Romantic Duets for Valentine's Day

Romantic duets are one of the basic ingredients in the musical genre – which is why they have to be really good in order to stand out from the mass. A simple, dull "I love you", "I love you too" will not do. The best lovers' duets express joy and affection, and occasionally the hardships of love, without resorting to sappy lyrics riddled with clichés.

So, what else should a musical-loving blogger do on a Valentine's Day than list her Top Ten romantic musical duets? I know, right!

10. 'We Kiss in the Shadow'  

The King and I
Tuptim and Lun Tha
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Tuptim and Lun Tha have to meet in secret because Tuptim is a concubine of the King of Siam. The agony of forbidden love ensues. The lyrics aren't as memorable as some of the others on this list, but I do like the melody.

9. 'Sixteen Going On Seventeen'

The Sound of Music

Liesl and Rolf
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Alright, so this song is maybe a tiny bit depressing in hindsight, knowing what Rolf decides to do with his life in the end. I think for me, most of the appeal is in the specific performance by Charmian Carr and Daniel Truhitte in the film version (which I've linked above) rather than in the song itself, which frankly doesn't have an awful lot to say. I just love Liesl's dress and the dance in the gazebo.

8. 'A Heart Full of Love'

Les Misérables

Marius and Cosette
Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg
Lyrics by Alain Boublil and Herbert Kretzmer

I adore every bit of music that Claude-Michel Schönberg has ever composed, but even considering we're in the realm of theatre where the rules of credibility are frequently experimented with, I find myself shaking my head at Marius and Cosette who vow eternal love after literally just bumping to each other on the street for a couple of seconds.

7. 'As Long As You're Mine'

Wicked

Elphaba and Fiyero
Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Rather than a promise of eternity, Elphaba and Fiyero go for "just for this moment". I love the intro to this song, it enticingly foreshadows the passion for life and the slightly fatalistic tone of the rest of the tune.

6. 'Mountain Duet'

Chess

Florence and Anatoly
Music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
Lyrics by Tim Rice and Björn Ulvaeus

Once again we get a bit of a different angle to the traditional "love duet" because this is set in a reluctant, awkward meeting between Anatoly the Russian chess player and Florence, the assistant to his American opponent. It begins with the characters wondering what the heck they are supposed to be doing here, and then Anatoly goes "Listen, I hate to break up the mood..." And the mood really gets going from there!

5. 'I'll Cover You'

RENT

Angel and Collins
Lyrics and music by Jonathan Larson

I'm sure I've already gushed about the earnestness of Angel and Collins, the absolute joy that this song expresses, and Angel's overall awesomeness as a character. Lyrics, melody, mood, characters, I just adore the whole package.

4. 'One Hand, One Heart'

West Side Story

Tony and Maria
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

This is on a much more solemn side. So why am I pointing the finger at Marius and Cosette's sudden confessions of love but ranked Maria and Tony practically rehearsing their wedding on fourth place? Well, I think West Side Story devotes a bit more more time and explanation to the main couple's character histories and setting up the premise that their lives are lacking fulfillment which they try to patch up with an admittedly hasty commitment. The tune overall has a beautiful simplicity to it. If I ever happen to get married, I want this song at my wedding.


3. 'Come What May'

Moulin Rouge!

Christian and Satine
Music and lyrics by David Baerwald

What power there is in three short words, 'Come what may'. I never get bored of this song! Once again, the tactic of starting soft and quiet and building up to a massive power blend of two voices works wonders.

2. 'Last Night of the World'

Miss Saigon

Kim and Chris
Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg
Lyrics by Alain Boublil and Richard Maltby Jr.

Claude-Michel Schönberg does it again, there's something about this melody that makes me obsess over it. The world around Kim and Chris is dark and dangerous, but they have this lovely song. And the solo saxophone.

1. 'All I Ask Of You'

The Phantom of the Opera

Raoul and Christine
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe

There never was any debate in my mind as to which duet should be the top of the list. Out of the overall amazing score in The Phantom of the Opera, this song has always been my favourite (though Past the Point of No Return and The Music of the Night aren't far behind). As a rule, I turn into an emotional wreck as soon as 'Anywhere you go, let me go too' comes out. I'm also eternally thankful to whoever oversaw the casting of the 25th Anniversary performance because they gave us the chance to hear Sierra Boggess and Hadley Fraser sing this song to perfection. 

My favourite fictional LGBT couples

I was planning this as a celebration post, but as the cause of celebration has been significantly delayed and is facing yet another obstacle, and it happens to be the end of Pride Week, I thought I might as well post this now.

Background for non-Finns: Finland is the only Nordic country that hasn't legalized same-sex marriage and adoption. In 2013, more than 166 000 Finns signed a citizens' initiative for a new marriage law. The bill went on to the Parliament and then to the Legal Affairs Committee. Three days ago, the majority of the Committee voted against the bill, but the final decision will be made by the Parliament, hopefully this Autumn.

