Requiem
Laura Dreyfuss Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

But tell me, tell me what for

Why should I have a heavy heart?
Why should I start to break in pieces?
Why should I go and fall apart for you?

Why should I play the grieving girl and lie
Saying that I miss you
And that my world has gone dark without your light?
I will sing no requiem tonight

I gave you the world, you threw it away
Leaving these broken pieces behind you
Everything wasted, nothing to say
So I can sing no requiem

I hear your voice, I feel you near
Within these words, I finally find you
And now that I know that you are still here
I will sing no requiem tonight

Why should I have a heavy heart?

Why should I say I'll keep you with me?
Why should I go and fall apart for you?

Why should I play the grieving girl and lie
Saying that I miss you and that my world has gone dark without your light? (I can see your light)
I will sing no requiem
Tonight
'Cause when the villains fall, the kingdoms never weep
No one lights a candle to remember
No, no one mourns at all
When they lay them down to sleep

So, don't tell me that I didn't have it right
Don't tell me that it wasn't black and white
After all you put me through
Don't say it wasn't true
That you were not the monster
That I knew

'Cause I cannot play the grieving girl and lie
Saying that I miss you And that my world has gone dark

I will sing no requiem

I will sing no requiem

I will sing no requiem tonight

Oh, oh, oh

Oh, oh

Overall Meaning

In this song, Laura Dreyfuss portrays a conflicted and angry individual who has experienced the loss of a loved one. While she acknowledges the natural instinct to mourn and grieve for someone who has passed away through the "game of pretend" that many play, she finds it difficult to justify why she should go through such great lengths to do so if the one she lost was not worth it. She questions why she has to feel the weight of a "heavy heart" and go "break[ing] in pieces" for someone who was not worth the investment of her love and the world that she gave him. She refuses to "play the grieving girl and lie," suggesting that it is pointless to pretend to be sad for someone who has caused her so much pain without good reason. This is further emphasized in the line "when the villains fall, the kingdoms never weep," where she highlights the idea that people may not be worth mourning over if they were not good people to begin with.

Dreyfuss seems to come to a less angry conclusion by the end of the song, however, when she hears the voice of the person she lost and finds some sort of solace in the idea that they are still with her. Nonetheless, she still refuses to sing a requiem for this person, implying that she does not think he deserves the honour that comes with mourning.

Line by Line Meaning

Why should I play this game of pretend?
Why should I pretend that everything is fine?

Remembering through a secondhand sorrow?
Experiencing pain through someone else's memories and emotions

Such a great son and wonderful friend
Describing the person who has passed away

Oh, don't the tears just pour
Describing the overwhelming feeling of sadness

I could curl up and hide in my room
Wanting to isolate oneself from the world

There in my bed, still sobbing tomorrow
The feeling that the grief will never go away

I could give in to all of the gloom
Giving up on hope and succumbing to the sadness

But tell me, tell me what for
Questioning the purpose of feeling so much pain

Why should I have a heavy heart?
Why should I feel so burdened by this loss?

Why should I start to break in pieces?
Why should I fall apart because of this?

Why should I go and fall apart for you?
Questioning why the person who has passed away is worth falling apart for

Why should I play the grieving girl and lie
Putting on a façade of grief when it's not really felt

Saying that I miss you
Falsely claiming to miss the person who has passed away

And that my world has gone dark without your light?
Saying the world is incomplete without the person who has passed away

I will sing no requiem tonight
Refusing to perform a traditional song of mourning

I gave you the world, you threw it away
Feeling like the effort put into the relationship was not valued

Leaving these broken pieces behind you
The aftermath of the broken relationship

Everything wasted, nothing to say
Feeling like everything was for nothing

So I can sing no requiem
Refusing to perform the traditional mourning ritual

I hear your voice, I feel you near
Hearing the echoes of the person who has passed away

Within these words, I finally find you
Feeling a sense of connection through these lyrics

And now that I know that you are still here
Realizing that the person who has passed away lives on in memory

Why should I say I'll keep you with me?
Why should I falsely hold onto memories?

I can see your light
Realizing that the person who has passed away left a lasting impression

No one lights a candle to remember
Settling into the reality that the person who has passed away is not remembered

No, no one mourns at all
The realization that life moves on and people forget those who have passed away

When they lay them down to sleep
Referring to death as sleep

So, don't tell me that I didn't have it right
Affirming that the artist was correct in her perception of the situation

Don't tell me that it wasn't black and white
Affirming that the situation was clear and evident

After all you put me through
Referring to the pain caused due to the broken relationship

Don't say it wasn't true
Affirming that the pain and heartbreak were real

That you were not the monster
Affirming that the person who has passed away was not evil

That I knew
Affirming that the artist knew the person who has passed away very well

I will sing no requiem
Refusing to perform the traditional mourning ritual

Oh, oh, oh
Vocalization

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

No Related Genres

More Genres

No Artists Found

More Artists Load All

No Albums Found

More Albums Load All

No Tracks Found

01Requiem4:19

PT4M19S

Laura Dreyfuss

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@EmiCubez

4y↑1K

LYRICS:

Why should I play this game of pretend?
Remembering through a secondhand sorrow?
Such a great son and wonderful friend
Oh, don't the tears just pour
I could curl up and hide in my room
There in my bed, still sobbing tomorrow
I could give in to all of the gloom
But tell me, tell me what for
Why should I have a heavy heart?
Why should I start to break in pieces?
Why should I go and fall apart for you?
Why should I play the grieving girl and lie
Saying that I miss you
And that my world has gone dark without your light?
I will sing no requiem tonight
I gave you the world, you threw it away
Leaving these broken pieces behind you
Everything wasted, nothing to say
So I can sing no requiem
I hear your voice, I feel you near
Within these words, I finally find you
And now that I know that you are still here
I will sing no requiem tonight
Why should I have a heavy heart?
Why should I say I'll keep you with me?
Why should I go and fall apart for you?
Why should I play the grieving girl and lie
Saying that I miss you and that my world has gone dark without your light? (I can see your light)
I will sing no requiem
Tonight
'Cause when the villains fall, the kingdoms never weep
No one lights a candle to remember
No, no one mourns at all
When they lay them down to sleep
So, don't tell me that I didn't have it right
Don't tell me that it wasn't black and white
After all you put me through
Don't say it wasn't true
That you were not the monster
That I knew
'Cause I cannot play the grieving girl and lie
Saying that I miss you And that my world has gone dark
I will sing no requiem
I will sing no requiem
I will sing no requiem tonight
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh

@meemobop

3y↑374

i love the way each person's "i will sing no requiem tonight" gives it a different meaning

cynthia refuses to sing a requiem because she still feels so connected to him and can feel his presence. she sees him living through evan, so she chooses not to mourn him.

larry feels betrayed by his son. he gave him everything he could ever want, and he left everything behind so broken. for this, he doesn't feel like his connor is deserving of his remorse. he chooses not to mourn him.

zoe feels anger towards her brother for the way he treated her. she doesn't want to remember him, she doesn't want anything to do with him. she doesn't care if people think it's wrong, she refuses to be forced to feel something she doesn't. she chooses not to mourn him.

it's interesting to see the different ways everyone (especially in a family) can mourn (or in this case, choose not to) over the same event.

@fern5505

3y↑41

Okay but the subtle shift in the way Zoe’s actress sings is so good. Like in the start she means exactly what she says, he was terrible to her, she is not going to mourn him. But then some emotion starts to creep in, and even though there is no real change in the lyrics her performance changes the meaning.

In the beginning she’s saying ‘I don’t care that you’re dead’ because that’s true, she isn’t upset.

