True. I’ve seen a few and the people all try to summon super human efforts just to appear normal when it’s obvious they are not in any way ok. Kahn standing their so still when her insides are exploding is the exact effect.
The few times I've had a panic attack I froze and just stared at something. Putting all my focus and energy on that one thing just hoping and praying I can hold on and not burst.
Here's what I love about Kahn's version... it's subtle. Everyone I've seen perform this song tends to go for a little bit of camp and over the top comedy on this number which really does work. Kahn plants her feet and goes quietly insane, it's all in her eyes and you see her going nuts or in her tiny actions. It's what makes it brilliant
@@Unpoeticirony Did you watch through to the end? It’s a performance for a large, live audience that is being filmed.. The crazy eyes are for the camera. The voice and contracted movements will communicate everything to the theatre audience.
Honestly, I'm pretty sure this is the definitive performance. Aside from being wildly, wildly funny, her diction is just *unreal* -- she's not eliding a single damn word in there, and the way she's hitting the stresses makes it a lot easier to parse than even other extremely good interpretations.
Guns and Ships is awesome, but you have to see the revival of this. It's 1.5x faster than this. The special performances of this are generally slowed down to highlight the performer rather than the song. The Carol Burnett performances is HILARIOUS, but so SO slow.
I belive the revival is something like 6.2 words per second, and guns and ships is 6.3. It's a nearly negligible difference, and yes, fewer chances to breath in this.
Sarah Eliza they're both about the same with words and sped the thing with this is that it's less chance for breath in Hamilton there is a breath after each verse
IMO, Madeline Khan was flawless and always flawless. This is a LIVE rendition of a very difficult song, a Sondheim song, no less. You all are entitled to your opinions but I, for one, will take Madeleine's performance any day and so grateful that I was alive to see her many appearances and performances before she passed away from OVARIAN CANCER much too soon.
Madeline WAS absolutely FLAWLESS on this one.........and I'm another person who misses her dearly. She was a GREAT commedienne, and certainly one of the brightest stars in Mel Brooks' preferred troupe of actors. She could do ANYTHING.
Madeline Kahn was incredible. She had it all: beauty, a lovely voice, acting ability and a great sense of humor. I think anyone who could do what she did in this video would have to be a genius as well.
Comparing this to Glee is insanity. Let me be clear, I love the Glee version, it's great and all props to Jayma in that version because she really made something of it... but here's the thing, Jayma's version was over the top, dramatic and was basically all facade. Madeline is working on layers here, you can see by the way she's standing that she's trying to give off the illusion that she's got everything together, that she's calm and rational and it's only the eyes at first that give away that she's on the verge of losing her mind. If you watch carefully you see the wall collapse, the lowering of the bouquet perfectly timed to when she started getting a little more terrified, the delivery of "I'm not well, so I'm not getting married" the first time any real emotion starts coming out and when she actually takes the microphone off, she's no longer pretending, she's just scared of being married. Her performance was complete, told a story and had an incredible evolution from the start to the finish. Jayma was all one note (An amazing note, but still one note). I can't think of a single version of this song where the performer completely committed to the same level that Madeline did, it's a insane comparison to make, one version is good, but the other version is perfect in every possible way.
And frankly, who can compare with Madeline Kahn's unique sense of comedy? It's so removed from time and place that it never feels dated or of a specific genre. She was gifted in so many ways.
Occidental79er No one could ever be like Madeline Kahn, she absolutely perfected the idea of the Deadpan Delivery. I mean her Blazing Saddles role would be enough to make her a genius but I think I can put how perfect a comic she was in one simple sentence "Flames, Flames on the side of my face"
Personally, I actually prefer Jayma's performance _because_ it was so over the top. The thing about any comparison is that we can tell each other why we're wrong all day long, but in the end, tastes vary widely, and that's all this really comes down to.
Joel Henderson It has nothing to do with taste--Sondheim was very clear about what he wanted from the singer and how she should present it as an actress. Being over the top was NOT Sondheim's intention, and he wrote it, so in the end, HIS version wins. And this version is much closer to what Sondheim intended than some ridiculous Glee mess.
the understatedness really sells the idea of a person who is almost completely dead inside. She's like a walking corpse who alternates between total numbness and a rising sense of panic that appears to be her natural state. This is one of the few Amys that doesn't appear to be suffering from some kind of stage fright or wedding nerves or regret or whatever. I 100% believe that she's just an incredibly neurotic person who is scared of EVERYTHING and prone to falling into debilitating anxiety spirals, a fact that this Paul is 100% aware of- and he adores her anyway. Most other women play this song like - a crazy nervous breakdown that appears to have been prompted entirely by the stress of the wedding. And that's valid. But I think this song is more moving when you realise that it's about Amy trying to hide her true "self" from Paul, by talking to the imaginary audience in her head. And then later in the show she realises that she doesn't have to, i.e Paul isn't marrying some "body", he's marrying SOMEBODY - ie a fully formed human with flaws and vulnerabilities. In that way this song is an essential part of a beautiful tribute to how messy and wonderful and lovely human relationships are. And Madeline's performance sells that aspect of this - character arc - so well.
This should be watched as a lesson in acting. Kahn uses her eyes to tell what many other amys use their bodies to tell. Granted...this would not have worked if she didn't have a camera up her nose the whole time but it's stunning. Her voice tells the story for the crowd and she is so subtle in how she shows Amy cracking. She did an amazing job. Also..loved Jeane Lehman and the stepford wife-esque bridesmaids were honestly freaky...but added to the whole affect quite nicely
tinyelephant 500 you haven't learned it? that's the amazing thing about patter songs, each one is a fresh tongue twister you've got to learn all over again.
