Jukebox musical
Ajukebox musicalis astage musicalormusical filmin which a majority of the songs are well-knownpopular musicsongs, rather than original music.
Some jukebox musicals use a wide variety of songs, while others confine themselves to songs performed by one singer or band, or written by one songwriter. In such cases, the plot is often abiographyof the artist or artists. In other jukebox musicals, the plot is purely fictional. For musicals about a musician or musical act, some of the songs can bediegetic,meaning that they are performed within the world of the play or film. Works in which all of the music is diegetic, however, such as abiographical filmabout a singer who is at times shown performing their songs, are generally not considered jukebox musicals.[1]
Revuesthat lack a plot are also usually not described as jukebox musicals,[2]although plotless shows that include a dance element sometimes are.[3]
History[edit]
In Europe in the 17th and 18th century, many comic operas were produced thatparodiedpopular songs of the time by performing them with modified lyrics.Comédie en vaudevillesandballad operasare two genres that made heavy use of well-known melodies.The Beggar's Opera(1728), the first ballad opera and the most famous, has been called "the original jukebox musical".[4]
Films considered early examples of jukebox musicals includeAn American in Paris(1951),Singin' in the Rain(1952),Rock, Rock, Rock(1956) andRock Around the Clock(1956).
The songwriting team ofRobert WrightandGeorge Forrestpioneered the concept of musicals whose songs are derived from one composer's instrumental works, with newly-written lyrics. Some of these musicals also told the life story of that composer. Musicals and operettas that they produced in this fashion includeSong of Norway(1944, using the music ofEdvard Grieg),Magdalena: a Musical Adventure(1948, music ofHeitor Villa-Lobos), a 1949 reworking of the 1934 musicalThe Great Waltz(music ofJohann Strauss IandJohann Strauss II),Kismet(1953, music ofAlexander Borodin[2]), andAnya(1965, music ofSergei Rachmaninoff).
The origin of the phrase "jukebox musical" in its current meaning is unclear. The word "jukebox"dates to around 1939. The first documented use of" jukebox musical "in print may have been in a 1962 description of the musicalDo Re Mi,[5]but that was a musical (with original music) about a man who sells jukeboxes. In a 1964 review ofthe BeatlesfilmA Hard Day's Night,criticAndrew Sarrisdescribed that film as "theCitizen Kaneof jukebox musicals ",[6]but he too may have had a meaning in mind other than the contemporary one, since most of that film's songs were original.
Although jukebox musicals had achieved success for years (for example, the 1989 musicalBuddy: The Buddy Holly Story), a surge in popularity was led by the success ofMamma Mia!(1999), built around the music ofABBA.[7]
Types of jukebox musicals[edit]
The most common format for jukebox musicals is a show that tells the life story of a famous musician or musical group, while incorporating songs from throughout their career. Artists whose life and songs have served as the basis for a jukebox musical includePeter Allen,Susan Boyle,Shlomo Carlebach,Johnny Cash,Cher,Patsy Cline,Bobby Darin,The Drifters,EmilioandGloria Estefan,Buddy Holly,Michael Jackson(twice),Janis Joplin,Carole King,The Kinks,Fela Kuti,John Lennon,Udo Lindenberg,Bob Marley(twice),Johnny O'Keefe,The Seekers,Dusty Springfield(twice),Donna Summer,The Temptations,Tina Turner(twice),Frankie ValliandThe Four Seasons,Hank Williams,andNeil Diamond.[3]Others who have gotten similar treatment include songwriter/producersBert Berns,Berry GordyandEllie Greenwich,record producerFlorence Greenberg,and composer/songwriterNorbert Glanzberg.
For jukebox musicals with a fictional plot, one common approach is to center the plot around one or more (fictional) singers or musicians, thus letting some of the songs be performed as songs within the show. Examples of such musicals includeBoogie Nights(1998),Mamma Mia!(1999),We Will Rock You(2002),Hoy no me puedo levantar(2005),Bésame mucho, el musical(2005),Rock of Ages(2005),Daddy Cool(2006),Never Forget(2007),Viva Forever!(2012),All Out of Love(2018), andJukebox Hero(2018).
