These musicals seriously tackle issues such as multiculturalism, addiction, sexual orientation and HIV. Rent was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and won four Tony Awards. The scores of his shows reveal that he was an apt composer and lyricist.
One tick, tick...BOOM! song called "Sunday" is an homage to Stephen Sondheim, who supported Larson. It stays close to the melody and lyrics of Sondheim's own song of the same title but turning it from a manifesto about art into a waiter's lament.
Among the many awards he received during and after his lifetime were: the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (for Rent), the Richard Rodgers Production Award, the Richard Rodgers Development Grant, the Stephen Sondheim Award, the Gilman and Gonzalez-Falla Theatre Foundation's Commendation Award, the Tonys for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Score of a Musical for Rent, the Drama Desks for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Book, and Best Lyrics (also for Rent), the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical (again for Rent), the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical in the Off-Broadway category (another for Rent), and three Obie Awards for Outstanding Book, Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music (yet again for Rent).
Among his many creative works are Rent, tick, tick...BOOM!, Sacrimoralimmorality (1981)with David Armstrong (retitled Saved for the one-week run on 42nd Street), Superbia, the music for J.P. Morgan Saves the Nation, numerous individual numbers, music for Sesame Street, music for the children's book cassettes of An American Tail and Land Before Time, music for Rolling Stone magazine publisher Jann Wenner, and four songs for the children's video Away We Go! (which he also conceived and directed).
Larson died unexpectedly of an undiagnosed aortic dissection (aortic aneurysm), believed to have been caused by Marfan syndrome, on January 25th, 1996. It was ten days before his 36th birthday, and the night before Rent's first preview off-Broadway.
After his death, Larson's family and friends started the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation.
In 2005, a film version of his most popular production Rent was released, directed by Christopher Columbus.
In September of 2008, Rent closed after 12 successful years on broadway. One of the final shows and the finale were filmed for a limited engagement film, "Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway." The DVD and Blu-Ray disc were released was in February 2009.
Currently original cast members Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, and Gwen Stewart are performing on the farewell broadway tour of the show.
I'll Cover You
Jonathan Larson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be your shelter
Just pay me back
With one thousand kisses
Be my lover
and I'll cover you
Open your door
Don't got much baggage to lay at your feet
But sweet kisses I've got to spare
I'll be there and I'll cover you
I think they meant it
When they said you can't buy love
Now I know you can rent it
A new lease, you are my love
On life, be my life
Just slip me on
I'll be your blanket
Wherever, whatever
I'll be your coat
You'll be my king
And I'll be your castle
No, you'll be my queen
And I'll be your moat
I think they meant it
When they said you can't buy love
Now I know you can rent it
A new lease, you are my love
On life, all my life
I've longed to discover
Something as true as this is
So, with a thousand sweet kisses
If you're cold and you're lonely
I'll cover you
With a thousand sweet kisses
You've got one nickel only
I'll cover you
With a thousand sweet kisses
When you're worn out and tired
I'll cover you
With a thousand sweet kisses
When your heart has expired
I'll cover you
Oh, lover
I'll cover you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, lover
I'll cover you
In the song "I'll Cover You" by Jonathan Larson, the lyrics are about a love that is unconditional and selfless. The song is sung from the perspective of one lover to another, where they express their willingness to be a shelter and support for their lover, in exchange for simple gestures like kisses. The singer pledges to cover their lover during their tough times, and be there for them in all their joys and sorrows. The lyrics signify the depth of affection that a person holds for their partner, and how far they will go to show their love.
The song's verse "I think they meant it when they said you can’t buy love, now I know you can rent it, a new lease you are my love" is a particular highlight, suggesting that love doesn't just come from buying material possessions, but it's about being present for the other in any way possible. The chorus of the song, which repeats the line, "I'll cover you" cements the idea of being there for your lover, in all circumstances.
Overall, "I'll Cover You" is a song about love, commitment, and selflessness. It reminds us that love isn’t just about physical or material things, but about being there for someone when they need you the most.
Line by Line Meaning
Live in my house
Come live with me
I'll be your shelter
I'll protect you and keep you safe
Just pay me back
Just show me your love
With one thousand kisses
With all of your love and affection
Be my lover
Be my partner in love and life
and I'll cover you
And I'll take care of you
Open your door
Let me in, I'm here for you
I'll be your tenant
I'll stay with you and share your space
Don't got much baggage to lay at your feet
I don't have any problems to burden you with
But sweet kisses I've got to spare
But I have plenty of love to share
I'll be there and I'll cover you
I'll be there for you and take care of you
I think they meant it
It's true what they say
When they said you can't buy love
Love is not for sale
Now I know you can rent it
But you can experience love by renting it
A new lease, you are my love
You are my new love
On life, be my life
Be my partner in life
Just slip me on
Just let me hold you
I'll be your blanket
I'll keep you warm and cozy
Wherever, whatever
No matter where or what, I'll be there for you
I'll be your coat
I'll keep you protected and comfortable
You'll be my king
You're the one in charge, the ruler of our love
And I'll be your castle
I'll be your support and protection
No, you'll be my queen
Actually, you're the one in charge, the queen of our love
And I'll be your moat
I'll keep you safe from any harm
I've longed to discover
I've been hoping to find
Something as true as this is
Something as real and genuine as our love
So, with a thousand sweet kisses
So, with all my love and affection
If you're cold and you're lonely
If you're feeling sad and alone
I'll cover you
I'll take care of you
You've got one nickel only
Even if you have very little
I'll cover you
I'll still take care of you
When you're worn out and tired
When you're exhausted and need rest
I'll cover you
I'll provide rest and comfort for you
When your heart has expired
When you're at your lowest point
I'll cover you
I'll support you and lift you up
Oh, lover
My love
I'll cover you
I'll always be there for you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Expressing enthusiasm and passion
Oh, lover
My love
I'll cover you
I'll always be there for you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JONATHAN D. LARSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bethlarson4631
Unbelievable
This is so great to listen to