Loved that in Clue, but the interchange between Mull (Mustard) and her (Mrs. White) regarding her views on men is priceless: Mull: How many husbands have you had? Kahn: Mine or other women's? Mull: Yours. Kahn: Five. Mull: Five? Kahn: Yes, just the five. Husbands should be like Kleenex: soft, strong and disposable. Mull: You lure men to their deaths like a spider with flies. Kahn: Flies are where men are most vulnerable.
for anyone like me trying to sing along: PART 1: Pardon me, is everybody here? Because if everybody's here I'd like to thank you all For coming to the wedding I'd appreciate you going even more I mean, you must have lots of better things to do And not a word of it to Paul Remember Paul? You know, the man I'm going to marry But I'm not, because I wouldn't ruin anyone As wonderful as he is Thank you all for the gifts and the flowers Thank you all, now it's back to the showers Don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today PART 2: Listen everybody, look, I don't know what you're waiting for A wedding. What's a wedding? It's a prehistoric ritual Where everybody promises fidelity forever Which is maybe the most horrifying word I ever heard of Which is followed by a honeymoon, where suddenly he'll realize He's saddled with a nut, and want to kill me, which he should Thanks a bunch, but I'm not getting married Go have lunch, cause I'm not getting married You've been grand, but I'm not getting married Don't just stand there, I'm not getting married And don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today PART 3: Go! Can't you go? Why is nobody listening? Goodbye! Go and cry At another person's wake If you're quick, for a kick You could pick up a christening But please, on my knees There's a human life at stake! PART 4: Listen everybody, I'm afraid you didn't hear Or do you want to see a crazy lady fall apart in front of you? It isn't only Paul who would be ruining his life You know, we'll both of us be losing our identities I telephoned my analyst about it, and he said to see him Monday But by Monday I'll be floating in the Hudson with the other garbage I'm not well, so I'm not getting married You've been swell, but I'm not getting married Clear the hall, 'cause I'm not getting married Thank you all, but I'm not getting married And don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today PART 5: Go! Can't you go? Look, you know I adore you all But why watch me die Like Eliza on the ice? Look, perhaps I'll collapse In the apse right before you all So take back the cake Burn the shoes, and boil the rice Look, I didn't want to have to tell you But I may be coming down with hepatitis And I think I'm gonna faint So if you want to watch me faint, I'll do it happily But wouldn't it be funnier to go and watch a funeral? So thank you for the twenty-seven dinner plates Thirty-seven butter knives Forty-seven paperweights Fifty-seven candle holders I'm not getting married But I'm not getting married See, I'm not getting married! Still, I'm not getting married! Let us pray that we're not getting married Today!
This one is a hare slower than the original cast recording, which I appreciate. I’ll start with this one and work my way up to the other tempo. It’d sure be a fun game to see who can do it the fastest.
Madeline Kahn's version of this is astonishing. She didn't miss a word...WOW. Added to that is her embodiment of a woman going quietly mad with subtle gestures, intonations and facial expressions. It doesn't get better.
As a singer myself, I can tell you there is NOTHING more terrifying than performing a song like this...you are in complete free-fall from the get-go and just pray that you stay on top of the wave!!! Madeline makes it seem effortless!!!!
Everyone’s going crazy over her “I’m not well so Im not getting married” But I was really loving her ending of “but im not getting married” right before she throws the bouquet.
Madeline perfectly tosses the bouquet, timing the 12-foot, arching flight of flowers to LAND on the LAST note. This was not luck, Madeline nailed the lyrics and stuck the landing for the flowers too! 😍
love so much that this isn't sung fast for the sake of being sung *really fast* - perfect pace, perfect expressions. her "I'm not well so I'm not getting married!" is so FIRM and completely certain, no one else sings it that way!
For 60 or so years, I was under the impression I didn't care for show tunes, until I spent a delightful hour or so today listening to Madeline Kahn sing show tunes. RUclips can be a really wonderful resource for learning something new, at any age.
One thing I like the most about this cover? She’s not focused on speed. In other covers, they sing very quickly and it’s honestly not easy to distinguish what they are trying to say. With Madeleine, however, she’s saying everything clearly and not going too fast so that we all know what she’s pleading. I love it!
Madeline Kahn continues to astound and delight us, long after her premature departure from this plane. This is an EXTREMELY difficult song to do, more than most, and she sang it like it was written for her. Brava, Madeline, you left SUCH a legacy! We love you!
Her facial expressions in so many of her roles are brilliant. The vocal ranges are incredible switching from one to another and then to another almost without pause.
All the hate and comparisons annoy me. Jayma Mays and Madeline Khan both did amazing jobs. Can't we just appreciate them both? On Madeline's behalf, it's not an easy song to sing LIVE like this. The pressure of messing a song like this up is immense, and Jayma recorded in a studio with however many takes she needed to get it perfect. On Jayma's side, it takes guts to perform such a classic and difficult song on Glee because every Glee cover always comes with a certain amount of hate, and she did just as good a job as Madeline. People hate on Madeline (and other performances) because they're not "perfect" like Glee's version. That's because they're live and not edited to be perfect. It's a hard song to perform live. Can't we all just appreciate each performance for what it is. Every performer needs praise for their work. Because, let's face it, anyone brave enough to tackle this song for an audience, television or live, needs praise no matter what.
I welcome the Glee performance, because it opens up a new world of The Arts to an audience otherwise captivated by video games and texting. So, now 4-count..
utubewatcher806 I give Madeline props and anyone else who does this LIVE! Glee is nothing but machine created auto tuned garbage, not even worth mentioning.
Imissingu2001 I see your point. I think I'm a bit biased because I love Jayma Mays. But you can't deny that some Glee covers are amazing, and I think this is one of them. And the autotune used in Glee has been used less and less as the show goes on. They ARE professionals for the most part, after all.
It’s an enormous feat, what she accomplishes here. Almost super human. I am in awe. Her technical expertise, allowing me to understand EVERY word at that breakneck pace with loud sounds behind her is astonishing by itself. Plus her acting is touching and laugh-out-loud hilarious. Wow.
This is completely related to her future as the Black Widow "Mrs. White" in 1985's "Clue" Alongside Tim Curry and Christopher Lloyd. Sadly, she passed away in 1995.