But at the end she’s saying ‘I don’t care that you’re dead’ because that’s what she’s trying to convince herself of, because she’s trying to protect herself from the greif she will feel when she realizes she still cares for him.

And the actress gets this across so expertly with just some pauses and singing more softly

Excellent writing, excellent performance.

@johnbrooke2641

3y↑18

Lyrics:

Why should I play this game of pretend?
Remembering through a secondhand sorrow?
Such a great son and wonderful friend
Oh, don't the tears just pour
I could curl up and hide in my room
There in my bed, still sobbing tomorrow
I could give in to all of the gloom
But tell me, tell me what for
Why should I have a heavy heart?
Why should I start to break in pieces?
Why should I go and fall apart for you?
Why should I play the grieving girl and lie
Saying that I miss you
And that my world has gone dark without your light?
I will sing no requiem tonight

I'm going to bed.

Come sit with me.

Cynthia.

You can't stand to be in this room for five minutes?

I'm exhausted.

You know, Larry, at some point you're going to have to start dealing

Not tonight. Please.

Just read this.

I'll keep the light on for you

I gave you the world, you threw it away
Leaving these broken pieces behind you
Everything wasted, nothing to say
So I can sing no requiem
I hear your voice, I feel you near
Within these words, I finally find you
And now that I know that you are still here
I will sing no requiem tonight

Why should I have a heavy heart?

Why should I say I'll keep you with me?
Why should I go and fall apart for you?
Why should I play the grieving girl and lie
Saying that I miss you
And that my world has gone dark without your light?
(I can see your light)
I will sing no requiem
Tonight
'Cause when the villains fall, the kingdoms never weep
No one lights a candle to remember
No, no one mourns at all
When they lay them down to sleep
So, don't tell me that I didn't have it right
Don't tell me that it wasn't black and white
After all you put me through
Don't say it wasn't true
That you were not the monster
That I knew
'Cause I cannot play the grieving girl and lie
Saying that I miss you
And that my world has gone dark

I will sing no requiem

I will sing no requiem

I will sing no requiem tonight

Oh... oh...

Oh...

Oh...

@kurrs177

3y↑33

I really love how the single same line "I will sing no requiem tonight" conveyed different meanings for each perspective

Zoe says that because she thinks that connor don't deserve any mourning, or a requiem at that. For her, he's a monster. "When the villain falls, the kingdom never weeps". Connor is the villain in her story so why should she weep for him?

For his Dad, it's pure disappointment. What he saw was a useless child who threw everything away. An inferior and a total waste. Connor did not make him proud, thus singing no requiem for him.

His Mom stands out. She will sing no requiem for him not because of spite or something negative like the former two, but because of love. She thinks that Connor may not be physically around them anymore, but he's still alive deep inside their hearts (or at least, hers alone). Upon seeing "his letters", she found the "real" sentiments of his son, and that what makes him "alive". Basically, Connor is still with her so there's no point singing a requiem for him.

[these are just my interpretations :D]

@Jack-bz3xn

2y↑14

This song is probably my favorite from the soundtrack, its not focused in evan, its not on lies its so raw and real.

Yes it is sad his family didnt want to mourn their son and brother but think about it.

Zoe was probably scared of connor, he was abusive and should have to own up to his actions. She says, in the book, he would pound on her door threatening to kill her. Now since this is from Connors pov in the book he denies it but as someone who did the same thing tl my sister, he might not have realized how he truly was. To Zoe, he was the monster, she didn’t know him and only knew the monster within him. That monster being depression and anxiety fronting in anger and rage.

Bringing us to Larry, a man who was trying to help this boy he didnt even know. He didnt know what happened to his son, he doesnt know how to help. Without being able to emotionally help he tried every thing else he could, a good home, school, money, treatments. He doesnt mourn because he couldn’t see his son anymore, he saw a stranger in his sons place. A boy who couldnt be fixed no matter how much Larry tried.

Now Cynthia, she still see’s her little boy. But hes so far away, she cant reach him. Them hes gone and shes clawing at every little remain of him, she isnt grieving because shes still sesrching for her son. She’s recreating her boy because she cant find anything more to grasp at.

No one in this story is right but none of them are entirely wrong either. Everyone has a sliver of truth in a hurricane of lies.

@melly4276

31w↑3

Why should I play this game of pretend?
Remembering through a secondhand sorrow?
Such a great son and wonderful friend
Oh, don't the tears just pour
I could curl up and hide in my room
There in my bed, still sobbing tomorrow
I could give in to all of the gloom
But tell me, tell me what for
Why should I have a heavy heart?
Why should I start to break in pieces?
Why should I go and fall apart for you?
Why should I play the grieving girl and lie
Saying that I miss you
And that my world has gone dark without your light?
I will sing no requiem tonight
I gave you the world, you threw it away
Leaving these broken pieces behind you
Everything wasted, nothing to say
So I can sing no requiem
I hear your voice, I feel you near
Within these words, I finally find you
And now that I know that you are still here
I will sing no requiem tonight
Why should I have a heavy heart?
Why should I say I'll keep you with me?
Why should I go and fall apart for you?
Why should I play the grieving girl and lie
Saying that I miss you
And that my world has gone dark without your light?
(I can see your light)
I will sing no requiem
Tonight
'Cause when the villains fall, the kingdoms never weep
No one lights a candle to remember
No, no one mourns at all
When they lay them down to sleep
So, don't tell me that I didn't have it right
Don't tell me that it wasn't black and white
After all you put me through
Don't say it wasn't true
That you were not the monster
That I knew
'Cause I cannot play the grieving girl and lie
Saying that I miss you
And that my world has gone dark
I will sing no requiem
I will sing no requiem
I will sing no requiem tonight
Oh... oh...
Oh...
Oh...

All comments from YouTube:

@margauxb3591

6y↑5.1K

Sincerely Me: fun, a bop, "kinky!"
Requiem: here to rip your heart out

@tired.vbplayer8973

4y↑179

Ok but- literally every other song just makes me sob, and then there's Sincerely Me.

@watermelonsugar8894

4y↑11

@Hannah fax

@princesspattid9742

4y↑54

Hannah But like the first song everyone has heard including myself is Sincerely, Me for some reason

@tired.vbplayer8973

4y↑21

@Derpy Mercy First song I heard was You Will Be Found, shows my mental state~

@princesspattid9742

4y↑3

Hannah You WILL be found ❤️ I’m here if you ever need it

22 More Replies...

@MLOB96

5y↑3K

The harmonies from the three of them at the end give me chills every time.

@amandajamess

4y↑11

FR THOUGHHHH

@mars6855

4y↑8

I still cry though

@Star-ou5gq

4y↑9

Yes especially Cynthia's voice its gorgeous

@MLOB96

4y↑1

Gabi the weirdo Jennifer Laura Thompson is extremely talented and versatile. She’s got an incredible voice that’s pretty down played in Dear Evan Hansen. They put really good artists together for this show!

@Star-ou5gq

@MLOB96 Yes!!! Agreed. She also played Glinda in wicked

6 More Replies...

@jamespottervariant

4y↑5.4K

This musical isn’t about a ‘villain’ or a personalized ‘hero’. These are just people. This is just another tragedy which only reflects to us that the villains in this world aren’t humans. It’s the thoughts poisoning them. In our story, the true villain is loneliness. It’s depression, anxiety and isolation.
But remember that the track of those unnamed thoughts in your head can be replaced by ones that bring you joy, calmness and comfort. Don’t ever lose hope. You will be found.

