America

Betty Wand, George Chakiris, Leonard Bernstein

About America

“America” is a song from the musical West Side Story. Stephen Sondheim wrote the lyrics and Leonard Bernstein composed the music.


Year:
1961
4:59
823 
#1

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ROSALIA 
Puerto Rico, 
You lovely island . . . 
Island of tropical breezes. 
Always the pineapples growing, 
Always the coffee blossoms blowing . . . 
ANITA 
Puerto Rico . . . 
You ugly island . . . 
Island of tropic diseases. 
Always the hurricanes blowing, 
Always the population growing . . . 
And the money owing, 
And the babies crying, 
And the bullets flying. 
I like the island Manhattan. 
Smoke on your pipe and put that in! 
OTHERS 
I like to be in America! 
O.K. by me in America! 
Ev'rything free in America 
For a small fee in America! 
ROSALIA 
I like the city of San Juan. 
ANITA 
I know a boat you can get on. 
ROSALIA 
Hundreds of flowers in full bloom. 
ANITA 
Hundreds of people in each room! 
ALL 
Automobile in America, 
Chromium steel in America, 
Wire-spoke wheel in America, 
Very big deal in America! 
ROSALIA 
I'll drive a Buick through San Juan. 
ANITA 
If there's a road you can drive on. 
ROSALIA 
I'll give my cousins a free ride. 
ANITA 
How you get all of them inside? 
ALL 
Immigrant goes to America, 
Many hellos in America; 
Nobody knows in America 
Puerto Rico's in America! 
ROSALIA 
I'll bring a T.V. to San Juan. 
ANITA 
If there a current to turn on! 
ROSALIA 
I'll give them new washing machine. 
ANITA 
What have they got there to keep clean? 
ALL 
I like the shores of America! 
Comfort is yours in America! 
Knobs on the doors in America, 
Wall-to-wall floors in America! 
ROSALIA 
When I will go back to San Juan. 
ANITA 
When you will shut up and get gone? 
ROSALIA 
Everyone there will give big cheer! 
ANITA 
Everyone there will have moved here!

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Leonard Bernstein

Leonard Bernstein ( /ˈbɜrnstaɪn/ US dict: bûrn′·stīn; August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American composer, conductor, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim. According to The New York Times, he was "one of the most prodigiously talented and successful musicians in American history." He is quite possibly the conductor whose name is best known to the public in general, especially the American public. more »

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Written by: Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Musical Origin
"America" is a song from the musical "West Side Story," which premiered on Broadway in 1957. Leonard Bernstein composed the music, and the lyrics were written by Stephen Sondheim.
Character Representation
In the musical, Latina character Anita, played by Chita Rivera in the original Broadway production, primarily performs "America."
Cultural Identity
The song serves as a commentary on the immigrant experience in America. It articulates the contrasts between the promise and glamour perceived in the American Dream versus the harsh realities facing new immigrants.
Movie Adaptation
"America" was featured in the 1961 film adaptation of "West Side Story" and was once again highlighted in the 2020 remake directed by Steven Spielberg.
Award-Winning Song
The movie version of "America" won the Academy Award for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture. In the film, the song was performed by Rita Moreno who went on to win an Oscar for her portrayal of Anita.
Choreographic Achievements
The song and its accompanying dance sequence, choreographed by Jerome Robbins, are considered iconic in the canon of musical theatre.
Lyric Changes
In the original Broadway production, the song was a duet between Anita and Bernardo. However, for the 1961 film adaptation, Stephen Sondheim revised the lyrics, transforming it into a playful argument between female Puerto Rican immigrants, who defend America, and their male counterparts, expressing disillusionment with American life.
Musical Prowess
The song features shifting tempos between 6/8 and 2/4 time, showcasing Leonard Bernstein's compositional virtuosity.
Cross-Genre Influence
"America" has been covered by numerous artists across different genres, with performances ranging from symphony orchestras to punk rock bands.
Cultural Impact
Even decades after its initial release, the song remains culturally significant and is often used in discussions on immigration, reflecting the continuing debates about the American Dream.

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    "America Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1021350/Leonard+Bernstein/America>.

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