Who Do You Think You Are? A Superstar?

The topic today at Song Lyric Sunday is to write about songs written for movies. According to estimates by industry analysts, people from 95 different countries and 82% of all Americans will be celebrating Easter this year. Armed with that information, reading the name of my post and looking at the image below, my selection for today should be an obvious one. Roll away the stone; it’s time for Jesus Christ Superstar!

The classic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar has had many different reincarnations since it premiered on Broadway in 1971 and has been made into four movies. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the 1973 film adaptation of the original Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice live musical of the same name.

*Point of interest which I will get into later. Ian Gillan from the rock group Deep Purple was slated to play Jesus in both the 1971 Broadway show and the movie in 1973; however due to his heavy recording and concert obligations with Deep Purple, he was unavailable.

The film Jesus Christ Superstar starred Ted Neely, Carl Anderson and Yvonne Elliman and, just like the Broadway musical, depicted the conflict between Judas and Jesus during the week leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. The movie was released to theaters in the US on August 15, 1973. Neeley, Anderson, and Elliman were nominated for Golden Globe Awards in 1974 for their portrayals of Jesus, Judas, and Mary Magdalene, respectively. None of them won; out of 16 various nominations, including the Academy Awards, Jesus Christ Superstar won only 3 …. “Best Soundtrack” for the British Academy Film Award; “Best Foreign Film” for the David di Donatello Award; “Best Cinematography in a Theatrical Feature Film” for the British Society of Cinematographers Award.

The movie received very mixed reviews from critics but movie-goers loved it; it was the highest-grossing musical in the US and Canada for 1973.

In the 1980 book “The Golden Turkey Awards” by Michael and Harry Medved, Ted Neeley was given “an award” for “The Worst Performance by an Actor as Jesus Christ“. Neeley went on to recreate the role of Jesus in numerous national stage tours of the rock musical. I watched the move again last night and I didn’t think he was that bad.

The obvious saving grace for the movie was the music …. the same phenomenal Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice songs used in the live musical. I bought the album soundtrack of the Broadway show after seeing the performance and played the hell out of it …. not just during Easter but all the time and not Mary Magdalene’s famous “I Don’t Know How To Love Him”, even though that is a fabulous song. My favorite song was the soliloquy “Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)”. 

If you ever attended church services or Sunday School, went to a parochial school, read the Bible, saw the famous painting by Heinrich Hofmann or watched almost any epic Bible movie on TV, you’ll remember that just before Jesus was betrayed by Judas, He and his disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. The disciples all fell asleep, leaving Jesus to pray alone. He knew what was about to happen and He was frightened, as any man in that unspeakable situation would be.

In “Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)”, Jesus asks why he has to die and even prays for a way out (“Take this cup away from me for I don’t want to taste its poison”). This “Superstar” turning point finds Jesus questioning his fate for the first and only time. At no point in this beautifully subtle song is God’s existence assessed. Jesus appears in all his human frailty …. doubtful, frightened and impressively lonely. I remember hearing over and over again in Mass how Jesus died willingly for our sins; I never believed that could possibly be true and this number from “Superstar” clearly brings that message home. Think for a moment what is being asked of him.

From the 1973 movie Jesus Christ Superstar, this is Ted Neeley with “Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say).

On April 1, 2018, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert starring John Legend in the role of Jesus premiered on American television, broadcast live on NBC on Easter Sunday evening. As a staged concert performance, it was more of an opera with minimal dialogue. Like the movie 45 years earlier, the concert was based on the Broadway musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, using the same music. I didn’t hold out much hope for this production and was prepared to hate it; it was too modern and edgy-looking, like a Dino De Laurentiis production of Pagliacci set in Las Vegas. And to top it all off, the highly unlikely Alice Cooper was cast as King Herod! Much to my complete delight, it was amazing and I was blown away by the production, the cast and John Legend in particular. It is well worth watching and you can find it streaming anywhere right now. This excellent concert is on my TV viewing line-up for tonight. BTW, Alice Cooper was perfect in the role.

From 2018’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, here is John Legend with “Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)”.

So far we’ve listened to Ted Neeley’s version from the 1973 movie and John Legend’s rendition from the 2018 concert …. two vastly different performances. But there’s still one more. *This one is and always will be my favorite …. the  original soundtrack recording of this all-time Broadway musical classic. Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan sang the role of Jesus and his interpretation set the bar for all upcoming performers. When “Superstar” was on Broadway in 1971, Deep Purple was on the top of the music world; because of Deep Purple’s commitments and schedule, Ian Gillan was not able to join the cast of the play nor appear in the 1973 film. The late Jeff Fenholt replaced Ian Gillan in the role of Jesus on Broadway and Ted Neeley replaced him in the movie and became known as the face of Jesus. (There’s some weird backstory about Fenholt being a member of Black Sabbath at one time; I say it’s bogus. He claimed he was, Sabbath said he only tried out. Google if you care to). As I told my friend Clive yesterday, “Ian Gillan will always be Jesus to me”.

From the original Broadway soundtrack, this is the unmistakable and incredible voice of rock icon Ian Gillan singing the role of Jesus. Here is “Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)”.

Lyrics

I only want to say if there is a way
Take this cup away from me
For I don’t want to taste it’s poison
Feel it burn me, I have changed
I’m not as sure as when we started

Then I was inspired now I’m sad and tired
Listen, surely I’ve exceeded expectations
Tried for three years, seems like thirty
Could you ask as much from any other man?

But if I die see the saga through and do the
Things you ask of me
Let them hate me, hit me, hurt me
Nail me to their tree
I’d wanna know, I’d wanna know, my God
I’d wanna know, I’d wanna know, my God
I’d wanna see, I’d wanna see, my God
I’d wanna see, I’d wanna see, my God

Why I should die
Would I be more noticed than
I ever was before?
Would the things I’ve said
And done matter anymore?
I’d have to know, I’d have to know, my Lord
I’d have to know, I’d have to know, my Lord
I’d have to see, I’d have to see, my Lord
I’d have to see, I’d have to see, my Lord
If I die, what would be my reward?
If I die, what would be my reward?
I’d have to know, I’d have to know, my Lord
I’d have to know, I’d have to know, my Lord

Why should I die? Oh, why should I die?
Can you show me now that I
Would not be killed in vain?
Show me just a little
Of your omnipresent brain
Show me there’s a reason for
You wanting me to die
You’re far too keen on “where” and “how”
But not so hot on “why”

Alright, I’ll die
Just watch me die see how I die
See how I die oh, watch me die
Oh, watch me die

Then I was inspired now I’m sad and tired
After all I tried for three years
Seems like ninety why then am I scared to
Finish what I started?
What you started I didn’t start it

God, thy will be done destroy your only son
I will drink your cup of poison
Nail me to your cross and break me
Bleed me, beat me, kill me, take me
Now, before I change my mind
Now, before I change my mind

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Andrew Lloyd Webber / Tim Rice
Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Thank you for joining me today. I hope all of you who are celebrating Easter today realize the fulfillment of hope, peace, joy and love from your faith.

Big thanks to Jim for hosting another week of Song Lyric Sunday.

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

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