If any of you have been on TikTok within the last 8 or 9 months, I’m sure you’ve heard about Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear writing the Bridgerton musical. I wrote an article about its origins back in February, and back then, songs were still being written and it was all very contained on TikTok. Since January when Abigail posted the original TikTok (that now has over 2 million views) Barlow and Bear have gained so much traction in the Broadway community. The Bridgerton Musical has become so popular in fact, that it has been released as an album! The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical Album was released on September 10th and I’ve had it on repeat every day since. So without further ado, here are my opinions about the album!
- Tis the Season
The first time I heard this song posted on TikTok, it instantly became one of my favorite ones in this musical. Anyone who knows me really well will know that most of the time, my favorite song in a musical is either the first one, the last one, or the one right before intermission. This time is no different. After listening to the full album, I can say with some certainty that this is my favorite song on the album. I love the types of opening songs that move between the different characters and introduce all of them (read: In the Heights, Rent, Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief Musical). And can we talk about the orchestrations! I mean, I love Abigail’s writing and storytelling in all of the songs, but something about the strings and key changes in this song specifically make me want to spontaneously combust. Emily did a fabulous job portraying the anxiety and building anticipation that’s going on in this moment. My favorite part of this song is actually Anthony and Sienna’s verse. The way the background music changes to include more drums and less strings makes them sound more unique, and also hints that there is something secretive and exciting about their affair. I am absolutely in love with this song.
- Lady Whistledown
This was one of the few songs I had not heard prior to listening to the album and I was pleasantly surprised by it. The hushed whispers at the beginning and the continuation of the breathy whisper Abigail uses when singing really sounds like gossip at a party. I love this little interlude where everyone explains the importance of Lady Whistledown. Of course I watched the show in January, and I just love Lady Whistledown as a character so an entire song about her is just amazing.
- If I Were A Man
How could you not love Eloise? From the original TikToks, this was one of my favorite songs that Abigail and Emily wrote for a couple of reasons. Making Eloise pretty much the only girl who belts in the musical seemed like a very appropriate choice, and I LOVE that she was an alto. Also, the jazzy undertones to this song feel very Eloise-esque and remind me of the women’s suffrage movement leading into the Flapper time period, which seems like something Eloise would have been a part of. I love that this is one of the more upbeat songs in the album and one of the only ones you could really dance to, and all of this really just screams Eloise vibes. Love it!
- Penelope Featherington
I have to say, Penelope was one of my favorite characters in the show, and I love that this song reflects the softer, more romantic side of her personality. I don’t love the fact that all it focuses on is her shortcomings and mentions nothing of her love for writing and that she’s Lady Whistledown, though. It’s a very sweet song, but I have to say that it’s kind of forgettable for me (sorry!).
- The Ruse
Wow, this is a great song. I have to confess that I had never listened to this song before it was on the album, even though Abigail and Emily posted a video of it while they were writing the songs. I love how Daphne and Simon start talking in hushed voices at the beginning, like they don’t want to get caught talking to each other. The orchestral arrangement to this song specifically is incredible. The strings and “ensemble” make it sound like this is an actual musical soundtrack, even though we know that it’s just Abigail singing. There is one line in particular that makes my brain go haywire; when the “ensemble” sings “When he looks her in the eyes.” This line appears in the hit song, “Burn for You” later on in the album when Daphne and Simon admit their feelings for each other. Hearing it so early on indicates that people watching them dance during this song can see their feelings for each other, although Daphne and Simon are unaware. That line alone makes this song unforgettable.
- Fool for You
Originally, this was one of my favorite songs Abigail and Emily wrote, and I couldn’t wait to see if they would add on to it like they did to “If I Were A Man” and “Tis the Season.” Unfortunately, I was disappointed to find that the song was still 52 seconds, the same length it had been when originally posted on TikTok. I understand that Sienna was not a main character in the show, but I think some fans would have appreciated it if she got a longer song. The funky, angsty feel of the song is addictive, and I can’t help but feel like we were left wanting more.
