Such a missed opportunity to have had him perform this during the Beauty And The Beast 30th Celebration. Belle was literally played by someone who's nickname is H.E.R!
Simply put this song while absolutely beautiful is part of the narrative of the Broadway version. I’d personally love to see a hybrid version of B&tB that would incorporate both IICLH and Evermore. IICLH is sung just after Belle flees the West Wing so it has a bit of hopeless melancholy vibe . The beast is at his lowest point and thus ends the first act of the show . Evermore is sung just after the beast willingly lets Belle go so while there are some elements similar to IICLH , there ls ultimately a more hopeful vibe (especially near the end ) Again , I love both songs but Evermore fits better for the narrative of 2017 B&tB and the anniversary version
@@betterthanmagicarts They could have included both as they occur at two different parts of the story. If I Can't Love Her occurs when Belle runs away after sneaking into the West Wing and Evermore occurs after Beast let's Belle leave so she can take care of her father.
Wow. What he did with the ending, making it soft instead of doing the usual belt, made it sound so much more hollow and sorrowful. Both versions work, though, because in the usual belted version his proclamation is very profound; an absolute cry for everything to end if he can’t love her. But doing it quietly like this… that was a pleasantly unique interpretation. Overall, very, very well done.
Fully agreed . I wish there was an instrumental arrangement of this track somewhere because I love how as you said it ends softly. Plus I’m a huge sucker for Cello
If I Can't Love Her is in the broadway production. It takes place where Belle has discovered the rose and is caught by the Beast. After being frightened by him, she runs away. The Beast laments about the possibility of never learning to love Belle. A reprise is made when the Beast releases Belle to aid her father. He falls into despair that even though he learns to love, he hasn't earned her love in return. Thus, the curse remained intact and would soon become permanent.
That's an excellent place to put this song because at this point he would be changing and having some introspection. It would have been better if it had been in the movie. We see his transitioning in the acting, but the song would have taken us along with him in it and more deeply,
My aunt once said it's like peanut butter brownies, to which my cousin immediately replied 'smooth and delicious?' Glad someone else thinks along the same vein as us, lol.
I wish they had this song in the 2017 film along with "Evermore", the original song they wrote for the Beast. The two songs would have made a nice musical arc for the Beast to express his feelings--in this song, that he doubts his love for Belle, and in "Evermore", that he admits he does love her but is willing to let her go and accept the fate that entails.
Though it seems like that on first glance, contextually this song represents the beast's self hatred a bit more than love. I mean, at this point in the story he doesn't love belle, so he's basically saying 'if I can't love belle than there is no hope for me and I'll be a beast for the rest of my days' . I really enjoyed reading your comment nonetheless!
I would even argue that 'Evermore' is more about his feelings for the Enchantress than Belle. Put it immediately after the Enchantress curses him and it fits just as well if not better within the story. "If I can't love her" is much more about how the Beast's perception of love is changing. He is reprioritizing everything to be less important than loving her. If he can't do that, then the Enchantress is right and he must be destroyed.
What I love about this song is that it subtlely shows that he IS in fact falling in love with her. It’s the impact she is slowly making on him that enables him to have this introspection in the first place.
If they ever do make another Broadway musical adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, Josh Groban should *DEFINITELY* be offered the role as the Beast. Because he's perfect for the role.
And in my twisted face There's not the slightest trace Of anything that even hints of kindness And from my tortured shape No comfort, no escape I see, but deep within is utter blindness Hopeless As my dream dies As the time flies Love a lost illusion Helpless Unforgiven Cold and driven To this sad conclusion No beauty could move me No goodness improve me No power on earth, if I can't love her No passion could reach me No lesson could teach me How I could have love her and made her love me too If I can't love her, then who? Long ago I should have seen All the things I could have been Careless and unthinking, I moved onward No pain could be deeper No life could be cheaper No point anymore, if I can't love her No spirit could win me No hope left within me Hope I could have loved her and that she'd set me free But it's not to be If I can't love her Let the world be done with me
Mk Wychulis And here's the reprise when the Beast turns back into the Prince. Belle, look into my eyes. Belle, don't you recognize The beast within the man Who's here before you?
I don't know how to describe this well enough but I adore how his voice and the music dance in harmony. His voice accompanies the music as perfectly as the music accompanies his voice (if that makes any sense). If I listened to Josh's rendition in a musical or opera I am sure it would move me to tears. Who ever decided not to put this the movie is a clown.
So beautifully sung. At the end, before the last few verses and he's letting it all out is so powerful and made me freeze from the sheer beauty of his voice.
I love this. It always manages to make me cry. It also really reminds me of The Phantom Of The Opera. It seems like something Erik would sing. Beauty and the Beast has always been my faverate tale. I loved the original fairy tale and I loved the Disney movie (both Disney movies) and I loved the stage version. It really is one of the greatest stories ever.
