Occasionally, I will hear a song from a musical that completely captures my heart, only to discover later that it was cut. Sometimes it’s just not a good song, other times it doesn’t help propel the narrative forward.
In recent years, it hasn’t been unheard of for cast albums to include cut songs as bonus tracks. But the sad truth is, many of these songs never even make it into the public sphere. Out of the ones we do know about, I have combined a list of some of my favourites. Hopefully you discover something new to check out!
I’M READY – BONNIE AND CLYDE
Bonnie and Clyde originally had a different number in place of the showstopping “Raise A Little Hell”. The cut song is a darker version of the prison murder scene, and it explores Clyde’s unstable mental state. It also makes a stronger reference to the sexual assault Clyde endured during his time at Eastham Prison Farm. A few of the lyrics even made it into the song that replaced it.
“I’ll catch him when he’s off guard, water will turn to blood, and I will hit him so hard”
THIS RIVER BETWEEN US – BIG FISH
Big Fish flopped on Broadway, which is a shame because it had one of the most whimsical scores ever. This cut song was included as a bonus track on the cast album, and focuses on what seems like an irreconcilable relationship between a father and his son. I’ll never understand why they cut it. When Big Fish came to London they made many changes, and I personally think it greatly improved the show. One of the adjustments was re-adding this cut song. So yeah, technically this song is officially back in the show with some lyric changes (hurray!), but originally it was a cut so I’m including it.
“This river between us is selfish and cold, it flows where it wants to, it can’t be controlled”
DOOR NUMBER THREE – WAITRESS
I remember being so upset when I heard they replaced this song. Looking back, I realise that “What Baking Can Do” is a much better song for the scene. It focuses more on Jenna and the pie-making that becomes her escape from the miserable life she’s trapped in. I still have a lot of love for the cut song, but its replacement was crucial to the storyline. Plus, it will live on through Sara Bareilles’ demo album.
“The tide’s coming in, and I’m bound for a swim ,in a pair of cement shoes”
IN THE BEDROOM DOWN THE HALL – DEAR EVAN HANSEN
As I understand it, this duet between the two mothers was cut when “Anybody Have A Map” was added to the top of the show. It’s honestly a crime that Cynthia never had her own song. Personally, I would have liked to see them cut this down for a solo song and explore her grief a little more. It could have been the perfect song for her!
“In the bedroom down the hall, I think I’ll wait another day to pack these boxes, ’cause once I’m through I’m left with just one thing to do… remember“
THEN I SEE YOU AGAIN – NEWSIES
Maybe this is controversial, but I actually prefer this duet for Katherine and Jack. “Something To Believe In” is a great power ballad, but it sounds like every other romantic Disney duet. The song used during the Papermill run felt more genuine, and definitely made it a sweeter moment. We see Katherine and Jack in a more vulnerable light and the song overall had more heart to it.
“The crazy belief that tomorrow is something worth winning, keeping faith with a new beginning”
COME DOWN FROM THE TREE – ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
I first heard this song on Audra McDonald’s album, ‘How Glory Goes’. I have to admit, I don’t know this show well at all. But surely cutting such a beautiful song should be illegal? Okay, so maybe it just didn’t work for the show, I’m not sure. Nevertheless, this song absolutely hypnotised me. I’m sad to know it never made the final cut.
“Come down from the tree, it’s easy to feel afraid, and hard giving up that safe little nest you’ve made”
MORE TO THE STORY – SHREK
This is yet another song that I feel was too beautiful to cut out. I’m guessing that “Morning Person (Reprise)” replaced this one, although I could be wrong. As the song comes right after “When Words Fail”, I can only assume it was cut because they had to pick one long ballad or the other. It’s a shame we couldn’t have both! On what Fiona thought would be the happiest day of her life, she comes to the realisation that she is in fact miserable. The way she has been told the world works is all a lie. Having that character perspective from her would have enhanced the show so much.
“This is by the book, I knew it from the start, the ogre tries to hurt you, but I never knew they meant in the heart”
WRITTEN IN STONE – MULAN
Stephen Schwartz was originally signed on to compose the music and lyrics for Mulan, but somewhere down the line Dreamworks asked him to do Prince of Egypt. Disney obviously weren’t too fond of this and he was made to choose one or the other (hint: he didn’t pick Mulan). This moment in the movie would later be replaced by “Reflection”. But thankfully we can still enjoy this gorgeous song that Schwartz wrote for Mulan too.
“That’s the fate I’ll embrace, if the future that I face is unknown”
BETTER – FINDING NEVERLAND
Finding Neverland’s creative team had a real hard time trying to perfect the opening few scenes. During the pre-Broadway run this song featured, exploring a scene where Barrie’s new play has been panned by critics. This section was later adjusted for Broadway, and then changed once again for the US tour. If another production were to pop up tomorrow, we can only assume they’d change it yet again. A section of the melody did end up being reused in “All Of London Is Here Tonight”, so at least part of it survived.
“Don’t know where to begin, find a way to turn this all around, I’m letting everybody down, and that’s the last thing that I want”
TAKE THE WEIGHT – THE LIGHTNING THIEF
The Tony Awards may have ignored ‘The Lightning Thief’, but this blog will not accept such slander. No matter what your thoughts on the show, you can’t deny that the cast recording is full of certified bops. I honestly can’t comment on how well this song fits within the show, but I do enjoy it as a stand alone single. It’s a very relatable song and, from what I remember of the books, is a great song for Annabeth.
“I think I know how Atlas felt, when he got the cards that he was dealt, it seems a pretty lousy hand”
What songs do you like that never made the final cut? Let me know in the comments!