Jukebox musical
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A jukebox musical is a stage or film musical that uses previously released popular songs as its musical score. Usually the songs have in common a connection with a particular popular musician or group — either because they were written by, or for, the artists in question, or were at least covered by them. The songs are contextualized into a dramatic plot: often the biographical story of the performer(s) whose music is featured, although in some cases the plot does not revolve around the particular group at all. Although jukebox musicals had achieved success for years (for instance Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, the musical about the life of Buddy Holly which ran in the West End for 13 years from 1989 to 2003) their recent surge in popularity was led by the success of Mamma Mia!, built around the music of ABBA. [citation needed]
The critical and commercial success of jukebox musicals has been uneven. Some (such as Lennon) have closed after a short season, while others (e.g. Movin' Out, Mamma Mia!, and Jersey Boys) become hugely successful. The idea of using familiar songs, with or without new lyrics, in a stage production dates back at least to the Beggar's Opera of 1728, sometimes called "the first musical."
The term "jukebox musical" was first coined in the 1940s in reference to motion pictures consisting largely of hit recordings. Examples are Jam Session (1944), Rock Around the Clock (1956), Juke Box Rhythm (1959), and A Hard Day's Night (1964).
List of jukebox musicals
- The Night That Made America Famous (1975), the songs of Harry Chapin
- Elvis (1977), music of Elvis Presley
- "Ain't Misbehavin'" (1978), songs by the black musicians of the Harlem Renaissance, which was going on in the 1920s and '30s
- Leader of the Pack (1984), music of Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, and Phil Spector
- Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (1989), music covered by Buddy Holly (including many early rock "standards")
- Return to the Forbidden Planet (1989)
- Forever Plaid (1990)
- Smokey Joe's Cafe (1995), music of Leiber and Stoller
- Boogie Nights (1997), music of the seventies
- Disco Inferno (1999), music of the 70s era.
- Mamma Mia! (1999), music of ABBA
- The Marvelous Wonderettes (1999), music of the 50s and 60s
- Love, Janis (2001), music of Janis Joplin
- Route 66 (2001), music about the people & places along Route 66
- We Will Rock You (2002), music of Queen
- Our House (2002), music of Madness
- Movin' Out (2002), music of Billy Joel
- The Boy from Oz (2003), music of Peter Allen
- Tonight's The Night (2003), music of Rod Stewart
- Winter Wonderettes (2003), holiday music, 60s
- On the Record (2004), music of the Walt Disney Company
- Saturday Night Fever (2004), music of Bee Gees
- The Andrews Brothers (2005), music covered by The Andrews Sisters (including many other 40s "standards")
- Back to the 80's! (2005), Music of the 80s era.
- Lennon (2005), music of John Lennon
- Good Vibrations (2005), music of The Beach Boys
- All Shook Up (2005), music of Elvis Presley
- Honky Tonk Laundry (2005), country music made famous by female country stars
- Jersey Boys (2005), music of Frankie Valli and Four Seasons
- Hoy No Me Puedo Levantar (2005), music of Spanish group Mecano
- Besame Mucho (2005), Mexican and Cuba Boleros Various Artist
- Hot Feet (2006), music of Earth, Wind & Fire
- Priscilla Queen of the Desert – the Musical (2006), Various Artists
- Daddy Cool (2006), music of Boney M
- Ring of Fire (2006), music of Johnny Cash
- Rock of Ages (2006), music of the 80s era.
- Thriller - Live (2006), Music from Michael Jackson
- The Times They Are A-Changin' (2006), music of Bob Dylan
- The Onion Cellar (2006), music of The Dresden Dolls
- Why Do Fools Fall In Love? (2006), music hits of the 60s, various artists
- Never Forget (2007), music of Take That
- The Slide (2007) music of The Beautiful South
- All the Fun of the Fair (2008) music of David Essex
- Dreamboats and Petticoats (2009), based on the album featuring music of the 1960s
- Mentiras el musical (2009), Mexican songs from 1980s era Various Artists
- Fela! (2009), Music of Fela Kuti
- Life Could Be a Dream (2009), doo-wop music circa 1960
- Everyday Rapture (2010), Music from Various Artists (ranging from Judy Garland and The Supremes, to Mr. Rogers)
- Come Fly Away (2010), music of Frank Sinatra
- Million Dollar Quartet, music of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash
- American Idiot (2010), Music from Green Day
- Waiting for a Train (2011), music of Jimmie Rodgers (country singer)
- Baby It's You! (2011), music of The Shirelles
- Life in a Nutshell (2011), music of Barenaked Ladies
List of jukebox musical films
- Meet Me in St. Louis (1945)
- Till the Clouds Roll By (1946)
- One Sunday Afternoon (1948)
- Singin' in the Rain (1952)
- Love Me or Leave Me (1955)
- A Hard Day's Night (1964)
- Help! (1965)
- Yellow Submarine (1968)
- The Boy Friend (1971)
- At Long Last Love (1975)
- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)
- Can't Stop the Music (1980)
- The Blues Brothers (1980)
- American Pop (1981)
- Everyone Says I Love You (1996)
- Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)
- Love's Labour's Lost (2000)
- Moulin Rouge! (2001)
- 20 centímetros (2005), Various Artists
- Happy Feet (2006)
- Idlewild (2006)
- Romance & Cigarettes (2006)
- Across the Universe (2007), based on the songs of The Beatles
- Mamma Mia! (2008), based on the musical Mamma Mia!, which is based on the songs of ABBA
List of Jukebox Musical TV Shows
- Blackpool (2007)
- Viva Laughlin (2007)
- Glee (2009–Present)