I dunno why I find the woman on the right of Madeline hilarious; she nails that dreamy bridesmaid look, completely oblivious to what the bride is going through. :-D
She was simply the best at everything she did. Her sense of timing, delivery, humor, voice was impeccable. She and Judy Holiday were in a league of their own.
Madeline Kahn is terrific. She has such luminous, witty and well-thought-out delivery, and a distinctive voice. And she sings 'Not Getting Married Today' WAY more skillfully than Jayma Mays in 'Glee.' And by the way, please don't leave out Jeanne Lehman. Her voice is so big and pure and beautiful, obviously trained in opera and musical theater--absolutely worth having at any wedding.
Madeline Kahn was a legend!!! She left us far too soon. I’ll always remember her as Mrs. White from the 1980s classic Clue. She’s just fantastical everything.
I love her change in tone when she sings "I'm not well, so I'm not getting married," like now she's really putting her foot down. She really knows how less is more. So talented!
stop comparing it to glee. it's like comparing apples to oranges. you can't compare a live performance in a concert setting to a produced, scripted, and edited television show. they're both great, but they're both different. the setting of the glee episode is different than that of the concert. you also have to appreciate/respect glee for introducing the beauty that is Sondheim's music to a younger generation. i'd rather them do that then cover crappy pop songs.
Thank you for this! Both are great! Why do we have to shit on people for no reason? Glee does pop, rock, musical, and all sorts of other covers! Just let people enjoy what they want. God😒
Some of the songs glee does are actually good you didn’t have to do that some people actually like them I actually agree with you with they are both great but you also have to remember people can do whatever they want to
I love this woman. she is absolutely amazing as a vocalist and an actress. Definitely one of kind. She goes beyond technique and discipline. She's Madeline Kahn and no one can imitate that.
2:26 The way she slowly lowers her bouquet with her fingers super subtly while speaking super fast.... to portray the crazy in her head! I love the depth of her acting
She was always so funny, and talented. She could to anything, sing, dance, act, and was so amazing to watch. This is the best version of "Not Getting Married" I've heard. Such a shame she left us so soon. She had so much more to give, and will always be greatly missed.
I consider this to be if not the best, than one of the best performances of this song. You can just HEAR the shakiness in her voice, as if at any moment she is going to jump out a window. Fantastic.
JENNY: Bless this day, Pinnacle of life Husband joined to wife The heart leaps up to behold This golden day. PAUL: Today is for Amy Amy, I give you the rest of my life To cherish and to keep you To honor you forever Today is for Amy, My, happily, soon-to-be wife. AMY: Pardon me, is everybody here? Because if everybody's here, I'd like to thank you all For coming to the wedding. I'd appreciate you going even more, I mean, you must have lots of better things to do, And not a word of it to Paul Remember Paul? You know, the man I'm going to marry But I'm not, because I wouldn't ruin anyone As wonderful as he is. Thank you all for the gifts and the flowers, Thank you all, now it's back to the showers Don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today. JENNY: Bless this day, Tragedy of life Husband bound to wife The heart sinks down And feels dead This dreadful day. AMY: Listen everybody, look, I don't know what you're waiting for A wedding. What's a wedding? It's a prehistoric ritual Where everybody promises fidelity forever, Which is maybe the most horrifying word I ever heard of, Which is followed by a honeymoon, where suddenly he'll realize He's saddled with a nut, and want to kill me, which he should. Thanks a bunch, but I'm not getting married Go have lunch, 'cause I'm not getting married You've been grand, but I'm not getting married Don't just stand there, I'm not getting married And don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today. Go! Can't you go? Why is nobody listening? Goodbye! Go and cry At another person's wake. If you're quick, for a kick You could pick up a christening But please, on my knees, There's a human life at stake! Listen everybody, I'm afraid you didn't hear Or do you want to see a crazy lady fall apart in front of you? It isn't only Paul who would be ruining his life You know, we'll both of us be losing our identities I telephoned my analyst about it, and he said to see him Monday But by Monday I'll be floating in the Hudson with the other garbage. I'm not well, so I'm not getting married You've been swell, but I'm not getting married Clear the hall, 'cause I'm not getting married Thank you all, but I'm not getting married And don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today. JENNY: Bless this bride, Totally insane Slipping down the drain And bless this day in our hearts As it starts To rain. PAUL: Today is for Amy Amy, I give you the rest of my life To cherish and to keep you To honor you forever AMY: Go! Can't you go? Look, you know I adore you all But why watch me die Like Eliza on the ice? Look, perhaps I'll collapse In the apse right before you all So take back the cake Burn the shoes, and boil the rice. PAUL: Today is for Amy, My, happily, soon-to-be wife My adorable wife... AMY: Look, I didn't want to have to tell you, But I may be coming down with hepatitis, and I think I'm gonna faint So if you want to watch me faint, I'll do it happily, But wouldn't it be funnier to go and watch a funeral? So thank you for the twenty-seven dinner plates, Thirty-seven butter knives, Forty-seven paperweights, Fifty-seven candle holders PAUL: One more thing... AMY: I'm not getting married. CHOIR: Amen! PAUL: Softly said... AMY: But I'm not getting married. CHOIR: Amen! PAUL: With this ring... AMY: See, I'm not getting married! CHOIR: Amen! PAUL: I thee wed. AMY: Still, I'm not getting married! CHOIR: Amen! PAUL: Let us pray that we are getting married AMY: Let us pray that we're not getting married ALL: Today!
So I’m a big fan of Les Mis, Blood Brothers, Superstar etc but am clueless re. Sondheim (got here via the sublime Randy Rainbow). THIS IS AWESOME. She’s like an anxiety attack on legs but manages to be understated enough to do a wonderful gradual climb towards her head exploding. So funny, makes it look easy when it’s actually a song that it would be easy to get wrong. Not to mention a stunning voice. I love it!
Stephen Sondheim is awesome! I suggest you check out "A Little Night Music", "Company", "Into the Woods" and "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street". Sondheim also wrote the lyrics to "West Side Story" and "Gypsy." Listen to the original Broadway cast albums first, before you check out any film versions, as those were heavily changed from the original. Enjoy! Sondheim is a treasure. ETA: If you want a sampler go find the DVD or digital version of this show - Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall. It's got a LOT of classic Sondheim songs and great performances!
