It has been almost two months since West Side Story (2021) hit theaters, but we’re still dancing in the streets in our minds! With so much work put in to reimagine the 1961 classic, it’s no wonder we can’t get West Side Story out of our heads. What songs from the soundtrack make you want to move? These are the songs we can’t stop singing.
“America”
A romance and fighting “families” aren’t the only conflicts in West Side Story, the musical also paints a picture of inequality and how the different members of the cast understand the world around them and their situations. There are plenty of battles in West Side Story. Here we see Anita’s optimism and Bernardo’s criticism go head-to-head.
“A Boy Like That/I Have a Love”
“A Boy Like That/I Have a Love” always reminds us the most of West Side Story‘s roots. Did you know that a big part of this classic musical comes from Romeo and Juliet? Our star-crossed lovers might have the Sharks and Jets instead of the Capulets and Montagues, but they’re divided all the same. But what can you do about love?
“Somewhere”
If you’ve been a West Side Story fan for a while, then you know that in the original 1961 film, Anita was played by living icon Rita Moreno. Our love of “Somewhere” just might be influenced by our love for Rita, but it’s also one of the saddest and most thoughtful songs in the entire musical. We’re tearing up for a lot of reasons here, people!
“I Feel Pretty”
What’s your go-to hype song? You know, the one that makes you feel like your best self. “I Feel Pretty” is up there! Try listening to this one without wanting to dance around like you’re in the spotlight.
“Tonight (Quintet)”
We can’t wrap up this list without “Tonight”! This song is a fantastic collage of the various stories that fill out West Side Story from Anita and Tony’s blossoming love to Anita’s dreams to the tension between the Sharks and the Jets. So many things are happening tonight!