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The Music of the Night is a song from the musical The Phantom of the Opera. It is one of the show's most famous songs and one of Broadway's most famous songs as well. The popular song has sold millions of copies worldwide and has been translated into many different languages. The music was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and the lyrics were written by Charles Hart. The song was made famous by Michael Crawford, the actor who originated the role of the Phantom both in London and on Broadway.

It is sung after the Phantom lures Christine Daaé down to his lair beneath the Opera house. He seduces Christine with "his music" of the night. Eventually, the Phantom pulls back a curtain with a life-size doll of Christine that attacks her, causing her to faint. The Phantom carries Christine to a bed, where he lays her and goes on to write his music.

The song is in the key of D-flat major (the composer's favorite) and the meter is 4/4. The Aria starts in D-flat Major switches to E-Major. The song then changes back to D-flat to finish the song. It is noted for being particularly difficult to sing, and is commonly used in training for show baritones. The performer must have a well devoloped low baritone range, and a very strong falsetto--spanning two octaves from bottom to top A-flat, the latter held for a long pause.

There are three different versions of The Music of the Night. The first being the original stage lyrics contains:

Softly, deftly, music shall surround you.

Feel it, hear it, closing in around you.

Later these lyrics were changed:

Softly, deftly, music shall caress you.

Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you.

Michael Crawford recorded a third video version, later used in duet with Barbara Streisand, with several main differences:

Helpless to resist the notes I write,

For I compose the music of the night. (addition)

Later on:

Turn your face away from the garish light of day

Turn your face away from cold, unfeeling light

And listen to the music of the night

Replaced with:

Hearing is believing,

Music is deceiving,

Hard as lightening, soft as candle light,

Dare you trust the music of the night

And subsequently:

Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams

Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before

Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar

And you'll live as you've never lived before

Replaced with:

Close your eyes,

For your eyes will only tell the truth,

And the truth isn't what you want to see,

In the dark it is easy to pretend,

That the truth is what it ought to be

Just a small change, but:

Let your mind start a journey through a strange, new world,

Changed to:

Close your eyes, start a journey through a strange, new world

[edit] External links

Alternate lyrics to the song

Former Broadway Phantom Hugh Panaro performing the song in concert