Being Alive - Company OBC, 1970 - Dean Jones 

To all those finding Sondheim and Company because of Marriage Story - there is no shame in finding amazing music. Whenever you do is good enough. It is a good way to reintroduce Sondheim to a new generation!!

Dean was going through a terribly painful divorce at the time which was the reason he dropped out of the show as it was too painful to sing this song every night. It is an ASTONISHING performance given the emotional state he was in. I'm sure Larry Kert was brilliant but because of the circumstances this is Dean's song. The anguish and pain he puts into the vocal moves the listener to tears. AND a Sondheim lyric at its finest. Bravo to all concerned! PERFECTION!

Of all the versions of this, the one here is the BEST. "Maybe there's one more in me, let's find out." There sure was.

Marriage Story brought me here, shame it took me so long

That look on his face as he finished the song, as if he was just coming back from where ever he was transported to.

I cried watch Adam Driver sing this in Marriage Story. I cry listening to Dean Jones. I cry every time i hear this song.

I just can't get over Elaine Strich's smiles throughout this

I havae always felt that this is the most emotionally stirring version of the song. Jones was going through a divorce when he did this and it was too painful for him to continue to do the show because of that. I think that is why his rendition is so moving.

Dean Jones is the definitive Bobby. His gorgeous masculinity, his obvious real-life depressiveness, and the genuine beauty of his voice make this one of the best musical theatre performances ever filmed or recorded. True brilliance!!!

The expression on his face the instant he finishes the last note is really interesting. He went someplace else entirely! Bravo!

I'm probably one of the few who didn't know Dean could sing like that. This is by far the best performance of this song I have ever heard - so much emotion and passion in it that just breaks your heart. Few performers move me like this, and he's now counted among those few.

That, ladies and gents, is what I would call giving yourself 100% to something but then digging even a little deeper. It's an amazing performance.

A bonus of this clip is watching how much love Elaine Stritch spreads the love. She clearly would not rather be anywhere else in the world than in that recording studio. Her smiles for Jones and for Sondheim are completely amazing.

When most folks think of Dean Jones they picture him with a small white Volkswagen Beetle. Glad this video exists that shows what a truly brilliant talent this man was!

Stephen Sondheim had such a high impact on me and has made me cry so many times for his genius music and story. Now I cry as he’s gone. RIP Stephen Sondheim.

The fact that Dean Jones’ performance had the composer and producer’s approval certifies it.. His fellow actor’s applauded it. That’s all you need to know. RIP.

Dean isn’t my favorite singer of this, but goddam if this isn’t the best, most magical recording of it ever. Everything is so sublime. The late hour. The live orchestra. The whole cast supporting him and each other. Elaine’s smile. Sondheim loving it. And Dean just pouring everything into it.

Dean Jones holds the best performance of this song. I want to love Raul as much as everyone else does, in a way, but this is just beautiful. His talent and his realness makes me watch this daily.

I don’t think there’s a more important line in the whole show than the one Amy delivers here: “Blow out the candles, Robert, and make a wish. Want something! Want something!” Beth Howland’s delivery is perfection. I’ve never heard it done better, and to me it makes or breaks the show. That we have this amazing moment recorded is a minor miracle. Absolute genius through and through.

The most genuinely adult song about marriage and relationships that I know, and, I think, the finest performance - and there have been some great ones. And the period wonderfully comes through too.

I love how Mr. Jone's plays this like the 'everyman'--not like the broadway tenors--you really believe his version--he's going through all these feelings. His enunciation, and tenor voice are great help too! I love the spare orchestration--it doesn't blow away this tender, yet soaring song.

This clip is the embodiment of beautiful sadness. The intensity of Dean Jones combined with the gorgeous music and the looks on the faces of the other performers is emotionally shattering - and exhilarating at the same time.

I love near the end when Dean starts smiling. He realizes he did have one more left in him.

I had the pleasure of stage managing the 1993 reunion concert of the original cast of COMPANY and Dean singing this was certainly a highlight! Rest in Peace dear Dean...

wow this is incredible! here we are are 45 years after they recorded this, and still no one can top it!

I love watching Elaine watching her fellow castmates.

RIP Dean Jones. What a wonderful performer.

70s musicals were really something else

Marriage Story also brought me here. I am here now, because I never knew, but now I know, I will never leave. For this is like finding streets paved with gold.

