"Somewhere That's Green" is a song featured in the 1986 musical comedy horror film Little Shop of Horrors with music composed by Alan Menken and lyrics written by Howard Ashman. The song is performed by Ellen Greene, who reprised her role as Audrey from the original off-Broadway production. It expresses Audrey's longing for a better life away from the urban Skid Row, where she works as a florist's assistant and suffers abuse from her boyfriend, a sadistic dentist. She imagines a suburban dream home with Seymour Krelborn, her co-worker and love interest, who owns a mysterious plant that feeds on human blood.
Background[]
The song serves as a window into Audrey's dreams and aspirations, providing insight into her desire for a more peaceful and idealized life. It is influenced by 1950s and 1960s pop music, especially the girl group style of The Shirelles and The Chiffons. The song also references popular culture of that era, such as Lucy, Howdy Doody, Better Homes and Gardens, and Donna Reed. It is one of the few songs from the musical that was not altered for the film adaptation, except for a minor change in the lyrics to avoid a profanity.
The song is a heartfelt and nostalgic ballad that captures Audrey's longing for a traditional and serene suburban life. It describes her dream of escaping her troubled reality and living in a tidy, picturesque house with Seymour. In this idyllic vision, she imagines a life filled with domestic comforts, such as a white picket fence, a friendly husband, and a home surrounded by a beautifully manicured garden. The song's lyrics are imbued with a sense of innocence and longing, creating a stark contrast with the dark and comedic themes of the film. Audrey's yearning for simplicity and domestic bliss is underscored by the song's gentle melody and her emotive performance.
Lyrics[]
I know Seymour's the greatest
But I'm dating a semi-sadist
So I've got a black eye
And my arm's in a cast
Still, that Seymour's a cutie
Well, if not, he's got inner beauty
And I dream of a place
Where we could be together at last
A matchbox of our own
A fence of real chain link
A grill out on the patio
Disposal in the sink
A washer and a dryer
And an ironing machine
In a tract house that we share
Somewhere that's green
He rakes and trims the grass
He loves to mow and weed
I cook like Betty Crocker
And I look like Donna Reed
There's plastic on the furniture
To keep it neat and clean
In the Pine-Sol-scented air
Somewhere that's green
Between our frozen dinner
And our bedtime, 9:15
We snuggle watching Lucy
On our big, enormous, 12-inch screen
I'm his December bride
He's father, he knows best
The kids play Howdy Doody
As the sun sets in the west
A picture out of Better Homes and Gardens magazine
Far from Skid Row
I dream we'll go
Somewhere that's green
Seymour:
Oh, don't die, Audrey. I need you. Please, please don't die
Audrey:
The plant just said the strangest thing just now. It said that Orin and Mr. Mushnik were already inside
Seymour:
It's true. I did it. I fed them to it
Audrey:
And is that what made it so big and strong and you so famous?
Seymour:
I've done terrible things, but not to you. Never to you
Audrey:
But I want you to, Seymour
Seymour:
What?
Audrey:
When I die, which should be very shortly, I want you to give me to the plant. So that it can live and bring you all the wonderful things you deserve
Seymour:
You don't know what you're saying!
Audrey:
But I do! It's the one gift I can give you. And if I'm in the plant, then I'm part of the plant. And so in a way, we'll always be together!
You'll wash my tender leaves
You'll smell my sweet perfume
You'll water me and care for me
You'll see me bud and bloom
I'm feeling strangely happy now
Contented and serene
Oh, don't you see?
Finally I'll be
Somewhere that's green
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