Thank you, Madeline Kahn for your interpretation of this. Not many could do this song and follow the intrepid performance of Beth Howland, who originated the role and song). Kahn -- wow, so missed. I love you wherever you are.
wow she's good, singing so fast, her eyes wide with terror. I sure do miss her. ever seen the SNL when she did "i feel Pretty" as the bride of frankenstien?.....classic!
Helen Hawkins the lyric is correct - what are you talking about? I am the very model of a modern Major General I’ve information vegetable animal and mineral I know the Kings of England and I quote the fights historical From Marathon to Waterloo in order categorical
This is the most authentic portrayal of a panic attack I've ever seen.
True. I’ve seen a few and the people all try to summon super human efforts just to appear normal when it’s obvious they are not in any way ok. Kahn standing their so still when her insides are exploding is the exact effect.
The few times I've had a panic attack I froze and just stared at something. Putting all my focus and energy on that one thing just hoping and praying I can hold on and not burst.
I know this is long ago but I just couldn't help it. Sex education, season 2 ep 6 23:03 minutes left. Best portrayal I've ever seen
@@SunDarling369 honestly i like the 2004 version where she screams and hides under the piano, those are what my panic attacks are 😊
Her eyes even say, "I am internally breaking down right now"
Between this and clue, I'm convinced Madeline Kahn is in her element most when her character is having a mental breakdown.
Look at her breakdowns in High Anxiety too
Flames flames on the side of my face
Or when she's picking out some company for the evening (history of the world)
She's also great in Young Frankenstein
This is devastatingly accurate.
I. Am. Stunned. This is Incredible.
Garrett!! 🥺💗
How did I find your comment😂
Cristal Santos where Madeline Kahn is, I will be.
I KNOW RIGHT, even the bouquet toss was on beat when she caught it!!!
𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑒 😂😂
Here's what I love about Kahn's version... it's subtle. Everyone I've seen perform this song tends to go for a little bit of camp and over the top comedy on this number which really does work. Kahn plants her feet and goes quietly insane, it's all in her eyes and you see her going nuts or in her tiny actions. It's what makes it brilliant
Yes! She certainly was the best at characters that are pretending not to have a mental breakdown in public.
"I'm not well" proves this. It's a crack in the facade.
@Lee garyB - I concur!
Absolutely wonderful with a camera a foot from her face, but in a big house that wouldn’t read. Hearing it in her voice is amazing though
@@Unpoeticirony Did you watch through to the end? It’s a performance for a large, live audience that is being filmed.. The crazy eyes are for the camera. The voice and contracted movements will communicate everything to the theatre audience.
No one’s ever delivered “I’m not well” as magnificently as Madeline. Devastatingly funny.
She sounded like Francine Smith from American Dad.
You should see her in "What's Up, Doc?"
.
YOU ARE SO RIGHT!!!
@@AxelQC ..HAVE YOU NO HEART?? 🤣
The way she says "I'm not well, so I'm not getting married" is actually perfect
The absolute stillness with which she performs this is slightly unsettling.
That is the point.
You share her discomfort.
Andrew David I know, it's the most fascinating thing. That and the tone. You don't expect the 'less is more' approach for such a panicked song.
thecupcakestealer101 obv someone who didn't see the original broadway version of company
utubewatcher806 And you'd be right about that. Congratulations, have you done anything other than be a snob today?
thecupcakestealer101 yes, i saw three versions of this play--and you?
Honestly, I'm pretty sure this is the definitive performance. Aside from being wildly, wildly funny, her diction is just *unreal* -- she's not eliding a single damn word in there, and the way she's hitting the stresses makes it a lot easier to parse than even other extremely good interpretations.
I agree! Her diction is just unbelievable. That is incredibly hard to do at that speed
Look up Beth Howland;; she originated the role on Broadway.
And people talk about "Guns and Ships" from Hamilton being fast
Guns and Ships is awesome, but you have to see the revival of this. It's 1.5x faster than this. The special performances of this are generally slowed down to highlight the performer rather than the song. The Carol Burnett performances is HILARIOUS, but so SO slow.
This is not as fast, but the singer doesn't have as much time to breathe as Daveed does in Guns and Ships
Yeah but the rap in Guns and Ships is like a 1 minute burst, max. This is longer
I belive the revival is something like 6.2 words per second, and guns and ships is 6.3. It's a nearly negligible difference, and yes, fewer chances to breath in this.
Sarah Eliza they're both about the same with words and sped the thing with this is that it's less chance for breath in Hamilton there is a breath after each verse
IMO, Madeline Khan was flawless and always flawless. This is a LIVE rendition of a very difficult song, a Sondheim song, no less. You all are entitled to your opinions but I, for one, will take Madeleine's performance any day and so grateful that I was alive to see her many appearances and performances before she passed away from OVARIAN CANCER much too soon.
Madeline WAS absolutely FLAWLESS on this one.........and I'm another person who misses her dearly. She was a GREAT commedienne, and certainly one of the brightest stars in Mel Brooks' preferred troupe of actors. She could do ANYTHING.
Oh wow it's so amazing to see miss Khan perform this again!! This is the perfect performance xxx
@RuralGayBoy Referencing 'The Worst Pies in London', I'm sure.
She was an international treasure 💌I certainly miss her undeniable talents 💐
@@kllwc7772 We were blessed to have seen her. Just loved when she would make her appearances on Johnny Carson. She was an incredible comedienne, too.
Madeline Kahn was incredible. She had it all: beauty, a lovely voice, acting ability and a great sense of humor. I think anyone who could do what she did in this video would have to be a genius as well.
And, so many of us MISS HER SO MUCH!!!!
LoveFlatfootin1 glee’s is still better
She's my cousin!
She was a treasure
We lost her at only 57. Imagine if we'd had another 20 years of her amazing talents.
