The song really hits me in the feelings, regardless of who sings it, but his interpretation is so soft and vulnerable you really feel for this version of Bobby
No, it's pretty weak. A female should have performed this, not him. Hardly any passion in this performance. Compare this rendition to Barbara Streisand's rendition. Streisand would blow him off of the stage and put him to shame.
@@iluvfirenze89 Streisand is great, but I'm gonna have to disagree with you on this one. In the context of the show, this is Bobby's song, and I think it makes sense to have the softness and vulnerability. People show passion and desperation in different ways, and though more understated, I think his performance is still very honest.
It's funny because Groff seems to be SO IN LOVE with the ideal of falling in love here. Desperate to love, even. While others performers seemed to take this song as a painful experience. Or maybe it's just me.
I don’t think most people associate Groff with his belt, more his soft tones and falsetto but WOW. Also the transition out of the belt in the middle there?!?! Textbook breath control
This rendition is so lovely! Each interpretation of this song has been touching in its own way. It’s one of the most amazing aspects of Sondheim’s talent that the songs challenge each performer to give a unique piece of themselves to the audience. Wonderful!
Thank you SO much for recording and uploading this! I was also there for this show, and was moved to tears by his performance. It's so wonderful getting to hear and see it again.
I grew up listening to Michael Crawford's cover of this on his 1998 In Concert CD. I shouldn't be so surprised to find out it's another showtune :0 I'm so glad I get to find out through Jonathan Groff ^_^
I can't believe some of y'all are so mean about this performance in the comments. different doesn't mean bad and having a soft/gentle voice is Jonathan Groff's signature
I follow Harvey Fierstein his post said i should watch this. WOW glad i tuned in this was wonderful. Very powerful Thank u for sharing. and greetings from the U.K. Mark Dunn
Someone to hold you too close Someone to hurt you too deep Someone to sit in your chair And ruin your sleep Someone to need you too much Someone to know you too well Someone to pull you up short To put you through hell Someone you have to let in Someone whose feelings you spare Someone who, like it or not Will want you to share A little a lot Someone to crowd you with love Someone to force you to care Someone to make you come through Who'll always be there As frightened as you Of being alive Being alive Being alive Being alive Somebody hold me too close Somebody hurt me too deep Somebody sit in my chair And ruin my sleep And make me aware Of being alive Being alive Somebody need me too much Somebody know me too well Somebody pull me up short And put me through hell And give me support For being alive Make me alive Make me alive
I adore Jonathan Groff in everything I've seen him do. But... No one will ever top Dean Jones's tenuous fragility, doubt, and hopefulness in his recording of this song for the original cast album (1970). It breaks my heart and brings me near to tears (ok, tears) every time I watch it. It's such a raw, honest performance ( he was going through a messy divorce at the time he recorded it and very soon after dropped out of the show) that everyone I've seen sing it since then, it's awkwardly obvious acting. The only performer I've heard carry it off is Barbra Streisand on her Broadway album, where it is a most joyful and enthusiastic delivery--quite different from Jones, but she works it. And of course, there's Sondheim, who leaves me filled with wonder that I'm fortunate enough to be on the same planet at the same time and hear his genius contemporaneously.
This has turned into one of those songs where, if you know it, you have a strong, almost religious opinion about whose version is the best. It's not Groff's fault.
Call me crazy but I don’t think attractive people should play this role. It’s a never seen mans song, someone desperately alone, a living ghost. Sorry but I don’t believe they actually get the anguish. So they perform it. The key word here is somebody. Because when you’re that lonely, you just want anyone to see you.
Groff can be good, but THIS song is not a good fit for him! He misses 90% of the song's emotion -and his Big Finish is no match for the power its originator, Dean Jones, brought to the number.
I think it's a mixed bag. Personally, I think he does the quieter moments of the song really well. But, yeah, the crescendo at the end is pretty lack luster. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
He really really doesn't seem grounded in this performance. I love Jonathan Groff, he does some amazing work, but here? In this song? I'm severely underwhelmed. There is a ton of emotion in what he's doing (physically, you can see him tearing up), but his voice just doesn't do the same thing. In musical theatre the way you present the text musically is just as important, if not more so, than your raw acting chops. There's too much sameness in his singing, I don't hear the journey of the song. This song (in the text) starts off a bitter and almost petulant decrying of the woes of marriage (excuses not to commit), then moves to lonely recognition before becoming a desperate plea for someone to please relieve the grief of his loneliness. I don't hear that. Instead all I think listening to him in this song is "wow his voice is nice". He's very gentle and I can see where he's trying to come from but it leaves the song feeling like a boring wash of melancholy.
