Going Down (from "Hair"): Piano/Vocal/Chords

MacDermot's score captures the raw energy and idealism of the era without ever feeling dated. The collection swings between intimate ballads and explosive ensemble numbers, giving pianists and singers real emotional range to explore. Whether you're teaching pop-influenced theater or simply want material that connects with students across generations, these songs deliver authentic storytelling alongside genuinely singable melodies.

These songs pulse with the optimism and urgency of a generation. There's an infectious vitality to the melodies, a directness in the storytelling, and an undeniable humanity in lyrics that range from spiritual searching to social critique. The sound is lush but never overworked, allowing performers to connect intimately with both text and tune.

This collection works for pianists and singers preparing audition material, church musicians seeking contemporary repertoire with substance, and music theater programs looking to teach the songs that changed Broadway. It's equally at home in a classroom exploring 1960s cultural history through music or in a recital setting where a performer wants to showcase range and character.

• Lean into the rhythmic grooves, especially in numbers like "Going Down." The songs sit somewhere between pop and theater, so honor the pocket rather than over-theatricalize the delivery.
• Pay attention to lyrical authenticity and the social commentary embedded in the text. The music serves the message, so commit fully to what the song is saying.
• Balance the ensemble moments with clear solo work. Many songs shift between group participation and individual spotlight, so rehearse those transitions cleanly.
• Use the chord symbols to explore harmonic improvisation where appropriate. MacDermot's accompaniments are often fairly open, inviting musicians to find their own voice within the framework.

Slot individual numbers into concert programs featuring twentieth-century American music or Broadway highlights. You might also build an entire program around Hair's most recognizable songs ("Aquarius," "Let the Sun Shine In," "Easy to Be Hard") as a thematic exploration of the musical's cultural impact. These pieces work particularly well when paired with other rock-influenced theater scores from the same period.

• Reading chord symbols and realizing accompaniments in contemporary popular idioms
• Interpreting lyrical content with awareness of historical and social context
• Navigating rhythmic flexibility between pop and theatrical phrasing
• Building stamina for singing and playing material that demands emotional authenticity
• Arranging and adapting songs based on harmonic frameworks rather than fixed notation