Notes about this song:

• This song is the most developed in terms of the orchestration. It’s pretty close to how I want it to sound, but I’m open to any suggestions and changes as well.

Where it fits in the show:

In the current version of the show, this song takes place towards the beginning, when the protagonist first discovers the sport wrestling.

He makes a decision that being successful at this sport will be his way of “redeeming himself” and proving to the world that he’s worthy of universal love and admiration.

It also starts the subconscious quest to win the approval of the girl he’s in love with.

Notes about this song:

• This song will be performed by a female alto vocalist. I performed it for the demo, but I think it’s best performed by someone else for the show. The key will need to be adapted and pitched up probably.

• Like all the other songs, the orchestration needs to be fleshed out. I’m not in love with the current arrangement, and I’m open to any changes. 

Where it fits in the show:

In the current version of the book, this song takes place in the middle of the show – after the protagonist has suffered a severe injury and later fails to reach his goal of becoming a State Champion.

He is feeling down and in the dumps, with his motivation at an all-time low. This song acts as a “kick in the butt” that restarts the action in the second half and gets him back on track in his quest for self-love.

Notes about this song:

• This song needs to be fully orchestrated. The instrumentation is sparse on this one so far with just vocals and piano.

• I’ll probably change the beginning of this song. Right now, it starts slow with the first verse then picks up in tempo for the first chorus. I think it’s best to change this so the whole song stays at the same faster tempo.

Where it fits in the show:

This song takes place midway through the second half of the show. It marks his discovery of a new passion – music. 

The song also represents a break from the past. Whereas his pursuit of success in wrestling was marked by the heaviness of “proving his worth”…

Music represents a new kind of freedom and passion that feels exciting and pure.

Notes about this song:

• This song is designed to be sung as a duet. In this demo, I sing both vocal parts, but it’s designed to start with a male tenor for the first verse & chorus. Then it switches to a female alto for the second verse. Then both parts will sing together from then on, just like in the demo.

• The instrumentation is sparse and needs to be fleshed out. I kind of like the overall vibe I’ve created, but it needs more instruments (I’m thinking strings in particular) to give it a dynamic flavor.

Where it fits in the show:

This song takes place towards the end of the show, after the protagonist has his most important discovery: 

That he is worthy of love just the way he is and that he’s always been worthy of love.

He looks back on the long journey that led him to that moment, with all its twists and turns, through the lens of gratitude. 

He is grateful for the “Long Way Home” and every step along the way.

Notes about this song:

• As always, I’m open to any changes to the orchestration.

• I may have a lead female vocalist sing this song. I’m not sure yet either way.

Where it fits in the show:

This song takes place at the end of the first half of the show. The hero suffers a horrible injury which leaves him feeling broken and devastated. 

The only way to survive his injury is to “hold on” for dear life until it’s finally over.

Note: This song is inspired from my real-life experience of surviving a traumatic injury. But it’s also more generally about a really difficult experience suddenly hitting you out of the blue.

Notes about this song:

• I may cut this song from the show. It’s a pretty strong song, but not my finest piece of songwriting. 

• I may also have a lead female vocalist sing this song. Not sure yet either way.

• As always, I’m open to any changes to the orchestration. I’m thinking a Motown vibe, but not sure yet.

Where it fits in the show:

This song is about giving up the effort to please people who are hard to please.

It takes place towards the middle of the second half.

The hero finally realizes that his struggle to impress his wrestling coach was an unwinnable effort. He emotionally “frees himself” from the struggle of trying to win him over, and in the process discovers himself.

This song is about giving up the effort to please people who are hard to please.

Notes about this song:

• The intro needs to be fleshed out or possibly cut. I kept it simple with piano and violin for now. 

• The song is designed to be an ensemble piece. I sang all the vocal parts for the demo, but I’m thinking it might be cool to have different cast members each sing a piece of the verse. And then everyone comes together for the chorus parts.

• The orchestration is very sparse for this demo. All the instrumental parts still need to be fleshed out.

Where it fits in the show:

This song may be the opening number for the show. Or at least the second song in the show. It will be towards the very beginning.

This song established the “Ordinary World” of play, purity, and fun that children have at a young age. It’s about the excitement of playtime and how children play together as a community.

Notes about this song:

• There are no lyrics to this song yet. I’m working on them right now, but I wanted to get the demo out first. 

• This song will be at least a duet. One person who sings the rap / verse parts, and another (probably a female vocalist) singing the “Blowing Away” chorus. It could also be expanded to more vocalists, but at least 2 to start. 

• The orchestration is very sparse for this demo. All the instrumental parts still need to be fleshed out.

Where it fits in the show:

This song goes towards the end of the show. The hero is facing a major emotional obstacle, where feelings from the past (a sense of worthlessness and failure) are coming up to haunt him again.

He feels like these feelings are “blowing away” his sense of sanity and his mental well-being.