I have a theory about songs that — I feel like it sounds a little self-important to say "I have a theory", as the majority of composers probably know this and write the songs intentionally this way, it's just not something I see people talking about as viewers the way we talk about "I Want" songs and "I Am" songs.
So, musicals where the first song in Act 2 is the public reaction/new status quo after the big change at the end of Act 1; and the second song in Act 2 is the character's private feelings and anxieties in regards to that public change, or to personal relationships that connect with it.
Examples:
Les Misérables: "On My Own"; Act 1 ends with the start of the revolution. Act 2 opens with building the barricade, then Eponine sings her private feelings. Anastasia: they arrive in Paris ("Paris Holds the Key to your Heart"), then Anya sings her private feelings in "Crossing a Bridge". And then her grandmother sings her private feelings in "Close the Door" (in some productions, "Crossing a Bridge" is cut). Elisabeth: Act 2 opens with "Kitsch", and then "Eljen", which sort of split the public reaction into two sides, cynical and reverent. Then — a duet this time, but with an abstract concept — Elisabeth and Death sing "Wenn Ich Tanzen Will", about Elisabeth's private anxieties (vs. what Death would have her do). Jesus Christ Superstar: "The Last Supper"/"Gethsemane" Wicked: Glinda's "Couldn't Be Happier" comes in the middle of the public "Thank Goodness". Aida: "A Step Too Far" The Lion King: "Shadowland" and "Endless Night", added for adult Nala and Simba. Sweeney Todd: "God That's Good"/"Johanna 3"
I made this Idolized Julius Kingsley icon back when Akito first came out, and now that the crossover is actually happening, I don't care.
whats up homos
A lot of the examples on this page are wrong imho. Not every song that's about wanting something is an "I Want" song. It's the song that tells us the main characters motivations before their journey starts.
If you go by songs that are just about wanting something, just about every Disney song would be an "I Want" song. But the Disney formula clearly has only one such song in the first act.
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Emphasis on "Before the journey starts"— thank you! So many of these examples need that reminder.
I have a theory about "I-want"-esque songs that are the second song in act 2, but I'll make a separate discussion. Maybe this should be a YKTTW but I'm trying not to spend too much time around here...
I made this Idolized Julius Kingsley icon back when Akito first came out, and now that the crossover is actually happening, I don't care.
I've always called this the "Song of Longing".
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