Such a sad song Elaine does it perfectly. About convincing yourself that 50 percent is good enough when we all know deep down that we are selling ourselves short by 50 percent because having that person there in the present moment feels better than being alone. Settling is the most painful emotion because it’s up to us to protect our heart and we are not doing that if we settle. We turn in to our own enemy. The lyrics list rationalizations but at the very end you might as well say “ it’s better than being alone which is the biggest lie of the song. Elaine captures the emotion of the threat of having no one which makes the lyrics for a moment sound reasonable like they would if you were going through it . Anyone who wants to be with you on Saturday night better want to be there on Monday morning or your wasting your soul unless that’s all both parties want. Even then , your selling yourself short. Bravo Elaine!
Stritch performed it as if she was picking up the pieces of her grief, and is not bitter about her loss, because it seems that she thinks it's part of life. Arthur performed it with patience and conviction, quite similar to Stritch's in terms of contentment but quite special. Loudon's was highly emotional and passionate, and it seems to satisfy her. I think that they are all great in their very own unique ways.
To @macco360 Her "Elaine Stritch At Liberty" concert is delightful. You can see from that performance what made her such a Broadway star. I first heard this song in the TH-cam video "Fifty Percent - Bill Daugherty" with its vintage photo montage on his TH-cam channel Retroland. It is worth looking up.
I loved Elaine Stritch and would have listened to her read the phone book, but this was definitely not her song. Oh, dear. And such a beautiful piece it is. Just not for a voice like hers.
It's a terrible performance (what's with the clapping?) And it's badly filmed. But it is wonderful, and moving. Elaine Stritch could sing an extract from the telephone book and make it unforgettable.
No it is not a terrible performance... consider the lady's age... I had not heard her sing this before... sure the video is poor but its great to see it and her timing is just impeccable making up for any deficiencies in voice and she herself says she does not have a great voice but likes to tell the audience a story...
This performance is an embarrassment... she didn't know when it was time to give it up... decades of booze took it's toll... she's no Dorothy Loudon... Elaine has been great in other things... not this... The pianist however, is just great...
I loved Elaine Stritch -- her singing, her acting, her comedy! May she RIP. Here's to The Lady Who Laughed!
Thank the gods we had Elaine. Thanks for posting.
Beautifully acted!
"acting is like taking the train but singing is like flying." - thanks for sharing these videos!!
oh. my. god. She was a Genius,
thanks for posting .. she was so amazing..
Such a sad song Elaine does it perfectly. About convincing yourself that 50 percent is good enough when we all know deep down that we are selling ourselves short by 50 percent because having that person there in the present moment feels better than being alone. Settling is the most painful emotion because it’s up to us to protect our heart and we are not doing that if we settle. We turn in to our own enemy. The lyrics list rationalizations but at the very end you might as well say “ it’s better than being alone which is the biggest lie of the song. Elaine captures the emotion of the threat of having no one which makes the lyrics for a moment sound reasonable like they would if you were going through it . Anyone who wants to be with you on Saturday night better want to be there on Monday morning or your wasting your soul unless that’s all both parties want. Even then , your selling yourself short. Bravo Elaine!
Thanks for posting this. I took my late Mama to see the late Ms. Stritch. Perhaps their spirits are together? Great rare video.
A true icon!!!!
One of a kind! Loved her so much. 🤍
Stritch performed it as if she was picking up the pieces of her grief, and is not bitter about her loss, because it seems that she thinks it's part of life. Arthur performed it with patience and conviction, quite similar to Stritch's in terms of contentment but quite special. Loudon's was highly emotional and passionate, and it seems to satisfy her. I think that they are all great in their very own unique ways.
Fantastic performance. A new song for me, but, as always, Ms. Stritch does it so well.
To @macco360
Her "Elaine Stritch At Liberty" concert is delightful. You can see from that performance what made her such a Broadway star.
I first heard this song in the TH-cam video "Fifty Percent - Bill Daugherty" with its vintage photo montage on his TH-cam channel Retroland. It is worth looking up.
You MUST check-out Dorothy Loudon's version of this song. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it
Terrific .. she knows how to see a song.....
Helen Reddy has recorded a beautiful version of this as well. On her "Center Stage" album.
Surprise shoutout to Renee Fleming LOL
Loudon's is and will always will be the best
Ms. Loudon was great but you can enjoy others too it is not all about competition
Rob bowman is her accompaniest
Hmmmm I don't see part 3
Who's the pianist? I think I might know him.
Her musical director John Bowman, who was/is the principal music director for the Broadway and tour productions of Chicago: The Musical!
Nope, not who I was thinking of. Thanks, Steven!
I loved Elaine Stritch and would have listened to her read the phone book, but this was definitely not her song. Oh, dear. And such a beautiful piece it is. Just not for a voice like hers.
I pity you.
Another amateur video taken during a performance with no-one's permission. So selfish1
Thank goodness he did!
It's a terrible performance (what's with the clapping?) And it's badly filmed. But it is wonderful, and moving. Elaine Stritch could sing an extract from the telephone book and make it unforgettable.
No it is not a terrible performance... consider the lady's age... I had not heard her sing this before... sure the video is poor but its great to see it and her timing is just impeccable making up for any deficiencies in voice and she herself says she does not have a great voice but likes to tell the audience a story...
The clapping is brilliant! She is expressing the passion she feels in her heart.
This performance is an embarrassment... she didn't know when it was time to give it up... decades of booze took it's toll... she's no Dorothy Loudon... Elaine has been great in other things... not this... The pianist however, is just great...