Bye Bye Birdie Analysis

Bye Bye Birdie Bye Bye Birdie is a comedic musical with the music by Charles Strouse in 1963. The following cast members sing many solos, duos, trios and full cast songs: Janet Leigh (Rosie DeLeon), Dick Van Dyke (Albert F. Peterson), Ann-Margret (Kim McAfee), Maureen Stapleton (Mae Peterson), Bobby Rydell (Hugo Peabody), Jesse Pearson (Conrad Birdie). There are 15 songs total. “Bye Bye Birdie” intro is a solo by Kim. It is a song with an upbeat tempo. Lyrics are depressing because she is talking about how much she is going to miss Conrad. Though the lyrics are sad, the song is fun and fast paced. The “Opening Credits” starts out as a fast tempo exciting instrumental piece. Half way through the instruments drop out and the tempo slows down …show more content…
You can hear the drum tapping and the guitar being plucked, then the rest of the band joins in. The song is chaotic. The full cast has solos being pasted to each other quickly one by one. Then full cast sings together after all the solos. “How Lovely to be a Woman” starts with a beautiful violin intro. Kim is singing a solo. The tone is melancholy. The song is slow and the orchestra is playing behind …show more content…
Kim starts out singing to Hugo and they sing a duo with each other. The song is romantic. Hugo leaves and Rosie starts singing with Kim. Kim does an echo of what Rosie is singing. It is a song about true love for just one guy, so romantic. “Put on a Happy Face” is a medium tempo piece meant to cheer you up. Albert is singing a solo to Rosie. It is happy and cheerful. You can hear the dynamics increase with the trumpets staccato. It has a good bouncy beat, making it easy to dance to. “Kids” is a sad and angry piece. Mr. McAfee, Albert’s mother, and Albert all having inner changing solos. It has a very fast and upbeat tempo. The words let you know how the characters are feeling. “A Lot of Living to Do” starts out with a solo by Conrad. It is happy and fun loving with a medium tempo. Kim takes the next solo and the tone changes to anger. Hugo takes the next solo and the music is a little more upbeat and less angry. The song now goes to all instrumental. The tempo goes back and forth between a medium and a fast speed. The style of the music changes back and forth from melancholy to happy and fun. Great dance song. “The Sultan’s Ballet” is completely instrumental with an orchestra. The tempo is upbeat and fast. The tone is angry, yet