Was lucky enough to see Glenn Close perform Norma in NYC and then I flew to London and saw Ms Paige perform Norma 5 times. Elaine blew the roof off the Adelphi Theatre every time! Met her after each performance at the Stage Door. Such a fantastic performer!
This is Elaine's best performance of his song! Absolutely flawless! I love that it is down a half step from the close/buckley key. Darker colors in the orchestra and wonderful in her voice. Sing it!
Once again Ms. Paige proves she not only has a magnificent voice but is an especially fine actress. She is Norma Desmond, Every gesture and expression. Elaine Paige is not only the first lady of the muscial stage....She is indeed the first lady of the stage as a whole. Wonderful acting, wonderful voice. I'm a huge fan. Go into youtube primarily to see and listen to the marvelous singer/actress
Elaine is a magnificent talent...a triple threat: acting, dancing, singing...especially the latter. What a voice!!! No wonder she's known as First Lady of Musical Theatre.
Elaine has always put her heart into everything she takes on- this has always been one of my favourites, sending goose bumps up my spine when her voice soars. One almost feels you are flying - bravo Elaine
True, as someone said, Gloria Swanson's acting as Norma Desmond (in the film and the original) was great, but, for me, Elaine Paige not only nailed this part with her acting, but the lady can sing, too!...putting it way too mildly...Magnificent, Elaine!!! YOU ARE LOVED!
Love Elaine's voice here. She sounds phenomenal. I love when the singers are given stage mics, instead of regular miss, it limits them from their freedom to act onstage.
@victor63 How wonderful to have seen EP in Sunset! and to have seen her last performance was the icing on the cake. I am very envious! I love her..she is absolutely the best. I think with this role and the Piaf role, she really came into a supreme performer.
aaaaaa, ok. I misunderstood then. Sorry. Yes Elaine is lovely. About Glenn, she might not have the perfect voice but she has such magnetism that blows one away. All the best and thanks for clarifying. Hugs
Definitely a Norma Desmond for Singers. She’s a wonderful singer, acting as Norma Desmond, a singer who happens to be acting. I prefer Glenn Close’s approach - an actress who happens to be singing.
NORMA With one look I can break your heart With one look I play every part I can make your sad heart sing With one look you'll know all you need to know With one smile I'm the girl next door Or the love that you've hungered for When I speak it's with my soul I can play any role No words can tell the stories my eyes tell Watch me when I frown, you can't write that down You know I'm right, it's there in black and white When I look your way, you'll hear what I say Yes, with one look I put words to shame Just one look sets the screen aflame Silent music starts to play One tear in my eye makes the whole world cry With one look they'll forgive the past They'll rejoice I've returned at last To my people in the dark Still out there in the dark... Silent music starts to play With one look you'll know all you need to know With one look I'll ignite a blaze I'll return to my glory days They'll say, "Norma's back at last!" This time I am staying, I'm staying for good I'll be back to where I was born to be With one look I'll be me!
In this instance I was replying to a comment (I think...) about Glenn Close and my response, which is still shown, is about Glenn and not Elaine. I am a huge Elaine Paige fan and would never be dismissive about her voice, which is one of the best in musical theatre in my opinion.
I like her 40 Years on Stage Celebration, rendition of this song. She looks best with her hair short and punky, and her singing is absolutely stunning! This is similar, but the other is best. She actually looks older in this clip. The 40 year celebration, she looks much younger, and more sexy, probably because of her short spiky hair style. That is the best performance ever!
She was the best Norma. She could act it and she could really sing it. Slightly dangerous, and the closest to Gloria Swanson. It's still a very average song though. It goes exactly where you think it will go.
Elaine Paige is a true performer. She plays each part with easy, making you believe every word she sings. A wonderful actress, singer and a legend in the world of musicals. Please do not put Susan Boyle and Barbra Streisand in the same sentence. Barbra is an absolutely awesome singer, songwriter, producer, director and actress. Boyle is okay, but amateur is comparison to Streisand or Paige.
I've had voice teachers tell me NOT to sing a full-on sustained "EEE" because it's not pleasant to hear. It has nothing to do with lack of vocal development. It's very common for Broadway performers to make vowel modifications.
@earlady66 So does Glenn Close, and very convincingly as an actress. I’d trade SOME singing ability in exchange for a character portrayal so total and so captivating that when I watch Glenn Close I think, “she’s completely lost her mind…”, which is what happened when I watched her live - twice. When I watched Betty Buckley, Elaine Paige and Petula Clark, also in live performance, I thought, “what beautiful singing voices…” None of the latter ladies convinced me they became Norma Desmond.
