Idina was born on Long Island, New York, to a Jewish family. Her mother, Helene, is a therapist, and her father, Stuart Mentzel, worked as a pajama salesman. She was raised in Syosset, New York, with her younger sister Cara, and later changed the spelling of her last name (Mentzel) because of constant mispronunciation.
When Menzel was 15 years old, her parents divorced and she began working as a wedding and bar mitzvah singer. A job she continued throughout her time at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Drama at NYU.
In 1995, Menzel auditioned for Rent, which became her first professional theater job and her Broadway debut. Rent opened off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop on January 26, 1996. The show moved to Broadway's Nederlander Theatre due to its popularity. For her performance as Maureen Johnson in the original cast, Menzel received a Tony nomination as Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Her final performance in the musical was on July 1, 1997.
Following the success of Rent, Menzel released her first solo album entitled "Still I Can't Be Still" on "Hollywood Records," Menzel also originated the role of Dorothy in Summer of ’42 at Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut, starred as Sheila in the New York City Center Encores! production of Hair, and appeared on Broadway as Amneris in Aida. Menzel earned a Drama Desk Award nomination for her performance as Kate in the Manhattan Theatre Club's 2000 off-Broadway production of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party. Her other off-Broadway credits include the pre-Broadway run of Rent and The Vagina Monologues.
In 2003, Menzel starred with actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth on Broadway in Wicked, a musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman loosely based upon the popular 1995 Gregory Maguire novel. Menzel received the 2004 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. On her third-to-last performance of Wicked on January 8, 2005, she fell through a trap door and cracked a lower rib. The injury prevented her from performing in the January 9 show. Menzel did, however, make a special out-of-costume appearance at that performance, performed her final song, and received a 5 minute long standing ovation. Menzel was replaced by Elphaba standby Shoshana Bean.
Following Wicked, Menzel appeared off-Broadway in the Public Theater's production of See What I Wanna See, a Michael John LaChiusa-penned musical whose run ended in December 2005, for which she received Drama Desk Award and Drama League Award nominations. She reprised her Tony Award-winning role as Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked when it opened at London's Apollo Victoria Theater on September 7, 2006. During the run, she joined the ranks of highest paid female performer in the West End at $30,000 per week. Menzel finished her West End run on December 30, 2006. She was succeeded by Elphaba standby Kerry Ellis.
Menzel played the role of Florence in the 21st Anniversary concert of Chess at the Royal Albert Hall, London from May 12–13, 2008, alongside Kerry Ellis, Adam Pascal and Josh Groban.
In 2008, Menzel headlined the Powerhouse Theatre's reading of Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's musical Nero from July 1–11. She performed the role of Nero’s mistress Poppea.
Menzel's film roles include appearances in Just a Kiss, Kissing Jessica Stein, Tollbooth, Water, Ask the Dust, Enchanted, and Rent, in which she and five other original cast members reprised their stage roles. As a singer Menzel is known for her wide vocal range, and her use of the 'belt' technique.
Menzel performed at the 1998 Lilith Fair summer concert festival and continues to write and perform original music. She has toured extensively and frequently performs in various venues throughout New York City. She produced and released her debut album, Still I Can’t Be Still, for Hollywood Records in 1998. One single from the album, "Minuet," made the Radio & Records CHR/Pop Tracks chart at #48 in October 1998.
Her second album, Here, was released independently by Zel Records in 2004. Menzel has contributed to soundtracks, including those for the film The Other Sister and the ABC television dramedy Desperate Housewives. In 2007, she appeared on the Beowulf soundtrack singing the end credits song, "A Hero Comes Home." Also in 2007, Menzel's powerful singing voice lead her to be asked to accompany the baritone British X-Factor runner-up Rhydian Roberts on his debut album, duetting on the song "What If."
Her third solo album, I Stand, was released on January 29, 2008. The CD includes many new songs, including the lead single, "Brave," the title track "I Stand," and a song released on EP, "Gorgeous." The album debuted at #58 in the Billboard 200 making it the first solo album by Menzel to make the charts. There are five versions of this album: the original version, the special limited edition, the iTunes version, the Barnes & Noble edition, and the Borders edition.
On April 1, 2008, Menzel kicked off her "I Stand" tour in support of her new album.