@noniaanimates

4y↑5

I am the 200 like :D

@capybara3668

4y↑27

#youwillbefound

@pancakeyumyum2323

4y↑11

Thanks, I needed this. <3

@gracehenry-tarrant597

4y↑6

This is correct

@lolam8232

4y↑22

I know, the way its cruel and raw and deals with these issues so honestly. It is very realistic and shows how life isn’t always so black and white

21 More Replies...

@0mnicorn

4y↑5.6K

"I will sing no requiem... tonight."

Okay how about we reschedule the requiem for next Thursday

@bwtraub4

3y↑79

Hi want to be friends

@finleym.7160

3y↑111

Okay, so you’re officially my soulmate—

@thetrashiestcan

3y↑106

Requiem (this song) is a requiem

@HeatherChandlerBQ

3y↑69

@Hannah Valdespino oh the irony

@acelyn1646

3y↑83

Nah. I'm busy Thursday. What about Sunday at about 2 pm?

32 More Replies...

@nureallycool

5y↑5.7K

Just because someone is not a villain doesn't make them a good person.

@ikeabird7913

5y↑219

nureallycool

In Zoe’s eyes he was a villain.

@jamssy3409

4y↑102

Works vice versa too

@marallenrondez2606

3y↑98

Does feel like Hamilton and Burr also tbh

@coryranaway2802

3y↑48

Connor was a villain-

@HeatherChandlerBQ

3y↑104

Just because I’m not a good person doesn’t make me a villain

64 More Replies...

@hobbedgoblin10

4y↑1.7K

everyone who is criticizing zoe and her dad for their own grieving processes has definitely never lost someone and it shows. especially to suicide. do you understand how hard it is to know what to feel when someone you love takes their own life? the dad didn’t get much connection with connor and he’s in denial, that makes complete sense! he’s probably guilty! and zoe feeling like she shouldn’t mourn him because he was a shitty person in life? that also makes perfect sense! people have to stop going into shows and books and movies expecting characters to be saints, because if everyone did exactly the right thing, the story would be really shitty and boring!

@sleeppyy3221

3y↑63

Yes! And Larry actually has deeper feelings about Connor. Its shown in “To Break A Glove” and its very subtle.

@crimson918

3y↑30

@sleeppyy Right, it’s like it rekindled or shown a light at what Larry wished his relationship with Connor could’ve been like

@brianpickford3031

3y↑4

420 likes 🥲

@awsomeman253

3y↑4

@sleeppyy it's hella subtle, I didn't understand it at all until I read some of the comments

@ivymarinez4245

3y↑49

Something I have a problem with is the fact that people are trying to say that she was "ignoring mental health issues" and some other things when there is a BIG difference between someone who actually regrets and apologizes for their bad choices and someone who hurts people without caring and using trauma/mental health as a scapegoat.

6 More Replies...

@CRYSTALCLAWED

6y↑7.6K

it's really rare to find a song that unapologetically says "it's ok to not miss people who treated you like shit" and it really hits home for me bc I'll most likely have to deal with this when my folks die.

Maybe they gave me food and a roof over my head but they sure as fuck love to use me as their emotional punching bag and tell me I'm going to hell for who I am and who I love.

I don't care how hard I was to raise, "anyone else would have murdered you by now" isn't an acceptable thing to say to your kid and that's setting the bar rly fucking low and the only thing I've ever gotten from them is material possessions and trauma.

"Respect for the dead" my ass.

@SpinalFluidDrinker

4y↑332

I get it. I don't know if it gets better once you move out of the house because I haven't gotten to that point yet, but as soon as I graduate I'm going on testosterone and living with my best friend until collage starts. One day, we'll be ok though! If you want to talk, I'm here. It's nice talking to people who understand what you are going through.

@juliadietrich3584

4y↑210

I dont know how much this will help, probably not at all, but lots of hugs for you

@whimky561

4y↑42

same

@hyoriittai5411

4y↑63

Honestly yeah I hope you get in a better situation

@Kittymeow-jw5lt

4y↑58

i understand what you mean. i hope you are better now, and if not, things will get better:)

80 More Replies...

@yournameismazrel2051

5y↑2.5K

at 2:05, when Zoe says 'why should I have a heavy heart', Larry joins in, meaning he didn't know Connor as well as Cynthia, or even Zoe did, so he can't grieve for someone he didn't know. Then, when she sings, 'why should I say I'll keep you with me', Cynthia joins in the last part, saying that, even though he did and said bad things, he's still her son, and nothing will change that. Then, she says, 'why should I go and fall apart for you?', meaning that, in her eyes, Connor had never done anything for her or said anything nice to her, so why should she mourn his passing?

Zoe did not mourn because she knew her brother was a bad person, and couldn't forgive him for that.
Larry did not mourn because he didn't know Connor, and, as I said, it's hard to mourn for someone you don't know.
Cynthia did not mourn because she believed Connor was still alive through Evan.

@kaci9198

3y↑19

UNuS AnNuS UNuS AnNuS UNuS AnNuS UNuS AnNuS

@hardtithes9185

3y↑160

One thing you miss is though this song DOES say all of that and you worded it well, you didnt realize that this is all them mourning in their own way as cynthia said. Larry does sing "Why should I have a heavy heart?" but he also sings "My world has gone dark" and in singing that admitting that though he doesnt know him he no knows he never will truly know his son and he mourns that. Everything else was super agreeable though.

@onceblackvelvet

3y↑19

As someone who loves the soundtrack but still has to read the book or look up more about the musical (very badly I know, kind of wanted to wait for the movie now) I really liked reading this, this song has always been my favorite off of the soundtrack so I was really looking forward to learning more about this song in particular

@lavoshakern

2y↑32

For Larry, I think he was mourning; he was just upset that Connor took his own life. 'Cause his lyrics are "I gave you the world, you threw it away leaving these broken pieces behind you; Everything wasted, nothing to say".

It seemed like he was going through the anger part of his grief.

@Teja63859

2y↑11

Yes Zoe saw Connor as a villian, he was probably horrible but it's hard to get better. It's a struggle. Every day. Do we know if he a actually meant it or if this was a way ro push people away before killing himself. Because I did that before my last attempt. I convinced myself that it would be easier for me family to move on if I made them hate me. That it would be easier to die... so I honestly can't say if Connor was irredeemable

2 More Replies...

@victoria-tk5jf

5y↑3.7K

"Don't the tears just pour?"

YES, YES THEY DO, ZOE.

@doodie101

4y↑32

your pfp. i like it

@fridaxd2771

3y↑7

Not the Melanie fans😭🤚🏻THEYRE EVERYWHERE

@victoria-tk5jf

3y↑24

@The Karma Police Tree I mean, it's not a bad thing.

@xsaltypotatox1223

3y↑3

HECK YA btws have you seen the musical?

@stevewirgau8809

3y↑2

Yeah, they do

5 More Replies...

@kayecaulfield1825

4y↑7.7K

This song hits different rn. My "brother" just died of a heart attack recently. But, he wasn't a brother to me. He sexually abused me growing up and my family swept it under the rug and acted like nothing ever happened. And, now everyone is mourning and grieving and talking as though he was this great person but he was always the "monster that I knew." I've been listening to this song on repeat for days. My family sees me as the one who just doesn't want to show any emotions about his passing. When in reality it's because I'm not sad that he's gone. He made my life hell and caused me to have PTSD even to this day. And, I just can't pretend to care about him passing

@NeverWhorget

4y↑859

I'm so sorry to hear that a "family" member did something so evil and don't even bother pretending to care, that is perfectly valid. He was never your brother. I pray you will find a family who will love you and value you as an individual. I hope you're feeling better.

@lolalotta2687

4y↑320

Ugh that sucks. I hope ur ok now

@gayrats.

