Thank you for playing the full clip which adds context. Elaine Paige owns this and delivers the best version. Many talk of Barbra Streisand having the best version but in my opinion she doesn't put the same emotion into it that Elaine does.
I've seen several versions of Cats, but no one could ever match the original Elaine Paige due to the rawness in her voice. One of my fav ballads from my fav musical (and this version of Cats is my fav).
I favor Betty Buckley who opened the Broadway Cats, she IMO is as good or better than Elaine, but that is a preference. One huge difference in this song sung by both Paige and Buckley is how Buckley has not even risen totally up as she starts the "'touch me" belt line. To be bent over and hit that note is really something and I notice those things that otherwise most people miss. Many times it is these details that sets on performer from the next. Buckley also seems to carry the higher belting through more of that part of the song lines.......I think both ladies set the gold standard of how the song should be not only sung, but performed.
As an aside the lines "Touch me" and "If you touch me you'll understand what happiness is" have a quite important meaning. Throughout the Musical, the Cats touch each other a lot, and Touch is used to symbolize community and trust. Grizabella (the Cat who sings most of Memory) wasn't accepted by the other Jellicle cats, and a part of that was the refusal to touch her (at least in a kind way). By crying out to be touched, Grizabella was asking to be accepted by the group. Elaine Page is pretty much a perfect fit for Grizabella, you'll have a hard time finding someone who can pull it off better than her, but the other songs from the 1998 version also slap, if you want another somber one then I'd go for Gus the Theater Cat, but if you want something more fun, then there's Skimbleshanks, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser, and Mr.Mistofflees among others.
I wish more people would watch the stage play. The movie they made based on it was completely horrible and it's ruined this show for younger generations who never saw it as it was meant to be.
The version he’s watching here is a video production of the musical they made 15-20 years ago with the best of the best of the stage performers. It is the definitive version. The terrible film has already been forgotten..
@@HailAnts Yes. I suppose I should have said i wish more people would watch the stage play. This version specifically. I've lost count of how many times I've watched it ☺
I don't know how it's possible, but the constant wetness in Elaine's eyes is so painful to see. And the idea that "a new day" could be a burden, rather than something hopeful, just hits in the solar plexus.
Thank you for playing the full clip which adds context. Elaine Paige owns this and delivers the best version. Many talk of Barbra Streisand having the best version but in my opinion she doesn't put the same emotion into it that Elaine does.
I've seen several versions of Cats, but no one could ever match the original Elaine Paige due to the rawness in her voice. One of my fav ballads from my fav musical (and this version of Cats is my fav).
Emotion so strong w/great voice &talent"elaine a world class performer" .GOD BLESS
I favor Betty Buckley who opened the Broadway Cats, she IMO is as good or better than Elaine, but that is a preference. One huge difference in this song sung by both Paige and Buckley is how Buckley has not even risen totally up as she starts the "'touch me" belt line. To be bent over and hit that note is really something and I notice those things that otherwise most people miss. Many times it is these details that sets on performer from the next. Buckley also seems to carry the higher belting through more of that part of the song lines.......I think both ladies set the gold standard of how the song should be not only sung, but performed.
Always come back to the Elaine Paige versions. She just does this song so well.
As an aside the lines "Touch me" and "If you touch me you'll understand what happiness is" have a quite important meaning. Throughout the Musical, the Cats touch each other a lot, and Touch is used to symbolize community and trust. Grizabella (the Cat who sings most of Memory) wasn't accepted by the other Jellicle cats, and a part of that was the refusal to touch her (at least in a kind way). By crying out to be touched, Grizabella was asking to be accepted by the group.
Elaine Page is pretty much a perfect fit for Grizabella, you'll have a hard time finding someone who can pull it off better than her, but the other songs from the 1998 version also slap, if you want another somber one then I'd go for Gus the Theater Cat, but if you want something more fun, then there's Skimbleshanks, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser, and Mr.Mistofflees among others.
It's good because it was written for Miss Paige in mind, by Andrew Lloyd-Webber!
Anyone else's version is just a 'version'!!
Finally a reactor that doesn't talk through the entire thing
I always sing to Barbra Streisand's Memory..........I cry to this❤❤❤😿😿😿
This is still the best version of this song. Elaine own's this song. No one is able to deliver the emotion out of this song as good as Elaine does.
I wish more people would watch the stage play. The movie they made based on it was completely horrible and it's ruined this show for younger generations who never saw it as it was meant to be.
The version he’s watching here is a video production of the musical they made 15-20 years ago with the best of the best of the stage performers. It is the definitive version.
The terrible film has already been forgotten..
@@HailAnts Yes. I suppose I should have said i wish more people would watch the stage play. This version specifically. I've lost count of how many times I've watched it ☺
Rum Tum Tugger & Mr Mistoffoles songs are fun🙂
I don't know how it's possible, but the constant wetness in Elaine's eyes is so painful to see. And the idea that "a new day" could be a burden, rather than something hopeful, just hits in the solar plexus.
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