That song must have been emotionally draining for him to sing, being that he was going through a really bitter divorce at the time. but he really just NAILS every note. I Mean, he wasn't even in the final cast that premiered on broadway but producers still wanted him to sing that song for the album, that says alot for him. RIP Mr. Jones

"blow up the candles Robert, and make a wish. want something; want something"

There's a melodic sweetness; a music deep in his soul that's incredibly moving. This has always been one of my favorite Broadway performances. No current actor can even begin to match it, let alone surpass it. And how astounding to see it on video after all these years. And the bonus: to see Elaine Stritch and Beth Howland, two incredible actors, cheering him and each other on...simply magic.

This is my go-to song when i am feeling down. The passion he sings with and the words in the song just turn me around.

Still my very favorite rendition of this song. Totally powerful.

I would always cry at this song. Now I'm going to cry even more. RIP, Mr. Jones. :*(

The look on his face after he sings the final note is just so filled with pain and confusion. Either he was really getting into character, or he was going through something that this song brought up in him. It's so amazing that we have this moment preserved for years to come!

I love that after he finishes, it takes him a moment to come back to realization of where he is...he really was in the moment

I love how he was so in the zone. Afterwards he was like "WHERE AM I?!?!"

I think he was able to gather the moments of what he was living in his personal life and bring it to that recording. He put his heart in it with that dream team cast. RIP Mr Jones.

"Being Alive" was a sort of an anthem of the times. Sort of still is. RIP. Dean Jones. You nailed it.

I love Adam Driver's talent. Like Spike Lee said," Adam Driver is a Beast!!!" However Dean Jones elevates the feeling and words of this song to another level. For me no one can touch this original cast version.

Rest In Peace Mr. Sondheim. You were truly the Shakespeare of Musical Theatre. A great loss, but an incredible life well lived…

I believe this is my absolute favorite rendition of this song. Jones is just awesome here.

We know he was going through a very painful divorce and that he's doing this through major trauma -- a song about being traumatized by relationships. Also he sings his heart out on the take before this and it wasn't quite good enough. Imagine being him and saying...maybe I have one more in me...and tries it again. Then he transcends the song and the moment like an angel. This is the The Love Bug Disney guy who people may not know was such an a beautiful and profound actor. This moment makes him immortal. It's glorious.

Definitive version. Arguably one of the finest vocal performances ever on a Broadway cast recording. I frankly find it difficult to listen others sing thing this song because of this amazing performance. It brings tears every time. One can even say that for the entire album.

This song makes me actually feel glad to have loved and lost. By feeling more alive than ever during heartbreak.. we want to die. "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."

I wonder how different Dean's life would have been had he continued in this role. Lovely, finding little gems like these. I've never heard him sing this. Thanks for posting it. roo

Goodbye, Mr. Jones - you are more alive now than you ever have been before, and I hope you're loving it!! We miss you down here already and we'll never forget you!

I’m balling😭 Charles Kimbrough and Beth Howland used to come into my store and I told them how I found out about them and Company watching PBS. Elaine Stritch used to come in also. They were all so lovely. My heart is breaking. Thank you for these videos.

Love this. It feels like both a breakdown and a breakthrough ❤

This is the definitive performance... It moves me more deeply each time I hear it. Bravo, Dean!

Soon after the death of my husband I went to join a musical group in Tel Aviv we were given songs from shows to choose to work on and when I heard this I burst into tears. It was how I felt but not for the same reasons. Of the 40 or so people there one sitting next to me put out his hand and said:"this is your song, right"?

The most moving performance I've ever seen. It still gives me chills.

The intensity in Dean Jones’ eyes as he sings every word goes straight to the heart and pierces it. Incredibly touching ❤

Someone to hold you too close, Someone to hurt you too deep, Someone to sit in your chair, To ruin your sleep. [That’s true, but there’s more than that. Is that all you think there is to it? You’ve got so many reasons for not being with someone but Robert you haven’t one good reason for being alone. Come on Bobby, you’re on to something!] Someone to need you too much, Someone to know you too well, Someone to pull you up short, To put you through hell. [You see what you look for you know. You’re not a kid anymore Robby, I don’t think you’ll ever be a kid again kiddo. Hey Buddy don’t be afraid that it won’t be perfect, the only thing to be afraid of really is that it won’t be! Don’t stop now, keep going.] 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. [And what does all that mean? Robert how do you know so much about when you’ve never been there? It’s much better living it than looking at it Robert. Add em’ up Bobby, add em’ up.] 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 [Blow out the candles Robert and make a wish, want something. Want something.] 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, Put me through hell 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 push 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!

Being Alive.....this is how I feel on this day, in this moment. Thank you Stephen Sondheim.