Surely &^%$#@ You must be Kidding! Who Died and left you Master Voice Coach? OMG !! Your Loneliness is not HIS Loneliness... The Art of Delivery, is Making It Your Own Story! HELLO!!! Which is Exactly What Jonathan Did .. Please ….If you have a video of yourself performing this song , let me know and I will critique it...
robert parks woah woah calm down. What this person said was reasonable and not an insult. Even tho I don't agree 100%. I actually think this performance was great in all ways. If u want a comparison, you could listen to Chris Colfers version on glee. Both are equal to me tho.
I would rather view Streisand's version! Her take on this tune is the Definitive ! of course that's my humble opinion... as a musician , voice coach, accomplished pianist , and recording artist ,my level of expertise is 38 years in the business, Barbra rules... check it out !
the poor makeup job made him look more like an ompah loompah, instead of himself. I think they went with this mellower arrangement, because either his pipes aren't used to such a roller coster wallop of a song, or he wanted to "act" more instead of being in the moment. I felt sometimes he was "acting" as we used to call what musical theater performers would do, but there were times he was in the moment of the song, he kept going back and forth, part of the problem was the arrangement, it would give him gaps of space to musical theater act as opposed to being in the moment. He look very rehearsed, with little spontaneity. The best performers are very spontaneus looking, even though they are very well rehearsed. Instead of this being a show, it felt more like a musical theater class.
I'm a simple gal, I see groffsauce
*I click*
The song really hits me in the feelings, regardless of who sings it, but his interpretation is so soft and vulnerable you really feel for this version of Bobby
That intense look at the camera made me feel bad
and as always, Groff finds the bootleg camera. he has such a talent for that.
This is just so nice. Johnathan Groff always puts his heart into his performances.
No, it's pretty weak. A female should have performed this, not him. Hardly any passion in this performance. Compare this rendition to Barbara Streisand's rendition. Streisand would blow him off of the stage and put him to shame.
I just watched Barbara Streisand. She does belt it out powerfully. Very nice
@@iluvfirenze89 Streisand is great, but I'm gonna have to disagree with you on this one. In the context of the show, this is Bobby's song, and I think it makes sense to have the softness and vulnerability. People show passion and desperation in different ways, and though more understated, I think his performance is still very honest.
iluvfirenze89 weak? it’s rich with emotion. if you’re referring to his volume, you don’t understand vocal or acting power
@@iluvfirenze89 This song was written for a make character though???
He literally DOES NOT BREATHE HOW DOES HE NOT BREATHE
This! The breath control is astonishing
Holden is definitely singing about ed kemper here
jlhc IM WHEEZING
OMG. Or him after that hug. 😂😂
Underrated comment.
Not this...
He is incredible in that show but they need to have him sing a little, his voice is too good for just acting!! Lol
I love how soft the interpretation is. It's certainly a different take.
It's funny because Groff seems to be SO IN LOVE with the ideal of falling in love here. Desperate to love, even. While others performers seemed to take this song as a painful experience. Or maybe it's just me.
Rest in peace, Sondheim... thank you for teaching us how to live and love and lose and love again through your music.
I'm never disappointed by Groff's performances
I've heard a lot of versions of this song and this is the only one that always makes me cry. Jonathan Groff is amazing
Abi Wright listen to adam drivers version, itll make u ball.
Love his emotional connection to the lyrics.
One of the most beautiful songs from Maestro Sondheim.
wow... special agent holden ford went off
Nick Robinson ok nick did u just watch marriage story or something?
kristoff went in
omg hi nick
I don’t think most people associate Groff with his belt, more his soft tones and falsetto but WOW. Also the transition out of the belt in the middle there?!?! Textbook breath control
I've been a fan of his since Glee!
Go back and check out Spring Awakening, then.
Remember spring awakening!!! He just gets better and brilliant and a lovely personality
His voice is so comforting I love him
This rendition is so lovely! Each interpretation of this song has been touching in its own way. It’s one of the most amazing aspects of Sondheim’s talent that the songs challenge each performer to give a unique piece of themselves to the audience. Wonderful!
very impressed with this performance
I love this man more than I love myself ❤
I don't think most of the commenters here have actually seen Company...
