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Valentine's Day is here and love is all around us. At this most romantic time of the year, we can't help but wonder... what is the greatest Broadway love song ever? BroadwayWorld continues our great tradition of finding that consensus- and this year we have more answers than ever! We've gathered responses from over 1500 performers, composers, industry professionals, and entertainment personalities from all over the world.
This year's list is presented by The Notebook, now in previews on Broadway. Based on the best selling novel that inspired the iconic film, this new musical follows Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, as they share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart, in a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love.
Performer
Kinky Boots
If we include Off-Broadway, "Times Like This" from Lucky Stiff. But I think my favorite one is "You Rule My World" from The Full Monty. I loved seeing that song on tour (and for auditions).
Performer
Superhero
"If I Loved You" from Carousel. A deeply human and real love song between two amazing characters.
Performer
The Lion King
There are so many amazing Broadway love songs but I'm going with an oldie but goodie. "Tonight" from West Side Story. Classic and timeless.
Performer
HAIR | Lennon | Sidd | RENT
"Loving You" from PASSION
"In Whatever Time We Have" from CHILDREN OF EDEN comes in close second
"Forever Yours" from ONCE ON THIS ISLAND comes in 3rd.
Performer
Cirque du Soleil Paramour
"Some Enchanted Evening." Mostly because it reminds me of a horrible knock knock joke my mom used to tell: Knock Knock. Who's there? Sam and Janet. Sam and Janet who? SaammandJannnnnted Evvenninnngg. It doesn't really work but I loved the singing!
Industry
Falsettos | Head Over Heels | Spring Awakening
"As Long as He Needs Me" from Oliver. It's so awful especially now but I think it's about wanting to share your life and give something to somebody else and how you sometimes feel destroyed if you can't give your love.
Performer
Back to the Future | Almost Famous
I think it’s a tie between "A Little Fall of Rain" from Les Misérables and "Love Song" from Pippin. I think they capture the small details of love that are so complicated but interesting. Obviously, "A Little Fall of Rain" being the more heart wrenching side, while "Love Song" is about the little heartwarming things that we take for granted until we are in love.
Industry
Hollywood Bowl
Most romantic? "One Hand, One Heart" from West Side Story - can't hear that song without a lump in my throat, Most deliciously romantic? "Our Private World" from On the Twentieth Century!
Performer
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | On The Town | An American in Paris
One of my favorite Broadway Love songs is "Lucky To Be Me" from On The Town. The show has such a special place in my heart and the melody and lyrics complement each other so beautifully. But since that's a solo, if I had to pick a Broadway love duet, I'd choose "Love Song" from Pippin or "Ten Minutes Ago" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.
Performer
The Prom (Mexico)
"Elephant Love Medley" from Moulin Rouge! I am a passionate and dramatic person and I love this part of the show. The moment of seeing the person and being in love immediately... it's so exciting.
Creative
John & Jen | Big Fish | The Wild Party | I Am Harvey Milk
It's not exactly a love song, but it's "Shall We Dance" from The King and I. I think it's one of the greatest moments in musical theatre. Two characters who clearly love eachother but aren't allowed to say it out loud.
Performer
Here Lies Love | The King and I | Wonderland | The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | Rent
"Lay Down Your Head" from VIOLET
Performer
Dear Evan Hansen
My choice of a Broadway love song is actually a compilation! They are from Next To Normal and I couldn't pick just one because Tom Kitt created an entire beautifully executed love balled in all four of these reprises. I love the composition and the story. "Perfect For You," "Hey #1," "Hey #2" and "Hey #3." Tom Kitt wrote some gorgeous music.
Performer
Jersey Boys
My favorite Broadway love song has certainly become 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' for all the love it continues to bring me from my audience.
Industry
Superhero | Red | Peter and Alice | I’ll Eat You Last
"Not While I'm Around" from Sweeney Todd. I just think it's complicated, simple and so affirming to the characters when they need it.
Performer
The Unsinkable Molly Brown | The Flamingo Kid | On Your Feet
My favorite Broadway love song is "With You" from Pippin. It's a gorgeous melody. It's very simple but truly honest. I just love that show.
Performer
The Mad Ones | Henry & Mudge
"The Origin of Love" from HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH.
Performer
Rocktopia
My favorite Broadway love song is "For Good" from Wicked, because it's talking about the love, and the strength, and the power you have in a relationship with someone. And it doesn't necessarily have to be about a boyfriend or girlfriend or husband, wife. It can be about a friend or companion and I think that's really important and special, and just beautiful.
Performer
1776 | Ain't No Mo
I love The Phantom of the Opera, so I'm gonna say "All I Ask Of You". The music is so special to me.
Industry
Lend Me a Tenor | Crazy for You | Moon Over Buffalo
My favorite Broadway love song is "Never Neverland" from Peter Pan, and the reason is: it always touches me. Every time I hear it, there's something in that Jule Styne melody that just tears out my heart. I had the chance of working with Jule Styne. We were in a show together and I know how much heart and love he put into every melody he wrote and I heard this song before I ever met him, and it just tears my heart out every time I hear it. And if that isn't love, I don't know what is.
Producer
West Side Story | All My Sons | Legally Blonde | Movin' Out | Seussical | Thoroughly Modern Millie | Annie Get Your Gun | High Society | Jelly's Last Jam
"If I Loved You" from CAROUSEL.
Performer
Six
"Come What May" from Moulin Rouge. This song gives me butterflies every time I hear it. It reminds us that love conquers all and that it will always win, no matter how many times life throws you for a loop. I think there's something magical about that.
Performer
Come From Away
“Stop The World” from Come From Away. Two real people discovering the sudden surprise of love.
Performer
Six
My two favorite love songs are "Say It Somehow" from The Light in the Piazza and my really close second is "Keepin' Out of Mischief Now" from Ain't Misbehavin'. I've gotten a chance to sing that song and I think it can be about self-love, which is why I love it so much.
Performer
In Transit | Wicked | Anything Goes | Amazing Grace
"My Heart is So Full of You" from Most Happy Fella is one of my absolute favorites. It completely captures that feeling of your heart just bursting with love for someone with it's simple, perfect lyrics and sweeping music.
Performer
Jekyll and Hyde
Hands down, I would have to say “Love Can't Happen” from Grand Hotel: A real shiver-down-the-spine love song – and I dedicate it for Valentine's Day to my girlfriend, actress Helen Anker.
Performer
An American in Paris | Chicago
"Beautiful City" From Godspell. It is not your typical love song between a man and a women, but a love song for a people. A call to love each other so much that we, together can rebuild a perfect city! A city of men that support and love one another to such a degree, that all things are possible! Agh, what an amazing idea. Love it!
Performer
My Son's a Queer (But What Can You Do?)
I'd have to go for Suddenly Seymour. Howard Ashman is my idol so Little Shop of Horrors will always hold a very special place in my heart. It's hard not to root for Seymour and Audrey. They're two misfits (slightly relatable) and in this number they finally come together in an explosion of unabashed Ellen Greene joy. What's not to love.
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