Eric J. Ma’s Website

I have to admit, I have been listening to this song over and over and over, to the point that I have a mental analysis completed in my head about why I actually like this song.

Yes, I actually like this song, even though I have no clue (without subtitles) what is being said in the lyrics. I only like it purely for the music itself, which is rare for me.

There’s good representation in the French versions compared to the other versions. Quasimodo is played by a singer, Garou, who has a hoarse voice, extremely fitting for the role. Daniel plays the role of Frollo, an authoritative figure in the Cathedral, who also struggles with his sinful desires for Esmeralda. His voice portrays the authority, and yet his acting on stage more than adequately portrays the character’s internal struggle Patrick plays the role of Phoebus, a dashing, charming captain in the Parisian army, his smooth yet powerful tenor voice conveying the illicit desires of Phoebus, whose charm captivates Esmeralda.

The music is well balanced too. By going up two notes at a time between characters, and by sticking to the minor key theme, the melody builds nicely, getting progressively more and more powerful. I believe that the minor key helps reinforce the essential negativity of their feelings; even though all three characters are professing love, one may argue that they each have an unsustainable premise for their feelings, a premise that each would not stand the test of time.

Between the three characters, the composer essentially sticks to the same melodic pattern, helping to reinforce the parallel feelings that each of them have for Esmeralda, and yet their individual lyrics distinguish their internal turmoil.

The apex, the pinnacle of this song comes at the end, when the three characters sing together in unison and in harmony. That is, for me, the most powerful moment of the song, to hear all three singers come together, wrapping up the lyrics with essentially what Quasimodo was singing.

All I could think of when I first heard it was… “Wow.”

Link 1: Original cast with subtitles

Link 2: Original cast on Garou’s performance

It’s time to be thankful, grateful. Hmm… reflections in the washroom, on the toilet bowl, or in the shower always help.

以便以谢到如今耶和华都帮助我们

祂是创造天地的主

在祂岂有难成的事

来投靠祂不用惧怕

看祂为你成就大事

I recently rediscovered Jaci’s music. It’s really uplifting stuff.

“Flower In The Rain” and “Imagine Me Without You” are the best of them. “Come As You Are” is also really nice; I’ve gravitated towards that one in the past few days. Maybe it’s resonating with me in some way.