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![West Side Story: Original Soundtrack Recording](https://americanhitnetwork.com/sites/default/files/styles/show_image_700x400/public/show_images/71on03ml%2BAL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg)
West Side Story: Original Soundtrack Recording
Album #20 - October 1961
Episode date - April 3, 2024
Is “West Side Story” the best Original Soundtrack Recording of all time? Anything so subjective is arguable, but I would much rather argue in the affirmative.
How many soundtracks have a musical lineage that embodies both classical composition and contemporary hipness? How many other soundtracks have such a wealth of classic, memorable melodies that touch on doo-wop, Latin and rock and roll simultaneously? How many other lyricists could present a book that resonates with contemporary culture while maintaining the classic elements of opera?
Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim created a monster that was – and remains – unstoppable. It sat at the #1 position for 54 weeks! Over a year! The original Broadway cast recording predated the soundtrack by about two years, which could have made the movie soundtrack seem redundant. Instead, it was simply a precursor. To this day, I still laugh out loud to “Gee, Officer Krupke” and I can still be caught crying during the tragic climactic return of “Somewhere”. Every single track is a miraculous compendium of genius and although I may respect an argument to the contrary, “West Side Story” still stands as the best Original Soundtrack Recording ever. Period.
Featured tracks:
Prologue
Jet Song
Something's Coming
Dance at the Gym (Blues, Promenade, and Jump)
Maria
America
Tonight
Gee, Officer Krupke
I Feel Pretty
One Hand, One Heart
Tonight Quintet
The Rumble
Cool
A Boy Like That/I Have a Love
Somewhere (Finale)
October 1961 - Billboard Charted #1
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