LorriTiger243 why do you say that?
garbagegarbagegarbage I’m guessing the original poster is saying they’re all just Hamilton fans.
@@henryanderson6752 i'm more a glee fan but also i love the classic sondheim musicals😅😅😅😅
So what. The song stands alone
I agree. This performance for me would not stand up in the show. I saw this in london and it stopped the show
Wow this is such a soft and kinda wholesome take on the song. Love it!
Thank you SO much for recording and uploading this! I was also there for this show, and was moved to tears by his performance. It's so wonderful getting to hear and see it again.
The most important part of this is the Bernadette arms/head at the end.
Love his rendition! ❤️👍🏻🎶
I love this.
Beautiful and emotional performance.
Oh, so good. Nailed it.
Thank You for posting this. I love Sondheim, Jonathan Groff and this song. I'm soooo glad that I got to see it.
Spot-on Jonathan!
Such a pleasure!
He was so awesome in A New Brain at City Center.....
I grew up listening to Michael Crawford's cover of this on his 1998 In Concert CD. I shouldn't be so surprised to find out it's another showtune :0 I'm so glad I get to find out through Jonathan Groff ^_^
Wonderful performance.
This is perfect
While I think this particular performance doesn't show the best of his abilities, I do think he would be a great Bobby!
1:45 Gesundheit
I can't believe some of y'all are so mean about this performance in the comments. different doesn't mean bad and having a soft/gentle voice is Jonathan Groff's signature
It’s also fully in context of the song. MT isn’t all belting they’re doing a thing called acting too.
I never knew I needed this. Now I know better.
Passionate version of a brilliant Sondheim song from Broadway show "Company" Thanks. MJ
I follow Harvey Fierstein his post said i should watch this. WOW glad i tuned in this was wonderful. Very powerful Thank u for sharing. and greetings from the U.K. Mark Dunn
Me too!!
Saw both David Kirnan and Dean Jones sing this. Nothing short of heavenly.
Ok this is how the song is meant to be sung.❤
Holy shiz, I am so jealous of your seat! Beautiful video!
Dude his tone!
bless you
This ✨hits✨
I will be expecting a 2-hr Stephen Sondheim tribute 💔
I really didn't expected that this version would be this good
YES JONATHAN😱🎉
My boy looks like he's all dressed and ready for church. so proud of my boy.
♥️
When did he sing this? He is A M A Z I N G ❤
Dean Jonees , yes, definitive.
AHHHHH RAMIN KARIMLOO OR JONATHAN GROFF THIS IS HARDDD
Jonathan Groff needs to play Bobby RIGHT NOW.
adam driver cantando essa música em marriage story é tudo :(
He was wonderful in that..and I found his version of the song very emotional.
😭😭😭
Is this the footage from his NYADA audition?
Vergil Namodo he sang giants in the sky from into the woods for his NYADA audition 😂
Camilo Vaccarelli good luck what show are you auditioning for
Someone to hold you too close
Someone to hurt you too deep
Someone to sit in your chair
And ruin your sleep
Someone to need you too much
Someone to know you too well
Someone to pull you up short
To put you through hell
Someone you have to let in
Someone whose feelings you spare
Someone who, like it or not
Will want you to share
A little a lot
Someone to crowd you with love
Someone to force you to care
Someone to make you come through
Who'll always be there
As frightened as you
Of being alive
Being alive
Being alive
Being alive
Somebody hold me too close
Somebody hurt me too deep
Somebody sit in my chair
And ruin my sleep
And make me aware
Of being alive
Being alive
Somebody need me too much
Somebody know me too well
Somebody pull me up short
And put me through hell
And give me support
For being alive
Make me alive
Make me alive
I adore Jonathan Groff in everything I've seen him do. But... No one will ever top Dean Jones's tenuous fragility, doubt, and hopefulness in his recording of this song for the original cast album (1970). It breaks my heart and brings me near to tears (ok, tears) every time I watch it. It's such a raw, honest performance ( he was going through a messy divorce at the time he recorded it and very soon after dropped out of the show) that everyone I've seen sing it since then, it's awkwardly obvious acting. The only performer I've heard carry it off is Barbra Streisand on her Broadway album, where it is a most joyful and enthusiastic delivery--quite different from Jones, but she works it. And of course, there's Sondheim, who leaves me filled with wonder that I'm fortunate enough to be on the same planet at the same time and hear his genius contemporaneously.
