this song about Fantine. Her descent into hell – she loses everything: her money, her daughter – takes up several chapters. I had to encapsulate 50 pages of the novel into a three-minute song. So I decided rather than to list all the happiness, I would go inside her head – “I Dreamt of a Different Life” was the original title. And that is how the lyric was born.’
The song was changed to ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ with the help of British lyricist Herbert Kretzmer, and Aretha Franklin and Neil Diamond’s versions were among the composer’s favourites.
Patti LuPone’s version had just entered the charts at No. 27 thanks to the public downloading the song. ‘I didn’t even know the single still existed. The funny thing is that on iTunes, before you come to “I Dreamed a Dream,” all the songs are hip-hop and dance records. Les Misérables is something quite special. Every time we think we are done with it, we are not,’ Boublil said.
Neither was the public. Over 50 million people hadpaid at the box office to see the show, translated into 21 languages, in practically every country in the world – 53 productions had been seen in 38 countries – producing takings of an estimated £1 billion. Opening in 1985 and still running, it was the longest-running musical production in the West End and there had been four different LP versions as well as numerous orchestral recordings.
No wonder Sir Cameron Mackintosh, the producer who first brought Les Misérables to the stage, said, ‘I think there’s every chance Susan Boyle will have the number one album in America, I will predict that. I was gob-smacked by her powerhouse performance. Vocally it is one of the best versions of the song I’ve ever heard.’
Susan’s girlhood idol had been Donny Osmond. She still had some of his pictures on her bedroom wall, so it was fitting that he too should sing her praises.
Osmond sent a message of support telling how his wife wept as she watched and listened to Susan. ‘I consider it an honour Susan used my songs to learn how to sing. Her success story is one that touches each one of us to be great against all odds. It’s phenomenal what can happen today. Susan Boyle is the perfect example of that. When she walked out I was as cynical as everyone else. I thought, “This is a joke.” But when she opened her mouth an angel came out. I looked at my wife and she had tears in her eyes. I got chills. She turned the world around in 20 seconds.
‘I started hearing her say, “Donny Osmond is the inspiration behind my singing”. It is unbelievable. I am so honoured to be considered her inspiration.
‘I am so proud of you Susan for going out there and turning everybody around. You just keep proving them wrong.’
He was even to suggest recording a number with her – his classic ‘Puppy Love’ altered to ‘And they call it, Susan love.’
‘I would die to do a duet with her. I would have her come on stage and I would sing to her and she would sing to me. It would have to be “It Takes Two Baby.” I would have to get rid of the vibrato though; I’m a little bit rock and roll and she’s a little bit opera. I think everyone in show business should go out of their comfort zone, so you should take it to another level Susan, but don’t lose that innocence.’
His sister Marie Osmond echoed his views. ‘I think Susan is phenomenal. I love that you don’t have to be this typical Hollywood stereotype – and people love her for that. She says that she used to lock herself in her room and look at Donny’s pictures while she was singing.
‘I just wish Susan all the best. I say “go girl and enjoy.” Be yourself and have fun.’
In a world where the established means of communication such as newspapers and television seemed almost primitive, Susan was being transformed into a superstar by new technology in all its facets.
Television had launched her, it is true, but it was the relatively newcomer YouTube that
The song was changed to ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ with the help of British lyricist Herbert Kretzmer, and Aretha Franklin and Neil Diamond’s versions were among the composer’s favourites.
Patti LuPone’s version had just entered the charts at No. 27 thanks to the public downloading the song. ‘I didn’t even know the single still existed. The funny thing is that on iTunes, before you come to “I Dreamed a Dream,” all the songs are hip-hop and dance records. Les Misérables is something quite special. Every time we think we are done with it, we are not,’ Boublil said.
Neither was the public. Over 50 million people hadpaid at the box office to see the show, translated into 21 languages, in practically every country in the world – 53 productions had been seen in 38 countries – producing takings of an estimated £1 billion. Opening in 1985 and still running, it was the longest-running musical production in the West End and there had been four different LP versions as well as numerous orchestral recordings.
No wonder Sir Cameron Mackintosh, the producer who first brought Les Misérables to the stage, said, ‘I think there’s every chance Susan Boyle will have the number one album in America, I will predict that. I was gob-smacked by her powerhouse performance. Vocally it is one of the best versions of the song I’ve ever heard.’
Susan’s girlhood idol had been Donny Osmond. She still had some of his pictures on her bedroom wall, so it was fitting that he too should sing her praises.
Osmond sent a message of support telling how his wife wept as she watched and listened to Susan. ‘I consider it an honour Susan used my songs to learn how to sing. Her success story is one that touches each one of us to be great against all odds. It’s phenomenal what can happen today. Susan Boyle is the perfect example of that. When she walked out I was as cynical as everyone else. I thought, “This is a joke.” But when she opened her mouth an angel came out. I looked at my wife and she had tears in her eyes. I got chills. She turned the world around in 20 seconds.
‘I started hearing her say, “Donny Osmond is the inspiration behind my singing”. It is unbelievable. I am so honoured to be considered her inspiration.
‘I am so proud of you Susan for going out there and turning everybody around. You just keep proving them wrong.’
He was even to suggest recording a number with her – his classic ‘Puppy Love’ altered to ‘And they call it, Susan love.’
‘I would die to do a duet with her. I would have her come on stage and I would sing to her and she would sing to me. It would have to be “It Takes Two Baby.” I would have to get rid of the vibrato though; I’m a little bit rock and roll and she’s a little bit opera. I think everyone in show business should go out of their comfort zone, so you should take it to another level Susan, but don’t lose that innocence.’
His sister Marie Osmond echoed his views. ‘I think Susan is phenomenal. I love that you don’t have to be this typical Hollywood stereotype – and people love her for that. She says that she used to lock herself in her room and look at Donny’s pictures while she was singing.
‘I just wish Susan all the best. I say “go girl and enjoy.” Be yourself and have fun.’
In a world where the established means of communication such as newspapers and television seemed almost primitive, Susan was being transformed into a superstar by new technology in all its facets.
Television had launched her, it is true, but it was the relatively newcomer YouTube that
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