I just listened to it after a long time hearing the news of Stephen Sondheim's demise. Rest in Peace, Legend :( "Somebody need me too much. Somebody know me too well. Somebody pull me up short, And put me through hell, And give me support, For being alive. Make me alive. Make me alive."
I've no idea how many times I've returned to this performance over the years more times than I can count: it's one of my all-time favourite performances. but I'd not watched it since Sondheim died - until today. Julian Ovenden's panache, the swelling intensity of the strings ... with music & lyrics by ... the great man himself, clear as a trumpet in every bar. I'm in tears.
I agree. This is the best version I've heard of this awesome song. Beautifully emotional for the singer as well as the listener. JO does a great job of it.
Ovenden is a class act through and through, not a bit of starch or pretense. One of my favorite renditions of this song and it's because of him. Fantastic!
JULIAN OVENDIN! WOW! This was a great performance in my view. Julian can really sing and gave A Fine Performance here. I have been around music for five decades. This is long enough to declare that this man has loads of talent! Congratulations Julian!!
This is what it's all about! Totally captivating and stunning from start to finish. Not everyone can capture the true essence of Sondheim but, by God, Julian Ovenden has done it here!!!
@@ImNotOdd it’s a G# (or Ab depending on the key). Also, operatic basses sing F4s all the time and operatic baritones have to have at least a consistent G4 to get regularly get hired. A4-ish is when the baritones get left in the dust by the tenors.
It just doesn't get much better than this version of a classic "show stopper" by a blessed singer with a memorable moment in the spider web of time and space for all of us to enjoy. Thank you for sharing this with us, Dr. Mel Preisz
@@tuberaxx you will notice that Dean Jones lacks the number of colors in his voice and emotional changes displayed by Overton. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-am8qrrZAtP4.html
Someone to hold you too close Someone to hurt you too deep Someone to sit in your chair To ruin your sleep Someone to need you too much Someone to know you too well Someone to pull you up short To put you through hell Someone you have to let in Someone whose feelings you spare Someone who, like it or not Will want you to share A little a lot Someone to crowd you with love Someone to force you to care Someone to make you come through Who'll always be there As frightened as you Of being alive Being alive Being alive Being alive Somebody hold me too close Somebody hurt me too deep Somebody sit in my chair And ruin my sleep And make me aware Of being alive Being alive Somebody need me too much Somebody know me too well Somebody pull me up short And put me through hell And give me support For being alive Make me alive Make me alive Make me confused Mock me with praise Let me be used Vary my days But alone Is alone Not alive Somebody crowd me with love Somebody force me to care Somebody let me come through I'll always be there As frightened as you To help us survive Being alive Being alive Being alive
I have just found this and I am in love. What a beautiful, powerful voice. My only previous knowledge of the song was the Alfie Boe version in which he sings the last "being alive" up the octave, and although I love that, there was something beautiful and effortless about this performance. What a song.
Just as a single show piece as it is here, I think it's a "gem". There's been a degree of so called "cheesiness" in most musicals from the beginning of of the business, it goes with the territory. Deal with it!! I think he's good.
Hi Warren, Unfortunately, there are always those who have to poop on the work of others by making lame apple and oranges comparisons. Ovenden is remarkable talent, a terrific musical comedy performer. He is not an opera singer, anymore than Tony Bennett or Frank Sinatra were opera singers. No one would consider them mediocre, except possibly the poster, who I assume is an opera singer. I've heard a number of versions of this song, seen several productions of Company. I personally think this is the best version of a marvelous, but difficult song, one that requires great acting as well as tremendous vocal power. It is a gem and Ovenden was fantastic.
Your voice is absolutely magnificent. We have the same birthday, November 29 but I am 20 years older than you. That donesn;t stop me from admiring your voice. Totally amazing.
It pisses me off when people complain about vibrato in musical theater... That's part of the style, and has been for years. It has the ability to carry so much emotion.
wanting something in someone can be so difficult, Even doubting yourself if that person really exist. I know so much about this realization of being alive. But there's no one to really grasp an understanding of how I want to live my life.....Is that simplistic!?!?! This one song explains it all in only 5 minutes. about time I found one
FRIENDS [frantically]: Bobby...Bobby...Bobby baby... Bobby bubbi...Robby...Robert darling... Bobby, we've been trying to call you. Bobby...Bobby...Bobby baby...Bobby bubbi... Angel, I've got something to tell you. Bob...Robbo...Bobby love...Bobby honey... Bobby, we've been trying to reach you all day. Bobby...Bobby...Bobby Baby...Angel...Darling... The kids were asking-- Bobby...Bobby...Robert...Robby...Bob-o... Bobby, there was something we wanted to say. The line was busy... Bobby...Bobby bubbi... Bobby fella...Bobby sweetie-- ROBERT [speaking]: Stop!...What do you get? [Sings] Someone to hold you too close, Someone to hurt you too deep, Someone to sit in your chair, To ruin your sleep. PAUL: That's true, but there's more to it than that. SARAH: Is that all you think there is to it? HARRY: You've got so many reasons for not being with someone, but Robert, you haven't got one good reason for being alone. LARRY: Come on, you're on to something, Bobby. You're on to something. ROBERT: Someone to need you too much, Someone to know you too well, Someone to pull you up short And put you through hell. DAVID: You see what you look for, you know. JOANNE: You're not a kid anymore, Robby. I don't think you'll ever be a kid again, kiddo. PETER: Hey, buddy, don't be afraid it won't be perfect. The only thing to be afraid of really is that it won't be. JENNY: Don't stop now. Keep going. ROBERT: Someone you have to let in, Someone whose feelings you spare, Someone who, like it or not, Will want you to share A little, a lot. SUSAN: And what does all that mean? LARRY: Robert, how do you know so much about it when you've never been there? HARRY: It's much better living it than looking at it, Robert. PETER: Add 'em up, Bobby. Add 'em up. ROBERT: Someone to crowd you with love, Someone to force you to care, Someone to make you come through, Who'll always be there, As frightened as you Of being alive, Being alive, Being alive, Being alive. AMY: Blow out the candles, Robert, and make a wish. *Want* something! Want *something*! ROBERT: Somebody, hold me too close, Somebody, hurt me too deep, Somebody, sit in my chair And ruin my sleep And make me aware Of being alive, Being alive. Somebody, need me too much, Somebody, know me too well, Somebody, pull me up short And put me through hell And give me support For being alive, Make me alive. Make me confused, Mock me with praise, Let me be used, Vary my days. But alone is alone, not alive. Somebody, crowd me with love, Somebody, force me to care, Somebody, make me come through, I'll always be there, As frightened as you, To help us survive Being alive, Being alive, Being alive! Last Update: December, 02nd 2013
@Thrant I totally agree. I love both versions immensely for different reasons. Just goes to show that there are so many different 'Roberts' in fictional and in real life, and they are all valid in their own way.
I'm here because a hardcore punk band called Fury sings some of the lyrics from this at the end their live performances during the song The Feeling in recent years.
