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"Song Beneath the Song"
Grey's Anatomyepisode
Episodeno.Season 7
Episode 18
Directed byTony Phelan
Written byShonda Rhimes
Featured music"Cosy in the Rocket"
"Chasing Cars"
"Breathe (2 AM)"
"How We Operate"
"Wait"
"Running on Sunshine"
"Universe & U"
"Grace"
"How to Save a Life"
"The Story"
Original air dateMarch 31, 2011(2011-03-31)
Running time43 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
←Previous
"This is How We Do It" 		Next→
"It's a Long Way Back"
Grey's Anatomyseason 7
List of episodes

"Song Beneath the Song",also known asGrey's Anatomy: The Music Event,is the eighteenth episode of theseventh seasonof the American television medical dramaGrey's Anatomy,and the 144th episode overall. It was named after a song initially performed by American singerMaria Taylor.Written by series creatorShonda Rhimesand directed byTony Phelan,it premiered onABCin the United States on March 31, 2011. It is the series's first musical episode, and features the cast performing songs previously featured within the program. It is accompanied by asoundtrack album,titledGrey's Anatomy: The Music Event,also released on March 31, 2011.

The episode revolves aroundCallie Torres(Sara Ramirez) andArizona Robbins(Jessica Capshaw), just after they are involved in a vehicular collision. Various songs are performed by the cast members, as they attempt to save the life of Torres. Rhimes originally idealized the episode at the conception of the drama, while the show remained untitled. The episode opened to polarized reviews from television critics, and it was the second most-watched program of the night. "Song Beneath the Song" was ranked in several "best and worst" lists, and the soundtrack also charted on theBillboard200.

Plot[edit]

En route to a weekend getaway, surgeonsCallie Torres(Sara Ramirez) andArizona Robbins(Jessica Capshaw) are involved in a vehicular collision, moments after Robbins proposes marriage. Torres suffers severe injuries, which endanger both her life and the life of her unborn child. She and Robbins are taken to Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital, the institute at which they both work. Their colleagues attempt to save Torres, while Robbins andMark Sloan(Eric Dane), the father of Torres's baby, stand by. Torres's many injuries include neurological trauma. While barely conscious, she hallucinates an uninjured version of herself standing beside her. The hallucinatory Torres begins to sing, and is gradually joined by the doctors treating her. This singing continues throughout the episode, as Torres's projection of herself attempts to reach out to Robbins.

Torres goes intocardiac arrestand is taken into anoperating roomshe is temporarily stabilized, pending further surgery. She is moved intointensive care,while neonatal surgeonAddison Montgomery(Kate Walsh) is flown in by helicopter in case the baby has to be delivered prematurely. Robbins and Sloan argue over Torres's treatment; Robbins believes that Torres would not risk endangering the baby, but Sloan argues for saving Torres at all costs. Theattendingsurgeons devise a treatment plan, led by trauma surgeonOwen Hunt(Kevin McKidd). As they do so, Torres dreams about the moments preceding the accident. Her dream self sings to Robbins, interspersed with shots of the hospital staff singing and dancing with their own partners. Dr.Cristina Yang(Sandra Oh) suggests treating Torres with a high-risk but potentially effectivecardiothoracic procedureshe learned from her old mentor,Preston Burke(Isaiah Washington). Her current mentor,Teddy Altman(Kim Raver), refuses to perform it, but when Torres's condition deteriorates and she is rushed back into surgery, Hunt agrees that Yang should attempt the procedure.

When Torres again goes into cardiac arrest, Montgomery delivers her daughter at twenty-three week's gestation. The baby is initially unable to breathe, so with Sloan's support, Robbins steps in and is able to revive her. Across the operating room, Torres's condition begins to improve. Once the surgery is complete, the doctors deal with their own affairs; Sloan's former partnerLexie Grey(Chyler Leigh) commits to her new relationship with residentJackson Avery(Jesse Williams); Lexie's sister,Meredith Grey(Ellen Pompeo) confesses that she was jealous of Torres's pregnancy, which prompts her husbandDerek Shepherd(Patrick Dempsey) to promise that they will have a child together; Altman tells Yang that she can no longer teach her; Sloan and Robbins bond over their shared parenthood. Later, as Robbins keeps a vigil by Torres's bedside, the hallucinatory Torres is able to rouse her recovering self. As she regains consciousness, Torres accepts Robbins's proposal.

