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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
We're Gonna Die | A Bronx Tale | Soul Doctor
I really only listen to breakup songs, but I like "Flowers" from Hadestown.
Performer
Little Women | Thoroughly Modern Millie | Les Miserables
My favorite love song is "Love Walked In" by George Gershwin.
Performer
On the Twentieth Century | Nice Work If You Can Get It. Memphis | Spamalot | Wonderful Town
I have two. For my wife it would be "So In Love" from Kiss Me Kate. For my Daughter: "More I Cannot Wish You" from Guys and Dolls.
Industry
Angus McIndoe Restaurant
Something by Cole Porter although I'd be hard-pressed to pick a specific favorite. I love "The Party's Over" from BELLS ARE RINGING. My mother sang it all the time, and I get all mushy every time that I hear it.
Performer
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark | Memphis
"Ain't Nothin' but a Kiss" from the musical Memphis. The sparks flew with my dance partner as we danced together during that song. We are married now and I blame the drums and hot choreography for the beginning of our love story.
Performer
Ruthless | Ethel Merman's Broadway
After seeing Bernadette Peters sing “I Got Lost In Your Arms” in Annie Get Your Gun, it’s been my favorite love song since.
Director
First Down | Hedwig and the Angry Inch | American Idiot
"The Origin of Love" from Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Performer
Mamma Mia | Chess
"How Could I Ever Know" from The Secret Garden. As only theater can do, this love duet transcends the worldly constrictions of their love. "Sure as you breath I am there beside you." Beautiful!
Performer
ANYTHING GOES
My choice for most romantic Broadway love song...would be "Too Many Mornings" from FOLLIES. Perhaps because I sang it, (ya think?) and because it seems appropriate for the Stephen Sondheim Theater.
Composer/Lyricist
Other World
The entire musical Come From Away is a love song! It's a love song to the rest of the world.
Performer
Cirque du Soleil Paramour | Can-Can
"Fanny" from Fanny. It's my favorite because a sailor sings about how if he hadn't already given his heart away to the sea, he would give it to his soul mate, Fanny. But he must follow his dream and leave Fanny behind while he journeys out and sails. The melody is gorgeous and every time he repeats her name you can tell his sweet little tenor voice dies a little bit and it just breaks my heart. The song isn't overdone which is refreshing, and as Show People can't we all relate to putting our craft first before pretty much everything? It's like the "What I did for Love" of a sailor in 1954.
Performer
Kiki & Herb: Alive on Broadway
I would have to say "What Would I Do?" from FALSETTOLAND. Wistful, full. Brings me to tears everytime. And it has the word 'shmaltz' in it, so it would have to be the most romantic for a Jew like me...
Performer
The Heart of Rock nd Roll
“Love To Me” by Adam Guettel from The Light in the Piazza. This is the embodiment of romance and pure love. From the gentle arpeggio accompaniment to the lyrics describing how the things that make us love someone are the simple everyday things that are sometimes overlooked. I just melt every time I hear it.
Creative
Aladdin | Newsies | Beauty and the Beast | A Bronx Tale: The Musical | The Little Mermaid
I think my favorite Broadway love song, off the top of my head 'cause there's so many, is "One Hand, One Heart." I just know that when I saw West Side Story and I felt that moment, it was just heartbreaking. Beautiful and heartbreaking. The intimacy, the simplicity of it. But there's a lot.
Performer
MJ | West Side Story
My favorite Broadway love song is "I Got Love" from the musical Purlie. This song warms my heart and is a reminder of how beautiful love is, not just romantically but in every aspect of life. Also... MELBA MOORE.
Industry
Films of HAIRSPRAY | CHICAGO | A Raisin in the Sun | Living Proof | SMASH | Promises | Promises & How to Succeed in Business...
"MY FIRST LOVE SONG" from ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT, SMELL OF THE CROWD
Performer
Wolf Hall: Parts 1 and 2 | The Norman Conquests
“One Hand, One Heart" from West Side Story… First sung in NYC at The Winter Garden!
Performer
The King and I | Here Lies Love
"My Funny Valentine." I think that's beautiful. It's about what real love is- not the showy flashy things but the true person inside.
Performer
Once | Coram Boy | The Lieutenant of Inishmore
If I had to chose a favorite Broadway love song, I think it would have to be Stephen Sondheim's "Losing My Mind." This song beautifully captures the ability of love's power to haunt, and I love that it can apply to anyone of any age, at any point in their life. It's universal, and yet deeply personal, as if it were written just for you. However, if we're speaking in terms of Valentine's Day, I guess it's not a really happy love song is it...?
Performer
Harold & Maude | BONES
There are so many. But I'll go with the one that I was listening to in my car earlier today. "My Heart is So Full of You" from THE MOST HAPPY FELLA by Frank Loesser. In the show, the relationship between the singers of this song (Tony and Rosabella) got off to a terribly shaky start built around lies and feelings of betrayal. But then they start over and start to truly fall in love with each other and they sing this song. Tony is so excited singing "My wife, she's a love me now!" And Rosabella releases herself of a life of wishes and dreams as she realizes that she has the real thing. Oh, I get so excited talking about it. Starting over. True love. "My Heart is So Full of You." That's my pick. Happy Valentine's Day.
Performer
Puffs
"People Will Say We're in Love" from Oklahoma! I'm a sucker for the classics.
Performer
Trip of Love
This is going to seem self-help-y but I am always blown away by "I'm Here" from The Color Purple, but it's not about romantic love it's about self love! You have to love yourself! Be your own Valentine - it's a made up holiday anyway.
Performer
Once On This Island | Xanadu | The Color Purple
"Bill," from Show Boat. I’m a sucker for nerdy love!
Performer
Cinderella | South Pacific | Sister Act
"The Boy is Mine" by Brandy and Monica because there's nothing like fighting over your man with sweet riffs.
Performer
Hands on a Hardbody | Shrek the Musical
"I'm Gone" from Hands on a Hardbody because it's two young people who fall in love because they share a common dream. It reminds me of my wife and me.
Creative
Hadestown
This is a song I’ve never actually seen performed in the show, but “If I Loved You” from Carousel I think is just one of the most stunning love songs. So dreamy the way that it segues from the spoken text into the song and back out again. I’ve only heard it recorded, I haven’t seen it on stage, but I love that one.
Performer
Sunday In The Park With George | Parade | Dream | The Who's Tommy | Crazy For You | Chess | Les Miserables | Cats | Oklahoma
My all time favorite love song is "My Romance" from Jumbo. Rogers and Hart say it all right there. What a score! Little Girl Blue was from it too which is one of my all time favorite fall out of love songs...
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