The perfect Bobby
Who even knew this guy could sing? Wow...
Why does he leave out half the words?
this isn’t his BEST but it’s amazing
😒Lotta snobs on here...
This has turned into one of those songs where, if you know it, you have a strong, almost religious opinion about whose version is the best. It's not Groff's fault.
@@roguishpaladin that's actually a very good description
Dean Jones
What about Norm Lewis? Larry Kert?
Did he forget some lyrics in the beginning?
Jonathan Morency: That's exactly what I thought. Right after "put me through Hell," he had a long uncomfortable pause.
No, there’s actually interspersed dialogue where the pauses are.
Call me crazy but I don’t think attractive people should play this role. It’s a never seen mans song, someone desperately alone, a living ghost. Sorry but I don’t believe they actually get the anguish. So they perform it. The key word here is somebody. Because when you’re that lonely, you just want anyone to see you.
i'm a fan but this is not a good version of this song. Where in the world did this arrangement come from ? Don't mess with Sondheim.
This is verbatim from the show, without the speaking parts.
he looks like matt bomer here and thats bringing out the absolute gayest part of me
Is this a joke?
What part of it seems funny?
Groff can be good, but THIS song is not a good fit for him! He misses 90% of the song's emotion -and his
Big Finish is no match for the power its originator, Dean Jones, brought to the number.
what? just listen.
Difference in interpretation. I appreciate this nuance
I agree and an odd arrangement.
I think it's a mixed bag. Personally, I think he does the quieter moments of the song really well. But, yeah, the crescendo at the end is pretty lack luster. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
He really really doesn't seem grounded in this performance. I love Jonathan Groff, he does some amazing work, but here? In this song? I'm severely underwhelmed. There is a ton of emotion in what he's doing (physically, you can see him tearing up), but his voice just doesn't do the same thing. In musical theatre the way you present the text musically is just as important, if not more so, than your raw acting chops. There's too much sameness in his singing, I don't hear the journey of the song. This song (in the text) starts off a bitter and almost petulant decrying of the woes of marriage (excuses not to commit), then moves to lonely recognition before becoming a desperate plea for someone to please relieve the grief of his loneliness. I don't hear that. Instead all I think listening to him in this song is "wow his voice is nice". He's very gentle and I can see where he's trying to come from but it leaves the song feeling like a boring wash of melancholy.
Surely &^%$#@ You must be Kidding! Who Died and left you Master Voice Coach? OMG !! Your Loneliness is not HIS Loneliness... The Art of Delivery, is Making It Your Own Story! HELLO!!! Which is Exactly What Jonathan Did .. Please ….If you have a video of yourself performing this song , let me know and I will critique it...
robert parks woah woah calm down. What this person said was reasonable and not an insult. Even tho I don't agree 100%. I actually think this performance was great in all ways. If u want a comparison, you could listen to Chris Colfers version on glee. Both are equal to me tho.
I would rather view Streisand's version! Her take on this tune is the Definitive ! of course that's my humble opinion... as a musician , voice coach, accomplished pianist , and recording artist ,my level of expertise is 38 years in the business, Barbra rules... check it out !
Quite nice, but a juvenile performance compared to Esparza and Jonathon please dont close your eyes tight to show emotion,
I don't understand why he can't shut his eyes like that? I do that when I'm really upset. I feel like I connect to that emotion when he does that.
Bullshit. I don't believe a word of this. (And I am a fan of his.)
Nice Voice/Very Talented. But, Bad Interpretation.
eh, not gonna lie there are parts that sound terrible
sorry, but that’s incorrect
the poor makeup job made him look more like an ompah loompah, instead of himself. I think they went with this mellower arrangement, because either his pipes aren't used to such a roller coster wallop of a song, or he wanted to "act" more instead of being in the moment. I felt sometimes he was "acting" as we used to call what musical theater performers would do, but there were times he was in the moment of the song, he kept going back and forth, part of the problem was the arrangement, it would give him gaps of space to musical theater act as opposed to being in the moment. He look very rehearsed, with little spontaneity. The best performers are very spontaneus looking, even though they are very well rehearsed. Instead of this being a show, it felt more like a musical theater class.
Nice emotion, but such a whiny voice.
A man who sings like a little girl. I'll pass.