The definitive Billy Bigelow. No one else comes close to him in this role. Should have won an Oscar

My father played and sang the roll of Billy Bigelow many times when I was a child. When he got to the part "what if he is a girl" in the Soliloquy, my sisters and I imagined along with him that it was us he sang about. Love you Dad, miss your gorgeous voice!

This is possibly the greatest singing in a musical I have ever seen or am likely to. Gordon uses his voice to convey his feelings for a would be son, then changes softly at the thought of a little girl. Marvellous. Never tire of this! A Desert Isle choice.🇬🇧❤️

The definitive 'Soliloquy'! What a glorious baritone; distinct diction, warm and pitch perfect intonation, Gordon MacRae was a beautiful gift to musical theater.

@flannerymonaghan-morris1317

4 жыл бұрын

Not to mention, he acts the role well too...

@tiggywinkle20

8 ай бұрын

Absolutely agree wholeheartedly. I love him still.❤️🇬🇧

@hsltr1

8 ай бұрын

​@@tiggywinkle20Me too miss Tiggywinkle 😊

This isn't only Gordon MacRae at his finest, this is Rogers and Hammerstein at their finest. The Soliloquy is the most beautiful expression of hope and fear.

@Krumpulous

3 жыл бұрын

It's a genius piece that shows the good intentions of Billy's character, but foreshadows his demise literally in the final lyrics of the song. It's a perfect characterization of a tragic hero. Carousel is my favorite R&H musical, and the Soliloquy is my favorite song in the entire musical.

@SheridanJazz

3 жыл бұрын

Impossible to top.

@theevilascotcompany9255

3 жыл бұрын

Hope, to fear, to love, to making the most tragic decision of his life.

@janicenicholls5924

2 жыл бұрын

Yes. yes, yes!

@feelthejoy

Жыл бұрын

Carousel is a flawed show but this song is flawless and timeless

I always cry when I hear him sing. He had a beautiful voice.

@johnbrady6276

2 ай бұрын

You 're in good company. On a TV show his daughter Meredith, a beautiful actress who starred in several TV series, was asked to name something that made her cry. She said hearing her father sing the Soliloquy from Carousel always made her cry.

lordy! what a beautiful lyrical masculine voice, gracefully powerful, DEEP. the total package on display here, acting and singing. it would not have been the same movie with sinatra.

@Mrswindy

2 ай бұрын

Absolutely! I love Sinatra, but the few photos I’ve seen of him in the costumes shots for this are just your skinny Sinatra. MacRae was perfect!

Gordon MacRea made this song hIs own , no one will ever sing it better .. !

@jamesunderwood8435

8 жыл бұрын

+vin johns AMEN!!!!

@bobspurgdon3028

5 жыл бұрын

Hfhdxfufcuchch

I've watched many truly excellent male singers perform this song, including John Raitt (the original Billy Bigelow in the stage production). But no one -- not a single one -- sang and acted it like Gordon MacRae.

To me Gordon McRae would have to be the best Billy Bigelow there's ever been he's just as good as Curly in Oklahoma.

@DShoop

2 жыл бұрын

Thank goodness that Frank Sinatra backed out !

@suzannequinson8439

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! He's far and away the best Curly, too. I've had a crush on him since I first saw Oklahoma! So for about 35 years and counting, heh-heh.

Gordon MacRae should have been nominated for an Oscar.

We introduced our daughter-in-law to Gordon MacRae. Her comment, "He's dashing!" Of course he is!

The wonderful Girdon Macrae - as far as I am concerned,one of the greatest voices of the last century, thank heavens we have his recordings.

I was 5 when I fell in love with Gordon McRae and Carousel and Oklahoma. To me no one can sing this or any of his songs better or look any better singing them. I wanted him for my dad, my future husband, my everything. Funny a 5 year old can formulate all that. From Oklahoma I decided to become a Broadway singer and worked at it all through school. Now I'm a writer but my heart will always belong to musical theater and Gordon McRae. Shirley Jones & Julie Andrews were mentors. Thx 4 post

One of the best voices of all time!