@loggats There’s nothing wrong with us people, except maybe having a different opinion from yours. Glenn Close may fail as a singer but she succeeds as an actress. Musical Theatre succeeds when an a performer, through her singing, no matter how imperfect, can make us believe in the character she’s playing. That’s acting. Even singers would agree that in Musical Theatre, acting skills have to be very strong, if a performer is to succeed in getting the audience to believe in her character.
Was she busy with Piaf? She spent more time off the show than she did in... Although I saw Caroline O'Connor as Piaf as a result which wasn't so bad :)
You've got to be kidding. She looks like a wax figure now from madame tussaud's. She looks way better here and don't insult women by saying that with bad plastic surgery they look better and younger.
@loggats It's MUSICAL THEATER, darling child. That means you need more than a singing voice. Glenn Close is an actress of prodigious talent and a dramatic singer with the ability to interpret music second to no one. How any of that registers as 'fail' seems to require the critical sensibilities of a prepubescent child. Post back when you grow up, dear.
You really need to get your ears syringed if you think that the barely gifted amatuer that is Susan Boyle, who has the all musicality, lyricism and timing of a peanut, could make a decent fist of this song. I'll make comparisons between her and Elaine Paige when she's been knocking out 8 shows a week for the past 40 years. As for putting Boyle and Streisand in the same sentence................. words fail me.
@ALFAVILLIA OK OK BITCH You WIN!! GLEN IS NORMA.....So shes a better actress?..so what..I dont go to WEBBER shows or buy the CDs for the acting if I want acting I'll pop in my SOPHIES CHOICE DVD & when I reach for SIR Andrew I want infectious melodies & BIG voices singing them
![VENEZUELA vs. ARGENTINA [1-1] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 9](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/SJfoPdeOPCQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![CHILE vs. BRASIL [1-2] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 9](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5ObJt_71AYc/mqdefault.jpg)
Elaine Page performs this song like non other...her voice is wonderful and theatrically strong.❤❤❤❤
So lucky to have seen her perform this role all those years ago at the Adelphi Theatre in London.
Perhaps the uk`s greatest musical star.
Wonderful voice .Sings with great emotion and skill No one in her class at this genre.
Was lucky enough to see Glenn Close perform Norma in NYC and then I flew to London and saw Ms Paige perform Norma 5 times. Elaine blew the roof off the Adelphi Theatre every time! Met her after each performance at the Stage Door. Such a fantastic performer!
This is Elaine's best performance of his song! Absolutely flawless! I love that it is down a half step from the close/buckley key. Darker colors in the orchestra and wonderful in her voice. Sing it!
Once again Ms. Paige proves she not only has a magnificent voice but is an especially fine actress. She is Norma Desmond, Every gesture and expression. Elaine Paige is
not only the first lady of the muscial stage....She is indeed the first lady of the stage as a whole. Wonderful acting, wonderful voice. I'm a huge fan. Go into youtube primarily to see and listen to the marvelous singer/actress
grandmamoosie that's really sweet
The best female voice of them all in the world of live musicals
Yes, the best voice in musical!
Elaine is a magnificent talent...a triple threat: acting, dancing, singing...especially the latter. What a voice!!! No wonder she's known as First Lady of Musical Theatre.
what a freakin' stellar performance. this woman is musical theatre gold.
Excellent and moving performance, love the way she stays 'in the moment' before Elaine Paige again.
An elegant performance - dressed like a true star , and performing to perfection ! She is wonderful....
Elaine has always put her heart into everything she takes on- this has always been one of my favourites, sending goose bumps up my spine when her voice soars. One almost feels you are flying - bravo Elaine
True, as someone said, Gloria Swanson's acting as Norma Desmond (in the film and the original) was great, but, for me, Elaine Paige not only nailed this part with her acting, but the lady can sing, too!...putting it way too mildly...Magnificent, Elaine!!! YOU ARE LOVED!
She commands the stage from the opening bars. A true star.
Absolutely amazing, the woman is a star!
Every rendition of this song that she has done, have all been superb! Her talent over 50 years has stood time!
MmHg y a cela skieuse j'ai p
Gives me goose bumps - what emotion, what a song, what a singer!
she is fascinating me.the way she use her face and her hands to the lyrics...
and her voice is amazing...
