From the day I was born I just knew I belonged on the stage To New York I did move, study hard I did do Now I’m making a steady wage But you won’t see my name on the marquee because Talented me - is the understudy - oh. (Chorus) Why must I be the understudy? Waiting for stage management to call? “Hello Broadway” I’m a sore thumb in the chorus because Come on - I’m drop dead gorgeous And one day you’ll see my face on Sardi’s Wall When I stood by in Side Show Sittin’ in the ninth row was Director Joe Mantelo He said “your talent girl is unique” So now I’m a green freak Defying Gravity but only once a week! Why must I be the understudy? It’s time for me to ring my own damn bell My vocal chops are crazy I can mix like Marlin Maizie Or belt out like Idina Menzel When I stood by for Sutton, I was cuter than a button But all doors seemed a shutin’ Once when I went for Be Be she kicked me in the Knee Knee And said “girl you won’t ever be me me!”
When I stood by in Side Show sittin' in the 9th row was director Joe Mantello He said your talent girl is unique so now I'm a green freak defying gravity but only once a week Oh why must I be the understudy it's time for me to ring my own damn bell My vocal chops are crazy I can mix like Marin Maizie or belt it out like Idina Menzel When I stood by for Sutton I was cuter than a button but all doors seemed a shuttin'
Oh why must I be the understudy one day they'll all realize they're wrong I know that I can fill those big shoes I'm the next Julie Andrews I'm a star and one day someone else will be singin' this song This song singin' this song ah ah ah ah ah
@wickedfan22 I've looked for lyrics everywhere and I haven't found any yet. The only option right now is to buy the sheet music from Bobby Cronin's website.
Full lyrics: From the day I was born I just knew I belonged on the stage To New York I did move, study hard I did do Now I’m making a steady wage But you won’t see my name on the marquee because Talented me is the understudy… oh Why must I be the understudy? Waiting for stage management to call?: “Hello Broadway” I’m a sore thumb in the chorus because Come on - I’m drop dead gorgeous And one day you’ll see my face on Sardi’s Wall When I stood by in Side Show Sittin’ in the ninth row was Director Joe Mantelo He said “your talent girl is unique” So now I’m a green freak Defying Gravity but only once a week! Why must I be the understudy? It’s time for me to ring my own damn bell My vocal chops are crazy I can mix like Marlin Maizie Or belt out like Idina Menzel When I stood by for Sutton, I was cuter than a button But all doors seem to be a shutin’ Once when I went for Be Be she kicked me in the Knee Knee And said “girl you won’t ever be me me!” My voice never cracks, my acting is stronger I’ve got a big rack, unlike Lea Salonga A true triple threat, go ask Chris Gatelli My jazz hands won’t sweat, unlike Liza Manelli! One day the Shubert’s will see their mistake And give me my well deserved break! Why must I be the understudy? For Eden, Steph, and Sara Ramirez? Though my work here never teeters I am not Bernadette Peters! Even asked to stand in for Roxie Perez, What?!, I watch what I eat Won’t have chianti when I take a seat Behind Laura Benanti “It’s Ben-AN-ti, she’s from Jersey” Telsey and Co. May I speak to Bernie? It’s me, yah you know wait! Not Julia Murney! I’m so much better Ms. Eder Much less caddy than old Patty More a soldier than Ms. Bolger So much subtler than Ms. Butler Way less deadly than Ms. Headly Way more mellow than Carmelo Oh! Why must I be the understudy? One day they’ll all realize their wrong I know that I can fill those big shoes I’m the next Julie Andrew’s I’m a Star! And one day someone else Will be singing this song This Singing this song (Defying gravity ending riff)
Here are the real lyrics, straight from the sheet music: From the day I was born I just knew I belonged on the stage To New York I did move study hard I did do now I'm making a steady wage But you won't see my name on the marquee cuz talented me is the understudy Oh why must I be the understudy waiting for stage management to call hello broadway I'm a sore thumb in the chorus cuz come on I'm drop dead gorgeous And one day you'll see my face on Sardi's wall
I ended up as tech/understudy for the lead and loved it so much that I do tech now. We weren't allowed to use backing tracks so I had to sing it acapella.
Once when I went on for Bebe she kicked me in the knee knee and said girl you won't ever be me me My voice never cracks my acting is stronger I've got a big rack unlike Lea Salonga A true triple threat go ask Chris Gatelli my jazz hands won't sweat unlike Liza Minelli One day the Shuberts will see their mistake and give me my well deserved break Why must I be the understudy for Eden Steph and Sara Ramirez Though my work here never teeters I am not Bernadette Peters
Thanks so much for posting these! Question: I've never really understood why she says she's "got a big rack, unlike Lea Salonga." Lea doesn't look that flat-chested to me? Is there some joke about her padding her bras or something that I don't know about? Or maybe she is pretty flat and my perception's just kinda wonky?
Did anyone else find the pianist distracting? Maybe it's something about his hair, or how he's nearly in focus, or the fact that he's already yawning less than 30 seconds in. I don't know, but I found it difficult to focus on the woman's face.
Even asked to stand by for Rosie Perez what I watch what I eat won't have a chianti but I take a seat behind Laura Benanti it's BeNANti she's from Jersey Telsey and Co may I speak to Bernie it's me yah you know wait not Julia Murney I'm so much better than Ms. Eder much less caddy than old Patty More a soldier than Ms. Bolger so much subtler than Ms. Butler Way less deadly than Ms. Headly way more mellow than Carmello
She should at least be grateful to be an understudy though. It's better than being in ensemble. It's a compliment by the director if you are the second choice. I get it can get annoying, but it can also get annoying to never ever get a role or even be in ensemble so maybe she should be a tad grateful... it's fine lol
what an abhorrent song. funny, but ridiculously rude (i know it's meant to be tongue in cheek, but nonetheless just so disrespectful to broadway greats)