It's my understanding that Gordon MacRae was self-taught in regards to his singing career. He's absolutely perfect. The way he makes "My boy Bill" transition from a robust, lively song to a sweet, lovely melody when he considers he might have a girl instead was flawless. It's a shame we no longer have such raw talent as his today.

@trevorarmbuster2173

3 жыл бұрын

)h but we DO. We have Nathan Gunn who is one of the Great Wonders of Our Age.

@lindavanniekerk8020

3 жыл бұрын

I understood that he had operatic training, and wanted to go back to it.......

@charmainemorley2197

3 жыл бұрын

I absolutely agree with you on Gordon singing this. He remains my favourite American singer, in my view unequalled in this field. I really love Gordon MacRae, one of of the very very best.

I looked this song up because I went to Hugh Jackman’s Show tonight, and heard him perform it. I went with my dad (I’m his youngest daughter). Dad was wiping away tears at the end... I think the “my little girl” part got him... and my dad is the guy who is NEVER emotional. So that was touching. A classic song, sung amazingly by Gordon McRae here, and of course by Hugh as well.

@carlycarlucci1301

Жыл бұрын

Emotionally intelligent dads rule. Sincerity over frequency. The emotion & sympathy/empathy Bill’s character evokes in us here is art at its max potential. But 2022 culture focuses solely on the negative/“problematic” parts. Hope brilliant AND accessible creative art like this has a comeback asap!

Thank God Frank Sinatra walked off the production! It is hard to imagine him in this role rather than Gordon MacRae.

@manthasagittarius1

7 жыл бұрын

He recorded it, and I think it meant a lot to him. But he didn't have that resonance or beauty of tone, or the looks, or the acting sense . . .

@SinisterMicFinister

7 жыл бұрын

His version was on one of my mom's Sinatra albums. I loved the song long before I saw the movie.

Be still my beating heart. So wonderful, never to be surpassed-ever!♥️

One of the reasons Gordon MacRae was so good is he actually sings it by himself; there is no electronic "massaging" of the voice. It's straight from mouth to tape. Also, there were diction coaches back then. Todays media lacks clarity of speech, sometimes.

@darylesells19

Жыл бұрын

This incredible singer clearly has chops on him and it’s why no other cover I’ve heard so far has held a candle to McRae’s. Great voices all around however. Heard this in a music history class once and have circled back to it ever since. I admit that I do mostly like the polished sound of what we have today, but equally like older music where imperfections were more clear. All depends on the quality of the singer as always. This doesn’t even go back to the 50s or 60s either funnily enough, an early 2000s debut album by one of my favorite bands is incredibly unpolished compared to everything they made after, giving the whole thing a sound uniquely it’s own. There’s this…perfectly crafted chaos to it that nothing afterwards quite touches, but some songs in their follow up album do get very close to. I can’t get enough of the unintentional vocal wavers or odd sound mixing, because the talent of the lead singer shines through despite it. Fans have gone back and forth over whether or not the album is good or not, and this is all clearly opinion based, but regardless their first one was an experience many such as myself absolutely adore.

@dagmarpreinerstorfer1609

Жыл бұрын

He only got the role because Frank sinatra walked out of the studio on the First day of shooting.

Very special meaning to me😇 My son who was born 2 months after his father passed just became a father for the first time @ 53 years. Such a blessing😊

One of the greatest moments in a musical so full of sunshine & shadow ...

Nobody can better this. I'll always remember the first time I saw this. His voice just soars. He was my dads favourite singer. Thank you Gordon for giving us this to treasure forever

@francoisbessing

9 ай бұрын

It’s dubbed.

@monamurray996

6 ай бұрын

I feel exactly the same after seeing all of his movies since I was about 6 yrs old- On Moonlight Bay ets and he just got better with every movie and later in person- He was always my favorite-

@monamurray996

6 ай бұрын

I beg to differ- check it out! Gordon MacRae had one of best voices there was ever-

AAAAAAAAHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhmazing. The way his voice and tone changes when he talks about his girl vs his boy. LOVE LOVE LOVE. This is one of the best pieces of music written by R&H. This song deserves to be on the best of R&H.

I'm a single female in college and nowhere close to having kids, but this song makes me want to go out and make money for my unborn daughter and be a good father

@darylesells19

Жыл бұрын

You too, huh? I’m a single woman as well and hearing this makes me wanna be the best dang dad in the world.

