As any avid theatergoer can tell you, there’s something particularly life-affirming about musicals. It’s nearly impossible to leave a show without feeling imbued with a newfound sense of faith in humanity, and this is especially true of top-notch, Tony Award-winning musicals that embody the best the genre has to offer.
Who can come away from The Sound of Music and not be inspired by Maria’s bravery and self-assuredness? And is it possible to watch Les Misérables without wanting to find something we feel as passionately about as the revolutionaries do about their cause?
Musicals are bursting at the seams with characters like these from whom we can derive inspiration and guidance. Feeling nervous? Try channeling Tracy Turnblad’s confidence. Want to learn how to be more emotionally open? Look to the evolution of the relationship between Hadestown’s Hades and Persephone.
Whatever situation we find ourselves in, there’s a musical that can speak to us. Here are 14 lyrics from Tony Award-winning musicals that can help all of us in our daily lives.
Climb ev'ry mountain / Ford ev'ry stream / Follow ev'ry rainbow / 'Til you find your dream.“Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “The Sound of Music” (1960 winner)
Pick out a pleasant outlook / Stick out that noble chin / Wipe off the full of doubt look / Slap on a happy grin / And spread sunshine / All over the place / Just put on a happy face“Put on a Happy Face,” “Bye Bye Birdie” (1961 winner)
There is a brotherhood of man / A benevolent brotherhood of man / A noble tie that binds / All human hearts and minds / Into one brotherhood of man / Your life long membership is free / Keep a-giving each brother all you can.”Brotherhood of Man,” “How Tto Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” (1962 winner)
What good is sitting alone in your room? / Come hear the music play / Life is a cabaret, old chum / Come to the cabaret.”Cabaret,” “Cabaret” (1967 winner)
Alone is alone, not alive / Somebody crowd me with love / Somebody force me to care / Somebody make me come through / I’ll always be there / As frightened as you / To help us survive.”Being Alive,” “Company” (1971 winner)
At the shrine of friendship, never say die / Let the wine of friendship never run dry.“Drink With Me,” “Les Misérables” (1987 winner)
There's only us / There's only this / Forget regret / Or life is yours to miss / No other road / No other way / No day but today.“Another Day,” “Rent” (1996 winner)
There’s a dream in the future / There’s a struggle / We have yet to win / Use that pride in our hearts / To lift us to tomorrow / ’Cause just to sit still would be a sin.“I Know Where I’ve Been,” “Hairspray” (2003 winner)
Those you’ve known / And lost still walk behind you.”Those You’ve Known,” “Spring Awakening” (2007 winner)
Do I lie down and die? / Or determine to try to alter the course of my destiny? / Otherwise what will become of me?”Foolish to Think,” “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” (2014 winner)
Legacy. What is a legacy? / It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.“The World Was Wide Enough,” “Hamilton” (2016 winner)
No one deserves to be forgotten / No one deserves to fade away / No one should flicker out or have any doubt / That it matters that they are here.“Disappear,” “Dear Evan Hansen” (2017 winner)
I’ll tell you where the real road lies / Between your ears, behind your eyes / That is the path to paradise / Likewise, the road to ruin.“Wait for Me (Reprise),” “Hadestown” (2019 winner)
Why do I do this? / Bow down and people please? / I cant know freedom / Without clear boundaries.“Boundaries,” “A Strange Loop” (2022 winner)
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