& Juliet is a 2019 coming-of-age jukebox musical. The story focuses on a “what if” scenario [Geez! Are not all Austenesque literature also “What If” scenarios?] where Juliet does not die at the end of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In it, Juliet learns Romeo has had other relationships (both F & M), so she backs out of the dual suicide, meaning only Romeo dies.
The songs included are . . .
- Larger Than Life (originally Backstreet Boys)
- I Want It That Way (originally Backstreet Boys)
- …Baby One More Time (originally Britney Spears)
- Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely (originally Backstreet Boys)
- Domino (originally Jessie J)
- Show Me Love (originally Robyn)
- Blow (originally Kesha)
- I’m Not A Girl… Not Yet A Woman (originally Britney Spears)
- Overprotected (originally Britney Spears)
- Confident (originally Demi Lovato)
- Teenage Dream/Break Free (originally Katy Perry/Ariana Grande)
- Oops!… I Did It Again (originally Britney Spears)
- I Kissed A Girl (originally Katy Perry)
- It’s My Life (originally Bon Jovi)
- Love Me Like You Do (originally Ellie Goulding)
- Since U Been Gone (originally Kelly Clarkson)
- Whataya Want From Me (originally Adam Lambert)
- One More Try (new song)
- Problem/Can’t Feel My Face (originally Ariana Grande/The Weeknd)
- That’s The Way It Is (originally Celine Dion)
- Everybody (originally Backstreet Boys)
- As Long As You Love Me (originally Backstreet Boys)
- It’s Gonna Be Me (originally NSYNC)
- Shape Of My Heart (originally Backstreet Boys)
- Stronger (originally Britney Spears)
- Fuckin’ Perfect (originally P!nk)
- Roar (originally Katy Perry)
- I Want It That Way (Reprise) (originally Backstreet Boys)
- Can’t Stop The Feeling! (originally Justin Timberlake)
- One More Try (new song)
As I did a previous post on Pride and Prejudice with Broadway tunes, I thought I might take up the challenge and follow the & Juliet‘s example with “jukebox” tunes. [I will apologize up front to our younger readers. I am OLD and will be even OLDER in September. Though you are as likely to discover Taylor Swift on my iTunes as as easily as you will find Bachman Turner Overdrive, Taylor did not fit my purpose in this post. Sorry, Swifties!] I have included a YouTube link for each song if you are unfamiliar with it or simply wish to sing along.
Let’s start with the Meryton Assembly. We all recall how Darcy snubs Elizabeth and she overhears the “barely tolerable” comment and something of her response (from the 2005 film because I enjoyed the sassiness:
And that put paid to it. I wonder who first discovered the power of poetry in driving away love?
I thought that poetry was the food of love.
Of a fine stout love, it may. But if it is only a vague inclination I’m convinced one poor sonnet will kill it stone dead.
So what do you recommend to encourage affection?
Dancing. Even if one’s partner is barely tolerable.
First, let’s have Elizabeth tell Darcy something of how he must “get with her friends” if he wants not to be so snobbish. I would adore hearing Elizabeth break out into “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls.
Yeah, I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want
So tell me what you want, what you really, really want
I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want
So tell me what you want, what you really, really want
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna
I really, really, really wanna zigazig ah
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna
I really, really, really wanna zigazig ah
If you want my future, forget my past
If you wanna get with me, better make it fast
Now don’t go wasting my precious time
Get your act together we could be just fine
If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends
Make it last forever, friendship never ends
If you wanna be my lover, you have got to give
Taking is too easy, but that’s the way it is
Yeah, I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want
So tell me what you want, what you really, really want
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna
I really, really, really wanna zigazig ah
What do you think about that, now you know how I feel
Say, you can handle my love, are you for real
I won’t be hasty, I’ll give you a try
If you really bug me then I’ll say goodbye
If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends
Make it last forever, friendship never ends
If you wanna be my lover, you have got to give
Taking is too easy, but that’s the way it is
Yeah, I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want
So tell me what you want, what you really, really want
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna . . .
To which Darcy sings “Walk Away” by the James Gang. You do recall how Keira Knightley leaves Matthew Macfadyen looking puzzled when she turns and walks away from him. When had any woman walked away from Darcy? I would NOT. [Note: The words in parentheses would replace the more modern words in yellow to fit the Regency era more appropriately.]