Some jukebox musicals are adaptations of a film, in which songs from the film's soundtrack are now sung by the characters; examples includeSaturday Night Fever(1998),Priscilla, Queen of the Desert(2006),Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical(2015) and the upcomingMy Best Friend's Wedding.
Some shows and films combine original and previously-released songs; it may be a matter of opinion whether these qualify as jukebox musicals. For example, the stage musicals42nd Street(1980),Five Guys Named Moe(1990),Crazy for You(1992), andXanadu(2007) are all adaptations of earlier source material that added to the original score other well-known songs written by the original songwriters. The stage musicalsThe Last Ship(2014) andStanding at the Sky's Edge(2019) and film musicalsYellow Submarine(1968) andIdlewild(2006) are all musicals that combine original and previously-recorded songs by a single artist or group. Other films that combine old and original songs includeSingin' in the Rain(1952),Trolls(2016), andCinderella(2021).
List of stage jukebox musicals[edit]
1970s[edit]
| Year | Title | Based on the music of |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Bubbling Brown Sugar | Duke Ellington,Count Basie,Cab Calloway,et al. |
| 1977 | Beatlemania | The Beatles |
| 1977 | Elvis | Elvis Presley |
| 1978 | Ain't Misbehavin' | Fats Waller |
| 1978 | Eubie! | Eubie Blake |
1980s[edit]
| Year | Title | Based on the music of |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 42nd Street | Al Dubin,Johnny Mercer,andHarry Warren |
| 1983 | Abbacadabra | ABBA |
| 1984 | Leader of the Pack | Ellie Greenwich,Jeff Barry,andPhil Spector |
| 1986 | Big Deal | Popular songs from the 1920s and 30s |
| 1987 | Hank Williams: Lost Highway | Hank Williams |
| 1989 | Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story | Buddy Holly,including many early rock "standards" |
| 1989 | Forever Plaid | Popular songs from the 1950s |
| 1989 | Return to the Forbidden Planet | 1960srock and roll |
1990s[edit]
| Year | Title | Based on the music of |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Jelly's Last Jam | Jelly Roll Morton |
| 1993 | The Who's Tommy | The Who |
| 1996 | Summer Holiday | Cliff Richard&The Shadows |
| 1997 | Boogie Nights | The 1970s |
| 1998 | Saturday Night Fever | Bee Geesand others |
| 1999 | Disco Inferno | 1970s disco |
| 1999 | Mamma Mia! | ABBA |
| 1999 | The Marvelous Wonderettes | Female vocal harmony groups of the 1950s and 1960s |
2000s[edit]
2010s[edit]
2020s[edit]
| Year | Title | Based on the music of |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | POP- Uma Volta no Tempo | Popular songs fromgirl groupsandboy bands |
| 2021 | The Drifters Girl | The Drifters |
| 2021 | Once Upon a One More Time | Britney Spears |
| 2021 | Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical | Bob Marley |
| 2021 | What's New Pussycat? | Tom Jones |
| 2021 | Je vais t'aimer | Michel Sardou |
| 2021 | MJ the Musical | Michael Jackson |
| 2022 | A Beautiful Noise | Neil Diamond |
| 2022 | The Osmonds | The Osmonds |
| 2023 | In Dreams | Roy Orbison |
| 2023 | Holidays | Madonna |
| 2023 | Hell's Kitchen | Alicia Keys |
| 2024 | Just For One Day (musical) | Live Aid |
| 2024 | Lost Without You: The Freya Ridings Musical | Freya Ridings |
| 2024 | Joyride The Musical | Roxette |
| 2024 | Here & Now | Steps |
| TBA | My Best Friend's Wedding | Burt BacharachandHal David,based on the filmMy Best Friend's Wedding |
List of jukebox musical films[edit]
- Yankee Doodle Dandy(1942), a picture dealing with the life of playwright and composerGeorge M. Cohan,and featuring many of his songs, which were among the most popular songs of their day (late 19th century – early 20th century).
- Meet Me in St. Louis(1945), featuring mostly popular songs from the earlier 20th century and three new songs written for Judy Garland.
- Till the Clouds Roll By(1946), a biopic of composerJerome Kern,featuring his songs.
- Words and Music(1948), a biopic of composerRichard Rodgersand lyricistLorenz Hart,featuring their songs.
