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Role Of A Lifetime
Kate Reinders Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Those kids they do believe in you
And that's worth so much more
Then a line about a piece of fruit
Or a Tony Award
I was going for an Egot
Let's not get ahead of ourselves

Think of this as the role of a lifetime
It's the part you were born to play
Keeping their dreams in your sight line
Now it's their turn to take the stage
Think of this as a role to remember
Like Elphaba or Eponine
I'm more of a Glinda
It's all of the things you could ever bring to a scene
You know what I mean?

So give it your all
Right from the start
You gotta play this from the heart
You're their teacher, you're the lead
And you're off book now
Give it a go
Show 'em the way
We're all in this together
At the end of the day
I should know after all
I played Ryan
(Ryan)

Is this the role of a lifetime?
The part I was born to play?
Showing them how to smile in the bright lights
Now it's their turn to take the stage
This could be a role to remember
Like Elsa or Eva Peron
I'll teach them to channel their feelings
I'll share what I know
And live for the show

I'll give it my all
Right from the start
I gotta play this from the heart
I'm their teacher, I'm the lead
And I'm off book now
Give it a go
Show 'em the way
You gotta let the music play
This is now and the rest is history

I felt small, I couldn't breathe
When they took that apple from me
But you're right here now
And you never know when you'll get a cameo (cameo)

So give it your all
Right from the start
You gotta let them play their parts
Tonight, all the roles
Will be played by the drama students of East High
Give it a go
Show 'em the way
You gotta let the music play
This is now and we're making history
History (history)

Overall Meaning

The song "Role of a Lifetime" by Kate Reinders is about a teacher who encourages and supports her students to follow their dreams despite the obstacles they face. The first verse of the song talks about how the belief of children is worth more than any award or material possessions. The second verse further emphasizes the importance of the teacher's role as a guide and mentor to her students. She compares the role of the teacher to the role of a lead actor in a play, encouraging her students to give it their all right from the start and to play from the heart. The lyrics also talk about the fear of failure and disappointment and how the teacher overcomes her own struggle to inspire her students to keep going.


The chorus emphasizes the idea that this could be the "role of a lifetime," the part that the teacher was born to play. The teacher sees herself as a teacher, a lead actor and a role model for her students. She hopes to leave a lasting impact on her students, just like iconic characters such as Elphaba from Wicked and Eponine from Les Miserables.


Overall, the song is about finding purpose and inspiration in teaching and guiding others to achieve their dreams. The teacher understands the struggles that come with pursuing a passion and tries to instill confidence and belief in her students through her own experiences.


Line by Line Meaning

Those kids they do believe in you
The students have faith in you and respect you.


And that's worth so much more
The students' trust is more valuable than any accolade.


Then a line about a piece of fruit
Celebrity and success are hollow compared to the trust of students.


Or a Tony Award
Even the highest achievement in acting isn't as meaningful as a student's respect and trust.


I was going for an Egot
The artist was trying to win all four major American entertainment awards (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony).


Let's not get ahead of ourselves
Don't let the pursuit of awards distract from the importance of the role.


Think of this as the role of a lifetime
This is the most important role the singer will ever have.


It's the part you were born to play
The role is perfectly suited to the artist's talents and personality.


Keeping their dreams in your sight line
The artist must remain focused on the students' goals.


Now it's their turn to take the stage
The students must be encouraged to shine and take on their own roles.


Think of this as a role to remember
The singer should approach the role with the intention of making a lasting impact.


Like Elphaba or Eponine
The artist refers to two iconic stage roles that left a lasting impact on audiences.


I'm more of a Glinda
The singer identifies more with a lesser-known character in the same musical.


It's all of the things you could ever bring to a scene
The singer's skills and creativity can enrich the role and elevate the production.


You know what I mean?
Do you understand the singer's point of view?


So give it your all
Put in maximum effort and commitment.


Right from the start
Don't hesitate or hold back.


