Finding his voice in a school choir, Crawford began his professional career still a teenager. Having some luck on the London stage in the early 60s, he then found his way onto the BBC and starred in various programmes such as 'Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'. He also had film roles in 'The War Lover', 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'. and 'How I Won the War' (which brought him into the same work as John Lennon).
Andrew Lloyd Webber's casting of him opposite Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton as the Phantom in 1986 shot his career into high gear. Winning a Tony Award for his role, Crawford also had the aforementioned tune, "The Music Of The Night", reach the British Top Ten. He has released several studio albums such as 'A Touch of Music in the Night' and 'On Eagle's Wings' among others.
West Side Story Medley: Maria / Tonight / Somewhere
Michael Crawford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria
All the beautiful sounds of the world in a single world
Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria
I just met a girl named Maria
And suddenly that name will never be the same to me
Maria
I just kissed a girl named Maria
How wonderful a sound can be
Maria
Say it loud and there's music playing
Say it soft and it's almost like praying
Maria
I'll never stop saying
Maria x8
Say it loud and there's music playing
Say it soft and it's almost like praying
Maria
I'll never stop saying
Maria
Tonight, tonight
Won't be just any night
Tonight there will be no morning star
Tonight, tonight
I'll see my love tonight
And for us stars will stop where they are
Today the minutes seem like hours
The hours go so slowly
And still the sky is light
Oh monn go bright and make this endless day endless night
Tonight, tonight
Won't be just any night
Tonight, tonight
I'll see my love tonight
And for us stars will stop where they are
Today the minutes seem like hours
The hours go so slowly
And still the sky is light
Oh moon go bright and make this endless day endless night
Tonight
There's a place for us
Somewhere a place for us
Peace and quiet and open air
Wait for us
Somewhere
There's a time for us
Someday a time for us
Time together
With time to spare
Time to learn
Time to care
Someday
Somewhere
We'll find a new way of living
We'll find a way of forgiving
Somewhere
There's a place for us
A time and place for us
Hold my hand
And we're halfway there
Hold my hand
And I'll take you there
Somehow
Someday
Somewhere
The most beautiful sound I ever heard
Maria!
The lyrics to Michael Crawford's song West Side Story Medley: Maria / Tonight / Somewhere is a combination of three different songs from the musical West Side Story. The first part, "Maria", starts with the singer describing how he just met a girl named Maria, and suddenly the name becomes the most beautiful sound he's ever heard. He repeats her name multiple times in different tones, emphasizing its significance to him. The second part, "Tonight", is about the anticipation of seeing Maria that evening. The singer describes how time seems to be dragging on, but he's looking forward to spending time with her under the stars. The final part, "Somewhere", describes a place and time where the singer and Maria can be together without worrying about societal expectations. He speaks of forgiveness and learning to care for each other, and holding hands to get there.
The lyrics are powerful and emotional, conveying the love and longing the singer has for Maria. The repetition of her name and the contrast between the excitement of seeing her in "Tonight" and the future potential for their relationship in "Somewhere" create a sense of hope for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
The most beautiful sound I ever heard
He heard a sound that's the most beautiful sound ever
Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria
He keeps saying the name of the girl over and over again
All the beautiful sounds of the world in a single world
The name Maria has all the beautiful sounds in the world in it.
I just met a girl named Maria
He just met a girl called Maria.
And suddenly that name will never be the same to me
The name Maria holds a different meaning to him now.
I just kissed a girl named Maria
He just kissed a girl called Maria.
And suddenly I found
How wonderful a sound can be
He discovered a new level of wonderfulness in the sound of the name Maria.
Say it loud and there's music playing
By saying the name Maria loudly, it feels like there's a musical accompaniment.
Say it soft, and it's almost like praying
By saying the name Maria softly, it almost feels like he is praying.
I'll never stop saying
Maria x8
He will never stop saying the name of Maria.
Tonight, tonight
Won't be just any night
Tonight is going to be special
Tonight there will be no morning star
Tonight, there will be no morning star
I'll see my love tonight
He will see his loved one tonight
And for us stars will stop where they are
For them, the stars will remain still tonight
Today the minutes seem like hours
The hours go so slowly
And still the sky is light
Time is going by so slowly today, even though it is still daytime
Oh moon go bright and make this endless day endless night
He wishes the moon could make the day endless night because he wants to see his love now.
There's a place for us
Somewhere a place for us
Peace and quiet and open air
Wait for us
Somewhere
There's a special peaceful place waiting for them
There's a time for us
Someday a time for us
Time together
With time to spare
Time to learn
Time to care
Someday
Somewhere
Their love will have its own time when they will have time for everything
We'll find a new way of living
We'll find a way of forgiving
Somewhere
They'll find a new and forgiving way to live in that special place
There's a place for us
A time and place for us
Hold my hand
And we're halfway there
Hold my hand
And I'll take you there
Somehow
Someday
Somewhere
They will find that special place somewhere and be together happily ever after
Contributed by Alexis P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.