3y↑237

I really hope that you'll be okay. I don't wanna make this about me but I feel the same way about my whole family. <3 you though.

@moo4boy

3y↑106

Thank you for sharing

@peachnotperf

3y↑77

Queen as u should 😜‼️💕 he doesn’t deserve that

96 More Replies...

@EmiCubez

4y↑1K

@apterixuwu

4y↑14

Em East you great person

@toxic_195

3y↑4

Thank you

@Plagolago64

3y↑7

To be honest I forgot there was lyrics because I memorized the whole song

@nadiaobrien8183

3y↑5

I always thought she was saying, "why should I play the grieving girl in life" lol

@daycareattendant2336

19w↑1

Thousandth like, slay

@ohheytheredepression7658

5y↑302

A song for the brother she never had
A song for the son who never appreciated
A song for the son who is still there in spirit

@meatydish8732

;-;

@OlivyaSarro

32w

❤

@starlitkat

7y↑5.8K

Something that makes me really sad is the fact that while Zoe sings
"Why should I play the grieving girl and lie, saying that I miss you and that my world has gone dark without your light."
While her father only sings
"My world has gone dark without your light."
And her mother sings
"I see your light."

This is breaking me

@maitesoto1953

6y↑448

autumn leaves also while Zoe says "why should I say I'll keep you with me" her mum only says "I'll keep you with me".
The tears do just pour indeed

@lunalovegood5817

6y↑44

Just became aware of this 💔

@alehenbauer3671

5y↑41

I just lost my shit

@annalindstrom8635

5y↑32

WHY THIS COMMENT MADE TH SONG MAKE ME CRY EVEN MORE!!!!

@namemememem5773

5y↑17

Was just in that part of the song when i found this comment, awts to the heart lel

16 More Replies...

@yessir3359

4y↑1.6K

it bothers me how legit this whole musical is built on LIES

@lolam8232

4y↑130

Just like real life..... LOL

@toxic_195

3y↑28

Janus Sanders has entered the chat

@theatrenerd197

3y↑21

“IT’S A LIE”

@sagesperry8986

3y↑7

@Toxic nice

@whafflet

3y↑2

mhm

6 More Replies...

@Ott3rpup

4y↑258

I'm not gonna lie. When I first heard Zoe's actresses sing, I legit had to pause and take a second. It didn't sound like a person was singing, it was so good it didn't even sound human. That was the first time I've ever reacted like that to anything and it still gives me chills when I hear her

@roseivy5956

3y↑149

This was the first song I found that accurately described how I felt about my abusive mother leaving when everyone around told me I was supposed to love & miss her. "Don't say it wasn't true, that you were not the monster that I knew..." Great example of talented writers crafting a song that both makes sense as part of a broader narrative and is cutting and relatable to a wide audience on its own.

@meemobop

3y↑374

@jellyrcw12

3y↑15

YES, exactly!! It's why I LOVE this song so much. They portray so many emotions and ways of processing grief with the clever use of who harmonizing on various parts of the song. Honestly very genius. I adore this song!

@DoTheDaringDew

4y↑540

Arguably the most underrated song in the whole show.

@koko4ever814

4y↑29

What about Anybody Have a Map. I think they tie for most underrated.

@liquidrat1252

3y↑20

@Koko 4Ever good for you is far too underrated, but its my favorite song

@galactic7458

3y↑6

but To Break In a Glove though

@randowholikesmusicals9707

3y↑6

I barely see anyone talking about so big/so small either TWT

@Kian_0708

Finale?

2 More Replies...

@lindsaycoleman3873

7y↑1.1K

"After all you've put me through, don't say it wasn't true, that you were not the monster that I knew." That line is my favorite in the entire musical, it is so beautiful and I totally relate.

@guppy8073

7y↑28

Lindsay Coleman this is one of my favorite lines in any song I've ever heard. I relate so much to the lyrics, they're just so right

@couldntthinkofagoodname7639

6y↑1

How do you relate to that?

@michellehaynes393

6y↑4

Lindsay Coleman I came across this comment right at this part came

@kateschneider8789

6y↑5

It's just so heartbreaking that she has such a view of her brother.

@bearthunder475

Lindsay Coleman they sang that right as I read this 😂

1 More Replies...

@misspriss2482

3y↑144

This is one of the most beautiful and honest songs about grief that I've ever heard. The song is genius because it works on two levels: if you had a bad relationship with someone before they died, it's OK to not miss them and you shouldn't be guilty about it; but also, even if the two of you weren't close, you might grieve them anyway and that's OK. Sometimes you mourn the loss of what you could have had and not what it actually was.

@diamerewheeling

2y↑4

perfectly said thank you so much

@InkAndPoet

25w

"If you had a bad relationship with someone, it's OKAY not to miss them..."

Jennette McCurdy took this quote to heart when her mom died.

@fable23

2y↑80

Watching Connor's mom hold up the email as she sings her verse about finally finding her son, knowing the person she "found" is someone invented out of whole cloth, someone who will also be taken away from her in the not-too-distant future... oh, Evan. I know you were trying to help, but in the end, you just made these poor people lose Connor twice.

@lacygarbe8601

2y↑93

My mom passed away recently and this song isnt 100 percent accurate to my situation but it comforts me when I feel relieved shes gone.

@samirsedky3324

2y↑5

Me too.

@meatydish8732

Sorry for your loss man

@juliachoi8629

4y↑2.2K

Me: *comes across DEH without knowing the plot and plays the whole album, listens to For forever and Sincerely me* Hey evan now has a friend guess this musical’s just about teenage friendship

*Requiem kicks in*
Me: wait a sec DID SOMEONE DIE *go reads the whole summary*

Me: *listens to Words fail* *sobbing uncontrollably*

@narrspiel5795

4y↑60

same, although my experience is not as sad as yours.
I came across Sincerely, Me and thought hmm what an upbeat song about friendship, but why are there 3 people? ... And I could never listen to Sincerely, Me without sobbing ever again

@izzywrightson

4y↑14

Literally same just I watched the slime tutorial instead of readying the summary which would of hurt less :)

@vaishali08

4y↑1

LOL ME

@Michtingz

4y↑9

Same but I had no idea Conner was abusive I just thought he was on drugs bc I only care across it bc of Jordan Fisher and I never watched the musical but I’ve listened to the songs and I thought Requiem was about Evan
(Grammatical error)

@neutralpie420

4y↑16

Ha, I listened the soundtrack on shuffle when I first got in to the musical
First is also Sincerely, Me, and I though this musical are gonna be fun, but then it switches to Good For You and I got really confused. I even thought Heidi is Evan's friend.

10 More Replies...

@WildWaver

5y↑123

I remember singing this quietly, alone and bawling in my room, my one act of resistance against an abusive family, for such a long time. I'm glad to be in a better place now. There's such thing as a better place.

@ronnieeilert8491

23w

How are you doing now?

@WildWaver

23w

@@ronnieeilert8491 I'm gonna be honest with you, maybe too honest. I don't know what my life was like when I typed this. I have to assume that I was with the side of family that didn't actively cause me harm at the time. Unfortunately, I ended up back with them. I've got a better relationship with my mother than I ever had, but it happened because I had to make a transition from seeing her as my mother to seeing her as a peer. My sister, who was the other person I lived with, has only gotten worse. Two weeks ago she tried to strangle me, and I have essentially locked myself in my room since then. I heard from a friend of a friend that she's been bragging about it at her job. I have acquaintances that have space for me, who are offering me a way out. Hopefully, four years from this comment, life will be different. I can already tell you it is, for the better. My relationship with my mother is doing alright, except for her constant defense of my sister. I have real, good, solid friends, who have my best interests in mind. I was alone four years ago - Freshly out of high school, and nobody to share my thoughts with. I also ended up falling in love, with someone I had known at the time, but never would have expected our relationship to evolve the way it did. My distant future plans involve moving across the country with him, which is something that gives me true hope and joy. My close friends and I play Dungeons and Dragons every week in person, which is something I always craved but never was able to have. And my relationship with my dad, which had fallen by the wayside, has also improved. My boyfriend and I recently visited him for Halloween. My life isn't perfect, and it's actively scary at times, but things can always improve. And the biggest thing to keep in mind, the most consistent thing in life, is that in two weeks there will be different problems - But there will also be different joys.

