‘There’s No Where Else on Earth That I Would Rather Be’: Eight of Broadway’s Greatest Love Songs

Few art forms capture the highs and heartbreaks of love quite like musical theater, and Broadway has provided many memorable tunes in its own right. From hopeful dreams of future happiness to passion felt fully in the moment, here are some of the most romantic songs the musical theater genre has given us to date.

1. “Somewhere” from “West Side Story”

While the ultimate romantic hit of “West Side Story” is hard to decide upon, “Somewhere” illustrates the heartbreak as well as the hope that it is necessary to maintain when one is in love. Closely resembling the main theme in the second movement of Beethoven’s fifth piano concerto, Leonard Bernstein may have drawn inspiration from a capital-R Romantic piece of music in writing this song. With the musical’s plot largely based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” “Somewhere” is one of the few songs in “West Side Story” that does not seem to mirror an actual scene in the play. As Tony and Maria come to understand that their love will never be accepted in 1950s New York, he reassures her that there is “somewhere a place” for them outside the bounds of their small world.

2. “On The Street Where You Live” from “My Fair Lady”

“On the Street Where You Live” is the romantic pinnacle from Act I of “My Fair Lady.” In the musical, adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s famous play “Pygmalion,” Eliza Doolittle returns home in tears after a disastrous situation at the Ascot Racecourse, not realizing that her failure to win over polite society has captured the heart of at least one of its members: Freddy Einsford Hill. In a fit of passion, Freddy seeks out the home of Eliza’s teacher, Henry Higgins, in order to bring Ms. Doolittle some flowers. Beginning with a humorous recalling of the events earlier that day, Freddy’s love rises to a fever pitch in this song. As he describes every detail of the street on which Eliza lives, lyricist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Federick Loewe perfectly encapsulate the foolish fancies of a man in love.

3. “People Will Say We’re In Love” from “Oklahoma!”

“People Will Say We’re In Love” from “Oklahoma!” is one of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s most famous love songs. The song takes place near the close of Act I as protagonist Curly tries to convince the girl he is in love with, Laurey, to go to the box social with him. Fearing the consequences of breaking her promise to the man she has already promised to go with, Laurey insists that she has no feelings for Curly. In the ensuing duet, their initial frustration that their neighbors seem to think they’re in love turns into a charming display of how much they care for one another. As they take turns reprimanding each other for doing small things — like Curly holding onto Laurey’s glove or her baking his favorite pie — the depth of their attachment is inadvertently revealed to the audience.

4. “Hello, Young Lovers” from “The King and I”

In an effort to modernize his country, the King of Siam hires Anna Leonowens, a British governess, to teach his children. After the king rejects her request for her own house, Anna is told to speak with his wives and befriend them instead. As she settles into her rooms in the wives’ quarter of the palace, Anna tells the curious women more about herself, in particular sharing her memories of her dead husband. The song begins reflectively as Anna recalls a special evening they shared together many years ago. While the context for the song is melancholy, Anna’s assertion that she will remember the memory of her loved one by helping other young lovers gives the song a very touching message. Rather than forget him or think of what she has lost, she will use her happy memories to let others feel what she once did.

5. “Something Good” from “The Sound of Music”

Long one of Broadway’s most popular shows, “The Sound of Music” is filled with iconic tunes from “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?” to “Doe a Dear.” However, it is not until the second act that Captain Von Trapp admits his feelings for his family nanny, Maria Rainer. In a touching proposal, he admits that his home is not the same without her, and that he has come to be in love with her. This song, unlike many of the others on this list, is not a passionate declaration of love but rather a quiet revelation of mutual attraction. Even though she is just a humble orphan, Maria admits that “she must have done something good” in order to find the family of her dreams.

6. “Ten Minutes Ago” from “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella”

Based on one of the most charming love stories ever written, “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” reinvisions the classic tale with a humorous twist on iconic characters. When Cinderella finally meets Prince Christopher in the pivotal ballroom scene at the palace, their chemistry is electric. As they dance, Cinderella and Prince Christopher describe their mutual elation as like “flying over mountain, and meadow, and glen.” The two lovers dance as if no one is watching, forgetting all of society in the midst of their all-consuming connection. While the words are slightly cheesy, the depiction of instant attraction is undeniably adorable.

7. “All I Ask of You” from “The Phantom of the Opera”

The standout relationship in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” is undoubtedly the dark and unsettling connection between The Phantom and singer Christine. Nevertheless, her romance with Raoul, a young nobleman she met in childhood remains the romantic heart of this musical. After the Phantom wreaks mayhem during the Opera Populaire’s production of “Il Muto,” Christine escapes with Raoul to the roof of the building revealing her fear of the Phantom to him. In an effort to console her, Raoul reveals his love for her insisting that he will always be beside her and she must “forget [her] wide-eyed fears.” In a joyous climax, Raoul and Christine pledge their undying devotion to one another, not knowing that the Phantom himself is hiding behind a pillar listening. After their departure, the Phantom’s heartbroken reiteration of their vows turns the romantic duet into a cold vow of revenge against their love as Act I comes to a close.

8. “Goodnight My Someone” from “The Music Man”

Unlike the other songs on this list, “Goodnight My Someone” from “The Music Man” is not directed towards a specific person but rather the idea of one. Marion Paroo, the female lead of the show, sits by her window before bed dreaming of the “someone” out there in the world for her. Written like a lullaby, Marian’s solo provides the audience with a glimpse into her psyche. Even as an independent adult woman, she holds onto her girlish dreams and even. Though her dreams may sound somewhat naïve, she continues to hold on to hope.

—Staff writer Nina Jassanoff can be reached at [email protected].