My mum took me to see this show in the west end when I was just a kid & this song always makes me think of her. I'm sure the original album is hidden somewhere up in my attic. I LOVE YOU MUM X
This morning I awoke with an ear worm, a song from this show that my mother took me to see nearly 40 years ago, I was 14 and so began a lifelong love of musical theatre. So pleased to have found this here today, its made a middle age man very happy indeed!
I was in a production of 'Billy' back in 2012. I played the part of Mr. Shadrack. I love how this, almost forgotten musical has so many good songs. Not only 'I Missed the Last Rainbow', but also 'Any Minute Now' and 'My Heart is Ready When You Are'.
Such a lovely song. Michael re-recorded this song (with Black and Barry) for single release on RCA backed with 'The Lady From L.A.' It was a double A side and released a couple of days after the show opened - 3rd May 1974.
Glad you enjoyed it. I didn't get to know of Michael Crawford as a singer until he was middle-aged. I posted this because it's my favourite example of his "young" voice.
I missed the last rainbow There's not one in sight It's hard to find rainbows At this time of night. I missed the last rainbow I got here too late And in between rainbows There's such a long wait. My fault I know Why am I always so slow? I've such a long way to go I should be gone. If I'm to find The world I see in my mind Then for the sake of mankind I'll rainbow on. I know that I missed the last rainbow But what if I'm wrong What if that same rainbow Stops further along. And if there's a rainbow and I'm sure there's one I'll get on that rainbow But I'll have to run. I'll get on that rainbow But I'll have to run. Music by John Barry Lyrics by Don Black Sung by Michael Crawford
I saw Billy on my first trip to London. Have been trying to track dwon the album, but the only other song I really would like to hear again is "Happy to Be Themselves." The other two best songs from the score are already on UA-cam. Thank you for posting this one.
Thank you for this, I played Arthur Crabtree in the only professional production outside of the west end. have you got any other tracks? the sound track is so hard to find.
I don't think this song is from "Billy" -- I was the harpist for the two-plus year run of the show, and I NEVER heard it before today, however, it MIGHT have been dropped during the out-of-town tryouts -- another harpist did that gig. (By the way, that's ME you hear at the beginning of "Some of Us Belong to the Stars".)
That's a strange comment, Gretchen! "I missed the Last Rainbow" was in the show from the beginning, and is heard at the crucial moment when he fails to board that London train. I can only think you've forgotten it during the passing years. Well done on that harp piece, though. :)
This was an age when acting included a huge array of factors. I have been a member of Michael's Fan club for years. I also read the book on his life. He had to work his rear-end off just to make it. Consequently, he is a legend in the world of performing....Justin Beiber is not. Michael could not simply post a video and become instantly famous. He had to work his way to the top and there were some points when he was even homeless. Songs like this and "The Colors of My Life" simply prove my point
Do you know why he left? As far as I can make out Crawford was still on board in April 1976 and the show ended sometime in July that year? Roy Castle took over the role but it seems everyone had expected to see Crawford so the audiences weren't there.
@@garethbramley1 It's been years since I read his biography, but I believe it had to do with money. He was struggling to afford a flat and he was practically homeless. I believe he left to work in upholstery until he got his next gig. It's been so long, but that might be why.
My mum took me to see this show in the west end when I was just a kid & this song always makes me think of her. I'm sure the original album is hidden somewhere up in my attic. I LOVE YOU MUM X
Beautiful. Always love your mum 💕
This morning I awoke with an ear worm, a song from this show that my mother took me to see nearly 40 years ago, I was 14 and so began a lifelong love of musical theatre. So pleased to have found this here today, its made a middle age man very happy indeed!
I was in a production of 'Billy' back in 2012. I played the part of Mr. Shadrack. I love how this, almost forgotten musical has so many good songs. Not only 'I Missed the Last Rainbow', but also 'Any Minute Now' and 'My Heart is Ready When You Are'.
Such a lovely song. Michael re-recorded this song (with Black and Barry) for single release on RCA backed with 'The Lady From L.A.'
It was a double A side and released a couple of days after the show opened - 3rd May 1974.
Thank you for putting this up! The album was played almost constantly in my childhood home and it amazes me that the musical isn't better-known.
Glad you enjoyed it. I didn't get to know of Michael Crawford as a singer until he was middle-aged. I posted this because it's my favourite example of his "young" voice.
Nice one Mary! Seeing Billy at Drury Lane is one of my enduring childhood memories.
I missed the last rainbow
There's not one in sight
It's hard to find rainbows
At this time of night.
I missed the last rainbow
I got here too late
And in between rainbows
There's such a long wait.
My fault I know
Why am I always so slow?
I've such a long way to go
I should be gone.
If I'm to find
The world I see in my mind
Then for the sake of mankind
I'll rainbow on.
I know that I missed the last rainbow
But what if I'm wrong
What if that same rainbow
Stops further along.
And if there's a rainbow
and I'm sure there's one
I'll get on that rainbow
But I'll have to run.
I'll get on that rainbow
But I'll have to run.
Music by John Barry
Lyrics by Don Black
Sung by Michael Crawford
Gretchen - definitely from Billy. I own the OCR and saw the show in London during its initial run as a visitor from the states.
I saw Billy on my first trip to London. Have been trying to track dwon the album, but the only other song I really would like to hear again is "Happy to Be Themselves." The other two best songs from the score are already on UA-cam. Thank you for posting this one.
My theme song.
Thank you for this, I played Arthur Crabtree in the only professional production outside of the west end. have you got any other tracks? the sound track is so hard to find.
I don't think this song is from "Billy" -- I was the harpist for the two-plus year run of the show, and I NEVER heard it before today, however, it MIGHT have been dropped during the out-of-town tryouts -- another harpist did that gig. (By the way, that's ME you hear at the beginning of "Some of Us Belong to the Stars".)
Definitely was from 'Billy'. It appeared near the end of the performance right before the reprise of 'Some Of Us...' and 'Ambrosia'.
That's a strange comment, Gretchen! "I missed the Last Rainbow" was in the show from the beginning, and is heard at the crucial moment when he fails to board that London train. I can only think you've forgotten it during the passing years. Well done on that harp piece, though. :)
I saw Billy at The Palace, Manchester before it moved to Drury Lane in May, 1974 and this was in it.
This was an age when acting included a huge array of factors. I have been a member of Michael's Fan club for years. I also read the book on his life. He had to work his rear-end off just to make it. Consequently, he is a legend in the world of performing....Justin Beiber is not. Michael could not simply post a video and become instantly famous. He had to work his way to the top and there were some points when he was even homeless. Songs like this and "The Colors of My Life" simply prove my point
Do you know why he left? As far as I can make out Crawford was still on board in April 1976 and the show ended sometime in July that year? Roy Castle took over the role but it seems everyone had expected to see Crawford so the audiences weren't there.
@@garethbramley1 It's been years since I read his biography, but I believe it had to do with money. He was struggling to afford a flat and he was practically homeless. I believe he left to work in upholstery until he got his next gig. It's been so long, but that might be why.