I can watch this a thousand times and every time I am blown away, Thank you Steven. I am in tears.

Keep coming back to this version. Brilliant! Emotional! Marvelous!

OH! I ADORE the studio shots. ONLY on RU-vid! Great thing about the audio, you can get your body into it. No restrictions. Move your hands, et al! CHEERS! Great mics. No pops. No overloading.

Still checking in to watch and listen to this gem.

Saw Company on Broadway back in 1970. Nothing has ever come close to this work! Saw it with Larry Kirk.

It’s so sweet to see Elaine smile when the line “Come on! You’re on to something, Bobby! You’re onto something!” I would cry if she smiled at me like that.

No mere words can express the emotions in this performance. They are all pulling for him as he bares his soul.❤

Absolutely magnificent

The night of my 21st birthday, May 1971, I was taken to see "Company" performed by a group of drama majors at San Francisco State College, for their master's thesis. No sets, just a terrific piano player and some of the best singing and dancing, I'd ever seen. The next day, I ran out and bought the LP recording, eventually the cassette, then the CD, as each medium became available over the years. I recently heard that music catalogs our memories. So true! R.I.P. Dean Jones and thank you for singing the song that is surely an integral part of my youth.

omg. he gave me the chills.

Elaine Stritch’s smile is so warm it makes me want to tear up.

I am so grateful my parents introduced me to theatre at an early age. This show was part of the soundtrack of my youth.

Never, ever get tired of watching this/listening to this. Thank you Dean Jones!

I always thought Raul Esparza did the best version of this, with NPH coming in a close second, but a comment on the NPH version led me this performance which, I have to say, blows all others out of the water. I was teary-eyed almost from the first stanza. "Maybe there's one more in me, let's find out." Love that.

Thrilling and so, so good!!!

Still, the greatest interpretation of this song..!!

I confess I can't listen to anyone else do this song. Why try? Its the BEST!

There is something about the raw quality that modern day recording just can't capture. We refine too much. This is perfection because it's raw and rough. That's what makes it so magical and timeless.

Just stopped by to admire. Rest in Peace Brother Dean.

He gave it everything, as the tears demonstrate at the end! Great performance by a nice man.

If you listen very closely after the final note, you can hear a very quiet "Damn!"

Still the best version--such an emotional performance. Great singing and acting.

He left everything on the floor. “Somebody crowd me with love.”

I get chills every time I watch this video. Magnificent!

I can listen to Dean Jones belt out his heart in this song all day long.

Dean Jones on Broadway - a time long time ago - beautiful rendition - this man has lived these words. :)

Rest In Peace, Mr. Sondheim. American musical theater, which you helped define, will forever be in your debt.

One of the few songs in my life that woke me out of a dead sleep. Was watching "Six By Sondheim" on HBO and drifted off until this performance came on. I can't stop watching this! Such powerful emotions and lyrics, it had me in tears too. The only other two songs that come near are Gary Moore's "Still Got The Blues For You" and Nils Lofgren's "Valentine". I've checked out Julian Ovenden, Raul Esparza, Larry Kert and Neil Patrick Harris' version, but still think Dean Jones' owns this song. Thank-you, Stephen Sondheim.

I will always refer to this as the definitive version of this monumental piece. There have been and will be, other valid interpretations of this song, but every iteration springs from something here. Dean Jones' intensity and dedication to honoring the truth of the lyrics dig deep, making that unmistakeable Sondheim connection.

As I waved my hubby to work this morning, playing this version, we couldn't recognise any man from the past (I'm born 65, he's 75) talking like this, and that's culture for you! Where would we be without those poets? Such a joy, such a wonderful voice of what to come, now fathers cares openly, rightfully, finally 💞‼

RIP Stephen Sondheim. Thank you so much.

My favorite song from Company. I'm glad to now have his voice imprinted with the song in my memory.

I come back to this from time to time to get a sip of soul stirring.

Came here after Marriage Story. The ad for the video was for Star Wars.

Rest sweetly and soundly Sondheim 💙

I just missed seeing Dean do this in New York. He had already left, and I loved Larry. Now I can only listen to this one. DEAN NAILED IT!

Dean Jones breaks into another dimension and gives us his heart… unbelievable ❤

Rest In Peace Sondheim, for writing one of the most emotional songs about what it means to love and be alive

Saved on my phone because it is always beautiful.

Dean Jones was a childhood hero of mine. His film work for Disney was great family fun.

Isn't this what we all truly want?

My God, this is just perfect.

Absolutly brought tears to my eyes. Just a phenominal performance!

Rest in paradise, Stephen.