@mooneverland1015

7y↑5.5K

I relate so much to Zoe in this song. She doesn't feel like Connor deserved any mourning from her. She knew that she deserved better from her only brother. This is what really pisses me off about the Zoe haters in the DEH fandom that hate on her purely because she didn't help her brother, and try to justify Connor's actions by saying that "He was just a kid." or "He didn't know what he was doing!" but what they don't seem to realize was that Zoe was just a kid too. She shouldn't be obligated to help someone so cruel to her. After all, why would you want to give someone that threatened to kill you the time of the day? Someone that harassed you endlessly? But... at the same time, you can tell she feels a little guilty for not grieving. Especially when there's this new (false) evidence that he wasn't a monster.

@yourfavoriteoompaloompa139

5y↑48

mooneverland 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

@freddiejones6253

5y↑106

mooneverland how about depressed people lash out and the family didn’t know how to help him and made him worse till his eventual death so she should acknowledge that but then again I don’t hate her as a person she seems pretty chill honestly.

@freddiejones6253

5y↑15

And your saying I should not give my family, who always threatens me, the time of day?

@zionbowen8215

5y↑85

@Idiotic Lasagna you should read the book his family did try to help

@freddiejones6253

5y↑35

FOREVER MONKEY QUEEN Ik Ik but I’m taking strictly musical because most in the fandom have only seen the musical.. and the vid is a song from the musical.

I do acknowledge that they try to help, but they shouldn’t hate him either. I say both are in the right yet in the wrong. So basically both are neutral.

55 More Replies...

@copingant9103

4y↑274

I love how the vid lasts for 4:20 minutes exact and the song is about how they cope with Connor's death

@Jordan-zf8kv

3y↑8

omg i never realized that😭

@THE_tommycrowe

2y↑2

420 Connor did 420 LOL I am sorry if this was offensive just needed laughs

@Benjaminthetoucan

@Tom Crowe what is 420?

@THE_tommycrowe

2y↑5

@Nienke Vonk 😗 uhhhh
420 is the nickname for
Marijuana

Other nicknames include
Weed
Pot
Ganja
The Chronic
The Bangkok Blastoff
The Sticky Icky

Don’t do it it’s basically drugs

@meatydish8732

1y↑2

Oh shucks 💀

@fern107

45w↑7

this song captures this feeling so well. why should I just miss them bc they are dead? they made my life a living hell when they were here.

@fern5505

3y↑41

@choccomuffins684

5y↑1K

No one realized that Zoe wrote this song in the book?....

No one? Okay...

@Kei-ro8rf

4y↑66

I’m reading the book rn and I just got to that part so I had to stop and listen to this song before continuing to read

@lolalotta2687

4y↑15

The book came out after

@willowkambe2498

3y↑4

@Kei Same!!!!

@celestia6446

3y↑2

i read it too

@elleredmond3400

3y↑2

I just finished the book today

9 More Replies...

@nickkush1919

4y↑39

What’s fascinating about this song is the very last line of the song, it’s written “I will sing no requiem, tonight.” Interpretation is at some point Zoe will mourn her brother, but she’s not ready at this point.

@aubreye8108

7y↑188

Can we just take a moment to appreciate Laura Dreyfuss' voice.... It is one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard

@DiabloOGM72

4y↑484

Dude listening to this again after reading the first 10 chapters of the novel

I'm tearing up again. In the novel *Zoe wrote this song*, this isn't just her thoughts songified, this is an actual song Zoe wrote. I'm crying now but I'm happy I'm crying I haven't had a good cry in ages

@corapalanski3189

4y↑1

ikrrrrrrrrr

@justaweirdo7407

3y↑7

THERES A NOVEL? please i know it’s been 1 year but i need the name!

@DiabloOGM72

3y↑1

@Just a Weirdo just search Dear Evan Hansen The Novel on Google and you should find it. I do recommend it, it's a great read :)

@sleeppyy3221

3y↑1

@Just a Weirdo theres also an audio book of it on youtube. Want a link?

@justaweirdo7407

@sleeppyy YES PLEASE THANK YOU SO MUCH

4 More Replies...

@orengk2443

4y↑132

It's really okay for people to not feel guilty about the suicide of someone who had abused them, or someone they didn't feel any positive feelings for, and that needs to be said more. Just because you understood a person's actions, doesn't mean you should automatically forgive them or it would lessen the pain they've brought you. You don't owe them any of your emotions

@eternalmiasma5586

5y↑345

I found this musical through Sincerely, Me. Honestly, a lot of musicals except heathers have at least a one or two songs I dislike but this? No song, NONE, is bad. Everyone is fantastic

@user-cu2sk2lc1f

4y↑5

So youre saying you like kindergarten boyfriend??

@niasarae537

Have u seen Hamilton

@theapexpredator6131

3y↑14

@Nia Sarae Hamilton is not all that imo, like it’s EXTREMELY overrated. It’s literally about fucking history while we have other musicals like Waitress, and Dear Evan Hansen that not only involves real life situations, but also have more depth and makes you feel something. Obviously Hamilton is good and I’m not saying that it didn’t catch anyone in there feels, but when you have half the theatre community praising Hamilton when all I really here from it is Alexander and Lauren’s “gay” relationship, then it kinda just makes the musical weird and not interesting anymore. Heck I even think Heathers is better then Hamilton, but it’s just my opinion anyways..

@HeatherChandlerBQ

3y↑6

If course you like Heathers, I’m in it

@isabelerhart9523

@XxKingJPXx Xx I disagree i like every song in that musical.

3 More Replies...

@s.nnerrrr8264

1y↑12

This song is really what it’s like to mourn someone who wasn’t a good person, someone you hated but couldn’t help but love.

@ananonymousbean2731

1y↑1

Yeah, i was starting to wonder if I was the only one in here that thought Zoe was actually mourning, so many seem to intepret the song as justifying Zoe's lack of grief?

@anti_fragile

3y↑68

"Remembering through a secondhand sorrow" is so simple but so genius to me. Like holy shit

@wingsofindigo4962

6y↑6.4K

The great thing about this show is that no one is really 'right'. Every character has a different perspective and they're all treated as valid and truthful.

Yes, Conner was abusive. But he was also struggling and felt justified in striking out at those he felt were responsible for not helping him.

Yes, Evan has anxiety and was suicidal. Yes, he was manipulative and unintentionally cruel. But he also saw a chance (what he felt was his only chance) to be accepted and 'normal'.

Yes, Zoe hated her brother for things he did (the causes of w hich may or may not have entirely been his fault-hes still responsible for his actions tho) and she's entitled to feel that way.

@crisadboyemo588

5y↑355

Everyone is valid and the writers made it in such an elegant way to make me believe so because normally I’m dumb and I take sides but like I actually can’t with this.

@maddycommieieieienananalo3453

5y↑157

I agree. I personally feel most connected with Zoe tho. I know someone like Connor but a lot more violent, if they died.... I don't think I'd be sad...