While the Legal Affairs Committee's decision does not yet mean a definite "no" to same-sex marriage in Finland, it is still incredibly frustrating for people like me who would love to see our country getting a move on and taking this important step towards equal rights, like so many other European countries have already done. I understand that altering the marriage law is a big enough issue that it has to be seriously discussed, and that people have very strong opinions on these matters, but I can't understand how allowing same-sex couples to get married would ruin anybody's life.

So, finally getting to the point, as this was not meant to be just a political rant post – I would like to celebrate some couples who, though fictional, are beautiful examples of the fact that love between people of the same gender is just as authentic and right as love between a man and a woman.

One last thing before I get on to my list. Like I said, I know that many people feel very strongly for and against gay rights, but I will not have a political war of words on my blog. Civilized conversation is always appreciated at Music & My Mind, but hateful comments will not be tolerated (not that I believe any of those who have regularly make comments here would do such a thing, you all seem such an intellectual bunch). My motivations behind this post are the important values of love and acceptance, and I sincerely hope that anyone who visits here will respect that.

Now let's finally give the spotlight to... my personal favourite LGBT couples from the world of fiction!


Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson (Glee)

Since Glee's fourth season the show isn't quite what it used to be, but they still get the credit for creating one of my favourite TV couples ever: Kurt and Blaine. They are both such funny and touching characters by themselves, and when they are together there's a genuine sense that they both give something to each other in their relationship. At least, before the fourth season and the weird writing (in my opinion) came along. Also, they sound great when they sing together, and are always admirably well-dressed. Especially Kurt.



Hiram and LeRoy Berry (Glee)

Hiram: LeRoy! We agreed to sing it straight! No vocal runs – that's how Jennifer Hudson got kicked off American Idol!
LeRoy: I would love to hear you sing something straight.

Misters Berry made their first appearance in the 13th episode of the third season of Glee, finally giving us the chance to meet the parents who raised (and spoiled) Rachel Berry, running their family by the principles of "honesty, respect and dance". It was worth the wait, because their introduction was one of the most entertaining scenes I have ever witnessed on TV. Jeff Goldblum and Brian Stokes Mitchell work together brilliantly, delivering a lovely, quirky version of the "old married couple" relation. (Though it's never mentioned if Hiram and LeRoy are officially married, but that's not really the point.)


Gary and Billy (Sherlock)

Billy: What with the monster and the ruddy prisoner, I don't know how we sleep nights. Do you, Gary?
Gary: Like a baby.
Billy: That's not true. He's a snorer.

These guys don't get a lot of screen time on The Hounds of Baskerville, but they're still a lot of fun to watch. And you have to give them credit for running a vegetarian restaurant in a sleepy Dartmoor village. (Why can't I find a picture of them together anywhere in the whole wide world of the Internet??)



Angel Dumott Schunard and Tom Collins (RENT)

RENT is one of my Top Ten favourite musicals, and these two are the most beautiful thing in it. Angel and Collins know how to appreciate each other, and they set an inspiring example to their friends. I'll Cover You (video above) always makes me smile and believe that there are good things in the world – until it's time for the I'll Cover You Reprise, aka tears and heart ache.



Maureen Johnson and Joanne Jefferson (RENT)

These two get into a lot of petty arguments which really is quite irritating at times. They have to see horrible things happen to their closest friends before they can look past each others' differences. But at least they do get there in the end – and when they have an argument, they do it by singing one of the most awesome female duets in the history of music. If people have to have a row, it's always better if they can sound fabulous while doing that.


Callie Torres and Erica Hahn (Grey's Anatomy)

Something odd happened with this TV romance. Apparently, some high-chair bosses didn't approve of having a lesbian couple on their show, so Erica Hahn was quickly written off the show just as she was getting happy with Callie. But then, a couple of episodes later, Callie ended up in a relationship with Arizona Robbins, who is quite clearly a woman too. Anyway, I liked Callie and Erica a lot more than Callie and Arizona. That's probably because I was a tremendous fan of Dr Hahn to begin with!



Patricia Mollison and Melly (The Casual Vacancy)

'Melly's fine, thanks for asking,' said Patricia.
'Oh, good,' said Shirley.
'I liked the invitation,' said Patricia. 'Pat and guest.'
'I'm sorry, darling, but that's just what you put, you know, when people aren't married -'
'Ah, that's what it says in Debrett's, does it? Well, Melly didn't want to come if she wasn't even named on the invitation, so we had a massive row, and here I am, alone. Result, eh?'
(from The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling)

Listing Patricia and Melly's relationship might be a bit unconventional, as only one half of this couple actually appears in the book. However, I love it how pointedly offended Patricia feels on Melly's behalf about the wording on their invitation. Besides, I wanted to include at least one couple from a literary work, and it turns out there are not an awful lot to choose from!