The First Lady of musical theatre
She’s the consummate theatre actress and singer. Legend.
EP, without a doubt, should have been the original "Norma". Stunning performer and in every way, the best.
You're a QUEEN Miss Page
Love Elaine's voice here. She sounds phenomenal. I love when the singers are given stage mics, instead of regular miss, it limits them from their freedom to act onstage.
Fabulous. Thats it!
She's playing and singing the role of Norma Desmond in "Sunset Blvd." and doing it DIVINELY, BABY! You go, Elaine, love ya!!!
phenomenal extraordinary and any other adjectives you wish to use this lady is truly magnificent !!!!!
I like the way she deals with the song, seems like she's Norma Desmond herself
A.L.W has written some wonderful things.This is by far my favorite song of them all.
she is such a great singer and actor!!!!!!!
@victor63 How wonderful to have seen EP in Sunset! and to have seen her last performance was the icing on the cake. I am very envious! I love her..she is absolutely the best. I think with this role and the Piaf role, she really came into a supreme performer.
1:16 "when I look your way, you'll hear what I say"
That look, that finger point...so dramatic and wonderful.
Isn't it amazing how simple that gesture is, and yet so powerful?
Just incredible 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
A genius shown her talent...
Just WOW!
She's amazing
Beautifully sung
Andrew Lloyd Webber :- Fantastic composer, writes beautiful words and music . Love everything he's ever done .
Omg amazing
aaaaaa, ok. I misunderstood then. Sorry. Yes Elaine is lovely. About Glenn, she might not have the perfect voice but she has such magnetism that blows one away. All the best and thanks for clarifying. Hugs
Definitely a Norma Desmond for Singers. She’s a wonderful singer, acting as Norma Desmond, a singer who happens to be acting. I prefer Glenn Close’s approach - an actress who happens to be singing.
I’ll baayy meaaay !!
Just beautiful!
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE U ELAINE
Critics have said that Elaine was the best of the actresses playing Norma. Perhaps one reason that she was chosen for the Follies revival.
amazing (:
Still do absolutely adore her 🤗❤️
Definition of "Magnificence": Elaine Paige!
I'm awed! You damn woman!
Listening to this three minutes before 2018.
Beautiful!!
NORMA
With one look I can break your heart
With one look I play every part
I can make your sad heart sing
With one look you'll know all you need to know
With one smile I'm the girl next door
Or the love that you've hungered for
When I speak it's with my soul
I can play any role
No words can tell the stories my eyes tell
Watch me when I frown, you can't write that down
You know I'm right, it's there in black and white
When I look your way, you'll hear what I say
Yes, with one look I put words to shame
Just one look sets the screen aflame
Silent music starts to play
One tear in my eye makes the whole world cry
With one look they'll forgive the past
They'll rejoice I've returned at last
To my people in the dark
Still out there in the dark...
Silent music starts to play
With one look you'll know all you need to know
With one look I'll ignite a blaze
I'll return to my glory days
They'll say, "Norma's back at last!"
This time I am staying, I'm staying for good
I'll be back to where I was born to be
With one look I'll be me!
elaine get back on stage!! we miss you
Actually a excellent performance
She's wonderful!
Very nice.
A Diva is a Diva, dears! ;)
Patti LUPone is also excellent.
The best of all them I think
!
@@williamclifford4441 I have never seen her live
With one look, I'll bay maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
She did THAT !!!!
A Diva!
In this instance I was replying to a comment (I think...) about Glenn Close and my response, which is still shown, is about Glenn and not Elaine. I am a huge Elaine Paige fan and would never be dismissive about her voice, which is one of the best in musical theatre in my opinion.
The Mind always compares but they are all great !
wOw! Lovely!
She has a fabulous voice, but you're right about the acting part. Therein lies her magic.
I wish they hadn't put that key change at the end :( Elaine would have sounded amazing hitting that high note
That one key change ruined this song for me. Lupone could hit it 8 shows a week!! And what is this whole "Meeeeeeeeeeh" garbage? Cheaters! ; )
Juan Ayala Sh had her reasons for not wanting to have to hit it. Guess we have to accept her decision for not doing it.
I like her 40 Years on Stage Celebration, rendition of this song. She looks best with her hair short and punky, and her singing is absolutely stunning! This is similar, but the other is best. She actually looks older in this clip. The 40 year celebration, she looks much younger, and more sexy, probably because of her short spiky hair style. That is the best performance ever!
