Beautiful to see the song writer give us two versions of his own song. I love both of them, but of course the latest version hits hardest. What a gift he has.
I think both versions are lovely, and bring up different emotions; both evoke hope, but the original speaks of a bright future from the beginning. The second version reaches for hope out of darkness and tragedy. Both are beautiful and powerful, but I admit that I enjoy the original more, because I grew up with that rendition. I also love its bright, catchy, happy outlook. But as I say, both are wonderful.
How sweet to listen and see him playing this! Both versions are beautiful to me, and he singing it makes this a especially historical video and, of course, I love his soft voice! I´ve always thought melodies should be independent of lyrics, so once someone came up with deep and meaningful or sweet lyrics as alternatives for the melody they could be given to them as a sort of body for the spirit of the melody itself. Thank you so much for uploading this here!!! I´ve had to download this one!
Stephen Schwartz is one of the most talented and important composers of our time. I think both versions are absolutely haunting and beautiful. I love the film version because I have heard it for years and can play it in my head, but after listening to Hunter Parrish sing the new version, I have found that it is just as amazing and lyrically balanced as the first version. Although Mr. Schwartz cannot sing what he has written very well, those who have recorded his music have plateaued the highest musical feats from Godspell, to Pippin to Celine Dion's version of My Heart Will Go On in the movie Titanic.
I had the pleasure of playing the role of Judas in a touring cast back in 92. I have always loved this song and loved the original 1973 ensemble version as featured in the song but .. after examining the newer version 2011 solo ... it is is just beautiful, simple, vulnerable and works so effectively in the revival. As professor for London College of Music musical theatre grades. I was delighted to see the newer version added to the list of Grade 8 repertoire and I have two students working on it. The new version sounds simple but is very difficult in terms of breath control, resonance and clean riffs. Deceptively difficult. I'm a bass baritone and moved the newer version down from A to G and fit my voice timbre much better. I loved seeing Hunter Parrish perform it in the revival. Made me cry. Just such simple poignancy you don't often hear any more in musical theatre with everything being about the 'latest movie fab". turned to musical. Schwartz is one of the last of the greats... esp after Sondheim's passing. I watched the 73 Godspell just the other day.. and with all the toxicity and challenges in our world in 2023 .. it is just as relevant today. I was blessed to first perform Godspell in 82 at my high school. Then in college in 88 and then the touring in 92. So a musical still dear to my heart.
Somehow, we got the rights to do Godspell in 1974-5 before it closed at the Promenade Theatre in 1976. This song hadn't been written yet. Everywhere we did the show, people loved it. It was probably the Jesus thing, back then, sort of, but doing the show was a blast. Funny to see Schwarz here so many years later singing his heart out. Like we did.
Mr.Schwartz you are a talented songwriter. Both songs are beautiful I am partial to the movie version. I believe the original's tenor fits the movie soundtrack better...Also, I do love "We Beseech Thee"as well. Perhaps I am biased though having seen the movie in the theater and listening to the LP soundtrack until its grooves were almost worn out.
Geez - I was hoping he'd explain the rationale for the change. I'm a major fan of Stephen Schwartz and Godspell but while the new version is beautiful the lyrics are so dour compared to the original. I was hoping he's explain why he felt the change was appropriate. When I sing it in my head it's the new music and the old lyrics - that works for me. Now all I need to do is get a video of Hunter Parrish singing it like that :-)
+Peter M He kind of explains it in other places. I think he was just unhappy with it, and he's said that lyrics take longer for him to write, and he wasn't happy with the movie anyway, and since he was asked to write a new song for the movie and he didn't have long to do it, I think he felt rushed, and he didn't like the final product. Also, let's be honest, "We don't need alabaster, we don't need chrome. We've got out special plaster, take my hand I'll take you home" is pretty cheesy and is drenched in 70s pop.
+Peter M Oh I disagree. The old lyrics were too cheery. Too happy. The ones now have a deeper meaning, they are so much more touching. It's become my favorite song (the new version)
He redid it in the wake of the L.A. riots in 1991. There were charity performances of "Godspell" throughout L.A. to benefit the victims of the riot and Schwartz was so touched that he changed it to those lyrics which are obviously linked to the riots. He wrote "Beautiful City" for the movie because the director didn't want to use the song "We Beseech Thee", saying it was too melodramatic. Schwartz disagrees with the director to this very day. Schwartz didn't have much involvement in the film because he was too busy with "Pippin". But he did come to the set for the "All For The Best" sequence. He actually looks like Fred Armisen from Saturday Night Live.
I like the film version of a beautiful city it more upbeat I feel it has to be because what happens after the song the death of Christ and the day by day I remember waking up listen to this song before I want to school 15 or 16 years old so listen to this song way before I watch the movie
Dear Stephen, You should have left Beautiful City alone. You should have written a new song instead of changing one of my favorite songs of all time. You kind of made a fool of yourself, but thanks for the original and bless your sweet heart
