History AwesomeMusic / TheHunchbackOfNotreDame

%%* Listen to the La Jolla Playhouse cast recording. Just. ''Listen.''
%%Why? As written, this is a ZeroContextExample.

* The cast recording's version of "Hellfire" deserves mention. A renowned villain song in the original movie, it is carried wonderfully by Patrick Page as Frollo and manages to get across the torment his character feels for his impure thoughts.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsl1l5HC5Dk "Tanz auf dem Seil"]] (or "Balancing Act" in English), a song exclusive to the German production, is an epic introductory song for Clopin, Esmeralda, and the gypsies of Paris. As he welcomes Esmeralda to their clan, Clopin explains to her (and to the audience) how miserable a gypsy's life is in Paris, and how they're constantly treated like the scum of the city. While the context of the song is quite sad, the music is grand and and triumphant, signifying that despite their hardships, the gypsies will stick together and face discrimination head on, and that it won't stop them from being who they are.

* "Heaven's Light" is the sweetest, most perfect love song ever written. Anyone who has ever been unpopular or different knows that feeling when someone notices you, even for a moment, and this song perfectly captures that feeling: ''knowing'' that they'll probably never love you back, but for the moment, you can hope, just a little. Even ''better'' is how it's a perfect counterpoint to "Hellfire", which follows immediately after. From gentle hope and love to fiery rage and passion.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsl1l5HC5Dk "Tanz auf dem Seil"]] (or "Balancing Act" in English), a song exclusive to the German production, is an epic introductory song for Clopin, Esmeralda, and the gypsies of Paris. As he welcomes Esmeralda to their clan, Clopin explains to her (and to the audience) how miserable a gypsy's life is in Paris, and how they're constantly treated like the scum of the city. While the context of the song is quite sad, the music is grand and and triumphant, signifying that despite their hardships, the gypsies will stick together and face discrimination head on.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzXlWG1GjVs "Esmeralda"]] is the absolutely stunning finale of the first act. All the main characters get a part and the choir/ensemble provides epic background vocals for the last part of the song, layered and ending on the 'Bells of Notre Dame' harmony.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzXlWG1GjVs "Esmeralda"]] is the absolutely stunning finale of the first act. All the main characters get a part and the choir/ensemble provides stunning background vocals for the last part of the song, layered and ending on the 'Bells of Notre Dame' harmony.

* Also from the musical, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzXlWG1GjVs&list=PLF1qb3ttH7jD0wYNtadTitWYYwT4se7Vf&index=15 "Esmeralda"]] is the absolutely stunning finale of the first act. All the main characters get a part and the choir/ensemble provides stunning background vocals for the last part of the song, layered and ending on the 'Bells of Notre Dame' harmony.

* The cast recording's version of "Hellfire" deserves mention. A renowned villain song in the original movie, it is carrieed wonderfully by Patrick Page as Frollo and manages to get across the torment his character feels for his impure thoughts.

* "Sing the bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, '''BELLS OF NOTRE DAME!!!'''" Pay attention, dear listener, to Clopin's voice toward the end of that song (particularly in its first iteration). God knows why they decided to practically drown it out with the chorus, but actor/singer Paul Kandel holds an absurdly high note (a high D, a very impressive note for a male singer to hit) perfectly for an absurdly long time. The studio cast recording version of the song also deserves mention.
** Special mention has to go to the Swedish dub, in which Mikael Grahn as Clopin [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyGYjVb_p1U absolutely nails that final note and does so with his chest voice]], being the only one of Clopin's voice actors to do so. There's also something to be said for the Swedish lyrics at the end. The Swedish word for "''bells''" is "''klockor''", so the lyric "''Sing the bells, bells, bells, bells''..." could not be directly translated. Instead the lyric goes "''Bells ring, ring, ring, ring...''", creating a really amazing effect while also putting focus on Quasimodo as the bell ringer in a more direct way than the original.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CVwYC7WrP0 "Paris Burning"]] plays in the scene immediately following "Hellfire" and perfectly embodies the fear and terror that the citizens of Paris are forced to suffer as Frollo's madness drives him to burn the city to the ground. [[{{HSQ}} The last twenty-five seconds of the track are guaranteed to require the listener to]] [[BringMyBrownPants bring their brown pants]].
** The stage version replaces "Paris Burning" with "Esmeralda", which starts out as a patriotic march as Frollo and Phoebus search through Paris for Esmeralda but it quickly turns into a passionate trio between the three lead male characters (Quasimodo, Frollo and Phoebus) as they all worry and obsess over Esmeralda.

** Special mention has to go to the Swedish dub, in which Mikael Grahn as Clopin absolutely nails that final note and does so with his chest voice, being the only one of Clopin's voice actors to do so. There's also something to be said for the Swedish lyrics at the end. The Swedish word for "''bells''" is "''klockor''", so the lyric "''Sing the bells, bells, bells, bells''..." could not be directly translated. Instead the lyric goes "''Bells ring, ring, ring, ring...''", creating a really amazing effect while also putting focus on Quasimodo as the bell ringer in a more direct way than the original.

* The cast recording's version of "Hellfire" deserves mention. A renown villain song in the original movie, Patrick Page (Frollo) carries the song wonderfully and manages to get across the tournament his character feels for his impure thoughts.

