Maybe This Time (song)

For the song by Michael Martin Murphey, see Maybe This Time (Michael Martin Murphey song).

"Maybe This Time" is a song written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, popularized by Liza Minnelli in the 1972 film Cabaret.

While first recorded by Kaye Ballard,[1][2] Minnelli included the song on her debut studio album Liza! Liza! (1964), as well as her New Feelin' album (1970).

Production

Though originally written as a single in 1964, the song was added to the 1972 film adaptation of Kander and Ebb's 1966 stage musical Cabaret.[3] The song proved so popular that subsequent revivals of the show (since 1998) have permanently added it to the score.[4]

Analysis

The Telegraph explained that the song should have an air of "desperate hope" and that Bowles should feel like "someone teetering on the edge of despair."[5] Talkin' Broadway said "'Maybe this Time' serving as Sally's internal monologue in response to Cliff's plea", adding that the song "is the only time we see the real person beneath the frivolous girl for whom life is a neverending party (cabaret, whatever). As we're privy to Sally's unspoken thoughts here".[6] What's On in Cape Town described Sally Bowles as a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, writing "Her iconic solo, 'Maybe This Time', can be considered the MPDG theme song."[7] Bowles "believ[es] she may be in love for the first time".[8]

Critical reception

The song has been described as "wistful",[9] and "heartbreaking".[10] Lincolnshire Review described the song as a "soaring ballad",[11] and Peterborough Telegraph deemed it "hopeful".[12]

References

  1. ^ "Actress-comedian sings her song - 36 years after losing it to Streisand". Deseret News. June 27, 1997. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  2. ^ Kander, John; Ebb, Fred; Lawrence, Greg (September 9, 2004). Colored Lights: Forty Years of Words and Music, Show Biz, Collaboration, and All That Jazz. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 978-0571211692.
  3. ^ "'Cabaret' - the Musical - Edited Entry". h2g2.com. 2005-05-08. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  4. ^ "Life Is an Audition". The New York Times. 30 March 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  5. ^ Spencer, Charles. "Will Young in Cabaret, Savoy theatre, review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  6. ^ "Talkin' Broadway Regional News & Reviews - Los Angeles - "Cabaret" - 9/17/11". Talkinbroadway.com. 2011-09-25. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  7. ^ "Review: Cabaret". WhatsoninCapeTown.com. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  8. ^ "Cabaret (1972)". Filmsite.org. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  9. ^ "'Cabaret': Theater review". NY Daily News. 2014-04-24. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  10. ^ "Shaw Review: Cabaret | Niagara Falls Review". Niagarafallsreview.ca. 2014-05-11. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  11. ^ "Lincolnshire, IL News - Lincolnshire Review". Lincolnshire.suntimes.com. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  12. ^ Brad Barnes (2013-12-03). "Cabaret review: Willkommen back at any time - Peterborough Telegraph". Peterboroughtoday.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-01-30.