What Songs Should Feature In Bruce, The Jaws Musical?
Details regarding Bruce, the newly mooted making of Jaws musical are scant. Presumably we’d get a singing Steven Spielberg, but would we get a tune or two from Bruce himself?
If he’s the titular star of the show, then it could be. We’d certainly expect a great Bruce model to make it to stage. That would almost be worth the price of admission alone.
But, what about the songs? Well we’ve trawled past musicals to see what songs - with the odd minor modification - could be a good fit for Bruce.
Although, Jaws is quite musical as it is, we’d hope to get “Show me the way to go home” and “Farewell and Adieu to you fair Spanish ladies” making an appearance.
“I’m gonna wash that Maneater right out of my hair” (original version from South Pacific, 1949).
Sung by Susan Backlinie’s character as she recounts the filming of the iconic opening scene of Jaws.
Susan Backlinie (Chrissie), meets The Daily Jaws creator Ross in Birmingham, 2018
Anything from the musical Hamilton (2015)
Murray Hamilton headlines this song about the casting process in Jaws, Hamilton was one of the first actors to be cast in the film. Complete with outfit change from anchor jacket to deckchair jacket.
“Finishing the Bad Hat Harry” (original version from Sunday in the Park With George, 1984)
Roy Scheider sings about filming the beach scenes with one of Amity Island’s most iconic figures.
"Hello, reverse Dolly and zoom" (originally from Hello, Dolly!, 1964)
Spielberg sings about the technical skills used to bring Jaws to the screen, including the famous Jaws shot. Possible duet with Verna Fields.
“There’s No Business Like Sharkin’ Business” (original version from Annie Get Your Gun, 1946)
The character of Robert Shaw delivers a rousing rendition, ably supported by the characters of Zanuck and Brown
"Totally Fucked" (originally from Spring Awakening, 2006)
Steven Spielberg, Joe Alves and Carl Gottlieb sing about the problems of having a shark model that spends more time not working, than it does. Bruce joins it, intermittently.
“And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going (to the end of the pulpit)” (original version from Dreamgirls, 1981)
Sung by Roy Scheider on the Orca, as he argues with Richard Dreyfuss about giving the shark some foreground. Also covers the difficulties of filming on the open ocean.
Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Boat (original version from Guys and Dolls, 1950)
The three yellow barrels sing about how they are the unsung heroes of Jaws.
One Hundred and Fifty Nine Days More (original version from Les Miserables, 1985)
Spielberg sings about the ballooning budget and filming schedule, that went from 55 days to 159. Sang with Richard Dreyfuss as they taxi down the runway, leaving Martha’s Vineyard.
"All That Jaws" (original version from Chicago, 1975)
The closing number from Steven Spielberg, celebrating the success of the film at the box office, it was of course the first film to surpass $100 million in the US, and the range of merchandise.
The cast slowly all join Spielberg on stage as the song progresses, with Robert Shaw hanging out of the mouth of Bruce at the very end. Probably.
What other songs from musicals could you shoehorn, we mean fit, into Bruce, the Jaws musical?
By Dean Newman
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Jaws Music From the Motion Picture
Limited double 180gm colored vinyl LP pressing. Artwork by Phantom City Creative. Music restored, mixed, edited and mastered by Mike Matessino. One of the finest achievements in film music and quite possibly the most iconic score of all time, John Williams' score to Jaws is absolutely essential for soundtrack collectors.