Taking my time
Choosin’ my line
Trying to decide what to do
Looks like my stop
Don’t wanna get off
Got myself hung up on you
Seems to me
You don’t want to talk about it
Seems to me
You just turn your pretty head and walk away
Places I’ve known
Things that I’m growin’ (you’re showing)
Don’t taste the same (make sense) without you
I got myself in
The worst mess I’ve been
And I find myself startin’ to doubt you
Seems to me
Talk all night here comes the mornin’
Seems to me
You just forget what we said and greet the day
Seems to me
You don’t wanna talk about it
Seems to me
You just turn your pretty head and walk away
I’ve got to cool myself down
Stomping around
Thinkin’ some words I can’t name ya
Meet ya half way
I got nothing to say
Still I don’t s’pose I can blame ya
Seems to me
You don’t want to talk about it
Seems to me
You just turn your pretty head and walk away
Walk away
**************************************************
Although I realize I require a few more scenes before the Netherfield ball, this post will be long enough as it is. In preparation for the ball, I can view the Bennet sisters (along with Mrs. B, for she does want her daughters to marry well) singing “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme” by ABBA.
Half-past twelve (four)
And I’m watching the late show in my flat all alone (reliving the ball with just us two)
How I hate to spend the evening on my own
Autumn winds
Blowing outside the window as I look around the room
And it makes me so depressed to see the gloom
There’s not a soul out there
No one to hear my prayer
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away?
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Take me through the darkness to the break of the day
Movie stars (Young ladies)
Find the end of the rainbow with a fortune to win
It’s so different from the world I’m living in
Tired of TV (the games)
I open the window and I gaze into the night
But there’s nothing there to see, no one in sight
There’s not a soul out there
No one to hear my prayer
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away?
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Take me through the darkness to the break of the day
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Before arriving at Netherfield ball, Elizabeth has become quite enamored with Mr. Wickham. She seeks him out among Bingley’s many guests. I have appropriately presented her Dolly Parton’s “Romeo” for this segment.
A cross between a movie star (an aristocrat)
And a hero in a book
Romeo comes struttin’ in
And everybody looks
‘Cause he’s just got that special thang
That everybody needs
And everybody wants him
But not as bad as me
Hey, Romeo, where art thou
Get out here on the floor
I want to dance you darlin’
‘Til you forget wherefore
Let’s two step to a new step
We’ll keep it all in line
And we’ll call this the Romeo
‘Cause you’re so mighty fine
Romeo, Romeo, Romeo come dance with me
That sexy little body
Beats all I’ve ever seen
I ain’t never seen a cowboy (soldier)
Look that good in jeans (Who ever was bolder)
My temperature keeps risin’
Every time we meet
I may not be in love
But let me tell you
I’m in heat
Romeo, Romeo, I just know I’ll get you yet
Romeo, Romeo, I want to be your Juliet
So step it high, step it low
Step it out and in
Step to the side and let it slide
Then steppin’ up again
Step on toes, it all goes
Steppin’ as you please
But I’m one step away from love
So don’t step out on me
Romeo, Romeo, Romeo with the magic feet
So step it high, step it low
Step it out and in
Step to the side and let it slide
Then steppin’ up again
Step on toes, it all goes
Steppin’ as you please
But I’m one step away from love
So don’t step out on me
Romeo, Romeo
I just know I’ll get you yet
Romeo, Romeo
Won’t you be my Juliet
Romeo, Romeo
Romeo, Romeo
And we all know Darcy spies on Elizabeth at the ball before he asks her to dance with him. It is not so evident with the Colin Firth version, but in the Matthew Macfadyen version we see “Darcy” following Elizabeth about the many open areas. I thought “Creeping Up on You” by Darren Hayes would be a nice touch.