@goombabear

Жыл бұрын

That's sweet. You'd be a great father.

@user-sv6gf7ei5d

10 ай бұрын

Mother

@user-kf8wb2cq4f

7 ай бұрын

@tallyho..😆😆😆🤣😅😂😅🤣

@jek9911

6 ай бұрын

Two years later, has anything changed?

Grit, grace, manliness, beauty, reality, fantasy, Great combo in Carousel

Definitive version of a classic song - no-one sings it better in my opinion. Well done Mr MacRae xx Always remembered

I prefer Gordon MacRae as the true leading man instead of the antihero, but he is still fantastic in this role. He could have gone onto the operatic stage with that voice!

Gordon will always be remembered for this song!

Too much magic! I know nothing is ever definitive but I've never heard a version to top this and I've heard a few. He gets inside the song completely. and makes an incredibly complex piece seem like a breeze.

This role belongs to Gordon Macrae in my opinion. Nobody has come close since. His voice was magnificent 💖💖💖

My mother used to have all Rogers and Hammerstein LP's and would play them on Sundays while the roast was cooking. We went to see all the movies too. I still know all the words off by heart even nearly 60 years later. Carousel is always special to me though, who could not fall for Billy Bigelow!

I agree. Gordon MacRae is fabulous. No contemporary performer of this role has been able to come close ro MacRae. Glorious voice and wonderful job singing and acting this song.

@janicenicholls5924

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely!!

One of the films I could watch over and over

Fighting fear with hope. My favourite sequence from any musical. The passion makes the heart swell and no one else quite does like Gordon M❤️

I fell in live with gordan macrae at the young age of 8! I was so sure he would be my husband one day. At 10 I found out he had died in 1986 which was two years before I was born!! Gutted was not the word!! But I still believe gordan macrae is one of the greatest singers of all time and I never tire of watching or listening to him. Infact I watched carousel only yesterday. Thanks for posting xx

@BarbaraCott

8 жыл бұрын

+Kaylie Rawcliffe I agree. I've been listening to different versions of the song, but he was the best! It's my favorite movie, right after The King and I.

@karencrockett5818

5 жыл бұрын

I feel in love with Yule Brenner from the king n i i found out at the age of 18 he passed away i was so sad.....

@elizabethplascencia1414

5 жыл бұрын

One of the best voices ever. I love Oklahoma especially. I swoon at his voice, I can’t help it.

@hillarydesmond-mcnaughton8839

4 жыл бұрын

@@elizabethplascencia1414 I LOVE he and Shirley Jones together in Oklahoma! Carousel was beautiful in it's own right, but the first time I saw it, I freakin' BAWLED!

@susanharris7388

4 жыл бұрын

I thought I was reading about myself! I too fell in love with him when I was 8. Still feel that way!

Thank you so very much for posting that clip. I have tears in my eyes. Gordon McRae sang that song better than anyone else ever did. His rich baritone was perfect for show tunes.

Gordon MacRea will always be known for this song

One of the best musicals of all time!

The greatest interpretation ever. No one comes close to Gordon McCrae, with apologies to Joshua Henry, who comes in 2nd. McCrae’s sensitivity is perfect - not over the top or over accentuated, AND perfectly melds with the orchestration, like he was the 1st chair violin in that orchestra. My gripe with other versions of this work - all the modern performances I have seen play the ending way too fast (where he sings “I gotta get ready”) - it starts fast, then slight decelerando and even bigger decel at the end. THEN it’s fast for the last 4 bars. I feel that this version allows the lyrics not to be rushed like other versions, like I said, the best interpretation.

In the 50s my mother used to take me to the cinema , Carlton Hill in Leeds . The long walk from Hyde Park to the cinema took forever but with a treat like Gordon Macrae to see it was a real treat . It was not long after the war so the cinema was a great escape from rationing and the shortages of food . We used to walk home through the dark streets singing the songs we had just seen , a real treat and l still watch Gorden Macrae to this day and what memories it has for me .Thanks mum 🤓😻

What a shame that these musicals have now passed into oblivion, except for these postings of course THANK YOU.

