His vocals can be found on the original cast recording and the film soundtrack for Rent, the revival CD for You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and his solo album entitled Look Around.
Halloween
Anthony Rapp Lyrics
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Uhh, no need to bother her
Just let her know that I'm running late for my appointment
I'm at my-
Yes, I'll still be there
Yes, I signed the contract
Thanks
How the hell, Pan left, close on the steeple of the church
How did I get here?
How the hell, Christmas, Christmas Eve, last year
How could a night so frozen
Be so scalding hot?
How can a morning this mild
Be so raw?
Why are entire years strewn
On the cutting room floor of memories?
When single frames of one magic night
Forever flicker in close-up on the 3-D Imax of my mind
That's poetic, that's pathetic
Why did Mimi knock on Roger's door
And Collins choose that phone booth
Back where Angel set up his drums?
Why did Maureen's equipment break down?
Why am I the witness?
And when I capture it on film
Will it mean that it's the end and I'm alone?
The song "Halloween" by Anthony Rapp is a reflective piece that contemplates the significance of memories and how they shape our present experiences. The opening lines, "How did we get here, how the hell? / Pan left, close on the steeple of the church / How did I get here, how the hell? / Christmas! Christmas Eve, last year," establish a sense of disorientation and confusion as the singer tries to make sense of their surroundings. The juxtaposition of Halloween and Christmas serves to emphasize the contrast between the joyful spirit of the season and the darker, more introspective mood of the song.
The lyrics go on to explore the paradox of emotions, how a night that appears cold and icy can feel overwhelmingly intense, while a seemingly tranquil morning can hold an underlying tension. The singer questions the nature of memory, pondering why certain moments remain vivid while entire years can fade away unnoticed. The references to specific characters from the musical Rent, such as Mimi, Roger, Collins, Angel, and Maureen, add a sense of nostalgia and personal connection to the lyrics.
Overall, "Halloween" is a haunting and thought-provoking song that captures the bittersweet nature of memory and the complexities of human emotion.
Line by Line Meaning
How did we get here, how the hell?
I'm trying to understand how we ended up in this situation.
Pan left, close on the steeple of the church
The camera should move left and zoom in on the church's steeple.
How did I get here, how the hell?
I'm trying to make sense of how I personally ended up in this situation.
Christmas! Christmas Eve, last year
It was Christmas Eve last year when everything started.
How could a night so frozen
Be so scalding hot?
How is it possible for a night that was so cold to also be so intense?
How can a morning this mild
Be so raw?
Why does this seemingly peaceful morning feel so emotionally intense?
Why are entire years strewn
On the cutting room floor of memory?
Why do we forget whole years of our lives, as if they were deleted from a movie edit?
When single frames from one magic night
Forever flicker in close-up on the 3-D IMAX of my mind
Why is it that only fragments of certain unforgettable nights remain so vividly in my memory?
That's poetic, that's pathetic
The difference between a meaningful and insignificant memory is blurred.
Why did Mimi knock on Roger's door
And Collins choose that phone booth
Back where Angel set up his drums?
Why did Maureen's equipment break down?
Why did all these coincidences happen to lead us to this point?
Why am I the witness
And when I capture it on film
Will it mean that it's the end?
And I'm alone
Why do I have to witness this moment, and when I film it, will that be the end, leaving me alone to face it?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joathan D. Larson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind