Romeo and Juliet: Musical Pairings

1. A Multi-Media Presentation Romeo and Juliet: Musical Pairings

2. The Basics

3. Sample Pairing Here is a Sample Thesis: Romeo and Juliet Act I, Scene 5 is much like the song, “You Spin me round(Like a a record)” by Dead or Alive.

4. Act I Scene 5: The Party Scene In this scene, Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time at a dance. Not only is he instantly captivated, but he does not know who he has been captivated by, and has to ask the nurse who she is. It is these elements that are captured in the song, "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" by British band Dead or Alive from their 1985 album Youthquake.

5. “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" by Dead or Alive I got to be your friend now, babyAnd I would like to move in just a little bit closerChorus #1:Chorus#2:I want your loveI want your loveChorus #1:Chorus#2:I want your loveI want your loveChorus#2:(3 times repeated) If I, I get to know your nameWell if I, could trace your private number, baby Chorus #1: All I know is that to meYou look like you're lots of funOpen up your lovin' armsI want some, want some I set my sights on youAnd no one else will doAnd I, I've got to have my way now, babyChorus #1: Chorus #2:You spin me right round, baby, Right round like a record, babyRight round roundroundYou spin me right round, babyRight round like a record, babyRight round roundround Listen!

6. Why does this song fit? In the Song "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record),“ the repeated use of the words “You spin me round,” which seems to be talking about the singer falling in love with a girl, captures the suddenness of Romeo’s transfer of affection from Rosaline to Juliet. In his soliloquy, he says,“ Did my heart love ‘til now? foreswear it sight, for I ne’er saw true beauty ‘til this night.” (I.5.50) it is also suggestive of dancing (literally going around). Since they are at a dance, this is particularly apt wording.

7. Why does this song fit? Also, the singer says, “If I, I get to know your name/Well if I, could trace your private number, baby.” It is clear that he does not know (specifically) who he has been “Spun around” by. It is the same in Act I scene 5. Romeo (after the kissing, etc.), asks the nurse, “What is her mother?” to which the nurse replies, “Marry, bachelor, her mother is the lady of the house…” (I.5.110-111). Romeo clearly has fallen in love without a name for his newly beloved, just like the speaker in the song.

8. Why does this song fit? In other lines, the singer says, “Open up your loving arms, I want some, I want some.”Although this is a very blatant statement, Romeo says much the same thing when he says, “Oh, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do. . . Grant thou. . . “ (I.5.101-102). His wording is wrapped up in the metaphor of praying and church, but if he could break out of Shakespeare's language , he might say it exactly like the singer. In other words, he, too expresses his desire to be in his beloved’s arms.

9. Why does this song fit? Finally, the singer says, “I set my sights on you/And no one else will doAnd I, I've got to have my way now, baby.” In these lines, the singer shows that he is totally committed to his lady alone. Romeo has already said as much when he said, “Did my heart love ‘til now? foreswear it sight, for I ne’er saw true beauty ‘til this night.” (I.5.50). Juliet also expresses this idea when she declares, “If he be married, my grave is like to be my wedding bed.” (I.5.132-133) These lines demonstrate her total commitment (to the death)for her five minutes love, Romeo.