Les Miserables – in lay terms “Les Mis” – is one of the most awarded and impactful musicals of the late 20th Century. Based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo, which was turned into a French concept album, and then translated into English and expanded upon for its London West End debut in 1985, the show opened on Broadway in 1987, and became an instant classic as audiences were captivated by the heart-wrenching dramas of the poor during the French Revolution, and especially by the bombastic, melodically haunting songs. Now, nearly 40 years after its debut, the Great Pop Culture Debate wants to determine the Best Les Miserables Song!
Join host Eric Rezsnyak, panelists Curtis Creekmore and Joelle Boedecker, and Patreon sponsor Bob Erlenback as they explore the most memorable songs from one of the 20th Century’s most enduring musicals.
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And make sure to check out Bob Erlenback’s Top 10 List of the Most Miserable Characters in “Les Miserables.”
Round 1 Match-Ups:
Match-Up 1: “One Day More” (1) vs. “Confrontation” (4)
Match-Up 2: “Do You Hear the People Sing” (3) vs. “At the End of the Day” (2)
Match-Up 3: “I Dreamed a Dream” (1) vs. “In My Life” (4)
Match-Up 4: “Castle on a Cloud” (3) vs. “Bring Him Home” (2)
Match-Up 5: “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” (1) vs. “Red and Black” (4)
Match-Up 6: “Lovely Ladies” (3) vs. “Stars” (2)
Match-Up 7: “On My Own” (1) vs. “A Heart Full of Love” (4)
Match-Up 8: “Who Am I?” (3) vs. “Master of the House” (2)
And should you need it, here’s the whole Original Broadway Cast Recording for the whole show:
Want to play along at home?
Download the listener bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!
Have a say in future episodes!
Finally, if you want to have a say in what episodes we tackle next, vote in our Topic Polls! And we would love to have you pick your faves in the polls currently open for your votes!
EPISODE CREDITS
Host: Eric Rezsnyak
Panel: Curtis Creekmore, Joelle Boedecker
Patreon Sponsor: Bob Erlenback
Editor: Bob Erlenback