Production[edit]

Conception[edit]

SinceGrey's Anatomybegan, series creatorShonda Rhimeshad planned to produce a musical episode. She first discussed the idea during filming of the pilot episode, when the program was as yet untitled.[1]Rhimes felt that seasons6and7were the right time for the crew to "try anything and everything [they had] always wanted to do," and explained that she "finally [had] the right idea and the right talent to make [a musical episode] happen."[2]Filming began 7-and-a-half years after Rhimes initially raised the idea.[1]The episode was shot in approximately 2 weeks.[3]Though cast member Dempsey jokingly referred to the episode asGleeM.D.,[4]Rhimes intended for it to differ from othermusical television episodes.[2]She called it the opposite of "Once More, with Feeling,"the" all-out, show-stopping, "musical episode ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer,as she aimed to "do something that was musical without being a musical."[2]

Rhimes said she had difficulty getting the network's permission. She added: "I begged the studio people. I begged the network people. I took these people to dinner and begged. I jumped out at these people in bathrooms and begged. And they all smiled politely but what they were clearly really thinking was, 'This woman is an idiot.'"[1]

Rhimes also told about delays in producing this episode:

Explaining what the heck took us so long is too complicated to go into here. There are a lot of reasons – I was busy telling other awesome stories at Seattle Grace, [...] I was raising my tiny human, my musical talent involves oboe-playing and nothing else, the network thought it was the dumbest idea they’d ever heard of and refused to do it.[1]

The script was written by Rhimes in November 2010. She centered the episode around Ramirez's character, Callie, and stated that the storyline would have developed regardless of whether it involved musical performances.[2]Sara Ramirez used the opportunity to launch their career as a singer-songwriter; an alternate version of "The Story" is included on theirdebut EP,released four days prior to the episode's premiere.[5]In this episode, Mark and Arizona improve their relationship. Capshaw said, "The traumatic circumstance leads to them having a greater understanding of each other and then appreciation, and then need for each other and desire to be in each other’s lives. They come to care, I think, for one another."[6]

Musical performances[edit]

Ramirez (pictured) was the episode's primary vocalist.

Rhimes, executive producerBetsy Beersand directorTony Phelanselected songs that had become well-known by their use inGrey's Anatomy,and chose "the most iconic ones, the ones that best suited [their] singers, and the ones that made the most sense."[2][7]The multiplecover versionsinclude the program's theme tune, "Cosy in the Rocket"byPsapp.[4]The primary vocalists are cast members Ramirez, McKidd, Leigh andChandra Wilson.[8]The soundtrack also includes "How to Save a Life"byThe Frayand "Running on Sunshine" byJesus Jackson,performed as ensemble pieces by Ramirez, McKidd, Leigh,Daniel Sunjata,Scott Foley,Ellen Pompeo,Justin Chambers,Raver, Dane, and Capshaw.[7][9]Ramirez, McKidd and Wilson also perform together onSnow Patrol's "Chasing Cars."[4]Ramirez is the lead vocalist on "The Story"byBrandi Carlile,[7]and "Grace" byKate Havnevik,which also features the other female cast members, including Leigh andSarah Drewon the chorus.[4][9]Capshaw duets with Ramirez onKT Tunstall's "Universe & U."[7]Wilson is the lead vocalist on "Wait" byGet Set Go,McKidd on "How We Operate"byGomez,and Leigh onAnna Nalick's "Breathe (2 AM)."[7][9]

When it first came up I was nervous, but at the same time I was just thinking, 'Hey, this is a really great opportunity for me to actually explore this side of me and be able to just let that go and have fun and know that I'm in a very safe and encouraging environment.' I was and I did and I had such a wonderful time.

Chyler Leigh's impressions on singing for the episode[10]

Leigh said that some actors were not "excited" about singing but still could participate in the episode.[11]"There were certain ways in which the scenes were written, even if there was a song in there, that perhaps a line was spoken instead of sung," she said.[11]

A vocal coach was enlisted to help the cast.[10]Music director Chris Horvath was recruited to arrange the selected songs for the cast. The arrangements took around two months, with vocals recorded over four days in February 2011.[7][12]Horvath praised the cast's response to the episode, noting that only four performers had "serious vocal talent," while some had "barely sung in the shower" before.[7]Those with professional singing experience include Ramirez, who won aTony Awardfor their role in the musicalSpamalot,and Wilson, who appeared in theBroadwayproduction ofCaroline, or Change.[7]Cast members' reactions toward the episode varied. Pompeo initially deemed the idea "crazy," but changed her mind following the first read-through.[4]Recurring cast member Sunjata stated that singing was "a bit out of [his] comfort zone," but found it an "interesting challenge,"[13]and McKidd deemed it "very exciting to do something that's completely out on a limb for the show."[12]

Reception[edit]

Pre-broadcast commentary[edit]