One, two, one, two, three
Yeah, yeah, oh, oh
Oh, yeah
Do do do do
Creepin’ up on you is the wrong thing to do
I found your address (directions), got your phone number (know the exact house), too
Visit all the stores shops where you buy all your clothes
Been to secret places you think nobody knows
If I have to live without you
Nobody could
I need to be around you
Watchin’ you
No one else can love you like I do
Feel it when I’m creepin’ up on you
I know that it wouldn’t be right
If I stayed all night
Just to peek in on you
Creepin’ up on you
Creepin’ up on you
I been hangin’ round all the places you haunt
Spyin’ on your friends to find out what you want
Drinkin’ from the glass that you left on the bar
Follow you around drivin’ home in your car (Together, wishing on the same star)
Do I have to breathe without you?
‘Cause nobody could
I need to be around you
Watchin’ you
No one else can love you like I do
Feel it when I’m creepin’ up on you
I know that it wouldn’t be right
If I stayed all night
Just to peek in on you
Creepin’ up on you
I’m creepin’ up on you
I know this must be wrong
It can’t go on
This kind of thing
Is taking all my sanity and making me a mockery
This must be wrong
It can’t go on
So won’t somebody free me from this misery
Bring my baby closer to me, yeah
Do do do do
Do do do do
Do, yeah, oh
‘Cause no one else can love you like I do
You feel it when I’m creepin’ up on you
I know that it wouldn’t be right
If I stayed all night
Just to peek in on you
Creepin’
No one else can love you like I do
Feel it when I’m creepin’ up on you
I know that it wouldn’t be right
If I stayed all night
Just to peek in on you
Creepin’ up on you
‘Cause no one else can love you
No, no, like I do
(I know you feel it) And when I’m peekin’ in on you
Watchin’ everything you do
‘Cause no one else can love you, no, like I do
No one else should love you, no, like I do
Baby, creepin’ up on you
Watchin’ everything you do, yeah
No one else can love you, no
No one else should touch you, no
No one else can love you, touch you
Love you, be with you
No, ’till I do, oh
*******************************
When the Bingley’s house party leaves Netherfield, we find Elizabeth telling Jane not to cry, for the gentleman will return. She will remind her sister that “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” a song by The Four Seasons.
Big girls don’t cry (they don’t cry)
Big girls don’t cry (who said they don’t cry)
My girl said good-bye (my oh my)
My girl didn’t cry (I wonder why)
(Silly boy) Told my girl we had to break up
(Silly boy) Thought that she would call my bluff
(Silly boy) But she said to my surprise
Big girls don’t cry
Big girls don’t cry (they don’t cry)
Big girls don’t cry (who said they don’t cry)
Baby I was cruel (I was cruel)
Baby I’m a fool (I’m such a fool)
(Silly girl) Shame on you your Mama said
(Silly girl) Shame on you, you cried in bed
(Silly girl) Shame on you, you told a lie
Big girls do cry
Big girls don’t cry (they don’t cry)
Big girls don’t cry (that’s just an alibi)
Big girls don’t cry [repeat and fade]
Meanwhile, we view Darcy’s solemn resignation with their departure. I think the song “She” by Elvis Costello fits perfectly. (Did you not love the song in the movie “Notting Hill”?)
She may be the face I can’t forget
A trace of pleasure or regret
May be my treasure or the price I have to pay
She may be the song that summer sings
May be the chill that autumn brings
May be a hundred different things
Within the measure of a day
She may be the beauty or the beast
May be the famine or the feast
May turn each day into a Heaven or a Hell
She may be the mirror of my dreams
A smile reflected in a stream
She may not be what she may seem
Inside her shell
She, who always seems so happy in a crowd
Whose eyes can be so private and so proud
No one’s allowed to see them when they cry
She may be the love that cannot hope to last
May come to me from shadows of the past
That I remember ’til the day I die
She may be the reason I survive
The why and wherefore I’m alive
The one I’ll care for through the rough and ready years
Me, I’ll take her laughter and her tears
And make them all my souvenirs
For where she goes I’ve got to be
The meaning of my life is
She, she
Oh, she
**********************************************
Our dear couple do not meet again until they encounter each other at Hunsford. While at the piano, Elizabeth “reprimands” Darcy for not dancing at the Meryton assembly. Notice, she omitted the fact she was the only female, other than Bingley’s sisters, he asked to dance at the ball, and he had asked her to do the same at Lucas Lodge. Darcy might be a slow learner, but he does learn his lessons. LOL!
“You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear me? I will not be alarmed though your sister does play so well. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.”
