Composer

:

Stephen Sondheim

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Average_duration

:

2:50

"Pretty Women" is a song from the musical "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," composed by Stephen Sondheim. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1979, with the original production directed by Harold Prince. "Pretty Women" is featured in Act II of the musical and is sung by the characters Sweeney Todd and Judge Turpin. The song is a duet between Sweeney Todd and Judge Turpin, who is the man responsible for ruining Todd's life. The lyrics of the song are a conversation between the two men, with Todd admiring Turpin's appearance and Turpin expressing his desire for Todd's ward, Johanna. The melody of the song is haunting and beautiful, with a slow and deliberate pace that adds to the tension of the scene. "Pretty Women" is divided into three distinct sections, each with its own musical and lyrical characteristics. The first section is sung by Todd, who is admiring Turpin's appearance and reflecting on the power that beauty can hold over people. The melody is slow and deliberate, with a haunting quality that emphasizes the darkness of the scene. The second section is sung by Turpin, who expresses his desire for Johanna and his frustration at being unable to have her. The melody is more urgent and passionate, with a sense of desperation that reflects Turpin's emotional state. The final section is a duet between Todd and Turpin, with the two men singing together as they contemplate their respective obsessions. The melody is a combination of the previous two sections, with a sense of urgency and desperation that builds to a climax as the song ends. Overall, "Pretty Women" is a powerful and haunting song that showcases Sondheim's skill as a composer and lyricist. The melody and lyrics work together to create a sense of tension and darkness, reflecting the themes of the musical as a whole. The song has become a classic of musical theater, and is often performed as a standalone piece outside of the context of the musical.

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