The Time Warp (from <i>The Rocky Horror Picture Show</i>) Sheet Music Preview

The Time Warp (from The Rocky Horror Picture Show): 2-Part / SSA Choral Octavo

Words and music by Richard O'Brien / arr. Andy Beck

Item: 00-PO-0001092

Digital Download
$2.25

Minimum order quantity: 20 copies

Description
Here's the rockin' signature song from stage and screen cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, as performed by the cast of Glee. The lyrics of the chorus give great clues for choreography! Featured on Showbiz! choral movement DVD (00-35858).

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 16
SKU: 00-PO-0001092

More about this title

About the Composer: Richard O'Brien

Richard O'Brien created The Rocky Horror Picture Show as a stage musical in 1973, drawing inspiration from B-movies, camp aesthetics, and the theatrical traditions he admired. His gift for blending humor, heart, and infectious hooks made the show a cultural phenomenon that has sustained audiences for decades through film, touring productions, and countless community theater stagings.

Why we love this

This arrangement captures the infectious energy and playful chaos of the original while giving young singers a genuine showstopper. The movement suggestions built into the score mean your students are learning choreography alongside the music, turning rehearsal into something that feels more like a party than work.

What to expect

Pure joy with a knowing wink. This song bounces with infectious rock energy while the playful lyrics and suggested movement create a sense of theatrical mischief. It's the kind of number that makes an audience smile before the first note lands.

Who it's for

High school and middle school choirs looking for contemporary repertoire that builds ensemble energy and audience engagement. Directors seeking material that excites singers about coming to rehearsal and doesn't require elaborate production values to make an impact.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish a steady, driving rhythm in the opening. The groove is everything; lock it in early so the singers feel confident riding the pulse.
  • Watch the recorded accompaniment during rehearsals to hear how the Glee version interprets phrasing and dynamics. Your singers will recognize it and stay motivated.
  • Lean into the humor in the lyrics, especially in the chorus. Encourage singers to commit fully to the storytelling without irony; that earnestness is what makes it land.
  • Work the staging from day one. These choreography cues aren't an afterthought; they're integral to how the song breathes and communicates.

How to use it

Drop this into a spring concert as a show-closing moment or a pops program centerpiece. The Glee connection and cult classic status will draw crowds, and it pairs well with other contemporary pop arrangements. Alternatively, it's a natural fit for musical theater units or interdisciplinary projects exploring film and stage adaptation.

Skills your students will build

  • Maintaining rhythmic precision in a rock-influenced idiom with syncopated rhythms
  • Singing with character and theatrical commitment beyond traditional choral technique
  • Coordinating ensemble singing with choreographed movement
  • Interpreting arranged material from a well-known source (film and stage adaptation)

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