“I shall not say you are mistaken,” he replied, “because you could not really believe me to entertain any design of alarming you; and I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance long enough to know that you find great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions which in fact are not your own.”
Elizabeth laughed heartily at this picture of herself, and said to Colonel Fitzwilliam, “Your cousin will give you a very pretty notion of me, and teach you not to believe a word I say. I am particularly unlucky in meeting with a person so able to expose my real character, in a part of the world where I had hoped to pass myself off with some degree of credit. Indeed, Mr. Darcy, it is very ungenerous in you to mention all that you knew to my disadvantage in Hertfordshire—and, give me leave to say, very impolitic too—for it is provoking me to retaliate, and such things may come out as will shock your relations to hear.”
“I am not afraid of you,” said he, smilingly.
“Pray let me hear what you have to accuse him of,” cried Colonel Fitzwilliam. “I should like to know how he behaves among strangers.”
“You shall hear then—but prepare yourself for something very dreadful. The first time of my ever seeing him in Hertfordshire, you must know, was at a ball—and at this ball, what do you think he did? He danced only four dances, though gentlemen were scarce; and, to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down in want of a partner. Mr. Darcy, you cannot deny the fact.”
“I had not at that time the honour of knowing any lady in the assembly beyond my own party.”
“True; and nobody can ever be introduced in a ball-room. Well, Colonel Fitzwilliam, what do I play next? My fingers wait your orders.”
“Perhaps,” said Darcy, “I should have judged better, had I sought an introduction; but I am ill-qualified to recommend myself to strangers.”
“Shall we ask your cousin the reason of this?” said Elizabeth, still addressing Colonel Fitzwilliam. “Shall we ask him why a man of sense and education, and who has lived in the world, is ill qualified to recommend himself to strangers?”
“I can answer your question,” said Fitzwilliam, “without applying to him. It is because he will not give himself the trouble.”
“I certainly have not the talent which some people possess,” said Darcy, “of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done.”
Instead of Darcy’s explanation about yada-yada, what if he broke into song instead. I am suggesting “Right Place, Wrong Time” from Dr. John. Just think of Colin Firth swiveling his hips in Mama Mia! and you will understand my thought process here.
I been in the right place
But it must have been the wrong time
I’d have said the right thing
But must have used the wrong line
I been on the right trip
But I must have used the wrong car (star)
Head is in a bad place and I wonder what it’s good for
I been in the right place
But it must have been the wrong time
My head is in a bad place
But I’m having such a good time
I’ve been running trying to get hung up in my mind
Really got to give myself a good talking to this time
Just need a little brain salad surgery
I got to que my insecurity
But I’ve been in the wrong place
But it must have been the right time
I been in the right place
But it must have been the wrong song
I been in the right vein
But it seems like a wrong arm
I been in the right world
But it seems like wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong
Slipping, dodging, sneaking, creeping, hiding out down the street
See my life shaking with every who I meet
Refried confusion is making itself clear
Wonder which way do I go to get on out of here
But I been in the right place
But it must have been the wrong time
I’d have said the right thing
But I must have used the wrong line
I took the right road
But I must have took a wrong turn
I took a right move
But I made it at the wrong time
I was in the right trip
But I made it in the wrong car (it was too far)
Head is in a good place, and I wonder what it’s bad for
At Rosings Park, Darcy musters up his nerve to propose to Elizabeth. We all know such did not go so well, but what if he offered her “Colour My World” from Chicago instead. [Personal note: This was my “wedding” song for one of my marriages. Love the song. The man proved to be a Wickham, not a Darcy, in more ways than one.]
As time goes on
I realize
Just what you mean
To me
And now
Now that you’re near
Promise your love
That I’ve waited to share
And dreams
Of our moments together
Color my world with hope of loving you
Okay, so Elizabeth was still blinded by her prejudice and did not fall in love as she should have. Therefore, Darcy returns to his room to rant and rave. This is the song before he decides that he should write her a letter. You all know how it is. Sometimes you must “curse your destiny” before you “plead your case.” For the “cursing” part of this story, I chose “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO). I warned you there were more than a few songs by this group in my playlist.
