Soliloquy

John Raitt

About Soliloquy

"Soliloquy" is a 1945 song composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, written for their 1945 musical Carousel, where it was introduced by John Raitt. Gordon MacRae performs the song in the 1956 film version. The now jobless carousel barker Billy Bigelow, the antihero of the musical, sings this seven-and-a-half minute song just after he has learned he is about to become a father. In it, he happily daydreams over what it would be like to be a father to a boy, but midway through the song, he realizes that it could turn out to be a girl. The song immediately becomes more tender, as he begins to like the idea. At song's end, he considers that a girl needs the very best a father can offer, and decides to get money to provide for her. It is this idea that spurs him on to help his criminal pal Jigger Craigin in committing a robbery, an act which ultimately leads to personal disaster for Billy. Frank Sinatra had recently become a father when he recorded "Soliloquy" for the first time on May 28, 1946. With the time limitation of about 3:30 on a 10" 78-rpm record his 7:57 long recording was released on Columbia's Masterwork label (the classical division) as two sides of a 12" record. 


Year:
1993
7:56
98 

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I wonder what he'll think of me
I guess he'll call me the "old man"
I guess he'll think I can lick
Every other feller's father
Well, I can!
I bet that he'll turn out to be
The spittin' image of his dad
But he'll have more common sense
Than his puddin-headed father ever had
I'll teach him to wrestle
And dive through a wave
When we go in the mornin's for our swim
His mother can teach him
The way to behave
But she won't make a sissy out o' him
Not him! Not my boy! Not Bill!

Bill, my boy Bill
I will see that he is named after me, I will.
My boy, Bill! He'll be tall
And tough as a tree, will Bill!
Like a tree he'll grow
With his head held high
And his feet planted firm on the ground
And you won't see nobody dare to try
To boss or toss him around!
No pot-bellied, baggy-eyed bully
Will boss him around.

I don't give a hang what he does
As long as he does what he likes!
He can sit on his tail
Or work on a rail
With a hammer, hammering spikes!
He can ferry a boat on a river
Or peddle a pack on his back
Or work up and down
The streets of a town
With a whip and a horse and a hack.

He can haul a scow along a canal
Run a cow around a corral
Or maybe bark for a carousel
Of course it takes talent to do that well.

Aha-ha-ha-ha!
He might be a champ of the heavyweights,
Or a feller that sells you glue,
Or President of the United States,
That'd be all right, too
His mother would like that
But he wouldn't be President if he didn't wanna be!
Not Bill!

My boy, Bill! He'll be tall
And as tough as a tree, will Bill
Like a tree he'll grow
With his head held high
And his feet planted firm on the ground
And you won't see nobody dare to try
To boss him or toss him around!
No fat-bottomed, flabby-faced,
Pot-bellied, baggy-eyed bully
Will boss him around.

And I'm hanged if he'll marry his boss' daughter
A skinny-lipped virgin with blood like water
Who'll give him a peck
And call it a kiss
And look in his eyes through a lorgnette...

Hey, why am I talkin' on like this?
My kid ain't even been born, yet!
I can see him when he's seventeen or so,
And startin' to go with a girl
I can give him lots of pointers, very sound
On the way to get 'round any girl
I can tell him
Wait a minute!
Could it be?
What the hell!
What if he is a girl?
What would I do with her?
What could I do for her?
A bum with no money!
You can have fun with a son
But you gotta be a father to a girl
She mightn't be so bad at that
A kid with ribbons in her hair!
A kind o' sweet and petite
Little tin-type of her mother!
What a pair!

My little girl
Pink and white
As peaches and cream is she
My little girl
Is half again as bright
As girls are meant to be!
Dozens of boys pursue her
Many a likely lad does what he can to woo her
From her faithful dad
She has a few
Pink and white young fellers of two or three
But my little girl
Gets hungry every night and she comes home to me!

I got to get ready before she comes!
I got to make certain that she
Won't be dragged up in slums
With a lot o' bums like me
She's got to be sheltered
In a fair hand dressed
In the best that money can buy!
I never knew how to get money,
But, I'll try, I'll try! I'll try!
I'll go out and make it or steal it
Or take it or die!

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John Raitt

John Emmett Raitt (January 29, 1917 – February 20, 2005) was an American actor and singer best known for his performances in musical theater. more »

1 fan

Written by: Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Historical Significance
"Soliloquy" is a song from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Carousel", in which John Raitt starred in the original Broadway production as the main character, Billy Bigelow.
Song Duration
The song is considerably long for a Broadway number, clocking in at around seven and a half minutes.
Storytelling Device
"Soliloquy" is notable for its role as a dramatic storytelling device. Through the song, listeners learn that Billy is expecting a child and start understanding his complex feelings about impending fatherhood.
Singing Technique
To perform "Soliloquy" effectively, a singer must have serious vocal and acting chops. The song requires significant breath control and strong singing technique due to its length, wide vocal range, and emotional narrative.
Musical Structure
"Soliloquy" has a unique structure. It starts as a joyful imagining of the fun Billy will have with his son, darkens as he grapples with the possible disappointment if he has a daughter, and shifts back to joy once he accepts the idea of having a daughter.
Raitt's Signature
Though "Soliloquy" has been covered by many male singers in subsequent productions of "Carousel", the song is closely associated with John Raitt. His powerful and emotive rendition remains a benchmark.
One-man Scene
Unusual for a musical theatre song, "Soliloquy" is essentially a one-man scene—it's only Billy that sings it and addresses the audience directly reflecting on his thoughts.
Lyric Update
While the original lyrics of "Soliloquy" reflect some antiquated gender roles, some contemporary productions update them for modern audiences.
Film Adaptation
Raitt was known to be disappointed for not being chosen for the film adaptation of “Carousel”, as the role went to Gordon MacRae instead. However, his recording of "Soliloquy" remains timeless.
Landslide of Awards
Despite his disappointment regarding the movie, John Raitt had a thriving career. His legacy includes a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a Lifetime Achievement Tony Award.

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