Song 193 - I just can't wait to be king - from the Lion King

I'm having an African inspired day today so for Saturday Sparkle, it seems really fitting to have "I just can't wait to be king" from The Lion King. The Lion King is, of course, the 1994 smash hit animated film brought to us by Disney and tells the story of Simba and his road in succeeding his father as head of the pride. It is a magical film, which Disney turned into a live musical in 1997. I saw the musical a few years ago and it captures your breath on how they brought such an iconic film to stage. It is understandable, that the musical broke the record of the longest-running musical, which was held by The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway.

With the music written by Elton John and Tim Rice, there is a feast of iconic songs that could have been chosen for today so why choose I just can't wait to be king? I love the mischief-making lyrics of Simba and Nala, much to the annoyance of Zanu. They are spirited lion cubs, who don't need to be told what to do by an old hornbill, they do it their way.  It is an attitude that is inspiring, we, of course, know there's going to be consequences for their actions, but sometimes it is better to look at the rules and think how can I break them. I know I got to Africa because someone told me I was too fat to go and walk there. Never one to be told what to do, I put my walking boots and trained the weight off me.  I think what we learn as we get old is the balance of knowing what rules to break and what rules to live by. I'm a rebel at heart like Simba and Nala are. I also feel for Zanu as he is a teacher and being a teacher can be one of the hardest jobs in the world.

To hear this brilliant song, listen here and there is even lyrics so you can sing along:

I just can't wait to be king

Performed by Rowan Atkinson, Jason Weaver & Laura Williams
From The Lion King 
Lyrics - Tim Rice
Music - Elton John

Song 192 - If you could see her from Cabaret

Saturday Sparkle this week comes from Cabaret and the song If you could see her through my eyes.  Sometimes music can capture a moment in time and history, which makes you shiver every time you hear the lyrics. Together with Miss Saigon, Cabaret and its subject matter make me remember how lucky I am.

Adapted from the 1939 book, Good Bye Berlin, by Christopher Isherwood, Cabaret debuted on Broadway in 1966 and found international fame with the film in 1972, which started the legendary Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowels. This film was the first film I remember being told that I was too young to watch. 

A good few years ago now, as I'm now age-appropriate, I saw Cabaret on stage in Edinburgh and was completely moved by it. One of the stand out songs for me from this musical is "If you could see her through my eyes". When Emcee sings it in the musical, he is, of course, talking about the underlying tension for anyone who was Jewish in Germany in 1939. He is trying to get people who he is singing to, to be more open-minded and not fall into the prejudices being portrayed by Nazi Germany. John Kaber and Fred Ebb created a number, which was funny and brutally honest at the same time. 

The powerfulness of the message is still very prevalent for today and for all of us. We don't realise that sometimes we are picking up prejudices that have developed because of something we have read or seen on the TV. To keep an open mind about life, for me, is being open to everything and everybody, and to give everyone a chance to find their place in the world that works for them.

Keep those minds open this Saturday sparkle.

To listen to the song - here's a clip from the film:
If you could see her through my eyes

Performed by Joel Gray

Song 191 - Popular from Wicked

Happy Sparkle Saturday People. Wicked is, possibly, one of my favourite musicals ever, I feel as though I am celebrating my 10th year anniversary of knowing this music. I remember very clearly one of my best friends talking about seeing Wicked in New York. After which, I downloaded the music and listened to it, whilst doing my CIM marketing exams. I think I also remember this as I was also falling in love with my husband, as we had just started dating, and it was the first musical we saw together, first in London and then in New York. 

Popular, even if you haven't seen the musical, is a song where everyone can understand the sentimental between Glinda and Elphaba. Glinda is the most popular girl in school and in trying to make Elphaba fit in, she kind of misses the point, and is the growth between these two friends throughout the musical that entrances you throughout the musical. Steven Schwartz's musical ability is delightful throughout the musical.

Wicked made its premium in New York in May 2003, and since then has dazzled audiences across the world. Bravely must be credited to the production team to take one of the most iconic musicals of all time The Wizard of Oz and do a prequel musical some 70 years later. I've written about Wicked before in this blog so if you want to read more about my views on it, reference song number 10. For now, I'll leave you with Popular.