Camelot songs

The Camelot songs are musical numbers from the Broadway productions of Camelot (musical) and the 1967 Camelot (film).

In October 1960, Camelot first opened in Toronto, ran for a four-week engagement in Boston, and finally opened on Broadway two months later, at the Majestic Theatre on December 3, 1960, following the success of the two preview productions.

The role of Morgan Le Fey (played by M'el Dowd in 1960), singing the song "The Persuasion" (Mordred and Morgan Le Fey), was eliminated from the 1967 film and 1980 Broadway revival (based on that film).

Particular songs are described further below.

List of musical numbers

Act I "I Wonder What the King Is Doing Tonight" (Arthur) "The Simple Joys of Maidenhood" (Guenevere) "Camelot" (Arthur and Guenevere) "Follow Me" (Nimue) "C'est Moi" (Lancelot) "The Lusty Month of May" (Guenevere and Company) "Then You May Take Me To the Fair" (Guenevere, Sir Lionel, Sir Sagramore, and Sir Dinadan) "How To Handle a Woman" (Arthur) "The Jousts" (Arthur, Guenevere and Ensemble) "Before I Gaze at You Again" (Guenevere)

Act II "If Ever I Would Leave You" (Lancelot) "The Seven Deadly Virtues" (Mordred) "What Do the Simple Folk Do?" (Arthur and Guenevere) "Fie on Goodness!" (Knights) "The Persuasion" (Mordred and Morgan Le Fey) "I Loved You Once In Silence" (Guenevere) "Guenevere" (Company) "Camelot" reprise (King Arthur and Tom of Warwick)

Song: Camelot

As major roles in the 1960 Broadway play, "Arthur" and "Guenevere" perform the title song "Camelot" musing on an imaginary "always-sunny" viewpoint of the kingdom. The song was sung on Broadway by Richard Burton and in the film by Richard Harris.

Song: I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight

"I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight" is a comical song performed by "King Arthur" as he ponders about his subjects, his position as King, and his nervousness about his fast approaching wedding night.

Song: How to Handle a Woman

As a major role in the 1960 Broadway play, "King Arthur" performs the slow, pensive song "How to Handle a Woman" in reference to Guenevere. The song was sung on Broadway by Richard Burton and in the film by Richard Harris.

Song: If Ever I Would Leave You

As a major role in the 1960 Broadway play, Sir Lancelot du Lac performs the highly dramatic composition "If Ever I Would Leave You" contrasting the 4 seasons and concluding that he could never leave Guenevere.

In the part of Lancelot 1960/1961, Robert Goulet received favorable reviews, most notably for his rendition of the show-stopping romantic ballad "If Ever I Would Leave You" (that became his signature song).^[1] After Camelot's run, Goulet appeared on The Danny Thomas Show and The Ed Sullivan Show, which made him a household name among American audiences.

Aretha Franklin recorded the song for her album "Laughing on the Outside" (1962).

Sergio Franchi recorded this song for his 1963 RCA Victor Red Seal album, Broadway, I Love You.^[2]

See also

• Camelot (disambiguation).
• Spamalot - Broadway production with rhymed name.

Notes

Pop culture

In the simpsons episode Homer of Seville, Homer is able to sing "If Ever I Would Leave You" when he is lying on his back.

References

• "Always You/In Person - Robert Goulet - Music Reviews", William Ruhlmann, Allmusic, MP3.com, 2002, webpage: MP3-963-reviews.

External links

• Goulet/ Camelot songs at the Internet Movie Database.

Billboard Year-End number one albums (1956–1969) 1956: Calypso – Harry Belafonte 1957: Music from My Fair Lady – Original Cast 1958: Music from My Fair Lady – Original Cast 1959: The Music from Peter Gunn – Henry Mancini 1960: Music from The Sound of Music – Original Cast 1961: Camelot – Original Cast 1962: West Side Story – Soundtrack 1963: West Side Story – Soundtrack 1964: Music from Hello, Dolly! – Original Cast 1965: Music from Mary Poppins – Soundtrack 1966: Whipped Cream & Other Delights – Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass 1967: More of The Monkees – The Monkees 1968: Are You Experienced – The Jimi Hendrix Experience 1969: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida – Iron Butterfly Complete list (1956–1969) (1970–1989) (1990–2009) (2010–2029)