@daniscott4253

4y↑180

The writers of this musical really took time to make each charicter so human. They each had large flaws that balanced with there good intentions. And the progression of Conor and Evan's relationship even after Conor was gone was so beautiful and raw. They deserve so much recognition from this creation. And we are all blessed with this amazing story.

@jonathanjoestarwithpluck4930

4y↑61

Maddy Or Whatever I feel like all the characters embody me in different ways. I’m anxious and introverted like Evan, always wanting to make others see me as normal, I’ve got a temper and sometimes lash out at those I care about like Conner, and I was abused when I was younger, leading to a contentious relationship with a family member, a lot like Zoe. I guess that’s why it’s hard for me to side against any of the characters, because in the end I understand all of them.

@Jimmyeatshrimp

4y↑4

Dani Scott well said my dude geez that was beautiful

28 More Replies...

@quirkyqid319

2y↑31

Fun fact about deh is that the sound of a guitar playing represents lies and while Zoe isn't lying about how she's aware it's okay to not cry over someone that wasn't great, but she's lying in a sense because she does honestly miss Connor even if a little. All three of them are singing to a lying guitar because there is so much mixed emotions between what they are all saying.

3:16 the guitar literally stops playing, telling that she's being honest.

She's saying don't say you weren't the monster I knew you as, Connor. You did things that you can't ever excuse. So don't lie to me.

@whitneyballard7019

2y↑21

to my dear “mother”,
the constant words of praise and approval from everyone she met were never enough. your little girl just wanted you to be proud of her.

@mossy.frogs.

5y↑19

The worst part is, Zoe... did miss him. She mentioned in the book to Evan, even though everything he did she still loved him. And Connor mentioned how he never actually threatened to kill her and that he almost wishes he didn’t treat her the way he did. Key word “almost”, but he did love her, in his own way.

Gosh I even miss Connor, not to mention he isn’t real and I never knew him lol

@emppu1012

3y↑36

If my sister had died when we were the same age as the characters were in this musical, then this song would resonate heavily with me. My sister was my biggest bully and did and said horrible things, and I hated her more than anything. But I'm in my mid-20s now, and we get along. Hell, we're friends and I can sincerely say I love her. And it's all thanks to us growing as people and talking to each other, and I learned every single thing that caused my sister to torment me. That she was just as tormented, just in places where I couldn't see. And she was sorry for everything she ever did to me, and to this day she keeps making up for it to me. So, yes, Connor was a monster to his sister, he tormented her and their entire family, and none of it was okay. I'm just so very sad neither Connor nor Zoe had the chance to discover the potential positive relationship they could've had, couldn't grow to love each other

@johnbrooke2641

3y↑18

@HomeworkWithMrsKat

7y↑6.1K

My brother died 6 months ago from drugs. I have had a hard time explaining I have felt about his death. This song perfectly sums up how I feel. Thank you for giving me this and helping me not feel guilty for not missing my brother after his death.

@shelby2117

7y↑280

As the sister of a "fallen" heroin addict I feel like this song has been able to give words to the feelings I've been experiencing since his passing.

@charliebones839

7y↑108

Katelyn Newton I'm soooo sorry :( I can't imagine life without my brothers 😟😢😭😰

@llamaparty8441

7y↑159

I'm so sorry but I'm happy that you have found a way to express yourself

@xeriahblevins7909

7y↑88

Katelyn Newton I am sorry I cried when I saw this comment good job on being super strong you have no reason to feel guilty

@caldotmp4

7y↑37

Oh my goodness I so sorry for your loss, I hope you feel better soon

75 More Replies...

@kurrs177

3y↑33

@mariakelly9193

4y↑14

The thing that I love about Dear Evan Hansen is that it’s relatable, real, and raw

@ballerina8846

3y↑29

I think what really draw me to the song is the sister's view on Connor's death. She had an excellent friend and brother but as time went on, middle and highschool changed connor, whiched changed her attitude. They grew apart. I know he grew apart from his parents, yet his sister was someone he grew apart from the most. They went from spending time with each other every single single, to barely seeing a minute with each other.

@jem_on_fire

5y↑23

I don't know why, but the part where they talk about laying the villains down to sleep, and that no one cries for them or lights a candle for them(4:19), it really connects to me. It has stuck and that is the main reason that I like the song. I think it might be that because I am an author and I have always fallen in love with every villain. Whether they be mine or not.

@elizaeth3107

5y↑104

"Oh don't the tears just pour"
Just the hint of sarcasm in her voice made me laugh for 5 minutes

@stephpiano2908

7y↑135

Laura's voice is just . . . phenomenal . . . astounding . . . heartbreaking perfection

@Jack-bz3xn

2y↑14

@jaru3097

4y↑59

Amazing Musical Moments in Requiem:
1:26 - Fun fact, it was supposed to be a solo of Zoe, but I'm so glad they made the Murphy family (at least, what was left of them) sing it. In my opinion, it's way better if they all sing the requiem.
2:07 - This bridge shows a lot. Larry sings, along with Zoe "Why should I have a heavy heart", showing how he resents Connor and his existence (wtf dad) and Cynthia singing "I'll keep you with me." Being the mother, you don't want to let go of your child and accept the fact that he's gone, no matter what he might've done to you when he was alive.
2:15- WHYYYYYYYYYY should I play the grieving girl and LIEEEEEEE saying that I miss you and that MYYYYYY world has gone dark without your light.
2:27 - Larry sings along "my world has gone dark," showing that he only focuses on the bad things that happened to Connor, but Cynthia, sings "I can see your light," showing how she really believes in these emails showing how much of a wonderful son and friend he is.
2:41 - Ya'll this bridge is just. Wah. I can't. Magical.
2:54 - That drumbeat is like Connor beating on the door of Zoe. Holy crap (said by Maddie Vitali)
3:16 - That YOU ARE NOT THE MONSTER... that I knew. I just like it.

@nathaliemcdonald495

4y↑2

Conner actually never layed a hand on Zoe its confirmed in the book she was lying

@Ad_Majorem_Dei_Gloriam

5y↑4

That part in the last few seconds when they sing in harmony gives me chills every time

@meatydish8732

1y↑4

Man this song hits me on a whole different level "It's okay to not love someone who treated you badly" I taught myself to always care for people no matter what and i've been trying to unteach myself such. Conner Murphy all in all was a horrible person, and although he had issues that doesn't justify the things he done.
Zoey's character is one that always hit me on a personal level. In my life I delt with father figures and friends who were horrible. Some of them I hate although I used to care. I feel bad when I have nothing good to say about them. This song really helps in many different ways. Zoey's actor is fantastic.

@elizabethguzman7052

5y↑4

I really think this a powerful song and that it really shows how talented are they as singers. Especially Larry and Zoe's. They have harsh lyrics but through the emotions, they can imprint into their voices you can really appreciate how this is the way they're taking all the grievance and hurt of Connors' death and their sour, mixed emotions. So in a way, they're singing a requiem

@castleboi1373

7y↑669

This is genuinely one of the saddest songs in this musical, in my opinion. Because Connor wasn't a monster, he wasn't "the villian". He became the way he was because of neglect and mental issues that no one helped him through, and while that doesn't excuse his actions, it helps us understand them. It helps us understand that Connor was just as much a victim to his actions as everyone else was, proven by other's opinions of him, and his untimely death. Connor wasn't a great person, but he was a victim too.

@maddycommieieieienananalo3453

5y↑42

Something I have trouble figuring out is whether that makes him a monster. Also, Connor was "the villian" because he hurt people. A villian is someone who hurts people, regardless of whether they are a victim as well. Don't take my words to seriously, I'm biased because I know someone like Connor but a lot worse. Basically, I resonate more with Zoe because I understand what she had to go through having a sibling like that. It's probably why I love this song so much....