@Radiatoron88

5 жыл бұрын

The music itself will never be forgotten, I think. The musicals might be too old-fashioned and "corny" for "sophisticated" young people, but good and great music hits deeply. The stories of some of the old musicals might be a bit corny and contrived, but who cares when you get songs like this and "If I Loved You" and "You'll Never Walk alone." Great music will always stand the test of time. At least that's my bet!

@johnlorenzen4633

4 жыл бұрын

@@Radiatoron88 amen!

@Radiatoron88

4 жыл бұрын

@@johnlorenzen4633 I'm glad you feel the same way!

That was the first movie my Mom took me to , I was 7 yrs old, I came out of the show and was in love with musicals, Gordon Macrae, and the song You’ll never walk Alone, today at 75 they are still my first three loves

Too bad they don't make these musicals anymore. Gordon Mcray was great.

Thank you for your lovely comment. I agree, I cannot imagine either anybody singing better than Gordon MacRae. Regards.

Just magnificent singing of a magnificent song of a magnificent musical Carousel!

yes I quite agree susanwatkins28octobe I watched this first time in 1956 as an impressionable 12 year old and just about sobbed all through it and now at my grand age I find myself sitting here sobbing away fit to bust! Gordon MacCrae has always been my favourite and he sang so beautifully.

Thank you for uploading this beautiful clip. My father Jay Hartley Nixon sang this role on stage at Longwood Gardens in Kennet Square in the 1950s and 1960s. He sounded EXACTLY like this. He had the same voice as Gordan MacRae and was well trained. Before you think I remember too romantically, I was a voice major too... and am a songwriter and poet...so my ear is well...good. I am startled every time I hear this...when I close my eyes I see my Dad. Perhaps someone else will remember.

@ejmbak

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing this

My mother, who lived in NYC, was an avid theater-goer in those days when ticket prices were reasonable. She told me later on she favored John Raitt (Bonnie's dad) of the original Broadway cast, but it's hard to imagine singing any better than Gordon Macrae in Carousel and also in Oklahoma.

To think Frank Sinatra almost made this film. So glad he left the production and Gordan was cast.

@meckel1271

4 жыл бұрын

No, but Frank did the most incredible version of "Solioquy" ever, much better than Mc Rae."

@TheStockwell

4 жыл бұрын

@@meckel1271 It's the last track on Side One of "The Concert Sinatra" album. The entire album is a masterpiece, with him singing with a full orchestra and showing his bel canto training. He's amazing. Still, even though he was the first choice for the film, it's hard to imagine him as a big, brawny, physically imposing Billy Bigelow. The thing is, the film was going to be filmed in regular format as well as widescreen. Sinatra didn't want to do every scene twice, so he turned the part down. The irony is that it was eventually figured out how to shoot both versions simultaneously.

@seanmaher3518

4 жыл бұрын

I agree. I like Frank, but an operatic voice is needed for this role.

@scotpens

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheStockwell Actually 20th Century Fox originally planned to film "Carousel" the same way they did "Oklahoma!", in two different widescreen formats -- 35mm anamorphic and CinemaScope 55, which used 55-millimeter film.

@TheStockwell

3 жыл бұрын

@@scotpens You're absolutely correct. It was the idea of having to do multiple takes of everything - for the benefit of two different cameras - that caused Sinatra to turn down the role. He was comfortable doing multiple takes when recording songs, but film was a different matter. He'd give a few takes at most, then call It a day. Ironically, by the time "Carousel" began shooting they'd figured out how to use both cameras simultaneously. Have a grand day, Scotpens. 🐧😀🐧

No one tops this man's voice.

Love listening to this....I was 6 years old when it came out. Remember listening to the songs and watching the movie over and over again. Let my little grand daughter (4 months) listen to the music. She loved it!

@BarbaraCott

8 жыл бұрын

+Cheryl Phillips I saw it at the movies in Pittsburgh!

Powerful song from a great musical...amazing to think its not even the best song in it...

What a beautifully sung piece of music!

I don't know how to make a comment in this rectangular box, and have our photo not shown twice. Can anyone help me about this? I JUST LOVE this Soliloquy of "My Boy Bill!" Gordon miraculously puts such passion in his happiness; it seems that he is putting his soul into words, and singing it! Wow! I'm impressed! Love, Liz

This is great singing, and a great song.