Omg yessssss. I was in the play several years ago, and I am a huge Phantom fan, and I thought the same thing. Evermore would work too, then you have Till I hear you sing" from Love Never Dies
Alexandra mercure Actually, they wanted to. But musically, this song builds to a big finish and ends Act 1 then the audience goes to intermission. Since movies don't have intermissions anymore, this song wouldn't quite fit. So they created "Evermore", which is similar to "If I Can't Love Her " but tailored to fit the live action movie.
The last two lines though! If I can't love her, let the world be done with me! These touch my heart and Josh does the whole emotion of the song complete justice! Love him ❤
God this movie was just amazing! I'm an 18 year old guy and I grew up with every Disney movie on VHS and I wanted to legitimately cry like 3 times in the movie, and my face muscles hurt by the end of it cause I was pushing my tears down trying not to! XD this movie really gave me that sense of Disney wonder that the original Disney movies had in them. I thoroughly loved this movie and highly recommend it!
I think he would be proud. I don't think he knew how far Disney itself would go as a company, but with his work, it has moved everyone's hearts. The question is, would he have cried?
I love your comment so much! I went to see it with my 19 year old son and his girlfriend. They teased me for crying several times during the film but I could tell he was very emotional too. He LOVED the movie. I was playing Evermore a few minutes ago and he came in the room to see what I was doing and reiterated again that it was an excellent movie. Looking forward to seeing it a third time with my ten year old sons and will be buying the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital combo pack the day it comes in and watching it on repeat!!
I wish this would have been in the movie. when they did this at our local high school and the young man that played the beast sang this, I almost cried. it is a beautiful song
I worked backstage for a community theatre’s production of this in ‘17. So many memories. This song was definitely one of the most powerful ones, especially in our Beast’s interpretation. Given I’m biased, but I thought he was really, really good. Didn’t cry until this number in the last show. Something about the song, the singer, and the acknowledgment of moving on were just a lot for me, I guess. In summary, great song, very powerful, and apparently, it still brings emotions and memories for me now.
I did the same with my school (still there!), but I grew an emotional connection to this song and cried every time our Beast, Charlie, sung this as this is such an incredible song. Overall, this was a great musical and helped me find my place within the school. This was the highlight and I'm soooo happy to see it on Tuesday!
This is actually a cover Josh Groban did on his album Stages of the song that was written for the Broadway show for the Beast. So don't be looking out for it in the new movie lol
His voice definitely works with this song. I do miss the quiet almost whispered singing of the first verse from the Broadway recordings, but Josh does make it easier to comprehend the lyrics.
This is so gorgeous. 😭The og orchestration is still stunning, but the ending chords here sound like the end of “So Close” from Enchanted 🥺❤️ beautiful. ✨
I performed this musical with my school (still there!) as a part of the ensemble, but I grew an emotional connection to this song and cried every time our Beast, Charlie, sung this as this is such an incredible song. Overall, this was a great musical and helped me find my place within the school. This was the highlight and I'm soooo happy to see it on Tuesday!
He is absolutely the best musician singer of this century...I adore him. His music is exactly the kind I love best. Perfect voice.. I wish him the best in his career and his life.
WHY DID I NOT KNOW THIS WAS IN THE SOUNDTRACK?! I loved this song to the point of obsession several years ago, and now Josh freaking Groban has covered it!
Thank you (Jennifer Medina) for sharing this piece of music, first time listening to it.. Magnificent! #BeautyandtheBeast #IfICantLoveher #2017 #2023 ❤🧡💛💚💙💜
BEAUTIFUL! I was hoping a few of the songs from the musical would be in the movie ("A Change In Me", "Human Again", and this one, to name a few). I'm actually okay that they went with Evermore instead of this, but gosh this song is incredible. Well done, Josh Groban!!!
sgauden02 I think Menken said in an interview that is was needed in the stage show as they needed an act 1 closing number but u don't have that problem in film, But they did add evermore, which is beautiful x
A Saber well, I mean, it IS a remake. it's not like they were going to change the story; the couldn't. Disney knows how beloved the 1991 version is, and how much of an uproar there would be if they didn't stay true to it.
this song brings me to a different world everytime that I close my eyes and also you can feel the emotion that it wants to express thanks for posting a wonderful piece❤❤❤
Can't beat a bit of Josh Groban it is a stunningly beautiful song. Not seen the film yet unfortunately! If the film is anywhere near as good as it's soundtrack it's going to be worth the wait.
I performed a piano arrangement of this song at my very last piano recital ever last February. I felt like I was ending my recital career on a high note. The applause I got was the most I ever remember having in all my life.
When he realized he was a better person on the inside since she came into his life.... It's where he proclaims his love for Belle. "If I can't love her. Let the world be done with me", SO FLIPPING SAD. At least I know they have their happily ever after. That's all I need to be okay 🤗