- Easter Parade(1948), featuring a collection of songs byIrving Berlin.
- One Sunday Afternoon(1948), featuring popular songs from the earlier 20th century.
- Three Little Words(1950), a biopic of composerHarry Rubyand lyricistBert Kalmar,featuring their songs.
- Painting the Clouds with Sunshine(1951), featuring popular songs from the 1910s to 1930s.
- An American in Paris(1951), a fictionalized story based aroundGeorge Gershwin's "An American in Paris"suite. The score consists entirely of George andIra Gershwinpieces, with "American in Paris" being a recurring theme.
- Singin' in the Rain(1952), featuring popular songs from the 1920s and '30s and songs byArthur Freed,with the exception of two numbers ( "Make 'Em Laugh"and" Moses Supposes ")
- The Band Wagon(1953) shared a title withThe Band Wagon(musical),but only used three songs from the show. It featured an entirely new book byBetty ComdenandAdolph Green,written to showcase theHoward Dietz–Arthur Schwartzsongbook, including songs fromBetween the Devil,Flying Colors,and others. Only one song, "That's Entertainment!",was written for the film.
- Deep in My Heart(1954), a biopic of operetta composerSigmund Romberg,featuring his songs.
- Love Me or Leave Me(1955), featuring popular songs from the 1930s by Ruth Etting.
- Rock Around the Clock(1956), the first rock-and-roll movie musical, featuring the commercial recordings ofBill Haley and His CometsandThe Platters.
- Don't Knock the Rock(1957), another Bill Haley jukebox musical, with the commercial recordings of Haley,Little Richard,andThe Treniers.
- Hootenanny Hoot(1963), a low-budget MGM picture intended to capitalize on the folk music craze then sweeping America, featuring on-screen performances byJohnny Cash,Judy Henske,and several other folk music artists.
- Yellow Submarine(1968), based on the songs ofThe Beatles.
- Son of Dracula(1974), featuring songs fromHarry Nilsson's albumsNilsson SchmilssonandSon of Schmilsson.
- At Long Last Love(1975), based on the songs ofCole Porter.
- All That Jazz(1979), featuring popular music from the earlier 20th century.
- Can't Stop the Music(1980), featuring contemporarydiscosongs.
- The Blues Brothers(1980), featuring various popular rhythm & blues songs.
- American Pop(1981), featuring American popular music ranging from the 1900s to the present (at the time of the film's release).
- Everyone Says I Love You(1996), featuring popular music from the earlier 20th century.
- Blues Brothers 2000(1998), featuring various popular rhythm & blues songs.
- Love's Labour's Lost(2000), featuring classic Broadway songs of the 1930s.
- Moulin Rouge!(2001), featuring a variety of pop songs from various decades.
- 20 centímetros(2005), various artists, featuring a variety of pop songs from various decades.
- Happy Feet(2006), featuring a variety of pop songs from various decades.
- Idlewild(2006), featuring the songs ofOutKast.
- Romance & Cigarettes(2006), featuring mostly love themed pop-songs from the 1950s through '70s.
- Across the Universe(2007), featuring the songs ofThe Beatles.
- Stilyagi(2008), featuring Soviet rock songs from the 1970s and '80s.
- Mamma Mia!(2008), based on the musicalMamma Mia!,which is based on the songs ofABBA.
- Happy Feet Two(2011), featuring a variety of pop songs from various decades.
- Toi, moi, les autres(2011), featuring a variety of French songs.
- Rock of Ages(2012), featuring hard rock and metal songs of the 1980s, and is based on the stage musicalof the same name.
- Lovestruck: The Musical(2013), featuring various pop and dance songs of the 1980s through present.
- Sunshine on Leith(2013), based on the musicalSunshine on Leith,which is based on the songs ofThe Proclaimers.
- Jersey Boys(2014), based on the musicalJersey Boys,which is based on the music ofThe Four Seasons.
- The Book of Life(2014), featuring various pop songs.
- Walking on Sunshine(2014), featuring pop songs from the 1980s.
- Strange Magic(2015), featuring various genres and various artists.
- Trolls(2016), featuring various genres and various artists.
- Sing(2016), featuring various genres and various artists.
- Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again(2018), sequel to thefirst filmbased on the musicalMamma Mia!,which is based on the songs ofABBA.