Comparing this to Glee is insanity. Let me be clear, I love the Glee version, it's great and all props to Jayma in that version because she really made something of it... but here's the thing, Jayma's version was over the top, dramatic and was basically all facade. Madeline is working on layers here, you can see by the way she's standing that she's trying to give off the illusion that she's got everything together, that she's calm and rational and it's only the eyes at first that give away that she's on the verge of losing her mind. If you watch carefully you see the wall collapse, the lowering of the bouquet perfectly timed to when she started getting a little more terrified, the delivery of "I'm not well, so I'm not getting married" the first time any real emotion starts coming out and when she actually takes the microphone off, she's no longer pretending, she's just scared of being married. Her performance was complete, told a story and had an incredible evolution from the start to the finish. Jayma was all one note (An amazing note, but still one note). I can't think of a single version of this song where the performer completely committed to the same level that Madeline did, it's a insane comparison to make, one version is good, but the other version is perfect in every possible way.
And frankly, who can compare with Madeline Kahn's unique sense of comedy? It's so removed from time and place that it never feels dated or of a specific genre. She was gifted in so many ways.
Occidental79er No one could ever be like Madeline Kahn, she absolutely perfected the idea of the Deadpan Delivery. I mean her Blazing Saddles role would be enough to make her a genius but I think I can put how perfect a comic she was in one simple sentence "Flames, Flames on the side of my face"
YESSS!!! Classic "Flames... flames, on the side of my face" forever and always!
Personally, I actually prefer Jayma's performance _because_ it was so over the top. The thing about any comparison is that we can tell each other why we're wrong all day long, but in the end, tastes vary widely, and that's all this really comes down to.
Joel Henderson It has nothing to do with taste--Sondheim was very clear about what he wanted from the singer and how she should present it as an actress. Being over the top was NOT Sondheim's intention, and he wrote it, so in the end, HIS version wins. And this version is much closer to what Sondheim intended than some ridiculous Glee mess.
She was a true comedic genius taken from as far too soon
Her delivery of the line "I'm not well" is absolutely brilliantly perfect
OMG how did I either not know, or forget, that we lost her, and so soon, and so long ago? 😔
@@tejaswoman she died of cancer in 1999. She was only 57 :/
She has the best delivery of "I'm not well so I'm not getting married" that I can possibly imagine
"Bless this bride totally insane" cracks me up every time.
"So... do you like rap music"
"Well... its complicated."
the understatedness really sells the idea of a person who is almost completely dead inside. She's like a walking corpse who alternates between total numbness and a rising sense of panic that appears to be her natural state. This is one of the few Amys that doesn't appear to be suffering from some kind of stage fright or wedding nerves or regret or whatever. I 100% believe that she's just an incredibly neurotic person who is scared of EVERYTHING and prone to falling into debilitating anxiety spirals, a fact that this Paul is 100% aware of- and he adores her anyway. Most other women play this song like - a crazy nervous breakdown that appears to have been prompted entirely by the stress of the wedding. And that's valid. But I think this song is more moving when you realise that it's about Amy trying to hide her true "self" from Paul, by talking to the imaginary audience in her head. And then later in the show she realises that she doesn't have to, i.e Paul isn't marrying some "body", he's marrying SOMEBODY - ie a fully formed human with flaws and vulnerabilities. In that way this song is an essential part of a beautiful tribute to how messy and wonderful and lovely human relationships are. And Madeline's performance sells that aspect of this - character arc - so well.
slay for giving an entire psychological breakdown (ha) of Kahn's acting and the way it affected the message of the scene C:
This should be watched as a lesson in acting. Kahn uses her eyes to tell what many other amys use their bodies to tell. Granted...this would not have worked if she didn't have a camera up her nose the whole time but it's stunning. Her voice tells the story for the crowd and she is so subtle in how she shows Amy cracking. She did an amazing job.
Also..loved Jeane Lehman and the stepford wife-esque bridesmaids were honestly freaky...but added to the whole affect quite nicely
How can I sing guns and ship perfectly but can't even do a verse of this song
tinyelephant 500 you haven't learned it? that's the amazing thing about patter songs, each one is a fresh tongue twister you've got to learn all over again.
Ooh! Hamilton fan! Sadly, I can't sing either of those two songs!
Me too!!
There are way less breaks
tinyelephant 500 I’m the opposite I can sing this but can’t do a line from guns and ships seriously
"I hated her SO much, it...it...it....flames! Flames...on the side of my head...burning...breaths..." -Madelaine Kahn in Clue
mds1978 yas!😂 She was so funny! I just kept replaying that part!
HAA!! OMG!! That part gets me EVERTIME! I miss Madeline Khan. She was a genius!
That's exactly where I went also. And the harmony singing on "She's a Jolly Good Fellow".
Loved that in Clue, but the interchange between Mull (Mustard) and her (Mrs. White) regarding her views on men is priceless:
Mull: How many husbands have you had?
Kahn: Mine or other women's?
Mull: Yours.
Kahn: Five.
Mull: Five?
Kahn: Yes, just the five. Husbands should be like Kleenex: soft, strong and disposable.
Mull: You lure men to their deaths like a spider with flies.
Kahn: Flies are where men are most vulnerable.
THAT’S WHERE I KNOW HER FROM!
for anyone like me trying to sing along:
PART 1:
Pardon me, is everybody here?
Because if everybody's here
I'd like to thank you all
For coming to the wedding
I'd appreciate you going even more
I mean, you must have lots of better things to do
And not a word of it to Paul
Remember Paul? You know, the man I'm going to marry
But I'm not, because I wouldn't ruin anyone
As wonderful as he is
Thank you all for the gifts and the flowers
Thank you all, now it's back to the showers
Don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today
PART 2:
Listen everybody, look, I don't know what you're waiting for
A wedding. What's a wedding? It's a prehistoric ritual
Where everybody promises fidelity forever
Which is maybe the most horrifying word I ever heard of
Which is followed by a honeymoon, where suddenly he'll realize
He's saddled with a nut, and want to kill me, which he should
Thanks a bunch, but I'm not getting married
Go have lunch, cause I'm not getting married
You've been grand, but I'm not getting married
Don't just stand there, I'm not getting married
And don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today
PART 3:
Go! Can't you go?
