Peters is particularly noted for her starring roles in the musicals Song and Dance (Tony Award, Best Actress in Musical) , Annie Get Your Gun (Tony Award, Best Actress in Musical), Sunday in the Park with George, and Into the Woods, becoming closely associated with the composers Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber, and in films including The Jerk and Pennies from Heaven, both opposite Steve Martin.
Peters has received many honorary awards over the years, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (April 1987); the Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year (1987); the Sarah Siddons Award for outstanding performance in a Chicago theatrical production (1994); the American Theatre Hall of Fame at the Gershwin Theatre in New York City (1996), becoming the youngest person so honored (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Christopher Rawson, January 25, 1996, p. C1); an Honorary Doctorate from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York (May 19, 2002) [10]; and the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame (June 28, 2002).
Move On
Bernadette Peters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No
That is not like you, George
I′ve nothing to say
Well, nothing that's not been said
Said by you, though. George
I do not know where to go
And nor did I
I want to make things that count, things that will be new...
I did what I had to do...
What am I to do?
Move on...
Stop worrying where you′re going-
Move on
If you can know where you're going
You've gone
Just keep moving on
I chose, and my world was shaken-
So what?
The choice may have been mistaken,
The choosing was not
You have to move on
Look at what you want,
Not at where you are,
Not at what you′ll be-
Look at all the things you′ve done for me
Opened up my eyes,
Taught me how to see,
Notice every tree-
Notice every tree...
Understand the light-
...Understand the light...
Concentrate on now-
I want to move on
I want to explore the light
I want to know how to get through,
Through to something new,
Something of my own-
Move on, move on
Stop worrying it your vision
Is new
Let others make that decision-
They usually do
You keep moving on
The song Move On by Bernadette Peters is a powerful message about letting go of the past and moving forward. The song is a conversation between two characters, George and Dot, who are struggling with their creative endeavors. Dot asks George if he is working on something new, to which he responds that he has nothing to say. Dot reminds him that he has many things to say, but George feels that everything he wants to say has already been said by someone else. Dot tries to encourage George to push through his creative block and create something unique and impactful. George is unsure of where to go, but Dot reminds him that she was once in the same position and that he needs to let go of his insecurities and move forward.
The chorus of the song is a mantra, encouraging George (and the listener) to keep moving forward in life. Dot tells him to stop worrying about where he's going, as long as he's going somewhere. She reminds him to focus on the present, to look at what he's done in the past, and to use that to inspire him to create something new. The song ends with Dot encouraging George to keep moving forward, even if his vision is new and different from what others expect. She reminds him to keep creating, to keep exploring the light, and to move on.
Overall, Move On is a powerful song that speaks to anyone who has felt stuck in life or struggling with their creativity. It's a reminder to let go of the past, to focus on the present, and to keep moving forward towards something new and exciting.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you working on something new?
Is there something new you're creating?
No
No, nothing new.
That is not like you, George
That's not typical of you, George.
I've nothing to say
I don't have anything to share or express.
You have many things
You have so many things to say and express, George.
Well, nothing that's not been said
Well, everything I want to say has already been said.
Said by you, though. George
All those things were said by you, George.
I do not know where to go
I have no idea about my next step.
And nor did I
I was also confused at one point in my life.
I want to make things that count, things that will be new...
I want to create something of value, something that's new...
I did what I had to do...
I took action that time required...
What am I to do?
What should I do next?
Move on...
Just keep moving forward...
Stop worrying where you're going-
Move on
Don't worry too much about your direction, just keep moving.
If you can know where you're going
You've gone
Just keep moving on
If you already know where you're going, you've probably missed something; keep moving on.
I chose, and my world was shaken-
So what?
The choice may have been mistaken,
The choosing was not
You have to move on
I took a chance, and even if it turned out to be wrong, making that decision was still the right thing to do. You can't dwell on your mistakes, you need to keep moving on.
Look at what you want,
Not at where you are,
Not at what you'll be-
Look at all the things you've done for me
Focus on what you want to achieve, not on where you currently stand or what you'll become. Look at all the positive things you've already accomplished.
Opened up my eyes,
Taught me how to see,
Notice every tree-
You helped me see things differently, appreciate the beauty around me, and focus on the small things.
Understand the light-
I want to understand the larger picture, beyond the here and now.
I want to move on
I want to explore the light
I want to know how to get through,
Through to something new,
Something of my own-
I'm ready to take the next step, explore the bigger picture, find my way, and create something of my own.
Stop worrying it your vision
Is new
Let others make that decision-
They usually do
You keep moving on
Don't worry if your vision is new. Others will often decide if it's worthwhile, and you should just keep moving forward regardless.
Writer(s): Stephen Sondheim
Contributed by Nathan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sweetbrit
Bernadette Peters is so talented and she is truly amazing! I really love her passion for singing and for the way she gives so much to every performance! Thank you for bringing sunshine into my life with your wonderful singing and performance! :-)
@KangaRooAndPiggy
I agree, sweetbrit.
Bernadette is truly an outstanding artist/actress with an exceptional voice .
💝
@jackschimmelman6355
took my daughter to see this show to help inspire her in her own musical pursuits. after seeing it, i realized that this show was probably more for me than for her. she didn't need to be reminded. i did.
@Mike98861
What a goddess! Wow I LOVE her so much I can't stop listening to her. I need a support group cause I'm a Bernadette Peters addict...I'm sure you all understand.
@KangaRooAndPiggy
💝 Anybody listening during the Corona~virus pandemic of 2020?
'Hit that 'Like' thumb! 💝
@leth2753
I think my heart broke a little when Stephen Sondheim died. His words live on for this world and thank the Universe for such an amazingly kind and wise human.
He must have been one of the most beautifully communicative human beings to ever walk this planet. I'd take him over Shakespeare any day.
@joanwinderman3673
This song and Berndette speak to me
@cabellero1120
Wow!
What a talented performer
@kkaleighj
BERNADETTE PETERS NEVER EVER DO YOU DISAPPOINT
@heavenleigh1881
As a writer and a son who loves his Moma. Thank you