- A Piece of My Heart(2019), based on the songs ofTomas Ledin.
- Yesterday(2019), featuring songs ofThe Beatles.
- Valley Girl(2020), featuring pop-songs from the 1980s.
- My Heart Goes Boom!(2020), based on the songs ofRaffaella Carrà.
- Trolls World Tour(2020), featuring various genres and various artists.
- Cinderella(2021), featuring various genres and various artists.
- Sing 2(2021), featuring various genres and various artists.
- Voy a pasármelo bien(2022), featuring songs ofHombres G.
- Greatest Days(2023), based on the stage musicalThe Band,which is based on the songs ofTake That.
- Trolls Band Together(2023), featuring various genres and various artists.
List of jukebox musical TV shows[edit]
- Kids Incorporated(1984-1994), featuring various genres and various artists.
- Kidd Video(1984-1985), featuring various genres and various artists.
- Lipstick on Your Collar(1993), featuring various artists from 1920 to 1960.
- Blackpool(2004), featuring various genres and various artists.
- Elvis(2005), based on the life and music ofElvis Presley.
- Viva Laughlin(2007), featuring various genres and various artists.
- Glee(2009-2015), featuring various genres and various artists.
- The Kitchen Musical(2011), featuring various pop songs.
- Smash(2012-2013), which alternates between previously recorded material and original songs.
- Beat Bugs(2016-2018), which uses differentBeatlessongs.
- Motown Magic(2018-2019), which uses differentMotownsongs.
- Soundtrack(2019-2020), featuring various genres and various artists.
- Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist(2020-21), featuring various pop songs.
Works based on concept albums[edit]
In a different category are films or stage musicals based around aconcept album,in which the story being told is not original but rather a fleshed-out version of the narrative already contained in the album. Examples include:
- The 1974 musicalSgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band on the Road,based on the 1967 albumSgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club BandbyThe Beatles
- The 1975 filmTommy,based on the 1969 albumTommybyThe Who
- The 1978 filmSgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,loosely based onSgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band on the Road,although it incorporates songs from some of the Beatles' other albums as well
- The 1982 filmPink Floyd – The Wall,based on the 1979 albumThe WallbyPink Floyd
- The 1992 musicalThe Who's Tommy,also based on the albumTommy
- The 2010 musicalAmerican Idiot,based on the 2004 albumAmerican IdiotbyGreen Day
- The 2023 musicalIllinoise,based onIllinoisbySufjan Stevens
References[edit]
- ^Brown, Mark (23 April 2013)."The Commitments to be turned into West End musical".guardian.co.uk.London:The Guardian.Retrieved26 June2013.
It will include many classic soul songs, including Mustang Sally, but most definitely will not be a "jukebox musical", said Doyle.
- ^ab"Can Critics Learn to Love the Jukebox Musical?".The New York Times.August 29, 2018.
- ^abLarson, Sarah (July 22, 2014)."LET'S ROCK: IN DEFENSE OF JUKEBOX MUSICALS".The New Yorker.
- ^Smith, Rowena (August 17, 2018)."The Beggar's Opera review – the original jukebox musical reimagined".The Guardian.
- ^Guide to the Performing Arts: 3460,Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1962, p.204,"—Kanin, Garson;his jukebox musical withPhil Silvers,Nancy Walker".
- ^Eder, Bruce (December 11, 1989)."A Hard Day's Night".The Criterion Collection.
- ^"Mamma Mia! and the Rise of the Jukebox Musical".Cheap Theater Tickets. 2 April 2012.Retrieved11 October2015.
- ^Jeff Giles (October 21, 2016)."Cheap Trick, Journey and Foreigner vets lead new 'Rock Pack' concert experience".Ultimate Classic Rock.Townsquare Media.Retrieved2018-10-18.
- ^Cyrano de BurgerShack,retrieved2021-07-15
- ^"Photo Flash: First Look At The Air Supply Musical ALL OUT OF LOVE in Manila".Broadway World.Wisdom Digital Media. 19 October 2018.Retrieved21 October2018.
- ^Katigbak, Fran (23 June 2018)."All Out of Love:Here it is, an Air Supply jukebox musical! ".Philippine Daily Inquirer.Retrieved21 October2018.
