Music feeds my soul like nothing else. Since I was a child the sound of big-band jazz can stimulated every cell of my body, instantly raising my vibe up a step … or, an octave. It is impossible for me to sit still when I am swept up in the feel-good vibe of swing.
I was reminded of this recently when I attended a performance of Some Like It Hot – the New Musical Comedy, on Broadway, at the Schubert Theatre in NYC. From the first note of the overture to the final notes of the curtain-call, the score is a musical locomotive through a journey of personal-discovery and self-acceptance. Based on the 1959 film, staring Jake Lemond, Tony Curtis, and Marilyn Monroe, this new musical offers a deeper exploration of the social issues of the time, injecting the characters with an authentic humanity–which, having previously been limited by censorship, where now played with more subtle, and not so subtle, undertones not available to the original film version. The reimagining of the story, and the introduction of the lively musical score, give the production a heart and soul, infecting the audience with a love for humanity, much needed and quite appropriate for these times of reclaiming our humanity.
With my work as a life-shift facilitator, the experience of Some Like It Hot – the New Musical Comedy, was home and heaven for me. So much so, I saw the show again the next night, to get another dose of its invitation to embrace the heart and soul of our individual and collective humanity.
One song in particular caught my attention as an anthem for my purpose-work as a facilitator of the At-One-Ment, Reclaiming Our Humanity conversation and experience. Take It Up A Step is a call to purpose. It calls us out, and up, to do the work required to aligning us with our potential, and show up being the change we wish to see in the world. The lyrics describe the journey to mastery, and the music carries us through a vibe-alignment to a palpable and sustainable vibe-shift. When we come across touchstones of inspiration, we can use them as tools to support our efforts in aligning vibrationally with our higher potential. When these tools activate an instant vibe-alignment with minimal resistance, we’ve struck gold.
You can’t cross the finish line
If you don’t run the race
And you can’t hit the peak
Without the climb
You can’t get to where you want
If you just stand in place
You’re never gonna get your fill
With both your drumsticks standing still
You can’t hit the other side
Without the trip at sea
The welcome doesn’t come
Without the schlep
So when you think the work is done
Well honey, take a tip from me
Yeah, ladies, wake it up and shake it up
And take it up a step!
‘Cause when the lock won’t set ya free
Perhaps it’s time to change the key.
If where you’re at ain’t soundin’ great
Then doll, it’s time to modulate
The devil’s right behind ya’
Girls, this is no place to stop!
Ladies, take it up a step so
we can take it to the top
When we were all just little girls
And music called our name
We sat alone, just fingering our scales.
You can’t take the shortcut
on the rocky road to fame
Your embouchure must come of age
Before you step onto the stage!
So when we hit the bandstand
For the time to sink or sail
We all were pros, because we did the prep!
“Cause, when the rhythm starts a-callin’
And its time for you to wail
Yeah, ladies, wake it up and make it up,
And take it up a step!
Now, showbiz is a big prizefight
It hits you with a left and right
Just one false step will take you to the mat!
But if you rise up from all fours
The next big hit just might be yours
You’ll be a knockout, kid, in no time flat!
Nobody wants to go for kersplat!
So if you think your swing is swung
Just keep on climbing rung by rung
For when your life shows nothing new
The next rung up might change your view
We’ve got no choice except to prove
Our show ain’t gonna flop
Yeah, we’ve got to keep on movin’,
(Yeah we’ve got to keep on movin’)
Build that beat, beneath the bop!
(Build that beat beneath the bop!)
Ladies, take it up a step
So, we can take it to the top!
Take it to the top!
Some Like It Hot – the New Musical Comedy- Take It Up A Step, by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