I met a devil woman
She took my heart away
She said, I’ve had it comin’ to me
But I wanted it that way
I think that any love is good lovin’
So I took what I could get, mmh
Oooh, oooh she looked at me with big brown eyes
And said,
You ain’t seen nothin’ yet
B-b-b-baby, you just ain’t seen n-n-nothin’ yet
Here’s something that you never gonna forget
B-b-b-baby, you just ain’t seen n-n-nothin’ yet
“Nothin’ yet
You ain’t been around
That’s what they told me”
And now I’m feelin’ better
‘Cause I found out for sure
She took me to her doctor
And he told me of a cure
He said that any love is good love
So I took what I could get
Yes, I took what I could get
And then she looked at me with them big brown eyes
And said,
You ain’t seen nothin’ yet
B-b-b-baby, you just ain’t seen n-n-nothin’ yet
Here’s something, here’s something your never gonna forget
baby, you know, you know, you know you just ain’t seen nothin’ yet
“You need educatin’
You got to go to school”
Any love is good lovin’
So I took what I could get
Yes, I took what I could get
And then, and then, and then
She looked at me with them big brown eyes
And said,
You ain’t seen nothin’ yet
Baby, you just ain’t seen n-n-nothin’ yet
Here’s something, here’s something
Here’s something that your never gonna forget, baby
Baby, baby, baby you ain’t seen n-n-nothin’ yet
You ain’t been around
You ain’t seen nothin’ yet
That’s what she told me
She said, “I needed educatin’, go to school”
I know I ain’t seen nothin’ yet
I know I ain’t seen nothin’ yet
As this was such a pivotal point in the story, we must not forget that even after Elizabeth receives Mr. Darcy’s letter, it takes her a good number of readings before she begins to believe him. While she is still angry at him, I am offering her the song “It Ain’t Me Babe,” which was written and sung by Bob Dylan. I am sharing the Joan Baez version, for she is the one about whom Dylan wrote the song.
Go away from my window
Leave at your own chosen speed
I’m not the one you want, babe
I’m not the one you need
You say you’re lookin’ for someone
Who’s never weak but always strong
To protect you and defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door
But it ain’t me, babe
No, no, no, it ain’t me, babe
It ain’t me you’re lookin’ for, babe
Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Go lightly on the ground
I’m not the one you want, babe
I will only let you down
You say you’re lookin’ for someone
Who will promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes for you
Someone to close his heart
Someone who will die for you and more
But it ain’t me, babe
No, no, no, it ain’t me babe
It ain’t me you’re lookin’ for, babe
Go melt back in the night
Everything inside is made of stone
There’s nothing in here moving
And anyway I’m not alone
You say you’re looking for someone
Who’ll pick you up each time you fall
To gather flowers constantly
And to come each time you call
A lover for your life and nothing more
But it ain’t me, babe
No, no, no, it ain’t me, babe
It ain’t me you’re lookin’ for, babe
**********************************************
As Darcy regrets his actions and the loss of the woman he loves, we see him grieving for his mistakes. You must excuse this choice if you are not a country music fan. Yet, you see, in my home town, from the interstate, one can read a sign on the side of a building that says, “The Bar Billy Ray Cyrus …” In my humble opinion, Darcy has an “Acky, Breaky Heart.”
You can tell the world you never was my girl
You can burn my clothes up when I’m gone
Or you can tell your friends just what a fool I’ve been
And laugh and joke about me on the phone (in the hall)
You can tell my arms go back to the farm
You can tell my feet to hit the floor
Or you can tell my lips to tell my fingertips
They won’t be reaching out for you no more
But don’t tell my heart, my achy breaky heart
I just don’t think he’d understand
And if you tell my heart, my achy breaky heart
He might blow up and kill this man
Ooh
You can tell your ma I moved to Arkansas (myself to Hull)
Or you can tell your dog to bite my leg
Or tell your brother Cliff (sister Kit) who’s fist can tell my lips
He (She) never really liked me anyway
Or tell your Aunt Louise, tell anything you please
Myself already knows I’m not okay
Or you can tell my eyes to watch out for my mind
It might be walking out on me one-day
But don’t tell my heart, my achy breaky heart
I just don’t think he’d understand
And if you tell my heart, my achy breaky heart
He might blow up and kill this man
Ooh
But don’t tell my heart, my achy breaky heart
I just don’t think he’d understand
And if you tell my heart, my achy breaky heart
He might blow up and kill this man
Don’t tell my heart, my achy breaky heart
I just don’t think he’d understand
And if you tell my heart, my achy breaky heart
He might blow up and kill this man
Ooh
***************************************
So Elizabeth returns to Longbourn with a better understanding of Mr. Darcy and only Jane with whom to confide the new knowledge of Mr. Wickham. Unfortunately, Jane offers no real solution to dealing with the man, and he elopes with Lydia. In London, when questioned by the always naïve Lydia, Wickham offers her this song: “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” by The Animals.