@s3toruu

5y↑6

yes! his actions arent justified but he was someone who suffered from mental struggles and in turn ended his own life, preach!

@seokkdh

4y↑4

Finally someone who thinks the same!!!!
This song really make me cry

Sorry for my english ahre

@maisie798

4y↑2

dont do drugs, man

@machpetty2485

4y↑4

Castle Boi especially after reading the book and being able to understand everything. why he’s so angry why is in that much trouble

4 More Replies...

@moony1770

2y↑7

This song makes me want to be a better person. I don't want people to sing this song about me when I pass

@denafesharaki7828

5y↑389

I don’t think it matters how much Connor loved his family. His actions defined him, not his thoughts and his actions defined him as abusive and a threat to his sister and ruining his father

@nathaliemcdonald495

4y↑10

HE NEVER ACTUALLY TOUCHED ZOE IT IS CONFIRMED A LIE IN THE BOOK

@pal3shelter

4y↑86

@Nathalie McDonald it doesn't fucking matter. mental and verbal abuse are things, you fucking know. just because he never touched her doesn't mean he couldn't fucking be abusive. he threatened to kill her, and yet you bring this up trying to say he "wasn't abusive"? really?

@jamssy3409

4y↑27

@Nathalie McDonald words hurt too ya know

@undercoverfangirl5491

3y↑5

He didn’t actually ruin his father? And thoughts and actions both define you, it’s just how everyone sees you.

@shanef.3883

3y↑7

@Nathalie McDonald You cant use the book to confirm anything in the musical.

9 More Replies...

@justa16thnote

2y↑8

I think the most tragic part about this song is that we never got to learn who Connor was. We learned about him through his family, but we learned that the family's dysfunctional. Evan Hansen's version of him is completely fabricated. We only got a snippet of him at the beginning and that's it.

@rawr1131

1y↑3

I agree this song has always been hard for me because it always sparks debate over if Connor was a monster or if he truly abused Zoe. And the truth is, I don’t think we have enough information to know. The book has him claiming to have never threatened or actually hurt his sister. It’s still clear that he hurt her by banging on her door and screaming at her. He didn’t treat her very kindly, but the book leads me to believe any harm he caused Zoe was unintentional or he wasn’t in control. I don’t think this excuses anything, but intentions are important. I don’t think Connor was a monster because he never intentionally hurt anyone. But at the same time, he clearly traumatized people. This song is so hard to listen to because I honestly can’t tell if Connor made a mistake of if he genuinely was a horrible sadistic abuser.

@cambrillon6618

5y↑3

This song is super complicated emotionally but I can’t help but feel what Zoe feels in this situation. You want to know that the person you thought would care about you did care. And when they didn’t it’s hard to grieve them because you only know them as someone who took away your pride, your happiness and all your positive emotions. In my requiem Connor is my Dad. He left my life long ago and he just now decided to come back six years later. “Don’t tell me that it wasn’t black and white, after all you put me through don’t say it wasn’t true- that you were not the monster that I knew”. Even in the aftermath I can’t help but still feel for that statement. You never forget the pain and sorrow. That is why I love musical theatre, because it allows you to see yourself onstage. To all those suffering in a similar requiem plz know you’re beautiful and you don’t have to miss your enemy, and anyone who puts you down. You’re not alone and you can do this crazy thing called life just fine 💕 be strong, be safe, and most of all be you!

@maddievitali3205

7y↑4.7K

Anyone else feel like at 2:54 the hard drum beat represents when Connor used to bang on her door and threaten to kill her? I felt like that was what was happening before she said "You are not the monster that I knew"

@andyp.4564

6y↑87

:,0

@courteneyallison1359

6y↑90

OMG OMGG OMGHHHGGIEGJEKNF

@saga_db

6y↑57

Maddie Vitali o shit.

@jamieharris4786

6y↑11

Maddie Vitali uhxjjzj

@ithinkflutterawesome6511

6y↑74

He didn’t actually do that-

80 More Replies...

@cybercriminal3110

2y↑36

Connor's mother felt him in the letter he didn't even write.

@Squibbles1

2y↑5

Omg ur right

@childofanolddeadgod1278

5y↑3

I love this song so much. My mom watched Dear Evan Hansen and fell for the music, and she showed me this song. It feels so... true and right. As someone who has known and been screwed over and even screwed up by so many people, some of whom are even dead now, it's nice to know that I don't have to sing a hollow requiem for them.

@evarose384

5y↑2

this is my absolute favorite song in the soundtrack, I don’t know why I always come back to it. it’s such a beautiful song.

@michvel_official

2y↑6

We're doing a cabaret for drama and my friends sings this song absolutely phenomenaly

@moss8127

3y↑6

I related so much to Zoe in this song. I have a mentally and physically abusive older brother and I'm forced to pretend to love him just because we're family. He has done nothing but hurt and traumatize me to the point I see him as nothing more than a monster. I've always felt so sorry for her having to read those fake letters about how her brother actually cared about her, learning to forgive him, only to then find out that it was all fake

@ferallemur

7y↑2.9K

The composers (Pasek and Paul) are masters of using swells in the music followed by sudden drops to emphasize certain lines for an absolutely devastating effect. "That you were not the monster that I knew" gets me every single time I listen to this song. Every. Single. Time. They do the exact same trick with "Will I ever make a sound?" in Waving Through a Window. Everything stops, including your heart, and as a listener you just hang onto that line. So well done. The composition, the lyric, the sound editing, and the vocal, just perfection in that moment.

@jubelleanne4783

7y↑15

ferallemur AGREED

@rowan5891

7y↑5

Too true

@rileyw8068

7y↑27

I love how in that moment, the entire musical drops, and then the music swells and it hits you that much harder

@tamaracantor

7y↑8

Omg this is so true❤️ I cry every time

@tillie_brn

7y↑37

They kind of did it in "for forever" with "till the entire sun shines on my face... then I suddenly feel the branches" and then in "if I could tell her" at the end of the "I love you, I love you, I love you" part. And I'm sure there are others I can't remember. They just mastered the trick. And it's beautiful every. Single. Time.

10 More Replies...

@bo-bunny3871

3y↑22

“I gave you the world, you threw it away.”

You gave him a baseball glove—

@jellyrcw12

5y↑7

This song is absolutely stunning and heart wrenching. The lines that the family sing together are simply lyrically genius. Zoe's voice is stunning. What a beautiful play!

@jellyrcw12

3y↑1

Years later and Requiem is still my favorite. I love the significance that each lyric has when different parts of the family sing together.

@Thathestiadevotee

2y↑3

I love how this song says that it’s ok to not mourn someone who was awful to you in life. Connor was absolutely terrible to Zoe and it is perfectly fine that she doesn’t miss him.

@BHnixe

3y↑9

THIS SONG IS A GODDAMN MASTERPIECE 😭😭😭😭😭😭

@sleck8071

6y↑14.3K

Listens to the whole soundtrack knowing nothing about the musical

@Megan-zk2fm

5y↑309

Same

@OddballKitten

4y↑225

Same

@idrinkpastaforaliving_6269

4y↑189

Same

@sageblueee

4y↑167

Same

@ameliajane8355

4y↑87

This is me right now

361 More Replies...

@kiersteneddy334

4y↑4

Okay so I have never seen the musical, but fell in love with the soundtrack without any previous knowledge of what it was about. Now I’m reading the book and (from the clip notes I’ve found online) am listening to each song as it pertains to the book and this one has me UGLY CRYING like my God this is sad 😭

@amyhoover9

31w↑1

This song has been on repeat for me off and on lately.... Within the context of the play, I know that Zoe and her family doesn't want to acknowledge that depression/suicide is what lead to Connor's death. Out of context however, I feel like there's more room for more than one interpretation. This song could be targeted towards anybody who has made you feel unsafe or like you're unable to stand up for yourself, and for that, I'd say that the message in this song is something that I can finally understand. So much of my baggage and mental health over the past couple weeks has been staggering back and forth.... It's not easy for me to face reality and take responsibility for my actions, but I've been trying to move forward as much as possible and put in the effort into bettering myself. However, by the time I do reach that point of peace, this one person continuously tries to play games with me for reasons I can't understand. Why should I care about him when everything he's given me has been on false pretenses?