++ Edited on 28th Nov 2014 to mark the occasion of the Finnish Parliament voting about the legalization of gay marriage and adoption, an addition to the list:

Freddie Thornhill and Stuart Bixby (Vicious)

There isn't much that could go wrong if you cast Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi on the same TV show. Having them play a long-time couple that has fallen into the habit of displaying their mutual affection by insulting each other in the most British manner is absolute comedy gold. No matter how much Stuart pokes fun at Freddie's acting career while Freddie insists he's the "looks" in the relationship, the fact that these two have loved each other for almost 50 years is very believable and touching. It's really delightful to see an older couple with such an extensive history on TV! I'm writing this up on a train on my phone so I can't add videos, but you should all go to YouTube right now and look for the "This is Ke$ha" clip on Vicious. It's priceless. Sirs Ian and Derek just rock.

What do you think about my list? Do you know of any other inspiring, well-written LGBT couples that I haven't listed?

My pick for the 2014 Original Song Oscar winner

I have to say I know very little about the films competing for the Academy Awards this year. Last year was very exciting because Les Misérables was nominated in so many categories, and I even watched the whole awards show for the first time in my life. I haven't seen any of the mega-awards-nominated movies from this year (such as 12 Years A Slave and American Hustle), but I decided to do my research  in at least one category: the Best Original Song nominees.

So now I'm going to list all the five Original Song nominees from my least favourite choice to the one I would want to win the award – with comments that justify their placement in that order, of course. I haven't seen any of the films where these songs appear so I will judge their qualities as individual songs only, not taking into account how they function in their respective films. If you've already done your research and made your pick, see if your opinion agrees with mine! And if you haven't I'll embed videos of all the songs so you can choose your favourite now.

#5 The Moon Song from Her

The Moon Song gets the last place in my ranking because that kind of guitar-plucking, wheezy-voiced style of music never resonates with me. I'm surely not the only one who can't make anything out of half of the lyrics because they just get blurred into oblivion? And because of that, I have completely no idea what this song is even supposed to be about!

#4 Alone Yet Not Alone from Alone Yet Not Alone

Every time this song begins, I think "It's actually quite a beautiful melody." But by the time the tune rolls halfway through, I'm bored. I don't know if it's because of the lullaby-esque rendition or the fact that I can't relate to the lyrics at all, but I. Get. Bored. It's by no means a bad song, just not at all Oscar material. (and even though it has nothing to do with the song itself, I just have to wonder who on Earth, in the 21st century, makes a film that has Native American characters without hiring actual Native Americans... Seriously, the black wigs and the feathers don't trick anyone anymore)
EDIT// As of January 29th, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has disqualified "Alone Yet Not Alone" as a nominee. Composer Bruce Broughton personally contacted some members of the Academy music branch (of which he used to be the governor) during the voting period in order to get more attention for his song, which the Academy considered unethical. A replacing nominee has not been chosen.

#3 Ordinary Love from Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

This song, by the U2, doesn't awaken any thoughts in me, either positive or negative, so the middle is a good place for it. Because of this lack of feeling, I find it hard to say anything about it. I just don't quite grasp what the lyrics are trying to say. What is the definition of "ordinary love" and why is it better than "extraordinary love"?

#2 Happy from Despicable Me 2

Finally this list gets to the songs that make me say "Yeah, this is awesome!" I dare you not to tap your foot to this one. There's never too many happy songs on this planet, and Pharrell Williams has something really cool going on here. The song might be a bit too long and the lyrics get somewhat repetitive, but that instrumental background is just too infectious to resist!

And the winner should be... Let It Go from Frozen 

Alright, before I say anything else I have to admit that I might have been a little biased in this song's favour from the start. I heard and fell in love with Let It Go weeks before I knew anything about the other ones. Besides, I just happen to be in a situation in my life right now where inspirational songs like this are like chocolate. Oh, and I've been a huge fan of Idina Menzel for years. But well, no matter how many times I listen to all the Oscar nominees in different order, this one always wins. None of the others have those amazing piano runs in the gaps between the verses, and as a Finn who knows everything about the combination of cold and dark I wholeheartedly congratulate Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (the husband-and-wife team behind this song) on managing to create the winter night atmosphere right in the first few bars of the song. A great song, there's no getting over it, and it should definitely win the award. And they should definitely get Idina Menzel to sing it at the gala, that would be one bullet-proof way to bring some quality into that show. If she doesn't, I'll be sad. If they get Demi Lovato to sing her version of it, I'll roll my eyes.

What's your pick for the award winner? Are you going to watch the gala, and if so what are you most expecting to see? I'm really excited to see Ellen DeGeneres hosting the show! I know she's done it once before, but I didn't watch that year. However, I've come to realize that the clips from her show are one of the best and funniest things on Youtube, which is why I think she'll make a very entertaining hostess.