Tick, Tick…Boom!: 10 Best Musical Numbers, Ranked

From emotional songs like “Real Life” to energetic numbers such as “30/90,” Tick, Tick…Boom! features catchy and visually stunning musical numbers.

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Based on the play by Broadway luminary Jonathan Larson, Tick, Tick… Boom! is a musical exploration of the playwright’s life, career, and untimely death. As a musical about a man trying to write a musical, the musical numbers are critical to the film’s success. The film cuts back and forth between Jonathan performing the musical numbers on stage and him experiencing the events that led him to write the song, leading to some dynamic and memorable musical numbers.

From emotional and intimate numbers such as “Why” and “Real Life” and fun songs like “Boho Days” and “No More,” to big energetic numbers like “30/90” and “Sunday,” the film is filled with outstanding musical numbers that combine memorable songs with visually compelling imagery.

10 “Swimming”

Suffering from writer’s block, Jonathan tries to clear his mind by going for a swim. He expresses his frustration as he tries to swim faster and faster. But after he slows down, he is able to find his inspiration, seeing musical notes appear along the floor of the pool.

While the song is not as memorable as some of the other numbers, the scene is incredibly visually interesting. The underwater shots are well done and Jonathan even manages to do some singing underwater. The visualization of the notes also adds to the visual appeal of the musical number.

9 “Real Life”

When Jonathan learns that his play has no future, he again starts to feel as though he is running out of time. He makes the mistake of accusing Michael of not understanding this feeling, prompting Michael to share his HIV diagnosis. The two-process this in the song as Michael seeks medical treatment while Jonathan tries to run away from his thoughts and feelings.

The song is relatively brief but it captures the shock and pain of the moment beautifully. Despite their fights, the two characters care about each other deeply and their hurt is visible in the number, moving others around them to tears as well. Considering that Jonathan would go on to write one of the most influential stories about the AIDS epidemic, it is a pivotal moment that changed his life forever.

8 “Louder Than Words”

The final number of the show brings the whole story to a close, emphasizing the decision that everyone has to make about how they will live their lives. With some occasional cutaways to Jonathan mending relationships and pursuing his dreams, the number mostly shows Jonathan performing the song on stage.

It is a powerful and effective ending that summarizes the movie’s message, especially following the narration about Jonathan’s impending death. He repeatedly looks out into the audience, hoping to see Susan. Her reveal to the camera, but not Jonathan, is a subtle and satisfying choice that adds to the emotion of the number.

7 “Boho Days”

During a party at his home, Jonathan decides to break out into song, thoroughly entertaining his party guests. He sings about his bohemian lifestyle, playfully poking fun at his apartment layout, revolving door of roommates, and unfulfilled expectations for his life.

While the musical number is fairly simple, Andrew Garfield’s great performance brings charm and energy to the scene. The song plays like an early precursor to “La Vie Bohème” from Rent, showing that the writer was wrestling with those themes years prior. Jonathan spends much of the film stressed and pressed for time, but this number is a fun scene that allows him to be the life of the party.

6 “Why”

Following the news about Michael’s diagnosis, Jonathan struggles to process the information. He finds an empty outdoor theater and plays the piano while reflecting on his friendship with Michael and the limited time he has to spend.

The film underscores this emotional song with a sequence of video clips from Jonathan and Michael’s friendship, showing the deep history that the two have together. It is a touching and moving number that helps Jonathan come to his senses and figure out how he wants to live the rest of his life.

5 “No More”

As Jonathan visits Michael at his new luxurious apartment, the two begin to sing about the difference in the quality of life that Michael will experience now that he has moved from his rundown apartment to his new one.

The musical number is filled with funny visual juxtaposition, illustrating the massive upgrade that Michael is experiencing. It is a fun song that includes a nod to the theme song from The Jeffersons. The number further establishes the friendship between Jonathan and Michael while also highlighting the different paths they are currently on.

4 “Therapy”

Stressed and overwhelmed, Jonathan attempts to avoid talking to Susan about her job offer. When this fails, the two end up in a fight that Jonathan later uses as inspiration for a song in his show.

The scene cuts back and forth between the fight and Jonathan and Karessa performing the song. The rapid cuts, clever lyrics, and over-the-top performances from the song fill the fight with energy. The song also perfectly captures the emotion behind the fight, turning the subtext into lyrics. It is a creative and compelling move that takes what could have been a cliched breakup scene and turns into one of the moments in the movie.

3 “Come To Your Senses”

When the time finally comes for Jonathan to debut his new song at the workshop for his play, Karessa performs the song to perfection but Jonathan cannot help but picture Susan singing the song to him on the rooftop instead.

This musical number benefits from a couple of incredible singing performances that bring the lyrics to life. While Jonathan has typically found himself daydreaming about musicals, this number represents a reversal where he daydreams about his real life in the middle of a musical, hinting at the growth he will undergo as he comes to realize the people and things in his life that really matter.

2 “Sunday”

With his mind racing and many different things competing for his time and attention, Jonathan finds himself imagining that the diner is full of Broadway stars rather than customers as he breaks out into a song.

While there are stronger songs in the film, this musical number stands out thanks to the visual imagery and the incredible cast of icons that come together to sing the song. The number contains cameos from performers such as André De Shields, Phylicia Rashad, and the actors responsible for some of the best characters in Hamilton in Renée Elise Goldsberry, Phillipa Soo, and Lin-Manuel Miranda himself. For theater fans, it is a special scene that brings together some legendary talents.

1 “30/90”

The film’s opening number introduces the audience to Jonathan’s world, showing his less than glamorous apartment, the diner he works at, his friends, the play he has been working on, and the ticking clock of his impending 30th birthday.

The musical number is energetic and compelling, grabbing the audience right out of the gate and capturing the frenetic and personal spirit of the original Jonathan Larson play. The song immediately communicates the character’s sense of urgency and focus on accomplishing something of note. It is a great opening number that communicates everything the audience needs to know about the setup in an entertaining and catchy way, setting the tone for the rest of the musical.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/tick-tick-boom-musical-numbers-ranked/