"Learn to be Lonely."

[The Phantom]

"Child of the wilderness. Born into emptiness. Learn to be lonely. Learn how to find your way in darkness." This is one of my favorite orchestrations for the new movie as well. I can feel myself relating the mood and drama that this song portrays, and its a really nice song to feature Minnie Driver's voice, since she sounded like a toad most of the movie changing her voice to mimic that of Carlottas. ;)

:cg:

[sing_for_me]

Actually, in the movie, the part of Carlotta was sung by Margaret Preece, not Minnie Driver.

While I don't like Learn to be Lonely, Minnie Driver does have a beautiful voice and I wish she would have had the chance to show it off more. :cg1:

[The Phantom]

Yeah, I remember that now. I meant to say that she had to make her voice sound like Carlotta during the normal speaking roles where she has the Spanish accent. Her voice in the movie is nothing like what her voice naturally sounds like, after I found out from the DVD special edition.

It would have been wonderful for more songs like Child of the Wilderness to be sung by Minnie. :(

[sing_for_me]

Teehee, the song is actually called "Learn to be Lonely." Just thought you might like to know that.

I loved the way she sounded in the movie. Her accent was really cool, though I believe it was actually an Italian accent, as ALW Carlotta is Italian. I saw her on Ellen promoting Phantom at one time, and it was so weird to hear her with a British accent!

[The Phantom]

Yeah, actors know how to make their voices sound completely different from what they are. I updated the thread title with the correct song, lol, I thought there was something slightly wrong when I created the thread.

I liked how the melodic background got put into the movie, so the song did tie into the storyline in some ways.

[cinty]

I like that song, and Minnie has a lovely voice. I downloaded a hilarious interview off phantomphan.net where Minnie was talking about where she got the idea for her accent. It was very funny! Minnie Driver is such a funny actress. :D

[The Phantom]

Post 2000 for the board!



I was shocked to hear her beautiful voice on the new piece after what I heard on the movie. I had never seen or heard her before so it was quite the culture shock. The song sort of gives Erik hope that even though he has "lost" Christine, he can make it alone.

[kashmir]

Honestly, I had no idea she could sing so well! I really enjoy the song, too.; It truly evokes the Phantom's mood - something I can strongly feel when I listen to it. Did anyone see the oscars and when Beyonce sang it? She wasn't bad, but I wish Minnie could have been there to sing it - just wasn't the same.

[The Phantom]

I got ticked off when Beyonce sang it, because I didn't understand why someone from the Phantom movie couldn't have done it. Minnie could have sung it, or even Emmy could have taken on the role. Of course she definitely did an excellent job but Emmy or Minnie might have done better!

[kashmir]

I agree - I mean, Emmy was right there! It would have been much better if at least she could have performed it. However, it was pretty neat that ALW played the piano for it - that was definitely a highlight!

[IamErik771]

And the fact that there was a guy dressed as the phantom on stage as she was singing. :mask: I agree that Emmy or Minnie should have sung it, but Beyonce did an OK job. I liked the song, but thought it was a tad too depressing for the end of the film. :(

[The Phantom]

I loved the fact that Andrew Lloyd Webber played piano for them. At least someone connected to the Phantom series was on there heh!

I don't really think that Learn to be Lonely is really depressing; the music isn't soppy, though the words of the music may make it seem that way.

[cinty]

It would have been much better if Emmy or Minnie had sung the song at the Oscars. Beyonce was terrible. But, you see, Beyonce is so popular, and the Oscars are so "politicially correct". It's so annoying. It's a nice song, but it didn't suit her voice. Still, at least Emmy presented it!

[The Phantom]

I would have expected The Phantom of the Opera to win at the oscars for best picture of the year. The passion, the drama, the romance, the singing... its too much for me to comprehend lol. Sideways or something won it, but that's off the point.

[kashmir]

Yeah I don't know why POTO got so jipped at the oscars - that really angered me. I agree, everything about POTO was worthy of an oscar, yet I think it only won one...if any?

[BlondeAngel]

I love "Learn to be lonely" and i think that Minnie did a great job !!
but POTO didn't get anything at the Oscars mainly cause it came in to late ... the other movies were out a long time before it and it matters ...

[The Phantom]

If it had came out earlier in the year then it could have possibly grown to become movie of the year. Lol, I'm going to see if I can get us back on topic of Learn to be Lonely. One of the things I hated about the song was that the words didn't seem to fit in with the other songs of the libretto. If it had been added it, it might not have made sence during the plot. It's a wonderful addition none the less. :)

[Luciana]

I thought it was a good idea to put it during the credits, because I dont think it would have fit in with the movie anywhere... unless Erik heard it while Christine and Raoul were pulling away in the boat... but I think it would have ruined his moment.

[composer15]

I agree that the song would not have made sense during the movie but I still really like the song! :D I'm glad that they decided to put it during the cedits although the words make me sad I always have the tune in my head.

Much Love:o

[The_Persian]

I am really glad that they did not put it into the movie, but I love it all the same! Whenever I finish watching the movie and the credits come on, tehy always make m cry even harder! ::tears up just thinking about it::

[Reza Khan]

I agree with Anna. The song is great, but it doesn't really fit with the rest of the movie music, probably due to how Minnie sang it. She did well, yes, but her voice isn't operatic enough. It does quite well with the credits, though.