@steffij9775

5y↑6

I love this song because it perfectly captures how terrible our ignorance and lack of understanding with mental health is. Some deleted songs pointed out that the family did bring Connor to countless clinics, doctors, and therapists. None of it worked as not everyone with mental health disorders can be helped by the current medication. Zoe couldn't approach because she was terrified of him. His dad wanted to approach but he didn't know how. His mother also had no idea how to handle him. Connor seems to have hammered in the fact that he was irredeemable unto himself. This lack of knowledge on how to handle mental health issues are what destroys a family dynamic. Everyone in that family was suffering, Connor moreso than the others, and sadly Connor losing his life was the point where they all decide to rethink their knowledge and awareness of his situation.

@yourneighborhoodana4584

2y↑6

At 3:39 Zoe says “that my world has gone dark.” After that she stops and there are a few piano notes that play the notes that she was singing earlier “without your light”. I think the notes represent Evan, who is making her see him in a different light, even if that isn’t real.

@giisides2870

3y↑8

I always find this song interesting because yes the father and Zoe are angry and sad, but if you really break it down, the mother is in a completely different stage of grief. Her reason for “singing no requiem” is that she knows he’s still there via the letters, and thinks he was happier than she had believed before. She was terrified it was her fault he died, and the letters made that less of a fear, made her feel like he may have been at least a bit more at peace, even if not entirely. She’s closer to acceptance than anyone else

@lucicorinne297

7y↑375

THE FIRST LYRIC I WENT "oH MY GOD" HER VOICE IS SO P R E T T Y WTH

@QuikVidGuy

3y↑23

the fact that connor's family never really end up knowing who he is because everything they knew was either a lie or buried in his addiction and abuse
it feels lonely even though i can't put myself in his shoes.

@hamchung7775

5y↑2

This is the second song I heard from DEH and I was hooked immediately. The lyrics are just so meaningful, how all three characters do not feel the need to sing a Requiem. Until now, this song still brings me to tears. And their voices <3<3<3

This is the definition of beauty and tears.

@manuelorozco7760

5y↑1

Hamchung 77 The first two songs I heard were Waving Through A Window and You Will Be Found

@jazzy_jz

5y↑2

This is a great song. First of all, there's the lyrics, which are absolutely fantastic. I love the part where Zoe says "After all you put me through/ Don't say it wasn't true/ That you were not the monster/ That I knew". After all, even though Connor was human and everybody makes mistakes, Zoe still couldn't bring herself to love him as he truly was -- a monster. They are complemented by the tune, which is heartfelt yet up"beat", if you'll pardon the pun. The delayed rhyming scheme reminds me of Connor's death, which was an unfinished life. This is a great song overall; it almost made me cry but it also makes me really happy inside, like I'm done being the person I thought I was and can now be the person I see who has so much potential inside of me, which is what Evan does at the end of the musical. This song makes me feel complete.

@tanner23315

3y↑1

Mi canción favorita de todo el musical. Tiene tanto sentimiento 💙
No la dejo de escuchar

@tahraethestoryteller6079

2y↑7

If you listen close enough, you can hear Larry sing “my world has gone dark without your light” 😥
Say what you will about him as a father, but he did truly love Connor

@mariareugicnad

7y↑1.7K

I didn't know anything about Dear Evan Hansen bessides waving through a window, only us and that Laura Dreyfuss and Ben Platt were in it... I was waiting for the soundtrack to be released, and I gotta say, I'm honestly obsessed

@Hubbblesgirl

7y↑32

Mabel Danciguer if you get a chance go see it (and bring a portable pack of tissues.). This musical is truly amazing.

@mariareugicnad

7y↑11

Hubble's Girl that's probably never gonna happen :(

@lydiajanemusic1669

Mabel Danciguer same

@stephanien838

7y↑7

cast recording, not a soundtrack!

@Julia-vg3tw

Stephanie N you

3 More Replies...

@Plagolago64

3y↑3

This musical is something else although you may or may not have had those experiences you can still sympathize and relate at some level to them it’s not like some musicals where there’s a villain and a problem it’s not just one villain it’s everybody’s inner villains and I really appreciate that.

@angiematics

45w↑1

When I first listened to this version I wasn’t the biggest fan. Then, I went to see it live, off broadway and I saw how good this song was.

@davidkermott7231

50w↑1

That "I'll keep you with me" at 2:10 was SO GOOD

@melly4276

31w↑3

@AriOrSomething

4y↑6

This song makes me realize just how much I'm scared of being remembered as the villain when I die, and that I might deserve it

@superfrontman

7y↑262

This song does such an emotional tightrope walk. It's beautiful, bitter, sad, angry. It doesn't trivialize death, it doesn't trivialize the trauma that the character endured. Death is complex and tragic and it runs the gamut of reactions to it without feeling forced (seriously, the doubling on "heavy heart" and "keep you with me" speak so many volumes about the parents). Not to mention a beautiful, evocative bit of orchestration. This is what good musical theater writing looks and sounds like. I'm in awe.

@jess2166_

2y↑1

this is so nostalgic. used to listen to the DEH soundtrack in repeat during the freshman year of high school. i would sit in the library during my free period and do my math homework. now, revisiting it in my second year of college, it was just as good as i remember. i really do miss my musicals phase.

@TheOnlyExxxception

3y↑6

I'm finally getting around to making a documentary about my brother who committed suicide two years ago, and this song sums up all of my feelings toward him. Hoping to get the licensing to use the song in the documentary, it would be great for the end into closing credits.

@isabellaskywalker5507

2y↑4

Whenever I listen to this song, I always think of my mom. I spent my whole life defending someone who didn’t deserve it. Deep down she was a good person, but she loved the drugs more than me. When she inevitably dies from it, I know I’ll miss her. I’ll miss who I wanted her to be, not who she was.

@povitsvenus

3y↑4

I know realistically that to strangers on the internet that I'm gonna sound like some teenager who hates their dad, but imagining myself as Zoe and singing it about my dad ✨💫better then therapy💫✨

@ladmyn2726

1y↑3

I've never seen this musical but I love this song

@scribblesprout

7y↑663

Still, I think when she hesitates before saying "tonight" means that as bad as he was, she will forgive him at one point. She's only trying to convince herself for now that her reactions are sane.

@roseJ96

3y↑9

It's interesting how I've heard such completely different views on this song. Some thinking she's sincere, some thinking she's only thinking about the bad parts she remembers because she doesn't want to acknowledge that there were parts she loved because then it will all feel real and she'll be mourning.

@jellyrcw12

That is the best part about art to me, we all see it different ways depending on our own backgrounds and lens. I personally think she was still in the denial phase to me. And she is cycling through the other cycles of grief along with her family. It is clearly shown through the lines they sing together. Zoe and Larry are anger "Why should I have a heavy hart?" Zoe and Cynthia are denial "I'll keep you with me" (Cynthia does not sing the very first part of "Why should I" I have listened to this song hundreds of times and it is still an emotional whirlwind.