On November 11, 2008, Menzel released a new single in conjunction with Major League Baseball. The single is entitled "Hope" and all proceeds go to Stand Up 2 Cancer.
On November 27, 2008, Menzel performed "I Stand" on the M&M Candies float as part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
On December 10, 2009, it was confirmed that Menzel was in negotiations to have a recurring role on Glee. In Spring 2010, Menzel began playing the role of Shelby Corcoran, the coach of the opposing Glee club, Vocal Adrenaline. She was also revealed as Rachel Berry's biological mother.
When asked about 'Defying Gravity' being sung on Glee, Idina was asked about her musical future. She said that the long-rumored movie version of 'Wicked' would probably not be green-lit until there's a dip in its Broadway grosses.
Idina also said that she had met with Andrew Lloyd Webber about taking the role of Betty Schaefer in his much delayed Sunset Boulevard film adaptation. As of February 2010, it is widely believed that Idina is no longer part of Sunset Boulevard as she wanted the role enlarged, to the refusal of Lloyd-Webber.
Menzel married actor Taye Diggs, her co-star from the original Broadway production of Rent, on January 11, 2003 after 7 years of dating. They have a Yorkshire Terrier named Sammy Davis Jr. and two cats named Ella and Coltrane, whom they call their "Jazz Cats" because they were named after famous jazz performers. On December 6, 2004, it was reported by the New York Post that Menzel and Diggs were threatened with harm in a series of letters because of their interracial marriage. Their son, Walker Nathaniel Diggs, was born on September 2, 2009.
Menzel was an Honorary Chair of the Imperial Court of New York's Annual Charity Coronation Ball, Night of A Thousand Gowns on March 21, 2009. Other Honorary Chairs for the evening's charity event included Sir Elton John CBE, Patti LuPone, John Cameron Mitchell, Joan Rivers and Dame Robin Strasser.
Take Me Or Leave Me
Idina Menzel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I walk down the street
I hear people say, "Baby so sweet"
Ever since puberty
Everybody stares at me
Boys, girls, I can't help it, baby
So be kind and don't lose your mind
Just remember that I'm your baby
Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Take me baby
Or leave me
Take me or leave me
A tiger in a cage
Can never see the sun
This diva needs her stage, baby
Lets have fun
You are the one I choose
Folks will kill to fill your shoes
You love the lime light to now baby
So be mine but don't waste my time
Cryin', "Oh, honey bear are you still my, my, my baby?"
Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Take me baby or leave me
No way, can I be what I'm not
But hey, don't you want your girl hot?
Oh, don't fight, don't loose your head
'Cause every night who's in your bed?
Who?
Who's in your bed?
Kiss pookie
It won't work
I look before I leap
I love margins and discipline
I make list in my sleep, baby
What's my sin? Never quit
I follow through
I hate mess but I love you
What do with my impromptu baby?
So be wise 'cause this girl satisfies
You got a prize but don't compromise
Your one lucky baby
Take me for what I am
A control freak
Who I was meant to be
A snob yet over attentive
And if you give a damn
A lovable droll geek
Take me baby or leave me (A anal retentive)
That's it
The straw that breaks my back
I quit
Unless you take it back
Women, what is it about them?
Can't live with them or without them
Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be (who I was meant to be)
And if you give a damn (and if you give a damn then)
Take me baby, or leave me
Take me baby, take me or la la la la la leave me
Take me baby or leave me
Guess I'm leaving I'm gone
The song "Take Me or Leave Me" from the musical "Rent" is a duet performed by the characters Maureen and Joanne. The song is about accepting one another in a relationship despite their flaws, quirks, and characteristics. In the lyrics of the song, Maureen addresses the fact that everyone stares at her wherever she goes, and she can't help it. She asks Joanne to accept her for who she is and take her or leave her. Joanne, on the other hand, wants Maureen to be a little more disciplined, organized, and not impulsive. However, despite their differences, they both sing about the love they have for each other and that any relationship is hard to maintain.
The song is written in a conversational style, with each character using the song to speak to the other. It's a fun and upbeat song that's full of witty lyrics, quick back-and-forth one-liners, and a catchy melody. It's a celebration of individuality and the belief that true love is about accepting each other for who we are.