Elizabeth

[Angelic]

I agree the song is so pretty, but it is quite depressing. It makes me feel so sad and wish I could comfort the Phantom, I don't want him to be lonely!

[Luciana]

I don't want him to be lonely either, but he's been alone all his life. He's used to it (not that that makes it okay). Sometimes, even when I'm listening to the song with my headphones, the song makes me want to go give the Phantom a hug.

He seems to need one.

'Learn to be Lonely' was beautiful and it made for a really nice moment. If there had been a happy song at the end, I would have been in a valley. The movie ended in a really sad way, and then all the sudden, they'd expect me to be in the mood for an upbeat song? That just wouldn't work.

[Phantomgirl05]

I love the song. And Minnie Driver sang it beautifully. I think it fits the story perfectly. The Phantom isn't actually a "happy" story, after all. Beyonce sang it okay at the Oscars, but I really prefer Minnie Driver's version. Glad they let Minnie Driver sing the song for the soundtrack. It shows off her talent very nicely.

[blackmage1989]

I really love the song. The music is wonderful (duh), the lyrics are meaningful, and I found that I could share the same feelings as the Phantom. One of the best songs I've ever heard. I think it's even better that some of the original Phantom songs....

[Child of the Wilderness]

This song is my favourite on the soundtrack. It just seems such a beautiful song. And Minnie's voice really does it justice :).

I love it. I wrote it on the back of my homework diary at the end of the last school year. Everyone thought I wrote it. But I told them that it was from a film and they were...less impressed. Meh...

[Ceridwen]

I think this song really suits the endcredits. Usually the credits are skipped (although I don't if it's a movie which really 'hit' me) but with such a song, you just can't stop the movie yet ;) The lyrics are beautiful, and it's nice to hear Minnie sing it :tongue:

[Hidden Away]

When I first heard this songs I could have sworn that it sounded like Emmy Rossum, but then again it had this element that just wasn't Emmy. I finally took the time to find the artist responsible for making my mom choke-up a little at the end and found Minnie Driver. First I said, "WHAT!!!"
It was awesome to know that she sang herself, but not in the movie, before watching the 2004 version, but I had no idea they threw in some of her skill into the product. It was just a great piece for her to sing. If I heard someone else sing it, I don't know what I would do.

[The Countess]

I remeber when I saw this being performed at the Oscars, Beyonce was singing it. I also remember how pissed I was. It was Minnie's song for God's sake! Though Beyonce does have superior vocals, Minnie should have sang it. I was also so mad that they even altered some of the lyrics. Now I can't enjoy the song without thinking at least once of Beyonce. :(

[Hidden Away]

I hated her version of the song and now you just reminded me of how terrible it was when my friends heard the version. It's just one of the songs that don't work when it's remixed or redone in a different way. It's just upsetted me :'(

[EriklovesLea]

Thank you, last poster. I was beginning to think I was the only one who felt Minnie's voice did not belong on the movie at all, even at the credits. :crap:Why Joel and ALW did not use NOWL is beyond my comprehension. First, they were crazy for not placing it in the movie, second, It could have been sung by Gerry in the credits.:tp5: Anyway, why they picked the only non-opera type singer was weird. And I always stop the movie or my CD before it starts. I hate the words. It implies that poor Erik dies by himself. In my book and in my heart that is a no-no.:eek:
Anne

[Hidden Away]

I'm sorry Anne for the confusion, but I actually was talking about Beyonce's version of the song, she totally RnBed it and it made me sick. I personally love Minnie's version of the song and Gerry did well too. Actually Gerry never sang Opera before until he was casted as the Phantom. Minnie is a singer, but she is a singer and actress, she's just not an opera singer.
The words are basically the true for him, but then again it makes me think that there's something we can do. Ever since I've thought about this I've been much more generous to those that are 'different' opposed to not talking to them at all.

To me I believe that Erik and Christine has their time of love and purity together. Just like the saying goes, "better to have loved than to never have loved"
This applies to him as well. True it stinks that he was only seen as a monster, but if only someone could look beyond that and see someone with the potential of a kind heart.

It's hard to explain, but really this song is hard, but it's just like any other sad song, it's a message to be said, but then again some would love to avoid it.

[EriklovesLea]

HS, if you feel that Erik deserves more and can find a new love, you will like my book, "The Phantom's Redemption" out soon, Aug. I hope.:biglaugh:
Anne

[Hidden Away]

Yes yes! I have watched your thread and watched the comment. It's great that you wrote something for the poor guy.

So I listened to this song recently and I just had to cry. So sad, but I love it! Doesn't it make a difference when you listen to something once and then wait a while then listen to it again.

[angelgirl]

This song was sad, but it's sweet, too.
(Still wish they would've put "No One Would Listen," in the movie. That song is so awesome!)
A.G.

[Hidden Away]

I personally think that it wouldn't have fit in anywhere...because they would have to do a "X amount of months later" because he didn't get that depressed that easily...he was in the state of denial and frustration...soo I don't see how it would have fit.