Gloria Swanson would be proud of her. She's so wonderful in this role. I prefer her doing this than Evita or Grizabella. She's so Norma.
She was the best Norma. She could act it and she could really sing it. Slightly dangerous, and the closest to Gloria Swanson. It's still a very average song though. It goes exactly where you think it will go.
great hair do!
Elaine Paige is a true performer. She plays each part with easy, making you believe every word she sings. A wonderful actress, singer and a legend in the world of musicals.
Please do not put Susan Boyle and Barbra Streisand in the same sentence. Barbra is an absolutely awesome singer, songwriter, producer, director and actress. Boyle is okay, but amateur is comparison to Streisand or Paige.
I'LL BE MAY! NOT ENOUGH VOCAL DEVELOPMENT TO SING THE "E" VOWEL IN THAT PARTICULAR PART OF HER VOICE!
Viking Song xD
I've had voice teachers tell me NOT to sing a full-on sustained "EEE" because it's not pleasant to hear. It has nothing to do with lack of vocal development. It's very common for Broadway performers to make vowel modifications.
@earlady66 So does Glenn Close, and very convincingly as an actress. I’d trade SOME singing ability in exchange for a character portrayal so total and so captivating that when I watch Glenn Close I think, “she’s completely lost her mind…”, which is what happened when I watched her live - twice. When I watched Betty Buckley, Elaine Paige and Petula Clark, also in live performance, I thought, “what beautiful singing voices…” None of the latter ladies convinced me they became Norma Desmond.
And yet Glenn Close still could never sing, a bit of a problem considering the shows a damn MUSICAL. Moron
She's already broken my heart with one look :(
Oh stop people. They're all Norma. Get over your own opinions.
This comment, btw, was in response to a comment about Glenn Close and NOT about Elaine Paige who has a FANTASTIC voice.........
How does one not genuflect when meeting this Thespian force?
@loggats There’s nothing wrong with us people, except maybe having a different opinion from yours. Glenn Close may fail as a singer but she succeeds as an actress. Musical Theatre succeeds when an a performer, through her singing, no matter how imperfect, can make us believe in the character she’s playing. That’s acting. Even singers would agree that in Musical Theatre, acting skills have to be very strong, if a performer is to succeed in getting the audience to believe in her character.
@avesraggiana THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO SING AND ACT! EP does both!!!
Does anyone know what year this was and where it was? Absolutely wonderful performance! She's the best...
AGAIN THIS A DAME SHIRLEY SONG. GOOD EFFORT BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE DAME!!!!!!🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹JOANN LAMONICA NEW YORK
Susan Boyle made famous Elaine Paige.
Is it just me or is she singing it down a half-step from most versions? Granted none of them except Patti's go up to that glorious D at the end :)
debater52
Yes she is a half step lower
Streisand nails this one.
London West End Empress
Was she busy with Piaf? She spent more time off the show than she did in... Although I saw Caroline O'Connor as Piaf as a result which wasn't so bad :)
You've got to be kidding. She looks like a wax figure now from madame tussaud's. She looks way better here and don't insult women by saying that with bad plastic surgery they look better and younger.
Now you expect her to be Callas? Her voice is ok as it is.
@loggats It's MUSICAL THEATER, darling child. That means you need more than a singing voice. Glenn Close is an actress of prodigious talent and a dramatic singer with the ability to interpret music second to no one. How any of that registers as 'fail' seems to require the critical sensibilities of a prepubescent child. Post back when you grow up, dear.
2 words..GLENN CLOSE..
You really need to get your ears syringed if you think that the barely gifted amatuer that is Susan Boyle, who has the all musicality, lyricism and timing of a peanut, could make a decent fist of this song. I'll make comparisons between her and Elaine Paige when she's been knocking out 8 shows a week for the past 40 years. As for putting Boyle and Streisand in the same sentence................. words fail me.
@ALFAVILLIA OK OK BITCH You WIN!! GLEN IS NORMA.....So shes a better actress?..so what..I dont go to WEBBER shows or buy the CDs for the acting if I want acting I'll pop in my SOPHIES CHOICE DVD & when I reach for SIR Andrew I want infectious melodies & BIG voices singing them
you have got to be kidding me..............
A fabulous actress, granted, but not a great voice.
Glenn Close is far better!