My Body Wasn't Why (from "The Glorious Ones"): Piano/Vocal/Chords
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty
Item: 00-PS-0010940
$5.99
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Description
A collection of highlights from the career of one of the most honored Broadway songwriting teams of our time: Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. This songbook contains songs that are a joy to perform, no matter what your age from their Tony Award®-winning musical Ragtime to acclaimed shows like Seussical: The Musical and Once On This Island. Titles: After the Storm * All Those Christmas Cliches * Alone in the Universe * At the Beginning * Back to Before * Close But No Cigar * Come Down from the Tree * How Lucky You Are * The Human Heart * I Was Here * If the World Were Like the Movies * It's Possible * Journey to the Past * Larger than Life * Love Who You Love * Make Them Hear You * Mama Will Provide * My Body Wasn't Why * Oh, the Thinks You Can Think * Once Upon a December * Our Children * Ragtime * Something Beautiful * Streets of Dublin * Times Like This * Waiting for Life * Wheels of a Dream.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
208
SKU:
00-PS-0010940
More about this title
About the Composer: Stephen Flaherty
Stephen Flaherty has composed music for Broadway's most distinctive theatrical voices, partnering with lyricist Lynn Ahrens to create scores that range from intimate character studies to sweeping historical epics. His work across Ragtime, Anastasia, Seussical, and Once on This Island demonstrates a gift for melody that serves both narrative clarity and emotional depth, earning him Tony Awards and Grammy recognition alongside his collaborator.
Flaherty's compositional approach balances accessibility with sophistication, crafting music that works equally well in a Broadway house, a school auditorium, or a pianist's practice room. His ability to write for diverse vocal ranges and instrumental resources has made his work central to contemporary musical theater education and performance.
Why we love this
This collection captures the full range of Flaherty and Ahrens's collaborative genius in one volume, offering vocalists and pianists genuinely singable material that never sacrifices musical substance. The piano arrangements are idiomatic and supportive rather than decorative, making this an invaluable resource for recitals, auditions, or simply for discovering which songs live best in a pianist's hands.
What to expect
These songs move between intimate reflection and theatrical grandeur, grounded in melody that feels inevitable once you hear it. Whether exploring the historical sweep of Ragtime, the whimsy of Seussical, or the folk-inflected intimacy of Once on This Island, the music maintains an emotional honesty that draws listeners in immediately.
Who it's for
Vocalists preparing auditions or recitals will find substantial, well-crafted material spanning different styles and emotional territories. Pianists interested in Broadway literature, music theater students, and vocal coaches seeking repertoire with real dramatic stakes will find this collection both practical and artistically rewarding.
How to get the most out of it
- Study the lyrical phrasing before diving into the accompaniment; Flaherty's melodies follow the text's contours, so understanding the story unlocks the musicality.
- Treat the chord symbols as a foundation rather than a ceiling. The written piano part is fully realized, but if you're accompanying a vocalist, these chords offer flexibility for your own interpretive choices.
- Balance the vocal line with accompaniment textures that support without overwhelming. Many of these songs work best when the piano creates atmosphere rather than competing for attention.
How to use it
Build an entire recital around Flaherty and Ahrens's work, or select individual songs to complement other material and offer audiences variety in style and era. For music theater students, this songbook functions as both a performance resource and a textbook in contemporary songwriting craft.
Skills your students will build
- Singing with Broadway-style legit technique and contemporary musical theater phrasing
- Reading and interpreting chord symbols in a professional songbook context
- Understanding how piano accompaniment serves vocal storytelling
- Navigating diverse musical styles and dramatic contexts within a single volume
- Building repertoire across multiple shows and character types