Baby, do you understand me now
Sometimes I feel a little mad
Well, don’t you know that no-one alive
Can always be an angel
When things go wrong I seem to be bad
I’m just a soul who’s intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood
If I seem edgy, I want you to know
That I never meant to take it out on you
Life has it’s problems and I’ve got my share
And that’s one thing I never meant to do
‘Cause I love you
Baby, don’t you know I’m just human
And I’ve thoughts like any other man
And sometimes I find myself alone and regretting
Some foolish thing, some foolish thing I’ve done
But I’m just a soul who’s intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood
*********************************
The story progresses. Elizabeth goes on vaca with the Gardiners, and, by coincidence (LOL!), they end up at Pemberley. She hopes Darcy will propose a second time, but before such can occur, she receives the letter regarding Lydia’s elopement with Wickham. Elizabeth’s hopes are destroyed. On her return to Longbourn, she considers what might have been. “Insensitive” by Jann Arden expresses the pain of lost love.
How do you cool your lips after a summer’s kiss?
How do you rid the sweat after the body bliss?
How do you turn your eyes from the romantic glare?
How do you block the sound
Of a voice you’d know anywhere?
Oh, I really should have known
By the time you drove me home
By the vagueness in your eyes, your casual goodbyes
By the chill in your embrace
The expression on your face, told me
Maybe, you might have some advice to give
On how to be insensitive, insensitive, ooh, insensitive
How do you numb your skin after the warmest touch?
How do you slow your blood after the body rush?
How do you free your soul after you’ve found a friend?
How do you teach your heart
It’s a crime to fall in love again?
Oh, you probably won’t remember me
It’s probably ancient history
I’m one of the chosen few
Who went ahead and fell for you
I’m out of vogue, I’m out of touch
I fell too fast, I feel too much
I thought that you might have some advice to give
On how to be insensitive
Oh, I really should have known
By the time you drove me home
By the vagueness in your eyes, your casual goodbyes
By the chill in your embrace
The expression on your face that told me
Maybe, you might have some advice to give
On how to be insensitive (how to be)
Insensitive (how to be)
Insensitive (how to be)
**************************************
Back at Longbourn, the Bennets are miraculously saved by their “Uncle Gardiner.” Eventually, Darcy confesses his perfidy to Bingley. In convincing his friend to return to Jane Bennet, Darcy tells him, “You ain’t got nothing if you ain’t got love.” Cue Michael Bolton, please.
You can live your life on the edge of your seat
You can take your place down on easy street
Or just lose your mind
Over things only money can but
But it’s a fact of life no matter what you do
Every stake ya claim, every dream come true
Down deep inside these kinda things never satisfy
Oh love is the precious thing
Set ya free and give your heart the wings, to fly
Love is the living dream
Callin’ your name
Tellin’ you somethin’ ’cause you
Ain’t got nothin’ if you ain’t got love
Ain’t got nothin’ if you ain’t got love
You can conquer the world but it’s never enough
Because you ain’t got nothin’ if you ain’t got love
You can carry the flame across the finish line
You can sign your name in the sands of time
But fortune and fame, they’re just things that ya leave behind
Well you think you got the world in the palm of your hand
But there’s one thing missin’ in your promised land
It’s a thing called love, the one thing that your heart demands
Oh love is the rhythm of life
In your soul is where the secret lies
When love is lookin’ through your eyes
Every feelin’ inside
Is tellin’ you somethin’
Ain’t got nothin’ if you ain’t got love
Ain’t got nothin’ if you ain’t got love
You can conquer the world but it’s never enough
Because you ain’t got nothin’ if you ain’t got love
You can chase your dreams down the yellow brick road
Sail full steam down the river of gold
If you ever get it all ya never get enough
‘Cause you ain’t got nothin’ if you ain’t got love
Oh love is the precious thing
Set you free and give your heart the wings, to fly
Callin’ your name, ooh
Before he can manage a proper proposal, Bingley chickens out and leaves as quickly as he arrived. Elizabeth says she is sorry Mr. Bingley did not speak his promise to Jane. However, Jane heard something the others did not. She has decided, Mr. Bingley came for her, and she tells Elizabeth, “It’s Gonna Be Me.” I had to add a bit on NSYNC to this tale.