- Alone Together
I think what shines through the most about this song are the lyrics. This is probably the song that I find myself singing the most, and the way the orchestrations, melody/harmonies and lyrics work together really set the tone for this moment. The beginning starts in hushed tones again, which hints at the secret Daphne and Simon are hiding. Simon starts the song, describing their location in the art gallery when they start to realize they have feelings for each other. When Daphne comes in and sings, “In the perfect version of us, he’d be the artist and I’d be the brush.” This song has some of the most beautiful, descriptive lyrics on the album, and the way Abigail used their location to describe their relationship is amazing. The whole pre-chorus is incredible when Daphne sings, “We could escape into the painting. Colored in green, and gilded in gold.” It sets the tone for the whole moment, and I think Abigail’s songwriting really shines through in this song.
- Entertain Me
I’m not lying, this song gets stuck in my head at least once a week. It’s so catchy, well-written, and packs a very complicated story into 3 and a half minutes. The way Abigail manipulates her voice to sound like so many different people is mind-blowing, along with her range. The thing that makes this song stand out is the style that it’s written in. Even though I would classify Daphne’s songs as soprano, the Queen’s song is reminiscent of actual classical music, which would have been popular back then. The riffs at the end build along with the orchestrations to a climax when the song ends, and it leaves the listener wanting more, but in a good way. I sort of wish that the Queen had more than one song on the album, but this one is so memorable I guess she doesn’t really need one. On a side note, I have watched so many covers of these songs on TikTok, and if you want to hear an awesome rendition of the end of “Entertain Me,” I would check out @legend.of.lex on TikTok. Her riffs and range never cease to amaze me.
- Friend Turned Foe
This was also one of the original songs that Abigail and Emily posted on TikTok that I did not listen to prior to listening to the album. I appreciate the storytelling aspect of it, and it does have a haunting melody, but to me it’s not very hard-hitting. The only part that really stuck with me is the climax, when Anthony and Simon sing in harmony and build right before the shot is fired. Other than that, I hate to say that it’s another forgettable song.
- Burn For You
This is the song that I would assume most of you know, as it was the most popular one that they originally posted. The lyrics and harmony are incredible on this song, but other than that, I think it’s overplayed. Admittedly, I was not a big fan of Daphne and Simon in the show, and I just can’t get fully on-board with their relationship or this song either. I will appreciate it as the intricate, well-written song that it is, but other than that, it’s a skip for me.
- Worker Bee
You know I love Eloise, and this song was a perfect snapshot of her character. It has a fun, light tone to it, which I think fits her character very well. I love that it could almost be a reprise of “If I Were A Man” but not quite; it shows that Eloise is growing as a character and finding out that she has more worth than just being a pretty face. It’s so catchy and cute, you can’t help but love it.
- Every Inch
I would give this song a mediocre rating. I appreciate the lyrics and the storytelling, but again, it doesn’t hit very hard for me. That may be because it’s about Simon and Daphne, or perhaps because I don’t listen to it very often, but it’s not my favorite on the album. The one part that I do really like about this song is the dissonance. There isn’t much of it on this album, and it definitely hints at the fragility and secrecy of their relationship. The imagery these two elicit in their songs makes them so special.
- Burned Me Instead
Now, anyone who knows me knows that I love a reprise, and this one is no different. Whereas I think Burn For You is a little overplayed, I think this reprise is underrated. Burn For You is fast-paced and passionate; I appreciate that this song is slowed down, quieter, and more reflective of Daphne’s mood after Simon’s betrayal. It’s not my favorite, but I do love it all the same.
- Balancing the Scales
I think what shines through the most on this song is Emily’s piano arrangement. I know I’ve said it a million times in this article, but these girls are so talented and so well-suited to work together. They compliment each other so well, and it really shows in their songs. I also love this moment for the moms in this show, because they are so underrated. If you want to hear an amazing performance of this song, check out Abigail singing with Betsy Wolfe at ElsieFest. I am a huge fan of Wolfe and her performance along with Barlow is just mind-blowing.
- Oceans Away
Here we are, the final song on the album! And, ironically, the first one that Abigail posted on TikTok. Now, I do think this song is a little overplayed by people, but for good reason: it’s iconic. This song will always have a special place in my heart, because of the calming melody and the incredible lyrics. I absolutely love Simon’s verse in this song; my favorite lyric is when he says, “From the choices we make.” The melodic line is just so satisfying to listen to, and it makes the whole song, to be honest.
I hope you enjoyed reading my opinions about the Bridgerton Musical album, and if you haven’t listened to it yet, please do! Use this as your reason to go stream it and dance around your room, doing weird interpretive dances to all the songs (just like I do)!