincessAshley18]

I Know i have the Glenn close version of south pacific, and absoulutly love it. I"m an musical theater actress so I understand teh important s of things like this.

[libbychecks]

Our family loves the John Travolta version of Hairspray. You can always appreciate the original, and the remakes. The Travolta song/dance with Christopher Walken is the best version of that scene.

[libbychecks]

I would love to hear Susan Boyle do this song. She should pick it up around the half and sing the second part of the song. It would be perfect for her final BGT.

[kouldeliee]

Remember Susan Boyle voices hehehe

[libbychecks]

Second watch and I am more impressed. Exquisite performance.

[libbychecks]

I fell flat on my face in adoration of her talent. This is so wonderful. Please ALW, make this a movie with Glenn Close.

[finalevil151]

Make a movie based on a musical based on a movie? As much as I love Glenn, the movie idea might be going a bit too far...

[libbychecks]

Most Broadway musicals have been made into movies. South Pacific, The King and I, Oklahoma, My Fair Lady, Les Mis etc. This would be a great movie in the same league as the many movies made from the story "Gypsy". There is never an end to the way a story can be told in play, movies etc. Shakespeare would have never lived on without multiple re-enactments.

[finalevil151]

Yes, but Sunset Boulevard is already a movie(made a long time ago). It was the inspiration of this musical. Hence, a movie based on a musical based on a movie is a bit strange...none of the above musicals are like that.(I do believe Phantom of the Opera breaks that trend, though...)

[libbychecks]

I have no idea why that is a problem for you. It is not a problem for me. Of course I have seen the original movie. The musical play is wonderful so why not turn it into a movie so that it can continue on for generations. We only have snippets of the musical. Why shouldn't it be recorded so that people can watch it? I simply do not understand why that seems strange to you that people would want to see the entire musical on a DVD.

[finalevil151]

It's strange to me since that means we will have two movies of the same plot and the same characters of a same media. (However, this one will have Glenn and a lot more singing.) I do not have a problem with a movie(although my first comment might have wrongly implied it), I just can't visualize it. I'm sorry if you got angry over my replies; I'll watch over my fingers next time. ;D

[libbychecks]

Why you would think that a non-musical version that was made into a movie, should somehow keep a musical version of the same story from being made into a movie.

How many versions of Gypsy have been done on film. Three I think.

Any great story can be replayed as many times as you can bring together great talent to do it justice.

The musical version of Sunset Blvd has never been fully recorded and it should be.

[finalevil151]

Sorry for the delayed reply. Once again, I'd like to ask to stop this argument. Although enlightening, I think the argument is way too long now. I'd like to note: there are two gypsy movies(1962 & 1993, both based off the musical). Have you watched both versions? To better state my argument, I just think watching Gypsy twice might be fun, yet boring as I already know the story. There is no point. The same lines, the same antagonists, and only the actors are different.

[finalevil151]

(Sorry for the huge reply. Thank you if you read it all.) As it seems we'll never agree on this topic, may agree to disagree on this topic? Thank you for your time, and have a great day.

[artrosistico]

creo que esto siempre habra de sucedernos incluso si alguna vez das con este link, en la siguiente ocasion sera como si nunca nos hubieramos despedido. . . .DMD. 363

[Kuraianime]

she's a very good stage presence; you really connect with Norma Desmond when Glenn Close acts as her.

However, there are better actresses for Norma, Vocally speaking.

Acting-wise, though, she's got the part nailed.

[RW112271]

OH MY GOD! BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!

[Isolar]

Magnificent!!! :)

[resolent]

She's playing Norma Desmond, silent movie star, back at the studio after many years.

The song is made all the more poignant when you know (as she doesn't) that the studio doesn't actually want her, only her car!

[xxlulufanforeverxx]

her voice is amazing and she looks stunning there too <3<3 xx

[thebone06]

she's the remarkable!!i cant say a word that may describe her voice!!!