It’s gonna be me
Ooh, yeah
You might been hurt, babe
That ain’t no lie
You’ve seen them all come and go, oh
I remember you told me
That it made you believe in
No man, no cry
Maybe that’s why
Every little thing I do
Never seems enough for you
You don’t want to lose it again
But I’m not like them
Baby, when you finally
Get to love somebody
Guess what
It’s gonna be me
You’ve got no choice, babe
But to move on, and you know
There ain’t no time to waste
You’re just too blind to see
But in the end, ya know it’s gonna be me
You can’t deny
So just tell me why
Every little thing I do
Never seems enough for you
You don’t want to lose it again
But I’m not like them
Baby, when you finally
Get to love somebody (somebody)
Guess what (guess what)
It’s gonna be me
It’s gonna be me
Ooh, yeah yeah
There comes a day
When I’ll be the one, you’ll see
It’s gonna gonna gonna gonna
It’s gonna be me
All that I do is not enough for you
I don’t want to lose it
But I’m not like that
When finally (finally)
You get to love
Guess what? (guess what?)
It’s gonna be me
Every little thing I do
Never seems enough for you (for you, babe)
You don’t want to lose it again (don’t want to lose it)
But I’m not like them
Baby, when you finally
Get to love somebody (love)
Guess what (guess what)
It’s gonna be me
Every little thing I do
Never seems enough for you
You don’t want to lose it again (don’t want to lose it)
But I’m not like them
Baby, when you finally (baby, when you finally)
Get to love somebody
Guess what (guess what)
It’s gonna be me
Bingley finally realizes he was a doofus and returns to propose. He woos Jane with “Sometimes When We Touch” by Dan Hill. [It was another wedding song for me. Geez! I cannot get it right!]
You ask me if I love you
And I choke on my reply
I’d rather hurt you, honestly
Than mislead you with a lie
And who am I to judge you
On what you say or do?
I’m only just beginning
To see the real you
And sometimes when we touch
The honesty’s too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you ’til I die
‘Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you
‘Til the fear in me subsides
Romance and all its strategy
Leaves me battling with my pride
But through the insecurity
Some tenderness survives
I’m just another writer
Still trapped within my truth
A hesitant prize fighter
Still trapped within my youth
Sometimes when we touch
The honesty’s too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you ’til I die
‘Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you
‘Til the fear in me subsides
At times I’d like to break you
And drive you to your knees
At times I’d like to break through
And hold you endlessly
At times I understand you
And I know how hard you’ve tried
I’ve watched while love commands you
And I’ve watched love pass you by
At times I think we’re drifters
Still searching for a friend
A brother or a sister
But then the passion flares again
And sometimes when we touch
The honesty’s too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you ’til I die
‘Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you
‘Til the fear in me subsides
Elizabeth is happy for Jane, but still miserable for Darcy says he will return to London. That evening she blows out the candle (in the 2005 movie, not the book) and lies awake, while Jane sleeps beside her. I am thinking “Sleeping Single in a Double Bed” by Barbara Mandrell might be appropriate. I am a WV girl by birth, so I must add a bit more country music to the mix.