You gotta play this from the heart
Put genuine emotion and passion into the role.


You're their teacher, you're the lead
The singer is both a mentor and a central performer in the production.


And you're off book now
The artist has memorized their lines and can focus on enhancing the performance.


Give it a go
Try it out and experiment with different approaches.


Show 'em the way
Demonstrate how to perform with skill and integrity.


We're all in this together
Everyone involved in the production must collaborate and support one another.


At the end of the day
Ultimately, after everything is said and done.


I should know after all
The singer has firsthand experience in this subject matter.


I played Ryan
The singer portrayed a character named Ryan in a previous production.


(Ryan)
This is a vocal aside, indicating that the singer is reminiscing or referencing something specific.


Is this the role of a lifetime?
A rhetorical question posed by the artist, emphasizing the significance of the role.


The part I was born to play?
A hypothetical question that underscores the suitability of the role for the artist.


Showing them how to smile in the bright lights
The singer hopes to impart some wisdom or advice to the students regarding the demands of the stage.


This could be a role to remember
The singer believes that this role has the potential to be impactful and memorable.


Like Elsa or Eva Peron
The artist cites two famous characters whose performances left a lasting impact.


I'll teach them to channel their feelings
The artist hopes to help the students develop their emotional range and expressiveness.


I'll share what I know
The artist will use their experience and knowledge to benefit the students.


And live for the show
The singer is passionate about theater and lives for the excitement and creativity of performance.


You gotta let the music play
The music is an important element of the performance and should be allowed to shine.


This is now and the rest is history
This moment is significant and the outcome will be remembered for a long time.


I felt small, I couldn't breathe
The singer experienced intimidation or doubt in the past.


When they took that apple from me
An allusion to the story of Adam and Eve, symbolizing the loss of innocence or purity.


But you're right here now
Despite past setbacks, the artist feels supported and reassured.


And you never know when you'll get a cameo
The artist acknowledges that the unexpected can happen in performance, and it's best to be prepared for anything.


You gotta let them play their parts
Allow the other performers to shine and showcase their individual talents.


Tonight, all the roles
On this particular evening, everyone involved in the production has a chance to excel.


Will be played by the drama students of East High
The artist is emphasizing the importance of the students' involvement and contribution to the performance.


You gotta let the music play
Once again, the music is highlighted as a crucial component of the performance.


This is now and we're making history
The artist feels that this moment is significant and will be remembered in the future.


History (history)
A repeated utterance of the word 'history', emphasizing its significance and impact.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gabriel Mann, Jeannie Renee Lurie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@amanditacovers

Facts: Lucas Grabeel had more screen time doing a cameo than the guy who plays Ryan in the play during the WHOLE SHOW.

@naniwaluckybi

That's so true! We have absolutely no idea who's playing Ryan (I mean, aside from the fact that we know what he looks like. Point is, he is practically absent from the entire series).

@kathleenvo9082

i beleive it’s rico (his name is actually andres and he was on world of dance with charity; he is also one of the main dancers on hsmtmts) i may b wrong though but the released pictures have rico (ryan) standing next to seb (sharpay ) for status quo

@Zhyiber

@@kathleenvo9082 Yes it is Rico since he was standing next to Seb

@joaovictormiranda7062

​@@kathleenvo9082 I'm a fan of Andrés since he appeared in WoD. In episode 6 (What Team) there was a scene where Ricky says "what's up guys" to him, in Big Red's room, and they didn't even answer. I got so mad they didn't add at least 1 line to him. lol

@teehee3657

@@naniwaluckybi I mean he is just a dancer lol

19 More Replies...

@naniwaluckybi

Fun Fact: Kate Reinders, aka Miss Jenn, actually played Glinda on Broadway.

@coolcaleb33YT

:0

@karenrubifloresrodriguez1661

I knew iiiiit

@gracefu2648

She does fit this character!

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