Why is nobody listening?
Goodbye! Go and cry
At another person's wake
If you're quick, for a kick
You could pick up a christening
But please, on my knees
There's a human life at stake!
PART 4:
Listen everybody, I'm afraid you didn't hear
Or do you want to see a crazy lady fall apart in front of you?
It isn't only Paul who would be ruining his life
You know, we'll both of us be losing our identities
I telephoned my analyst about it, and he said to see him Monday
But by Monday I'll be floating in the Hudson with the other garbage
I'm not well, so I'm not getting married
You've been swell, but I'm not getting married
Clear the hall, 'cause I'm not getting married
Thank you all, but I'm not getting married
And don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today
PART 5:
Go! Can't you go?
Look, you know I adore you all
But why watch me die
Like Eliza on the ice?
Look, perhaps I'll collapse
In the apse right before you all
So take back the cake
Burn the shoes, and boil the rice
Look, I didn't want to have to tell you
But I may be coming down with hepatitis
And I think I'm gonna faint
So if you want to watch me faint, I'll do it happily
But wouldn't it be funnier to go and watch a funeral?
So thank you for the twenty-seven dinner plates
Thirty-seven butter knives
Forty-seven paperweights
Fifty-seven candle holders
I'm not getting married
But I'm not getting married
See, I'm not getting married!
Still, I'm not getting married!
Let us pray that we're not getting married
Today!
Trying to sing along is ...... an ambitious idea
This one is a hare slower than the original cast recording, which I appreciate. I’ll start with this one and work my way up to the other tempo. It’d sure be a fun game to see who can do it the fastest.
Gods work
bold of you to assume i can sing along to this
Brilliant! Thanks for this!
Madeline Kahn's version of this is astonishing. She didn't miss a word...WOW. Added to that is her embodiment of a woman going quietly mad with subtle gestures, intonations and facial expressions. It doesn't get better.
As a singer myself, I can tell you there is NOTHING more terrifying than performing a song like this...you are in complete free-fall from the get-go and just pray that you stay on top of the wave!!!
Madeline makes it seem effortless!!!!
The way she says "I'm not well." gets me every time.
Everyone’s going crazy over her “I’m not well so Im not getting married”
But I was really loving her ending of “but im not getting married” right before she throws the bouquet.
The classical singer is amazing. Incredibly clear pronunciation, and a hilarious delivery of the "totally insane" line.
Madeline was lost too soon . Here’s to her beautiful soul ✨
Madeline perfectly tosses the bouquet, timing the 12-foot, arching flight of flowers to LAND on the LAST note. This was not luck, Madeline nailed the lyrics and stuck the landing for the flowers too! 😍
love so much that this isn't sung fast for the sake of being sung *really fast* - perfect pace, perfect expressions. her "I'm not well so I'm not getting married!" is so FIRM and completely certain, no one else sings it that way!
Just apropos of nothing, Kristin Chenoweth named her dog Madeline Kahn Chenoweth in honor of one of her professional heroes.
I remember her saying that at a concert I attended! Sadly she passed 18 months ago and she adopted a new puppy named Thunder.
And Audra McDonald’s daughter is Madeline Zoe, after Kahn and Caldwell. ❤️
My favorite version of this! NO ONE reads the line "I'm not WELL!" like dear sweet Madeline!
The "I'm not well," is iconic but the "Go! Can't you go!" is so just frustrated and I love it.
Madeline Kahn was such a genius comedian. . R.I.P
For 60 or so years, I was under the impression I didn't care for show tunes, until I spent a delightful hour or so today listening to Madeline Kahn sing show tunes. RUclips can be a really wonderful resource for learning something new, at any age.
I know you said this three years ago, but I hope you've found some other fun showtunes to enjoy since that time.
One thing I like the most about this cover? She’s not focused on speed. In other covers, they sing very quickly and it’s honestly not easy to distinguish what they are trying to say. With Madeleine, however, she’s saying everything clearly and not going too fast so that we all know what she’s pleading. I love it!
Madeline Kahn continues to astound and delight us, long after her premature departure from this plane. This is an EXTREMELY difficult song to do, more than most, and she sang it like it was written for her. Brava, Madeline, you left SUCH a legacy! We love you!
Her facial expressions in so many of her roles are brilliant. The vocal ranges are incredible switching from one to another and then to another almost without pause.
I never realised the way she leaves the stage: "if you'll excuse me, i have a wedding to attend to even if i'm dead inside". What a glorious actress.
There will never be another Madeline Kahn. A true treasure deeply missed.
“Bless this Briiiiiide, totally insane”
Yes.
All the hate and comparisons annoy me. Jayma Mays and Madeline Khan both did amazing jobs. Can't we just appreciate them both? On Madeline's behalf, it's not an easy song to sing LIVE like this. The pressure of messing a song like this up is immense, and Jayma recorded in a studio with however many takes she needed to get it perfect. On Jayma's side, it takes guts to perform such a classic and difficult song on Glee because every Glee cover always comes with a certain amount of hate, and she did just as good a job as Madeline. People hate on Madeline (and other performances) because they're not "perfect" like Glee's version. That's because they're live and not edited to be perfect. It's a hard song to perform live.
Can't we all just appreciate each performance for what it is. Every performer needs praise for their work. Because, let's face it, anyone brave enough to tackle this song for an audience, television or live, needs praise no matter what.
I welcome the Glee performance, because it opens up a new world of The Arts to an audience otherwise captivated by video games and texting. So, now 4-count..
utubewatcher806 I give Madeline props and anyone else who does this LIVE! Glee is nothing but machine created auto tuned garbage, not even worth mentioning.
