Tribute to John Kander and Fred Ebb, Heidi Blickenstaff sings one of my favorite little-known songs by Kander & Ebb. This one is from their equally little-known Broadway musical "Flora The Red Menace".
Sing me a Happy song about Robins in spring Sing me a happy song with a happy ending. Some cheerful rondelet about catching the ring Sing Happy Sing me a sonnett all about rolling in gold Some peppy melody about rainbows blending Nothing with phrases saying you're out in the cold Sing Happy Tell me tomorrow's gonna be peaches and cream Assure me clouds are lined with a silver lining Say how you've realized an impossible dream Sing me a happy song Play me a madrigal about trips to the moon Or some old ballad about two eyes shining It can't be loud enough or a moment too soon Sing Happy No need reminding me that it all fell apart I need no lyrics singing of stormy weather There's quite enough around me that's breaking my heart Sing Happy Give me a hallelujah and get up and shout Tell me the sun is shining around the corner Whoever's interested helping me out Please keep it happy. I'm only in the market for long loud laughter I'll let you serenade me till dawn comes along Just make it a happy Keep it a happy song.
Look, she obviously has a great voice, but this isn’t the right song for her. Her interpretation doesn’t always fit the lyric or the character. Flora, a teenage girl, sings this at the end of the show. The darker elements (“there’s quite enough around me that’s breaking my heart”) shouldn’t be emphasized as dark because the character is young and a bit naive. Heidi’s vocal, while strong, doesn’t match what’s happening musically. There are so many other Kander and Ebb songs that would work better for her; most of their great songs are for adult women.
