Guest Post: A Few of My Favourite Songs from Musicals by Jennifer Joyce

Today it's my stop on the blog tour for Jennifer Joyce's latest book, The Wedding Date, with a guest post from Jennifer linked to one of her characters.   

Will you…date me?

Delilah James, singleton and smoothie-addict, has six months to find a date for her oldest friend’s wedding. Oh, and to prove to her ex, best man Ben, that she has totally moved on since he dumped her out-of-the-blue nine months, eight days and seventeen hours ago…

So, with her two BFFs playing Cupid, Delilah launches herself into the high-tech, fast-paced and frankly terrifying world of dating. Luckily there’s the hot new guy at work, Adam Sinclair, to practice her flirting on – even if, as a colleague, he’s strictly off-limits!

Yet time’s running out and date after disastrous date forces Delilah to tell a little white lie – and invent a fake boyfriend! But will her secret crush on Adam ruin everything? Does she even care about Ben anymore? And is it too late to untangle her web of lies and take a real date to the wedding…?

Delilah James, the main character from The Wedding Date, is a massive fan of musicals, from the old classics to the current song-and-dance filled movies. And who can blame her? There’s something magical about a world where you can burst into song whenever the mood takes and instead of being bundled into a straitjacket as you belt out your feelings for all to hear, you’re joined by your loved ones and passersby alike, filling rooms and whole streets and towns with joy.

Although I’m not quite as frenzied when it comes to musicals as Delilah, I do like a good musical and thought I’d share a few of my favourite songs:

Over The Rainbow  (The Wizard of Oz)

Well, it’s a lovely song, isn’t it? Made famous by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz back in 1939, Over The Rainbow has been covered many times but one of my favourite versions is by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.

The Time Warp (The Rocky Horror Picture Show)

Almost everyone who grew up in the 80s/early 90s will have danced to The Time Warp at a party. I can’t hear this song without wanting to reach for an egg and cress sandwich and a mini sausage roll. And that’s NEVER a bad thing.

Any Dream Will Do (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat)

Again, there are different versions of this song, depending who was playing Joseph at the time but for me it has to be Jason Donovan’s version. It’s such an easy song to join in with as there’s a lot of echoing with the choir of children – perfect!

You Can’t Stop The Beat (Hairspray)

I have a confession to make: I’ve never watched Hairspray. I know, I know, it’s inexcusable when there are two versions to choose from and I will rectify it one day. Until then, I can still enjoy the catchiness of You Can’t Stop The Beat.

I Just Can’t Wait To Be King (The Lion King)

Ok, this isn’t a cool song. It’s a cartoon lion singing about becoming king when his dad snuffs it, but it’s cute, fun and catchy and I like it.

Hopelessly Devoted To You (Grease)

Grease is jam-packed with fantastic, got-to-sing-along songs but I’ve limited myself to just one for this list. Hopelessly Devoted To You wasn’t in the original stage production of Grease but I think it makes a great addition for the movie version.

So those are a few of my favourite songs from musicals. Which songs would make your list?