Imissingu2001 I see your point. I think I'm a bit biased because I love Jayma Mays. But you can't deny that some Glee covers are amazing, and I think this is one of them. And the autotune used in Glee has been used less and less as the show goes on. They ARE professionals for the most part, after all.
Jack Anthony has
who the hell is Jayma Mays?!?
What a woman and we miss her! STUPENDOUS!!!
It’s an enormous feat, what she accomplishes here. Almost super human. I am in awe. Her technical expertise, allowing me to understand EVERY word at that breakneck pace with loud sounds behind her is astonishing by itself. Plus her acting is touching and laugh-out-loud hilarious. Wow.
Madeline Khan is a comic genius! Recognize a legend and stop acting like Glee is the standard for the rest of the world!
Shoeting Star this is great, but so was Glee. Don't be an ass
The late, great, magnificent Madeline Kahn. Wasn't she just wonderful?
"Do you wanna see a crazy lady fall apart in front of you..."
So, f-fla--FLAMES? On the side of your face? Breathing, breathle--heaving breaths....
This is completely related to her future as the Black Widow "Mrs. White" in 1985's "Clue" Alongside Tim Curry and Christopher Lloyd. Sadly, she passed away in 1995.
Madeline Kahn is one of the all time greats!
I dunno why I find the woman on the right of Madeline hilarious; she nails that dreamy bridesmaid look, completely oblivious to what the bride is going through. :-D
She was simply the best at everything she did. Her sense of timing, delivery, humor, voice was impeccable. She and Judy Holiday were in a league of their own.
I found this after Randy Rainbow, but this is great too.
She was genius in everything she did. Especially the movie What's Up Doc...
"I am not *A* Eunice Burns, I am *THE* Eunice Burns!"
Madeline Kahn is terrific. She has such luminous, witty and well-thought-out delivery, and a distinctive voice. And she sings 'Not Getting Married Today' WAY more skillfully than Jayma Mays in 'Glee.' And by the way, please don't leave out Jeanne Lehman. Her voice is so big and pure and beautiful, obviously trained in opera and musical theater--absolutely worth having at any wedding.
I love, love, love Madeline Kahn. She was brilliant in everything she did whether it was Blazing Saddles, Clue, Mixed Nuts, etc.
"i cant find my cufflinks"
"theyre on the dresser next to the suicide note"
Just when I thought Madeline Kahn couldn’t be more brilliant I discovered this gem ❤️
This is such a brilliant interpretation of the song. The subtleties of her panic, trying to keep it together but also bursting at the seams. Amazing.
Madeline Kahn was a legend!!! She left us far too soon. I’ll always remember her as Mrs. White from the 1980s classic Clue. She’s just fantastical everything.
"The Flames, The Flames!"😆😆😆
🌈Randy Rainbow sent me here! 💙
Boy is this Original song Fantastic! 🎉
Heard the tragic passing of Stephen Sondheim this morning, and immediately had to come here.
I love her change in tone when she sings "I'm not well, so I'm not getting married," like now she's really putting her foot down. She really knows how less is more. So talented!
stop comparing it to glee. it's like comparing apples to oranges. you can't compare a live performance in a concert setting to a produced, scripted, and edited television show. they're both great, but they're both different. the setting of the glee episode is different than that of the concert.
you also have to appreciate/respect glee for introducing the beauty that is Sondheim's music to a younger generation. i'd rather them do that then cover crappy pop songs.
Most of the time they do just cover crappy pop songs. They even covered the one that was an absolute joke on the internet, "Friday".
they covered that what does the fox say song too!!
Thank you for this! Both are great! Why do we have to shit on people for no reason? Glee does pop, rock, musical, and all sorts of other covers! Just let people enjoy what they want. God😒
Some of the songs glee does are actually good you didn’t have to do that some people actually like them
I actually agree with you with they are both great but you also have to remember people can do whatever they want to
The world is black and white, you can enjoy only one or the other! Who do you think you are, a well-balanced person?
“I’m. Not. Well. So I’m not getting married”
The way she delivered that has me weak 🤣🤣🤣
KAHN TELLS IT ALL IN THE EYES!!! I LOVE HER PERFORMANCE I MISS HER:(
20 years ago, a great Star stopped shining. She is eternal, in Heaven. Thank You, MK, soprano,diva,entertainer,muse....B R A V A!!!!!
She is incredible
. I wonder what all she would have done if she wasn’t taken too soon.
@@winterwilliams3618 she even had opera roles,and was planned in cast for "Fledermaus" (Bat) in Metropolitan, but terminal illness was diagnosed 🎭🎼👑😭
I love this woman. she is absolutely amazing as a vocalist and an actress. Definitely one of kind. She goes beyond technique and discipline. She's Madeline Kahn and no one can imitate that.
Never heard of this song til Randy Rainbow. Omg she can sing fast!
2:26 The way she slowly lowers her bouquet with her fingers super subtly while speaking super fast.... to portray the crazy in her head! I love the depth of her acting
Oh...and can we take a minute to adore that stunning wedding dress!? Damn girl!
She was always so funny, and talented. She could to anything, sing, dance, act, and was so amazing to watch. This is the best version of "Not Getting Married" I've heard.
Such a shame she left us so soon. She had so much more to give, and will always be greatly missed.
I consider this to be if not the best, than one of the best performances of this song. You can just HEAR the shakiness in her voice, as if at any moment she is going to jump out a window. Fantastic.
Madeline Kahn is just…amazing. Talented and such an inspiration!!!
A breathless performance!! Sadly missed :-((
3:44 that inhale is such perfect comedic timing... what a brilliant subtle touch
JENNY: Bless this day,
Pinnacle of life
Husband joined to wife
The heart leaps up to behold
This golden day.
PAUL: Today is for Amy
Amy, I give you the rest of my life
To cherish and to keep you
To honor you forever
Today is for Amy,
My, happily, soon-to-be wife.
AMY: Pardon me, is everybody here?
Because if everybody's here,
I'd like to thank you all
For coming to the wedding.
