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I Can Hear the Bells

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"Good Morning Baltimore"
Song by Marissa Jaret Winokur
from the album Hairspray
ReleasedAugust 13, 2002
Genre
Length4:04
LabelSony Classical
Composer(s)Marc Shaiman
Lyricist(s)Scott Wittman

"I Can Hear the Bells" is a rock-pop song from the 2002 musical Hairspray. It is sung by the protagonist Tracy Turnblad.

Production

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Nikki Blonsky, who plays Tracy Turnblad in the 2007 film, was sick the day the vocals were recorded.[citation needed]

Synopsis

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After brushing past Link, the main lead on The Corny Collins Show, Tracy Turnblad starts to dream about what her life would be like if she pursued a relationship with him. These thoughts of a future wedding and perfect romance are idealized.

Composition

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Orlando Sentinel notes "the chorus members produce bells whose tinkling emphasizes the dream setting of the song".[1]

Critical reception

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Reviewing the 2007 movie, Spirituality and Practice writes "Nikki Blonsky carries the movie on her shoulders and belts out all the power of "I Can Hear the Bells""[2] Oregon Live notes the song yields a "funny sexual awakening".[3]

Reviewing a live performance, Variety said "“I Can Hear the Bells,” the fantasy ballet in which Tracy seduces and weds Link to the sound of rhythmic chiming, is performed with winking brio and remains a comic highlight of the first act."[4] Broadway World described it as "lovelorn",[5] and Theatre Mirror deemed it "a fall in love at first sight love song". Hoopla Now described it as "love-struck",[6] while MC Theatre Guide named it "lovesick"[7] and Shropshire Star called it a "love-struck ballad".[8] It has also been described as an "anthem",[9] a "heartfelt solo",[10] and "dreamy".[11]

DC Metro Theatre Arts wrote, "Tracy fantasizes about getting married to the local heartthrob in a dream sequence that is both beautifully romantic and hysterically funny."[12] Edge Boston called it a "fun, slyly comic number".[13] The Public Reviews wrote "I Can Hear the Bells is a cute reflection of every teenage girls inner mind when faced with the school heart throb".[14]

References

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  1. ^ Palm, Matthew J. (2014-05-03). "Theater review: 'Hairspray' from Garden Theatre". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on June 24, 2014. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  2. ^ Brussat, Frederick; Brussat, Mary Ann. "Hairspray". Spirituality and Practice. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  3. ^ Butler, Grant (2011-07-02). "Broadway Rose Theatre Company's 'Hairspray' captures energy of the early '60s (review)". Oregon Live. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  4. ^ Isherwood, Charles (2004-06-22). "Hairspray". Variety. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  5. ^ Nargi, Jan (October 30, 2006). "Wigged Out: "Hairspray" Holds Up in Regional Premiere". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  6. ^ Cline, Rob (2014-01-21). "'Hairspray' didn't stop the beat at Theatre Cedar Rapids : REVIEW | Hoopla". Hoopla Now. Archived from the original on February 16, 2015. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  7. ^ "Cappies Review: 'Hairspray' at Thomas S. Wootton High School". Maryland Theatre Guide. 8 April 2014. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  8. ^ Norton, Allison (2013-05-23). "Review: Hairspray, Birmingham, Hippodrome". Shropshire Star. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  9. ^ Schillaci, Tony; Church, Don (2012-07-16). "Last Week to See "Hairspray" at Ivoryton Playhouse". Ivoryton Playhouse. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  10. ^ Ward, Denise (2011-07-29). "'Hairspray' review: 'You can't stop the beat' and you won't want to". Go Upstate. Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  11. ^ Florence Jr., Russell (2013-09-20). "'Hairspray' Review – Dayton Playhouse – The Beat Goes On". Dayton Most Metro. Archived from the original on June 24, 2014. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  12. ^ Braswell, Barbara; Bessel, Paul M. (2014-03-09). "'Hairspray' at Magruder High School". DC Metro Theater Arts. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  13. ^ Bubriski, Jennifer (2014-01-28). "Hairspray". Edge Boston. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  14. ^ Jepson, Ruth (2013-03-14). "Hairspray – Alhambra Theatre, Bradford". The Public Reviews. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 2015-08-10.



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