America
Betty Wand, George Chakiris, Leonard Bernstein
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ROSALIA Puerto Rico, You lovely island . . . Island of tropical breezes. Always the pineapples growing, Always the coffee blossoms blowing . . . ANITA Puerto Rico . . . You ugly island . . . Island of tropic diseases. Always the hurricanes blowing, Always the population growing . . . And the money owing, And the babies crying, And the bullets flying. I like the island Manhattan. Smoke on your pipe and put that in! OTHERS I like to be in America! O.K. by me in America! Ev'rything free in America For a small fee in America! ROSALIA I like the city of San Juan. ANITA I know a boat you can get on. ROSALIA Hundreds of flowers in full bloom. ANITA Hundreds of people in each room! ALL Automobile in America, Chromium steel in America, Wire-spoke wheel in America, Very big deal in America! ROSALIA I'll drive a Buick through San Juan. ANITA If there's a road you can drive on. ROSALIA I'll give my cousins a free ride. ANITA How you get all of them inside? ALL Immigrant goes to America, Many hellos in America; Nobody knows in America Puerto Rico's in America! ROSALIA I'll bring a T.V. to San Juan. ANITA If there a current to turn on! ROSALIA I'll give them new washing machine. ANITA What have they got there to keep clean? ALL I like the shores of America! Comfort is yours in America! Knobs on the doors in America, Wall-to-wall floors in America! ROSALIA When I will go back to San Juan. ANITA When you will shut up and get gone? ROSALIA Everyone there will give big cheer! ANITA Everyone there will have moved here!
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Written by: Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Musical Origin"America" is a song from the musical "West Side Story," which premiered on Broadway in 1957. Leonard Bernstein composed the music, and the lyrics were written by Stephen Sondheim.
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Character RepresentationIn the musical, Latina character Anita, played by Chita Rivera in the original Broadway production, primarily performs "America."
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Cultural IdentityThe song serves as a commentary on the immigrant experience in America. It articulates the contrasts between the promise and glamour perceived in the American Dream versus the harsh realities facing new immigrants.
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Movie Adaptation"America" was featured in the 1961 film adaptation of "West Side Story" and was once again highlighted in the 2020 remake directed by Steven Spielberg.
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Award-Winning SongThe movie version of "America" won the Academy Award for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture. In the film, the song was performed by Rita Moreno who went on to win an Oscar for her portrayal of Anita.
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Choreographic AchievementsThe song and its accompanying dance sequence, choreographed by Jerome Robbins, are considered iconic in the canon of musical theatre.
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Lyric ChangesIn the original Broadway production, the song was a duet between Anita and Bernardo. However, for the 1961 film adaptation, Stephen Sondheim revised the lyrics, transforming it into a playful argument between female Puerto Rican immigrants, who defend America, and their male counterparts, expressing disillusionment with American life.
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Musical ProwessThe song features shifting tempos between 6/8 and 2/4 time, showcasing Leonard Bernstein's compositional virtuosity.
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Cross-Genre Influence"America" has been covered by numerous artists across different genres, with performances ranging from symphony orchestras to punk rock bands.
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Cultural ImpactEven decades after its initial release, the song remains culturally significant and is often used in discussions on immigration, reflecting the continuing debates about the American Dream.
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Citation
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"America Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/23262263/Leonard+Bernstein/America>.
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