Line by Line Meaning
Every single day
I walk down the street
I hear people say, "Baby so sweet"
Ever since puberty
Everybody stares at me
Boys, girls, I can't help it, baby
So be kind and don't lose your mind
Just remember that I'm your baby
I get a lot of attention from everyone around me because of my looks, and it's been happening for a long time. Please don't let it bother you, and just remember that I love you.
Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Take me baby
Or leave me
Take me or leave me
I am who I am and I cannot pretend to be something I'm not. If you truly love me, accept me for who I am. If not, then you're free to leave.
A tiger in a cage
Can never see the sun
This diva needs her stage, baby
Lets have fun
You are the one I choose
Folks will kill to fill your shoes
You love the lime light to now baby
So be mine but don't waste my time
Cryin', "Oh, honey bear are you still my, my, my baby?"
I am a performer and need to be on stage. I choose you to be my partner and you need to be comfortable with my career. Don't question my affection for you, and don't waste my time asking me to choose between you or my career.
No way, can I be what I'm not
But hey, don't you want your girl hot?
Oh, don't fight, don't loose your head
'Cause every night who's in your bed?
Who?
Who's in your bed?
Kiss pookie
I cannot change who I am. But don't you want a good-looking partner? Let's not argue, and remember that I'm the one who sleeps in your bed.
It won't work
I look before I leap
I love margins and discipline
I make list in my sleep, baby
What's my sin? Never quit
I follow through
I hate mess but I love you
What do with my impromptu baby?
So be wise 'cause this girl satisfies
You got a prize but don't compromise
Your one lucky baby
I am organized and disciplined, and I work hard to keep things in order. I'm committed to making things work with you, even when things don't go as planned. Remember that I love you, but don't expect me to be comfortable with disorder or lack of planning.
Take me for what I am
A control freak
Who I was meant to be
A snob yet over attentive
And if you give a damn
A lovable droll geek
Take me baby or leave me (A anal retentive)
I may seem uptight, controlling, and even a snob, but I am also caring, funny, and even a little quirky. If you really care about me, you'll accept all of me, even the parts you may not like.
That's it
The straw that breaks my back
I quit
Unless you take it back
Women, what is it about them?
Can't live with them or without them
I've had enough of this argument and I'll leave you, unless you change your mind. Women can be difficult, and I can't decide whether I want to be with them or not.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jonathan D. Larson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mayavichannel
Every single day
I walk down the street
I hear people say
"Baby's so sweet"
Ever since puberty
Everybody stares at me
Boys, girls
I can't help it baby
So be kind
And don't lose your mind
Just remember
That I'm your baby
Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Take me baby or leave me
Take me baby or leave me
A tiger in a cage
Can never see the sun
This diva needs her stage
Baby, let's have fun
You are the one I choose
Folks would kill to fill your shoes
You love the limelight too, now baby
So be mine
And don't waste my time
Cryin', "Oh honeybear
Are you still my, my, my baby?"
Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Take me baby or leave me
No way, can I be what I'm not
But hey, don't you want your girl hot?
Don't fight, don't lose your head
'Cause every night, who's in your bed?
Who, who's in your bed?
Kiss, pookie
That's it! The straw that breaks my back
I quit, unless you take it back
Women, what is it about them?
Can't live with them or without them
Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
(Who I was meant to be)
And if you give a damn
(And if you give a damn ya better)
Take me baby or leave me
(Oh take me baby, take me or leave me)
Take me baby
Or leave me
Guess I'm leaving
I'm gone
@XxDainBramagedxX
One day I will get sick of this song, but today is not the day.
@denas4083
completely agree!
@The34bartender
Indeed my friend
@DriversofLosAngeles
+XxDainBramagedxX "Another day" :)
@mollyenfinger5150
Today 4 U, Tomorrow 4 Me!
@The34bartender
❤❤❤aaah ya'll are my peoples
@evanhicks3444
wouldn't it be cool if this was how everyone argued? like just bring the house down in epic song whenever you"re mad.
@singer1295
yaasss i've been wanting that to happen! lol
@Zsobeau24
Evan Hicks to bad my husband is tone deaf...lol
@29thchapter4life
Debbie Chanik then you win ;-)