I'd appreciate you going even more,
I mean, you must have lots of better things to do,
And not a word of it to Paul
Remember Paul? You know, the man I'm going to marry
But I'm not, because I wouldn't ruin anyone
As wonderful as he is.
Thank you all for the gifts and the flowers,
Thank you all, now it's back to the showers
Don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today.
JENNY: Bless this day,
Tragedy of life
Husband bound to wife
The heart sinks down
And feels dead
This dreadful day.
AMY: Listen everybody, look, I don't know what you're waiting for
A wedding. What's a wedding? It's a prehistoric ritual
Where everybody promises fidelity forever,
Which is maybe the most horrifying word I ever heard of,
Which is followed by a honeymoon, where suddenly he'll realize
He's saddled with a nut, and want to kill me, which he should.
Thanks a bunch, but I'm not getting married
Go have lunch, 'cause I'm not getting married
You've been grand, but I'm not getting married
Don't just stand there, I'm not getting married
And don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today.
Go! Can't you go?
Why is nobody listening?
Goodbye! Go and cry
At another person's wake.
If you're quick, for a kick
You could pick up a christening
But please, on my knees,
There's a human life at stake!
Listen everybody, I'm afraid you didn't hear
Or do you want to see a crazy lady fall apart in front of you?
It isn't only Paul who would be ruining his life
You know, we'll both of us be losing our identities
I telephoned my analyst about it, and he said to see him Monday
But by Monday I'll be floating in the Hudson with the other garbage.
I'm not well, so I'm not getting married
You've been swell, but I'm not getting married
Clear the hall, 'cause I'm not getting married
Thank you all, but I'm not getting married
And don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today.
JENNY: Bless this bride,
Totally insane
Slipping down the drain
And bless this day in our hearts
As it starts
To rain.
PAUL: Today is for Amy
Amy, I give you the rest of my life
To cherish and to keep you
To honor you forever
AMY: Go! Can't you go?
Look, you know I adore you all
But why watch me die
Like Eliza on the ice?
Look, perhaps I'll collapse
In the apse right before you all
So take back the cake
Burn the shoes, and boil the rice.
PAUL: Today is for Amy,
My, happily, soon-to-be wife
My adorable wife...
AMY: Look, I didn't want to have to tell you,
But I may be coming down with hepatitis, and I think I'm gonna faint
So if you want to watch me faint, I'll do it happily,
But wouldn't it be funnier to go and watch a funeral?
So thank you for the twenty-seven dinner plates,
Thirty-seven butter knives,
Forty-seven paperweights,
Fifty-seven candle holders
PAUL: One more thing...
AMY: I'm not getting married.
CHOIR: Amen!
PAUL: Softly said...
AMY: But I'm not getting married.
CHOIR: Amen!
PAUL: With this ring...
AMY: See, I'm not getting married!
CHOIR: Amen!
PAUL: I thee wed.
AMY: Still, I'm not getting married!
CHOIR: Amen!
PAUL: Let us pray that we are getting married
AMY: Let us pray that we're not getting married
ALL: Today!
and I love how she manages to do with in the simplest of ways. I mean, most of the communication is from her eyes, but it's hysterical.
Her diction and timing are impeccable and her gracious acknowledgement of fellow performers befits a true professional .... greatly missed
I’ve watched many versions of this....And no one compares... Madeline, oh how we miss you. 💔
RIP Madeline Kahn! Your performances will always be my favorites.
The fabulous throw at the bouquet at the end only confirmed that Madeline was perfection. A comic genius.
So I’m a big fan of Les Mis, Blood Brothers, Superstar etc but am clueless re. Sondheim (got here via the sublime Randy Rainbow). THIS IS AWESOME. She’s like an anxiety attack on legs but manages to be understated enough to do a wonderful gradual climb towards her head exploding. So funny, makes it look easy when it’s actually a song that it would be easy to get wrong. Not to mention a stunning voice. I love it!
Stephen Sondheim is awesome! I suggest you check out "A Little Night Music", "Company", "Into the Woods" and "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street". Sondheim also wrote the lyrics to "West Side Story" and "Gypsy." Listen to the original Broadway cast albums first, before you check out any film versions, as those were heavily changed from the original. Enjoy! Sondheim is a treasure.
ETA: If you want a sampler go find the DVD or digital version of this show - Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall. It's got a LOT of classic Sondheim songs and great performances!
Randy rainbow sent me here...
Madeline Kahn was a treasure! RIP beautiful soul!
I remember this original broadcast. Madeline was extraordinary!!!!!
the bouquet catch in the end was great! they must've had a different person catch it each time lol!
She is perfect for this song. I love her quiet madness.
Here because of Randy Rainbow 11/17/2020!
Thank you, Madeline Kahn for your interpretation of this. Not many could do this song and follow the intrepid performance of Beth Howland, who originated the role and song). Kahn -- wow, so missed. I love you wherever you are.
RIP Stephen Sondheim
wow she's good, singing so fast, her eyes wide with terror. I sure do miss her.
ever seen the SNL when she did "i feel Pretty" as the bride of frankenstien?.....classic!
Spectacular performances by Madeline Kahn and Jeanne Lehmann! ... Love this.
Randy Rainbow brought me here.
That bouquet toss was a f*cking mic drop.
I LOVE Madeline Kahn, nothing more attractive than a confident goof ball! :D AND she was beautiful!
Love Madeline Kahn. So much talent. Dearly missed.
That's some timing with that bouquet toss and catch!!!
Who else is here because of Randy Rainbow?
And how did I not know this music before? *runs to find the whole performance on DVD*
Now go check out the Carol Burnett version.
"I AM the very model of modern Major General...."
Steven Torrey Omg. I love you
Helen Hawkins the lyric is correct - what are you talking about?
I am the very model of a modern Major General
I’ve information vegetable animal and mineral
I know the Kings of England and I quote the fights historical
From Marathon to Waterloo in order categorical
Madeline Khan was tailor-made for this part!!
She was the greatest. What an amazing performance.
They needed to leave in about another 10 minutes of that enormous ovation at the end. I got goosebumps.