To purchase the new Broadway cast recording of HAIR, click on the image above.

4. “Let the Sunshine In” from Hair

There are many songs from Hair that I love, from smaller pieces like “Frank Mills” to the famous numbers like “Aquarius” and “Good Morning, Starshine”. But this song just hits me in the gut, every time. Even when it is out of context as it was in the opening medley of the 2009 Tony Awards, it packs a punch. Seeing all of those Broadway characters come together singing the refrain of the song was pretty moving. Even there, it felt like the call to action that the song is. Of course, the song is even more moving in context, damning as it is of our “flesh failures”, our failure to fulfil our potential as human beings. Strewn with references to Shakespeare and abstract references to our very concrete flaws, this is a moment of sheer theatrical brilliance.

3. “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” from Hello, Dolly!

This song and I first became friends when I was in the chorus of a musical revue and we sang this song with local references when it came to the certain things that were mentioned in the song. In fact, I still do a double take when they sing about Yonkers in the original song. Why did I pick this song? Because it is the kind of song that makes walking down the street joyful. And, of course, I loved it when the song was sung as the hymn in the church service in Queer as Folk and when the song was referenced in Wall-E. Now, where are my hat and cane….?

2. “Try to Remember” from The Fantasticks

I knew almost nothing about The Fantasticks until a production was mounted at my university during my Honours year. I was placed as an Assistant Director on the production and also ended up doing the choreography and I had the time of my life. Now I can never forget it. Every time I hear this song, I start to well up, more and more so the older I get. It’s amazing how such tiny little things can mean so much.