Critical response prior to broadcast was mixed.TVLine'sMichael Ausielloassessed that the episode would "either be a show-stopping triumph or a spectacular failure," with no possible middle ground.[14]William Keck ofTV Guideinitially had "serious doubts," which were allayed by a visit to the set, during which he listened to the soundtrack. Keck likened it to the "much-beloved early seasons ofGrey's,when music played a vital role on the show. "[4]Entertainment Weekly'sDan Snierson predicted heavy use ofAuto Tune,[15]though fellowEWwriter Jennifer Armstrong was optimistic that the episode would be a success, commenting: "I have faith. I like musicals, I likeGrey's.I'm rooting for this to work. "[16]

Ratings[edit]

During its original broadcast, "Song Beneath the Song" was watched by an average of 13.09 million American viewers. It attained a 4.9/13Nielsen rating/sharein the18–49 demographic,making it the second highest-rated program of the night, behind onlyAmerican Idolon theFoxnetwork. The rating was the second-highest of the seventh season until that point, and a 30% increase from the previous episode, "This is How We Do It," which was watched by 2.4 million fewer viewers.[17]

In Canada, where the episode also aired on March 31, 2011, it was watched by 3.18 million viewers. Viewership again increased on "This is How We Do It," which attained 2.63 million viewers. However, while the preceding episode was the most-viewed scripted show for the week of its original broadcast, "Song Beneath the Song" ranked second, behindThe Big Bang Theory.[18][19]

Post-broadcast commentary[edit]

Following the first minutes of the drama, reactions onTwitterwere polarized.[20]Nicole Golden fromTV Fanaticgave the episode 4.5 stars out of 5.0. She found that "overall, the concept worked since music really has always played a big part in the show. Some songs were more appropriate and/or better performed than others, though." She also wrote the concept worked in part because it was new but noted "the format would probably not have the same effect if used in future episodes."[21]Even thoughBoston Herald's critic Mark Perigard was not a fan of the concept, saying "theGrey's Anatomyevent proved how tricky it is for an established show, especially a drama, to pull off a musical episode, "he did like several actors' performances. He wrote:"Chandra WilsonandChyler Leigh(whom I never have anything good to say about) delivered some impressive vocal work.Eric Danedid some of his best acting of his career last night as an anxious father-to-be terrified he would lose his best friend. "[22]Lyneka Little ofThe Wall Street Journalwrote, "IfGleeandERhad a baby it would be tonight’s episode of the medical dramaGrey’s Anatomytitled 'Song Beneath the Song'. "[20]In his review of the episodeAlan SepinwallofHitFixwrote "LikeGrey's Anatomyas a whole, some parts were unintentionally silly, others were surprisingly powerful, and it was rarely dull, at least. "[23]

Patrick Dempseyadmitted that the musical episode might not have been showrunnerShonda Rhimes's best idea. He explained: "It's very difficult to keep it fresh when you're doing 24 episodes a year. Shonda Rhimes has a lot of ideas, and she is in a position where she can take more chances. Sometimes that works, sometimes it does not. Last year we had the singing episode, which I think was a big mistake. But you have to try."[24]

Accolades[edit]

In 2011, the episode was ranked #19 on theTV Guide Networkspecial,25 Biggest TV Blunders 2.[25]It was included inTV Guide's list "The Worst Of 2011" saying, "Sara Ramirez has powerhouse pipes, but what this episode desperately needed was a better playlist."[26]BuddyTV,however, ranked it #43 on its list of 2011's 50 Best TV Episodes and it also appeared onDigital Spy's shortlist of "TV's Best Musical Episodes."[27][28]Supervising Music Editor Jennifer Barak and Music Editors Carli Barber and Jessica Harrison were nominated in the Best Sound Editing: Short Form Musical in Television category at the 2012Golden Reel Awardsfor their work on the episode.[29]

Soundtrack[edit]

Grey's Anatomy: The Music Event
Soundtrack albumby
Grey's AnatomyCast
ReleasedMarch 31, 2011(2011-03-31)
RecordedFebruary 2011
Length35:48

Track listing[edit]

[30]

