Friday 5: 5 Favorite Charles Strouse Songs

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Yesterday brought the sad news that Broadway composer Charles Strouse passed away at age 96. Chances are that even though you may not know his name, you've heard his music. Three of his shows were Tony Award winning Best Musicals. You might have heard of them: Annie, Bye Bye Birdie and Applause.  As great as his biggest hits were, his flops were just as accomplished. As musical theater lovers, we are all that much better for his contributions.

Thank you, Mr. Strouse. RIP

5 Favorite Charles Strouse Songs

"We'd Like to Thank You" from Annie (Lyrics by Martin Charnin)

This choice probably surprises you, but "Tomorrow" and "It's the Hard-Knock Life" are just too obvious. Instead, I love the cynical meaning of the song wrapped up in that catchy, big show sound. The juxtaposition of the Hooverville-ites and the music is just delicious. Family-friendly to the ear, biting social commentary for the brain. Love it!!

"One Hallowe'en" from Applause (Lyrics by Lee Adams)

The second of three shows he composed that won Best Musical, this score is a no skips for me. Sure, it's a bitchy, mod take on the classic film All About Eve, and Bacall's vocals are iffy at times, but it's the consistently catchy, moody music that really sells it. So why this short solo number? Because it is a perfect character piece - defiant, slow-building, and packs a wallop even when the music takes a halting pause.

"Normal American Boy" from Bye Bye Birdie (Lyrics by Lee Adams)

Here is the classic show that put Strouse and Adams on the map. A score full of tuneful toe-tappers, on any given day I could put any one of those songs on this list. Like his later score for Annie, his music is sweet Americana, but with a great undercurrent of seriousness and a healthy cynicism. I chose this one for exactly that combination.

"Busy Night At Lorraine's" from Nick and Nora (Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr.)

I didn't see this show - not many did - but the score is one of my favorites. In this number, Strouse (with stunning orcheatrations by Jonathan Tunick) gives us appropriate Thin Man 30s film noir undercurrents with Broadway brassiness, and uses pizzicato strings to highlight the wordy delivery of Maltby's lyrics and oboes to add urgency. The whole thing is catchy, and if you close your eyes, you can just picture what is going on. It may have only lasted for 9 performances, but it earned its Best Score Tony nomination. 

"Greenhorns" from Rags (Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz)

This is the show that walked so that Ragtime could run. This epic number brings together classic European styles and American ragtime. Strouse goes all in with the tune that utilizes all sections of an orchestra, gorgeous horns and woodwinds, driving rhythms and an ominous use of time and key changes. This whole score is a winner.