Sleeping single in a double bed
Thinking over things I wish I’d said
I should have held you but I let you go
Now I’m the one sleeping all alone, oh
Sleeping single in a double bed
Tossing, turning trying to forget
I could be lying with you instead
I’m sleeping single in a double bed
I’d pour me a drink, but I’d only be sorry
‘Cause drinking doubles alone don’t make it a party
Another sleepless night and it’s the same old story
When you’re the only one at two in the morning
I’m sleeping single in a double bed
Thinking over things I wish I’d said
I should have held you but I let you go
Now I’m the one sleeping all alone
Sleeping single in a double bed
Tossing, turning trying to forget
I could be lying with you instead
I’m sleeping single in a double bed
Yet, we all know Darcy cannot stay away from Elizabeth for long. He returns with hope in his heart after hearing Lady Catherine’s declaration that he cannot marry Elizabeth Bennet. “Will You Still Love Me?” by Chicago is the song.
Take me as I am, put your hand in mine now and forever
Darling here I stand, stand before you now deep inside I always knew
It was you, you and me, two hearts drawn together bound by destiny
It was you and you for me, every road leads to your door
Every step I take forever more
Just say you’ll love me for the rest of your life
I gotta lot of love and I don’t want to let go
Will you still love me for the rest of my life?
‘Cause I can’t go on, no I can’t go on
I can’t go on if I’m on my own
Take me as I am, put your heart in mine, stay with me forever
‘Cause I am just a man who never understood, I never had a thing to prove
There was you you and me then it all came clear so suddenly
How close to you that I wanna be
Just say you’ll love me for the rest of your life
I gotta lot of love and I don’t want to let go
Will you still love me for the rest of my life?
‘Cause I can’t go on, no I can’t go on
I can’t go on if I’m on my own
Do you believe a love could run so strong?
Do you believe a love could pass you by?
There was no special one for me
I was the lonely one, you see
But then my heart lost all control
Now you’re all that I know
Just say you’ll love me for the rest of your life
I gotta lot of love and I don’t want to let go
Will you still love me for the rest of my life?
‘Cause I can’t go on, no I can’t go on
‘Cause I can’t go on, no I can’t go on
I can’t go on without somebody I could call my own
‘Cause I can’t go on, no I can’t go on
I can’t go on
‘Cause I can’t go on, no, I can’t go on
Elizabeth is quickly enamored with Darcy. They have a connection other couples do not. She accepts his proposal and attempts to convince her family her feelings are legitimate.
Lizzy, are you out of your senses? I thought you hated the man.
No, Papa.
He’s rich, to be sure, and you will have more fine carriages than Jane. But will that make you happy?
Have you no objection other than your belief in my indifference
None at all. We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of fellow… but that would be nothing if you really liked him.
I do like him.
Well . . .
I love him. He’s been a fool about so many things, about Jane, and others . . . but then, so have I. You see, he and I are so similar. (laughs at herself) We’ve been nonsensical! Papa, I . . .
[Her father has tears in his eyes and starts laughing, softly] You really do love him, don’t you?
Very much.
“Say Goodnight, but Not Goodbye” by Beth Nielsen Chapman seemed an appropriate choice.
Say goodnight not good-bye
You will never leave my heart behind
Like the path of a star
I’ll be anywhere you are
In the spark that lies beneath the coals
In the secret place inside your soul
Keep my light in your eyes
Say goodnight not good-bye
Don’t you fear when you dream
Waking up is never what it seems
Like a jewel buried deep
Like a promise meant to keep
You are everything you want to be
So just let your heart reach out to me
I’ll be right by your side
Say goodnight not good-bye
You are everything you want to be
So just let your heart reach out to me
Keep my light in your eyes
Say goodnight not good-bye
They are married. This last song could have been part of the second proposal, but . . . It is an oldie, but goodie, so I am adding here: “If I Was a Carpenter” by Bobbie Darren.
If I were a carpenter
And you were a lady,
Would you marry me anyway?
Would you have my baby?
If a tinker were my trade
Would you still find me,
Carrin’ the pots I made,
Followin’ behind me.
Save my love through loneliness,
Save my love for sorrow,
I’m given you my onliness,
Come give me your tomorrow.
If I worked my hands in wood,
Would you still love me?
Answer me babe, “Yes I would,
I’ll put you above me.”
If I were a miller
At a mill wheel grinding,
Would you miss your color box,
And your soft shoe shining?
If I were a carpenter
And you were a lady,
Would you marry me anyway?
Would you have my baby?
Would you marry anyway?
Would you have my baby?
Such is my attempt at creativity. Please feel free to suggest other song titles. There is a lot more story to tell.
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