No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Chasing Cars"(Original bySnow Patrol)Gary LightbodySara Ramirez,Kevin McKidd,Chandra Wilson4:11
2."Breathe"(Original byAnna Nalick)Anna NalickChyler Leigh4:36
3."How We Operate"(Original byGomez)Ben OttewellKevin McKidd4:30
4."Wait" (Original byGet Set Go)Chandra Wilson,Sarah Drew,Chyler Leigh3:22
5."Runnin' on Sunshine" (Original byJesus Jackson)Norman Cook,Roland ClarkSara Ramirez,Daniel Sunjata,Kevin McKidd,Scott Foley,Justin Chambers,Chandra Wilson,Jessica Capshaw,Kim Raver,Chyler Leigh,Ellen Pompeo,and Patrick Dempsey4:05
6."Universe & U"(Original byKT Tunstall)Tunstall, PleasureSara Ramirez, Jessica Capshaw4:05
7."Grace" (Original byKate Havnevik)Kate HavnevikSara Ramirez, Sarah Drew, Chyler Leigh3:45
8."How to Save a Life"(Original byThe Fray)Isaac Slade, Joe KingKevin McKidd, Kim Raver, Ellen Pompeo,Eric Dane,Chyler Leigh, Jessica Capshaw, Sara Ramirez, Chandra Wilson, Sarah Drew, Justin Chambers, Kate Walsh3:46
9."The Story"(Original byBrandi Carlile)Phil HanserothSara Ramirez3:28

Chart history[edit]

