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My Gen X Playlist: One Day More – Les Miserables

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Daily writing prompt
Tell us about the last thing you got excited about.
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The first musical I saw was Les Miserables. I was in college and we were able to buy discounted student tickets. I had no idea what to expect, but I was open to the experience. I knew nothing of the story, only that Victor Hugo’s book was way too long to be of interest. At the end of the evening, I walked out of the theatre in awe. The story, music and performance were truly amazing. To this day, Les Miserables is my favorite musical and I was excited that it returned to Los Angeles this month. I saw it last weekend and really enjoyed the performance once again.

I really admire people who can sing. Actually, strike that. I do, but I really really admire people who are unafraid to sing in front of other people. When I lived downtown, I used to frequent a local karaoke bar with friends. I could never summon the courage to sing in front of the bar. OK, if they had a group sing, yes, I’d join in. But solo? No way. When I taught English in Japan, I was surprised that the quietest students would turn into completely different people when they had a mic in their hand. The transformation was shocking and wonderful at the same time. And it’s not like you have to be a world class Les Mis singer to enjoy singing. I remember there was a local who always sang Billy Joel’s New York State of Mind. He wasn’t terrible, but he was pretty far from good. But you could tell he loved singing and really got lost in the song. You’ve got to admire and respect that. I certainly do. On my list of to dos is to brave singing a solo at a karaoke bar. Cross your fingers and wish me luck. I’d love to check that one off the list.

I love all the music from Les Miserables. This morning I’m adding to the playlist one of the better known songs, One Day More. Feel free to sing along. I know I will – but for now, in the privacy of my living room. Someday I’ll muster the courage to step out on the stage. Maybe one day.

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

[Valjean:]
One day more
Another day, another destiny
This never ending road to Calvary
These men who seem to know my crime
Will surely come a second time
One day more

[Marius:]
I did not live until today
How can I live when we are parted?

[Valjean:]
One day more

[Marius & Cosette:]
Tomorrow you'll be worlds away
And yet with you, my world has started

[Eponine:]
One more day all on my own

[Marius & Cosette:]
Will we ever meet again?

[Eponine:]
One more day with him not caring

[Marius & Cosette:]
I was born to be with you

[Eponine:]
What a life I might have known

[Marius & Cosette:]
And I swear I will be true!

[Eponine:]
But he never saw me there

[Enjolras:]
One more day before the storm
At the barricades of freedom
When our ranks begin to form
Will you take your place with me?

[Marius:]
Do I follow where she goes?
Shall I join my brothers there?
Do I stay or do I dare?

[All:]
The time is now
The day is here

[Valjean:]
One day more!

[Javert:]
One more day till revolution
We will nip it in the bud
We'll be ready for these schoolboys
They will wet themselves with blood!

[Valjean:]
One day more!

[M. & Mme. Thenardier:]
Watch them run amuck
Catch'm as they fall
Never know your luck
When there's a free for all
Here a little dip
There a little touch
Most of them are goners
So they won't miss much!

[Students:]
One day to a new beginning
Raise the flag of freedom high!
Every man will be a king
Every man will be a king
There's a new world for the winning
There's a new world to be won
Do you hear the people sing?

[Marius:]
My place is here
I fight with you!

[Valjean:]
One day more!

[Marius & Cosette:]
I did not live until today
Tomorrow you'll be worlds away
And yet with you my world has started

[Eponine:]
One more day all on my own

[Javert:]
I will join these people's heroes
I will follow where they go
I will know their little secrets
I will know the things they know

[Valjean:]
One day more!

[M. & Mme. Thenardier:]
Watch 'em run amuck
Catch 'em as they fall
Never know your luck
When there's a free-for-all

[Javert:]
One more day to revolution
We will nip it in the bud
We'll be ready for these schoolboys
Tomorrow is the judgement day

[Valjean:]
Tomorrow we'll be far away
Tomorrow is the judgement day

[All:]
Tomorrow we'll discover
What our god in heaven has in store!
One more dawn
One more day
One day more!

23 thoughts on “My Gen X Playlist: One Day More – Les Miserables”

  2. Amazing production… I used to volunteer as a hostess for this Village Theatre nearby… we were allowed to watch all the productions for free… I had so much fun watching things like The Pirates of Penzance and Don Quiote … unforgettable times

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  3. I was always amazed at how well our college plays turned out. I saw some pretty good shows at my little rural college. Les Misérables was not one of them, unfortunately.

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      1. You might like singing in a community choir. Less scary than karaoke and more fun (I think). You can work up to a solo line or two. A lot of them do some musical theater repertoire.

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  5. I have not gone to musicals like that… also I do not know that story.

    I have seen musicals in theaters or on tv… such as The Sound of Music, Grease and Annie … those would be musicals of my speed lol ✌️

    I have been to many ballet 🩰 musicals ✌️ which are very beautiful for dance 💃 – is same – if they love what they do, it comes out in performance 🎭 👏

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  6. I do not have the self-confidence to even do group karaoke! But I do enjoy singing out loud, alone in my house! In 6th grade I had a teacher who didn’t like me, and I didn’t like her. One day before lunch, she made all the GIRLS line up in front of the room and one by one, we had to sing a song from our music book to the BOYS before we could leave for lunch. Although a couple of boys told me I sang good, that is obviously seared in my brain!

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    1. Omg! I can see how that would be traumatic! Its difficult to understand how a teacher would put kids through that. Sounds so cruel. Great feedback from the boys. I’m sure you did well! Yes, I’m the same. In the car, I’m great! Karaoke scares me!

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  8. Ironically, I would rather sing in front of a group of strangers than in front of people I know. I’ve done it, and while it is terrifying in the beginning, it is so exhilarating! I just put on my extrovert persona and since they are strangers, I don’t care what they think. I encourage you to try it some time. Once you get over the initial anxiety, it is very freeing.

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    1. You are my hero! You are right, I shouldn’t care what strangers think. I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for the encouragement! Maybe it’s like getting a tattoo. After the first one, the inhibition for more disappears!

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