prologue
The Sharks and the Jets Lyrics
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Some folks dream of the wonders they'll do
Before their time on this planet is through
Some just don't have anything planned
They hide their hopes and their heads in the sand
Now I don't say who is wrong, who is right
But if by chance you are here for the night
Then all I need is an hour or two
We all dream a lot-- some are lucky, some are not
But if you think it, want it, dream it, then it's real
You are what you feel
But all that I say can be told another way
In the story of a boy whose dream came true
And he could be you
The opening lines of the song “Prologue” by The Sharks and the Jets set the stage for the coming-of-age musical drama, West Side Story. The singer explores the idea of fulfilling one’s dreams before leaving the Earth. Some people have their futures mapped out, but others have not thought about their aspirations and keep them hidden. However, the singer refrains from judging those individuals. Nonetheless, if the audience is listening to the story at that moment, they only need an hour or two to experience the epic tale of someone who had a vision like the listener.
The singer then sings about how everyone dreams of someone that they’ll do in the future. However, not everyone gets to attain their dreams. It depends on one's luck as well as their effort. Nevertheless, if one can dream it and think about achieving it, then it becomes a reality. Furthermore, the singer points out that whatever he says can be expressed through the story of a boy who made his dream come true, and it could be the listener.
In conclusion, the song's "Prologue" introduces the musical drama's theme, which explores the pursuit of one's dreams, the choices we make, and their consequences. The story is one that many can relate to, as it is about individuals from diverse backgrounds who seek love and fulfillment in a society riddled with violence and intolerance.
Line by Line Meaning
Some folks dream of the wonders they'll do
Many people have grand aspirations for what they hope to achieve in their lives.
Before their time on this planet is through
Before they pass away, they hope to accomplish great things.
Some just don't have anything planned
Some people lack direction or goals in their lives.
They hide their hopes and their heads in the sand
They avoid thinking about what they really want, or they fear pursuing their dreams.
Now I don't say who is wrong, who is right
The artist doesn't judge those who choose different paths in life.
But if by chance you are here for the night
If you are listening to this story right now,
Then all I need is an hour or two
The singer only needs a short time to share the tale he has in mind.
To tell the tale of a dreamer like you
He wants to share the story of someone who, like you, has big dreams and hopes.
We all dream a lot-- some are lucky, some are not
Everyone has dreams, but some people are fortunate enough to make them a reality while others are not.
But if you think it, want it, dream it, then it's real
If you truly believe in your dreams and work towards them, they can become a reality.
You are what you feel
Your thoughts and emotions shape who you are and what you can achieve.
But all that I say can be told another way
The artist acknowledges that there are different paths and approaches to life's challenges.
In the story of a boy whose dream came true
He wants to share a specific story about someone who made their dreams a reality, as an example of what is possible for others.
And he could be you
The singer wants to inspire the listener by suggesting that they too can achieve their dreams and become the singer of their own story.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: THOMAS KITT, BRIAN YORKEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@s.g.7572
List of everything we learn in these first 9 minutes, without any exposition or dialogue:
- The names of the gangs (sidewalk paintings)
-The leaders and second-in-commands of the gangs (not their names, but through their prominence and the order in which they appear)
-The power dynamic (Jets are clearly more powerful than Sharks)
-The way they operate (Sharks are cleverer and bait the Jets into traps, Jets rely on strength and numbers)
-The reasons people are part of the gangs (the joy in all their movements and coordination speaks to the team spirit they exude)
-The respect the Jets hold in the community, vs the Sharks who are never shown being given anything (Jets get the basketball, people move for them on the sidewalk etc)
-The way their fights escalate (initially almost playful, dances, idle threats, then the more they interact, the more it builds up until it becomes an unchoreographed street brawl)
-The reason the Sharks exist (their musical motif, the sting at 2:17, is a slightly distorted version of the Jets' motif, representing how the Jets existed before there were any Puerto Rican immigrants in the neighbourhood, and then after being targeted the Sharks had to be formed for protection, hence they are a slightly different version of the Jets)
-Their immaturity (slightly more vague, but I'm just thinking about how things like the fruit interaction, the paint, the "Beat it!"s are so petty and childish, it really emphasises that these are kids playing at being tough, which then comes back in "Dear Officer Krupke" and "Cool")
-The way Bernardo and Riff are going to die (the same way that everything escalates gradually here, what starts off as a fistfight becomes a knifefight, then a double murder. Here, we see that both sides are too proud and stubborn to take the moral high ground and de-escalate, both will fight until they're pulled apart, and when no-one's there to do so they will fight until they die)
This is what people talk about when they talk about cinematic language.
@bellafausett2063
I wish people could dance through the streets without getting weird looks. This would be my dream, honestly.
@pix046
Not worth dancing in the streets without getting weird looks.
@EmilynWood
Actually it's fun to see how people react when you dance.
@EyeLean5280
bella amy Do it in New York. No one will care.
@steamslaughtgaming6115
***** Try it in England; The Queen will have you sent to the Tower Of London
@EyeLean5280
SteamSlaught Gaming
to see the crown jewels, I presume?
@craigm2520
Back in the good old days with teenagers solved disagreements with incredibly well done ballet, dance, and rhythm
@EMVelez
😂😂 if only!
@michellelekas211
And murder!
@shejmacfyoutuization
🤣