In 2004, Michele played "Shprintze" and "Chava" in the Broadway revival of the musical Fiddler on the Roof. Regionally, she has appeared in the title role in The Diary of Anne Frank.
Since the age of 14, she played the role of Wendla in Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's musical version of Spring Awakening since early workshops; following it up to the Broadway production. Around the same time the show was set to go to Broadway, she was given the role of Eponine in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables. She chose to remain with Spring Awakening, which debuted on Broadway December 10, 2006. Michele was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her performance in Spring Awakening, as Lead Actress in a Musical.
On May 18, 2008, Michele left Spring Awakening with co-star Jonathan Groff and was replaced by former Wendla understudy Alexandra Socha. She performed in a reading of Sheik and Sater's new musical, Nero, in July 2008 at Vassar College, also featuring Idina Menzel and Michael Arden. On August 8, 9 and 10, 2008, Michele portrayed Eponine in the Hollywood Bowl's Les Misérables concert.
Michele can be heard on the original Broadway cast recordings of Ragtime and Spring Awakening, as well as the 2003 revival recording of Fiddler on the Roof.
Michele starred in the Fox television show Glee, where she played the star female singer of a high school glee club, Rachel Berry. The pilot aired on May 19, 2009, and the show aired on Thursday nights on FOX. The show ended after 6 seasons on March 20, 2015.
Lea Michele will be making her public debut as Fanny Brice in Broadway’s Funny Girl on September 6th, 2022
My Junk
Lea Michele Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still, there's this one thing, just to see you go by
It's almost like lovin', sad as that is
May not be cool, but it's so where I live
It's like I'm your lover, or more like your ghost
I spend the day wonderin' what you do, where you go
I try and just kick it, but then what can I do?
See us winter walkin' after a storm
It's chill in the wind, but it's warm in your arms
We stop, all snow-blind, may not be true
We've all got our junk, and my junk is you
Well, you'll have to excuse me, I know it's so off
I love when you do stuff that's rude and so wrong
I go up to my room, turn the stereo on
Shoot up some you, and the "you" is some song
(I lie back) I lie back, just driftin' (driftin')
And play out these scenes (these scenes)
I ride on the rush (the rush)
All the hopes, all the dreams (the dreams)
I may be neglectin' the things I should do (we've all got our junk)
We've all got our junk, and my junk is you (yeah, yeah, yeah)
See, we still keep talkin' after you're gone (after you're gone)
You're still with me then, feels so good in my arms
They say you go blind, maybe it's true (my junk, my junk is you)
We've all got our junk, and my junk is you
Oh, it's like we stop time, what can I do? (When my junk is you)
We've all got our junk, and my junk is you
My junk is you
You, you, you
Lea Michele's song "My Junk" is a melancholic reflection on the often-unrequited love and obsession between two people. Though the singer is firmly ensconced in a "miss of a life", there is one thing that makes it all worthwhile - the object of her unwavering affection. She experiences a voyeuristic thrill simply from watching her love interest walk by, a sense of fulfillment that resided within her alone. And while she knows it’s uncool to feel this way, she cannot deny the overwhelming sense of love, or perhaps what is left of it, that she harbours for this person. The singer of the song struggles to go about daily life and finds herself becoming increasingly preoccupied with the object of her obsession, unable to resist her strong attachment.
In the later verses of the song, the singer imagines a life spent with her love interest, taking winter walks, and reveling in moments stolen in their combined company. They talk even after their brief moments together, the singer holding onto the feeling of being in their arms. Despite whatever flaws or shortcomings the love interest may have, the singer still finds solace, and perhaps even purpose or meaning, in loving them. As the song ends with a repetition of "My junk is you," it leaves the listener with a sense of sad yet resolute adoration, as the singer holds onto her love despite knowing that it may never be reciprocated.
Line by Line Meaning
In the midst of this nothing, this miss of a life
Despite feeling like my life is empty and unfulfilling,
Still, there's this one thing: just to see you go by
the mere sight of you brings me happiness.
It's almost like lovin', sad as that is
Although it's sad to admit, the feeling I have for you is almost like love.
May not be cool, but it's so where I live
Where I come from, it may not be considered cool to feel this way, but it's just how I feel.
It's like I'm your lover, or more like your ghost—
I feel like I am connected to you in a spiritual way, like a lover or ghost.
I spend the day wonderin' what you do, where you go
All day long, I wonder about your whereabouts and what you're up to.
I try and just kick it, but then what can I do?
I try to distract myself, but ultimately I can't help my feelings for you.
We've all got our junk, and my junk is you
Everyone has their baggage, and mine is my love for you.
See us winter walkin' after a storm
Imagine seeing us walking after a snowstorm
It's chill in the wind, but it's warm in your arms
The cold wind may be harsh, but being in your arms makes everything feel warm and comforting.
We stop, all snow-blind, may not be true
We pause and look around, temporarily blinded by the snow, but it's not really an issue.
Well you'll have to excuse me, I know it's so off
Please forgive me, I know my feelings may come off as strange or inappropriate.
I love when you do stuff that's rude and so wrong
I find myself attracted to your rebellious behavior that others may see as rude or inappropriate.
I go up to my room, turn the stereo on
I retreat to my room and turn on the music.
Shoot up some you, and the "you" is some song
I lose myself in the music, letting it fill the void that your absence creates.
(I lie back) I lie back, just driftin' (Driftin')
I let myself sink into the music, drifting away from reality.
And play out these scenes (These scenes)
I replay memories and scenarios in my head, imagining a world where we could be together.
I ride on the rush (The rush)
I feel a thrill and excitement thinking about you.
All the hopes, all the dreams (The dreams)
All of my desires and aspirations seem to revolve around you.
I may be neglectin' the things I should do
I may be ignoring responsibilities and things I should be doing because of my obsession with you.
See, we still keep talkin' after you're gone
Even when you're not physically present, I still imagine conversations and interactions with you.
You're still with me then, feels so good in my arms
In my mind, I can still feel the sensation of being close to you, which brings me a sense of comfort and joy.
They say you go blind, maybe it's true
They say being blinded by love is a real thing, and it may be true in my case.
We've all got our junk, and my junk is you
Once again, I am reminded that my love for you is my baggage and something I carry with me everywhere.
Oh, it's like we stop time, what can I do?
Being with you feels like time comes to a standstill, and I can't do anything to change that.
My junk is you
You, you, you
My love for you is something that consumes me, that I can't escape from, and that is always on my mind.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Steven Sater, Duncan Sheik
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind