Candide - 10 Glitter and be gay

From the 2005-"Live on Broadway"-version, with the New York Philharmonic under conductor Marin Alsop.

Cunegonde: Kristin Chenoweth
The Old Lady: Patti LuPone

LYRICS
(Thanks to Sarah to send me these!)

Glitter and be gay,
That's the part I play;
Here I am in Paris, France,
Forced to bend my soul
To a sordid role,
Victimized by bitter, bitter circumstance.
Alas for me! Had I remained
Beside my lady mother,
My virtue had remained unstained
Until my maiden hand was gained
By some Grand Duke or other.

Ah, 'twas not to be;
Harsh necessity
Brought me to this gilded cage.
Born to higher things,
Here I droop my wings,
Ah! Singing of a sorrow nothing can assuage.

And yet of course I rather like to revel,
Ha ha!
I have no strong objection to champagne,
Ha ha!
My wardrobe is expensive as the devil,
Ha ha!
Perhaps it is ignoble to complain...
Enough, enough
Of being basely tearful!
I'll show my noble stuff
By being bright and cheerful!
Ha ha ha ha ha! Ha!

Pearls and ruby rings...
Ah, how can worldly things
Take the place of honor lost?
Can they compensate
For my fallen state,
Purchased as they were at such an awful cost?

Bracelets...lavalieres
Can they dry my tears?
Can they blind my eyes to shame?
Can the brightest brooch
Shield me from reproach?
Can the purest diamond purify my name?

And yet of course these trinkets are endearing,
Ha ha!
I'm oh, so glad my sapphire is a star,
Ha ha!
I rather like a twenty-carat earring,
Ha ha!
If I'm not pure, at least my jewels are!

Enough! Enough!
I'll take their diamond necklace
And show my noble stuff
By being gay and reckless!
Ha ha ha ha ha! Ha!

Observe how bravely I conceal
The dreadful, dreadful shame I feel.
Ha ha ha ha!

• Category

  Entertainment

[Dale Burgess]

She nails the shallow Cunegunda in this song. I have heard more technically "correct" versions, but this is the one I come back to. There is a life and story when she sings it that goes beyond the music.

[hungergameslover28]

HERE I AM IN PARIS... Fraaaaaaance.....

[ophs1980]

I knew she was good...... but I didn't know she was this good. Wow!

[Nick Len]

one of the best vocals ever.

[Mara M]

I literally can hit every note but the E flat curse u...

[JjJj9280]

damn. she's too good.

[ReaLFriendly]

nobody is as good as kristin :D

[CCB9363]

Above all other performers of this number, Kristen Chenoweth nails the whimsy of the piece and Cunegunda's feckless personality. Can you hear better? Yes, (Sumi Jo springs to mind) but is the role ever delivered better than Ms. Chenoweth's performance? Not for me... this is just hilarious perfection...

[Richard K]

Somewhere in heaven Leonard Bernstein is laughing.

[HannahRyanOfficial]

My voice teacher just sent this to me, I'm in love!!!

[galifrayangirl11]

agreed. if i could sing like that..... lets face it, i can't

[galifrayangirl11]

i sent this to my friend and she said "what are you making me watch?"