How Glory Goes - Tumblr Posts
Great Songs From Great Musicals: "How Glory Goes"
Once again, the title of this segment is tested. I've never actually seen "Floyd Collins", the show that this song is from. I haven't even listened to all of the songs (despite the fact that I have the entire soundtrack on my iPod). However, I've heard that the show is great, and, if the rest of it is nearly as good as this song, I'm inclined to agree.
The musical tells the story of Floyd Collins (crazy, I know), an explorer who gets caught in a narrow crawlway while inside a cave in 1925. His entrapment and the efforts to rescue him become a media frenzy. After a few days during which he can get food and water from the people outside, the cave collapses, leaving him nothing but voice contact from the outside world. This is the final song of the show, sung by Collins as he prepares for his imminent death. It involves him asking God what happens next, what heaven is like, and if there even is a heaven. This song is absolutely beautiful, and it perfectly marks how people would actually react if they realized that they were going to die soon. The song is composed almost completely of questions. Floyd starts out shyly before becoming more agitated near the middle of the song. It's clear that his rapidly approaching demise is beginning to sink in. Near the end, however, he realizes some of the good things that might be waiting for him in heaven, such as his mother. What started out as a series of existential questions becomes a calm acceptance of his fate, and one might even say that Floyd's penchant for exploration excites him even now as he prepares to venture into the unknown. I literally have no criticisms for this song. Performed correctly, this just might be the perfect song. It's sad, triumphant, insightful, emotional, simple, and gorgeous. I almost cry every time I listen to it, and, for those who know me or have read my opinions on the Oscars, that's saying something. What makes this even more moving is that the story of Floyd Collins is real. He really existed, and all of these things really happened to him. That's what makes this song perfect. I can completely imagine exactly this going through his head as he died. When a song can illustrate thought processes and complex emotions as well as this one does, that song deserves all of my praise. My one issue is that the version used in the recording is not the best version that I've heard. While opinions will differ, I just don't like the way the actor on the CD sings it. I prefer this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCYQ3ewIpUs. The orchestration are magnificent, and his voice is just the right mixture of country and showtune. I could go on forever about how much I absolutely adore this song. It's one of those songs that you listen to, and, as soon as it's over, you want to start it over. I try not to listen to it too much because there's no way to spoil something great than by overindulging in it. I'm going to end this now because, at this point, the song can't possibly live up to my praise. Either way, prepare to be incredibly saddened yet compelled to listen to it several times.