Some of the most memorable songs are the painfully honest ones. The ones that never apologize for being honest, they seep right into our consciousness and stay there until we outgrow them. The last part doesn’t usually happen once you get to read the lyric sheet.
I am referring to Rent’s “Take Me or Leave Me”, the kind of song that you will be scared to sing to your partner in the heat of the argument. If you have seen this performed in the hit musical, you would understand why singing this in the middle of a big fight is a bad idea.
Maureen:
Every single day,
I walk down the street
I hear people say “Baby” so sweet!
Ever since puberty
Everybody stares at me,
Boys, girls I can’t help it, baby.
So be kind, and don’t lose your mind
Just remember, that I’m your babyTake me for what I am!
Who I was meant to be!
And if you give a damn,
Take me baby, Or leave me!Take me baby or leave me!
Maureen:
A tiger in a cage
Can never see the sun.
This diva needs her stage, baby,
Let’s have fun!
You are the one I choose,
Folks would kill to fill your shoes!
You love the limelight too now, baby!
So be mine, and don’t waste my time
Cryin’, “Oh honey bear are you still my, my, my baby?”
Joanne:
Don’t you dare!Maureen:
Take me for what I am!
Who I was meant to be!
And, if you give a damn,
Take me baby, or leave me!No way, can I be what I’m not!
But hey, don’t you want your girl hot?
Don’t fight, don’t loose your head,
‘Cause every night who’s in your bed?
Who? Who’s in your bed?
Spoken: Kiss Pookie!Joanne:
It won’t work!
I look before I leap.
I love margins and discipline.
I make lists in my sleep, baby.
What’s my sin?
Never quit.
I follow through.
I hate mess but I love you.
What to do with my impromptu baby?
So be wise, ’cause this girl satisfies,
You got a prize, so don’t compromise
You’re one lucky baby!
Joanne: Take me for what I am!
Maureen: A control freak!
Joanne: Who I was meant to be!
Maureen: A snob yet over attentive!
Joanne: And, if you give a damn!
Maureen: A lovable droll, geek!
Joanne: Take me baby or leave me!
Maureen: And anal retentive!Both: That’s it!
Joanne: The straw that breaks my back!
Both: I quit!
Joanne: Unless you take it back!
Both: Women,
Maureen: What is it about them?
Both: Can’t live, with them or without them!Chorus:
Both: Take me for what I am
Joanne: Who I was meant to be
Maureen: Who I was meant to be
And, if you give a damn
Joanne: and if you give a damn you better
Take me baby, (Maureen Spoken: Oh take me baby!)or leave me
Maureen: take me or leave me
Both: Take me baby, or leave me
Spoken: Guess I’m leaving, I’m gone!
As much as you don’t want to feel bad about the couple, sometimes you end up wondering why some love stories need villains. Maureen and Joanne are already a pair of messed up individuals. No need for Mark to mess up Joanne’s sanity, truth be told.
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