* "Made of Stone" is pure TearJerker material, but the last line, "As if I were made of stone!" contains two long notes that are nothing short of awesome. Trivia: On the cast recording? Michael Arden (Quasimodo) recorded it while being ''very'' hungover after the opening night party of ''Theatre/SpringAwakening''. Awesome professionalism indeed.

* While "Sanctuary" is about four different kinds of incredible (it's a four part piece), and "Hellfire" is without a doubt, the best villain song ever included in a Disney movie (if not any film), the real crowner here is without a doubt, "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEEpavnk7Uw God Help The Outcasts]]". The music is incredible, but the lyrics deserve special mention, as they are a deconstruction of the typical Disney IWantSong, in that a Gypsy who doesn't even believe, or doubts, in God ("I don't know if you can hear me, or if you're even there") is offering to God a more humble prayer than the Catholics there who are asking for money, fame, and glory, whereas Esmeralda simply says "I ask for nothing; I can get by. But I know so many less lucky than I." Equally heartwarming in the original movie the animated film was based on when Esmeralda gives the same prayer when she is introduced to Mary and Jesus.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pLCDnbBEk0 "God Help the Outcasts"]] Just might be the most touching song Allen Menken has ever written.

* "Made of Stone" is pure TearJerker material, but the last line, "As if I were made of stone!" contains two long notes that are nothing short of awesome.
** Trivia: On the cast recording? Michael Arden (Quasimodo) recorded it while being ''very'' hungover after the opening night party of Theatre/SpringAwakening. Awesome professionalism indeed.

** Trivia: On the cast recording? Michael Arden (Quasimodo) recorded it while being ''very'' hungover after the opening night party of [[Theatre/SpringAwakening]]. Awesome professionalism indeed.

-->Seeing life from the top of the world/Nothing needs fighting and no one needs pity/Thanks for giving this moment to me/When just for a moment things stop/Here at the top of the world!

* "Sing the bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, '''BELLS OF NOTRE DAME!!!'''" Pay attention, dear listener, to Clopin's voice toward the end of that song (particularly in its first iteration). God knows why they decided to practically drown it out with the chorus, but actor/singer Paul Kandel holds an absurdly high note (a high D, a very impressive note for a male singer to hit) perfectly for an absurdly long time.
** The studio cast recording version of the song also deserves mention.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9aQqPGlvfU Top of the World]] is a song sung by Esmeralda (later accompanied by Quasimodo and the Chorus) about how everything is so much better when she's staring down at Paris from atop the highest balcony of the Notre Dame.

%%Why? As written, this is a ZeroContextExample.

* Listen to the La Jolla Playhouse cast recording. Just. ''Listen.''

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CVwYC7WrP0 "Paris Burning"]] plays in the scene immediately following "Hellfire" and perfectly embodies the fear and terror that the citizens of Paris are forced to suffer as Frollo's madness drives him to burn the city to the ground. [[{{HSQ}} The last twenty-five seconds of the track are guaranteed to require the listener to]] [[BringMyBrownPants bring their brown pants]].

* It's a great score, but [[VillainSong "Hellfire"]] and the instrumental track "Sanctuary" take the cake. "Made of Stone" from the stage version certainly counts as well.
* "Out There". The combination of the gorgeous music, beautiful lyrics and Tom Hulce's spectacular performance makes it one of the most magnificent songs of the Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon (or any Disney film, for that matter).
** Think "Out There" is awesome in the film? [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1HKnZZg_M4 Listen to Alan Menken himself singing the demo of it—both Frollo and Quasimodo's parts]]. The WhatCouldHaveBeen concept art throughout is a nice touch too.
* ''Sing the bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, '''BELLS OF NOTRE DAME!!!''' ''
** Pay attention, dear listener, to Clopin's voice toward the end of that song (particularly in its first iteration). God knows why they decided to practically drown it out with the chorus, but actor/singer Paul Kandel holds an absurdly high note (a high D, a very impressive note for a male singer to hit) perfectly for an absurdly long time.
* While "Sanctuary" is about four different kinds of incredible (it's a four part piece), and "Hellfire" is without a doubt, the best villain song ever included in a Disney movie (if not any film), the real crowner here is without a doubt, "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEEpavnk7Uw God Help The Outcasts]]". The music is incredible, but the lyrics deserve special mention, as they are a deconstruction of the typical Disney IWantSong, in that a Gypsy who doesn't even believe, or doubts, in God ("I don't know if you can hear me, or if you're even there") is offering to God a more humble prayer than the Catholics there who are asking for money, fame, and glory, whereas Esmeralda simply says "I ask for nothing; I can get by. But I know so many less lucky than I."
** Equally heartwarming in the original movie the animated film was based on when Esmeralda gives the same prayer when she is introduced to Mary and Jesus.
* "Heaven's Light" is the sweetest, most perfect love song ever written. Anyone who has ever been unpopular or different knows that feeling when someone notices you, even for a moment, and this song perfectly captures that feeling: ''knowing'' that they'll probably never love you back, but for the moment, you can hope, just a little.
--->''I dare to dream that she/Might even care for me/And as I ring these bells tonight/My cold dark tower seems so bright,/I swear it must be heaven's light!''
** Even ''better'' is how it's a perfect counterpoint to "Hellfire", which follows immediately after. From gentle hope and love to fiery rage and passion.