Composer

:

Kurt Weill

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Jun 1938 - Sep 1938

Publication Date

:

1938

First Performance

:

Oct 19, 1938

Average_duration

:

3:21

"It Never Was You" is a song composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Maxwell Anderson. The song was written for the musical "Knickerbocker Holiday," which premiered on October 19, 1938, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City. The song is a ballad that features a slow and melancholic melody. It is sung by the character of Brom Broeck, who is a poet and the main protagonist of the musical. The lyrics of the song express Brom's feelings of loneliness and disillusionment with the world around him. He sings about how he has searched for love and meaning in his life but has never found it. The refrain of the song, "It never was you," emphasizes the idea that Brom has been searching for something that does not exist. The song is divided into two main sections, with a short instrumental interlude in between. The first section features a simple melody that is repeated several times, with slight variations in the orchestration. The second section features a more complex melody that builds to a climax before returning to the refrain. The orchestration of the song is typical of Weill's style, with a mix of traditional and modern elements. The song features a small ensemble of instruments, including strings, woodwinds, and brass. The use of dissonant harmonies and unconventional chord progressions adds to the melancholic and introspective mood of the song. "It Never Was You" has become one of Weill's most popular songs, and it has been covered by many artists over the years. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Weill's ability to create music that speaks to the human experience and emotions.

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