Seth Rudetsky deconstructs Barbara Cook

I couldn't agree more with every word you said, from my favorite love song to Barbara Cook's excellent placement to the "perfect lyric" that never ceases to move me every time I hear it. Thanks for reminding me how much I love this song sung by this singer.

I agree w/ Seth on all points about Barbara Cook's singing this song- although I love her version recorded at Carnegie Hall, 1975 (with additional lyrics) even MORE. I thought Shirley Jones was a great Marian Paroo, until I heard Barbara. I rate The Music Man as my fav musical because of the intelligence of the lyrics written by Meredith Willson. I love his "phraseology"!!

Gotta give a head nod to Meredith Wilson, Seth, for "More interested in my than he is in himself and more interested in us than in me."

You, sir, are a genius, and the best kind of genius, a nice genius. Your deconstruction of Cook here is so invaluable for anyone who sings or is interested in singers. There is so much more to the art than people realize until they come across a Seth Rudetsky (not that there any others). Having worked with (for 50 years) and traveled with a singer who defies deconstruction (since she herself can't analyze what she does) I appreciate your remarkable work all the more.

You, sir, are a genius, and the best kind of genius, a nice genius. Your deconstruction of Book here is so invaluable for anyone who sings or is interested in singers. There is so much more to the art than people realize until they come across a Seth Rudetsky (not that there any others). Having worked with (for 50 years) and traveled with a singer who defies deconstruction (since she herself can't analyze what she does) I appreciate your remarkable work all the more.

Hi Seth..recently read your book Broadway Nights. I loved it! I love Barbara Cook. I am so grateful that I had the chance to see her on Broadway in the 80's! Thanks for the post.

You are fabulous and this was incredibly wonderful. Thank you.

Thanks for that! Very enjoyable! Not a fan of sopranos? Awe! Barbara Cook is indeed amazing. I saw Sondheim on Sondheim just because of her. I love My White Knight and agree with all of your points!

this man knows nothing about music. there is no such thing as speaking voice with vobratto...wtf?

Thank you, thank you for the Evelyn Nesbit shoutout. I nearly choked to death on my diet Coke. WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

@showersinger34 They wanted to make use of her belting I think. It IS easier to hear for those not used to narly sopranos. I actually like it just as much as I do this version. I think the lower version is more intimate

Barbara is my favorite! Had priviledge of seeing her a few times here in San Francisco. She's amazing. And at 82 still going strong. Seth, thanks for your post. SHE is my angel and goddess!! Brava!!!

@jasminehare1 It was lowered for her, but obviously not because she can't sing that high (goodness knows cheno can sing higher than humans can hear). I read somewhere that they were worried high notes would sound harsh on tv

barbara cook is great, but i really hated sondheim on sondheim. she sounded great on "send in the clowns" but it had very little emotional impact for me, because there was no reason for her to sing the song. there were so many structural problems with the evening. "Send in the Clowns" "Being Alive" and "Epiphany" are songs that need to be earned by the actor, and didn't land at all with me. There are 100 other reasons why i was disappointed with it, but there's a few.

ooof. not a big fan of sopranos? thanks a bunch ;) but honestly, barbara cook is an angel and this song is an all time favorite of mine. i sang it at a recital last year and for my audition for the school musical this year. the director told me he didn't like the song... grrr

n excellent deconstruction Mr.Rudetsky! Love this song

@jasminehare1 They did lower it for her

here's this vibrato added...i'm in angle... loooovveee itttt

I love how you relate the lyrics to a real relationship and even compare them your own. :) It makes the song all the more beautiful to listen to. Love you Seth. Keep up the good work.

What do you think of Kristin Chenoweth's version of this song, from the Disney movie of the Music Man? Did they lower the song for her? It doesn't seem as high as this.

amazing! thanks! i love this song alot! I do love a good soprano. You should totally do a deconstruction of Secret Garden. there are some amazing singing in that musical.

I love Barbara Cook--thank you for your post! Good choice of song.

I am such a fan of the lovely forward placement and vibrato. She interprets lyrics SO WELL. I've seen so many utterly vanilla versions of this song. This one is so heartfelt.

I love this song to much.

Ahh. I adore this song SO MUCH.