I always thought that this was the push that Billy needed. he finally had to care for somebody other than himself probably for the first time in his life.

@aminsadeghpour1549

4 жыл бұрын

I always thought that that was the problem. Billy was not used to caring for other people, which is why he did not understand what being a father meant.

This is for me, MacRae‘s finest hour as a singer in film musicals. As lyric baritone he was absolutely perfect for this music & in the role as well. I love Keel‘s voice just as much but in range he was more of a bass-baritone & would have probably needed some transpositions. Although I read somewhere that he had a go at Billy at some point in his career. Nothing wrong with transposing, I guess, but the first time I heard this music was from the film soundtrack & it made the most singular impression.

This is right up there with "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserable

@janicenicholls5924

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, but it is better for me! Gordon was simply amazing in this part, never to be surpassed.

My gosh what a voice! An awesome performance. He was perfect for this part!

I have been "labeled" as a progressive activist. Perhaps I am, but I do not believe in labels. To sum it up, I'm an old fashioned romantic. And I never cease to weep when it comes to this soliloquy. I love Sondheim.... and Oscar Hammerstein was his mentor. THANK YOU to Romi M. Panilio for sharing with us!

Cry every time I see this scene

No one then, now, or ever will match this. Absolutely the greatest

@janicenicholls5924

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely!

Did you know that Frank Sinatra was originally cast as Billy? Because of the film techniques at the time, the film's scenes had to be shot twice. Frank was famous for filming all of his scenes in one take and therefore walked out. I cannot picture him at all. Gordon MacRae IS Billy Bigelow, now and forever. Nuff said.

It’s hard to imagine that Frank Sinatra was originally supposed to play Billy Bigelow, until he quit the film. I don’t think he really had the vocal chops for Soliloquy, but boy, Gordon MacRae sure did.

Just some extra info about this selection...from the 1956 20th Century-Fox film (originally in CinemaScope 55 process). This outdoor scene (unlike other exterior scenes in the film which were filmed in Maine), this one was shot on the west coast near Malibu I think. Filmed by one of Fox's best cinematographers (Charles G. Clarke) and the film score conducted by the great Alfred Newman and his Fox orchestra.

@johnlorenzen4633

4 жыл бұрын

Good for you . Yes definitly west coast.

I first saw this movie in 1956 when I was ten, little did I know that some day I would have 2 daughters that I love so much and so proud of them there good people love you Justine & Jessie

Gordon McRae is my idea of a good looking, virile man. Sort of my ideal, actually.

used to think this was a cheesy song until I had kids - two daughters - and now I can not get through this song without crying like one of them.

gordan mcrae a great talent carousel and oklahoma beautiful music

Still my favourite musical and musical scene/song

I can remember when I told my husband that I was expecting my 1st baby. He was such a good father! We had 2 daughters!

Absolutely magnificent !!

Absolutely wonderful.

I always thought this scene was the turning point in Billy's life. he always was a kind of self-centered guy, not caring much for anybody except himself. I think that his prospect of being a father is forcing him to care for someone else other than himself probably for the first time in his life

Gordon had a better voice than Sinatra for a musical like this

@dianabway

2 жыл бұрын

Yes his voice has more depth , which is much better for the character of Billy Bigelow

@libertygiveme1987

Ай бұрын

@leswainwright5343 - PLEAZE!!!! Sinatra had NOTHING on Macrae!!!! I never thought Sinatra had that good of a voice anyway!!!!

@leswainwright5343

Ай бұрын

@@libertygiveme1987 Thats what I said Gordon had a better voice !

@libertygiveme1987

Ай бұрын

@@leswainwright5343 You said "For a musical...." He had a BETTER VOICE, PERIOD!!!! Sinatra couldn't "hold a candle" to Gordon!!!!

@leswainwright5343

Ай бұрын

@@libertygiveme1987 Whoa! I agree Gordon had a better voice than Sinatra !

fabulous fantastic brilliant what more can i say

I hope that my boy will one day grow up to be the fella that sells you glue.