Grey's Anatomy: The Music Eventdebuted at #24 on theBillboard200,with 19,000 copies sold.[31]It reached #2 on the U.S. Soundtracks chart, and was #5 on theIndependent Albumchart.[32]"The Story" entered theBillboardHot 100singles chart at #69,[33]and theCanadian Hot 100at #72.[34]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcdRhimes, Shonda(March 31, 2011)."Shonda Rhimes on" Song Beneath The Song "..."Grey Matter.ABC.Archived fromthe originalon April 7, 2011.RetrievedApril 12,2011.
  2. ^abcdeAbrams, Natalie (November 22, 2010)."Exclusive: Shonda Rhimes Reveals Grey's Anatomy Musical Details".TV Guide.Archivedfrom the original on March 12, 2011.RetrievedMarch 25,2011.
  3. ^Spiegelman, Ian (March 30, 2011)."Exclusive: James Pickens Jr. on the" Tedious "Filming of the Grey's Anatomy Musical Episode".Wetpaint.The Cambio Network.Archivedfrom the original on August 30, 2011.RetrievedOctober 8,2012.
  4. ^abcdefKeck, William (February 28, 2011)."Keck's Exclusives: Grey's Musical Goes Back to Its Roots".TV Guide.Archivedfrom the original on April 3, 2011.RetrievedMarch 26,2011.
  5. ^Lewis, Randy (March 24, 2011)."'Grey's Anatomy's' Sara Ramirez to sing on March 31 episode, release debut EP ".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on April 1, 2011.RetrievedMarch 25,2011.
  6. ^Mitovich, Matt Webb (March 25, 2011)."Grey's Anatomy: Why Did Arizona (Spoiler)? And Watch What Happens Next!".TVLine.Mail.com Media.Archivedfrom the original on March 26, 2011.RetrievedMarch 25,2011.
  7. ^abcdefghGallo, Phil (March 11, 2011)."'Grey's Anatomy' Musical Episode to Feature Cast Singing Fray, Snow Patrol ".Billboard.Prometheus Global Media.Archivedfrom the original on March 9, 2014.RetrievedMarch 25,2011.
  8. ^Ausiello, Michael(February 22, 2011)."Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Vampire Diaries, Greek, Parenthood, HIMYM, Glee and More!".TVLine.Mail.com Media.Archived fromthe originalon February 27, 2011.RetrievedMarch 25,2011.
  9. ^abcMitovich, Matt Webb; Gelman, Vlada (March 24, 2011)."For Grey's Anatomy's Lexie, Things Get 'Steamy' and 'Awkward' With the Men In Her Life".TVLine.Mail.com Media.Archivedfrom the original on March 25, 2011.RetrievedMarch 25,2011.
  10. ^abHuver, Scott (March 25, 2011)."Exclusive: Chyler Leigh on the Grey's Anatomy Musical Episode and Stalking Sara Ramirez".Wetpaint.The Cambio Network.Archivedfrom the original on August 24, 2011.RetrievedJune 20,2012.
  11. ^abMonez, Mindy (March 30, 2011)."Chyler Leigh on Grey's Anatomy's Musical Episode: 'This Is So Not About Glee'".The Telefile Blog.Television Without Pity.Archived fromthe originalon September 22, 2012.RetrievedJune 20,2012.
  12. ^abMitovich, Matt Webb (February 2, 2011)."Grey's Anatomy's Kevin McKidd Previews 'Trouble Ahead' For Owen and Cristina".TVLine.Mail.com Media.Archivedfrom the original on February 5, 2011.RetrievedMarch 25,2011.
  13. ^Ausiello, Michael(March 8, 2011)."Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Fringe, House, Grey's Anatomy, True Blood, Glee and More!".TVLine.Mail.com Media.Archivedfrom the original on March 12, 2011.RetrievedMarch 25,2011.
  14. ^Ausiello, Michael(January 25, 2011)."Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on House, The Office, Glee, NCIS, 90210, Bones and More!".TVLine.Mail.com Media.Archivedfrom the original on January 9, 2012.RetrievedMarch 25,2011.
  15. ^Snierson, Dan (December 3, 2010)."Dan Snierson's Hit List".Entertainment Weekly.Time, Inc.Archived fromthe originalon October 21, 2012.RetrievedMarch 23,2011.
  16. ^Armstrong, Jennifer (March 25, 2011)."'Grey's Anatomy' recap: Trials and Tribulations ".Entertainment Weekly.Time, Inc.Archivedfrom the original on April 15, 2011.RetrievedMarch 26,2011.
  17. ^Gorman, Bill (April 1, 2011)."TV Ratings Thursday: Rising 'American Idol' Leads Fox Win; Musical 'Grey's Anatomy' Sings; 'Mobbed' Stomps 'CSI'; 'Big Bang,' 'Rules' Hit Lows".TV by the Numbers. Archived fromthe originalon April 1, 2011.RetrievedApril 1,2011.
  18. ^"Top Programs – Total Canada (English): March 21 - March 27, 2011"(PDF).BBM Canada.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on March 10, 2012.RetrievedApril 8,2011.
  19. ^"Top Programs – Total Canada (English): March 28 - April 3, 2011"(PDF).BBM Canada.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on September 5, 2011.RetrievedApril 8,2011.
  20. ^abLittle, Lyneka (March 31, 2011)."'Grey's Anatomy,' Season 7, Episode 18, 'Song Beneath the Song': TV Recap ".The Wall Street Journal.Archivedfrom the original on December 28, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 2,2012.
  21. ^Golden, Nicole (March 31, 2011)."Grey's Anatomy Review: The Musical Episode".TV Fanatic. Archived fromthe originalon June 23, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 2,2012.
  22. ^Powers, Lindsay (April 1, 2011).""Grey's Anatomy" musical episode: critics weigh in ".Reuters.Archivedfrom the original on December 11, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 2,2012.
  23. ^Sepinwall, Alan (April 1, 2011)."Review: 'Grey's Anatomy' - 'The Song Beneath the Song': How to save a life".HitFix.Archivedfrom the original on November 17, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 2,2012.
  24. ^Thompson, Arienne (December 28, 2011)."Dempsey on 'Grey's' exit: 'Nice to have a job'Am I the only one who laughed anyone started singing? It was kinda funny in a horribly dramatic way".USA Today.Archivedfrom the original on January 8, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 2,2012.
  25. ^"25 Biggest TV Blunders 2". July 31, 2011. TV Guide Network.Grey's Anatomy: The Musical?{{cite episode}}:Missing or empty|series=(help)
  26. ^"The Worst of 2011 - Grey's Anatomy Musical Episode".TV Guide.Archivedfrom the original on January 6, 2012.RetrievedDecember 17,2011.
  27. ^"The 50 Best TV Episodes of 2011".BuddyTV.19 December 2011.Archivedfrom the original on January 7, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 14,2012.
  28. ^Morgan Jeffery, Catriona Wightman (February 24, 2010)."TV's Best Musical Episodes: Friday Fiver".Digital Spy.Archivedfrom the original on May 4, 2012.RetrievedMay 11,2012.
  29. ^"Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Awards"(PDF).Motion Picture Sound Editors.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on November 22, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 9,2012.
  30. ^"Grey's Anatomy: The Music Event".Apple.iTunes. March 31, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on April 30, 2012.RetrievedJune 24,2012.
  31. ^Kaufman, Gil (April 6, 2011)."Britney Spears' Femme Fatale Debuts At #1 On Billboard".MTV.Archived fromthe originalon April 8, 2011.RetrievedApril 7,2011.
  32. ^"Soundtracks: Week of April 16, 2011"(Note: to access peak, click the white area around the song).Billboard.Prometheus Global Media.Archivedfrom the original on January 16, 2021.RetrievedApril 8,2011.
  33. ^Trust, Gary (April 6, 2011)."Katy Perry's 'E.T.' Widens Lead Atop Hot 100".Billboard.Prometheus Global Media.Archivedfrom the original on September 15, 2020.RetrievedApril 7,2011.
  34. ^"Hot 100: Week of April 16, 2011"(Note: to access peak, click the white area around the song).Billboard.Prometheus Global Media.Archivedfrom the original on January 16, 2021.RetrievedApril 8,2011.

External links[edit]

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