This is just incredible

beautiful contribution to youtube and humanity-

He was perfect! Nobody else could do that song like he does!

loved gordans voice. its so weird how the character loves his wife yet because he is unemployed and all attempts of getting a job he takes it out on her .

I feel that this rendition is the best paced for me, not too slow like Frank Sinatra’s (somewhat lacking passion) and not too fast as Nathan Gunn’s which was almost too passionate.

I was watching the X Factor on TV tonight and could not stand listening to these tallentless youngsters any more. I was fortunate enough to find your site and must applaud you on your excellent uploads which took me to a time when MUSIC was music and SINGERS could sing. Thank you so much for your excellent work.

@barbaramclarren2625

3 жыл бұрын

He was the best!

i have watched and heard a number of actors portray Billy Bigelow. No disrespect but none, NONE, be they West End or Broadway, comes close to Gordon MacRae.

@janicenicholls5924

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed, I agree with you on that.

All my life have loved this. Now just replaying & seeing the misogyny. The way billy talks to her. Even the soliloquy. She mightn’t be as bad as that.

My earliest memory of attending a theater was in 1955 ( I was 7) and I saw Gordon MacRae as Billy Bigelow in a touring production of "Carousel" at the State Fair Theater in Dallas. That was before the movie was released. I've heard that R & H wanted him to get some experience in the part before they would give him the movie role. This was corroborated by Andrew Gainey, who played Jigger.

@janicenicholls5924

2 жыл бұрын

WOW!

incredible song--b'way equivant of Hamlet in a way--a lyric tour de force of Hammerstein--nothing like it had ever been done before--and a singing tour de force for MacCrae--best mid century baritone

glad Sinatra dropped out. MacRae has this virile, masculine yet boyish appeal perfect for the part.

@lindavanniekerk8020

3 жыл бұрын

Had heard that FS quickly realized that his voice couldn't manage the score, and off he WENT!

Splendid scene and song !!!!!

My Mum played this when I was in her womb. I saw it once after when I was 6 years of age. The second time I heard it was at 32, and while I will not claim to know all the words (I knew the chorus), I knew the melody photographically

@janicenicholls5924

2 жыл бұрын

Some how, I seem to know all the words too.

I ❤ you Gordon MacRae

The best ever.

@julierichards2048

6 жыл бұрын

graham smith 6p

I feel the same about this film saw it when I was 6 yrs watched hundreds of times always feel the same about it Gypsykings

This story is so sad. Two orphans who never had a chance in life. It always makes me cry and appreciate what I have.

Although Carousel is set in Maine, you can tell this was filmed on location in southern California by the white sandy beach, the sharp uneroded rocks, and the kelp bed visible as a band of green in the slightly deeper waters offshore.

@anthonysimpsonanygoround8749

4 жыл бұрын

TransPac Zuma Beach in Malibu, CA. Also used partially in Louise’s ballet near the end of the film, and Pacific Palisades is used in a shot during the final scene.

@anthonysimpsonanygoround8749

4 жыл бұрын

TransPac The green kelp shows, but actually adds color to the neutrals in the scene. As long as we’re speaking of inaccuracies, airplanes fly by in the upper left at 2:50, as pointed out in a book on film flubs.Also, Billy’s shadow can be seen as he walks away from Julie later in the finale- but who cares-it’s Gordon MacRae!-“and all the rest is talk”!

@dianabway

2 жыл бұрын

They still did shoot parts of Carousel in Boothbay Harbor Maine

Local group of amateurs putting on the show soon. Our poor "Billy" is having kittens now he realises the breadth of his part - he's no Gordon MacRae but he's got excellent coaching and I recon that this number will still bring the house down as always. It's a grand second act opener. Wish him luck for December.... ajb

I met John Raitt in Sardis one rainy evening. What a gentleman. Wish I saw him in Carousel.

I saw this film when I was 6 years old have watched hundreds of times since always have tears in my eyes you aint the only one lenmccabe1

I cannot picture Frank Sinatra playing that part. After all, I saw how he handled playing Nathan Detroit in the film version of Guys and Dolls, which was also not a great situation for Marlon Brando when he played Sky Masterson

@irenejohnston6802

Жыл бұрын

Sinatra more in character to play City hustler NDetroit