Measuring a year

When I’m asked in the classroom about new ways to write a fresh approach to something, I like to point to the words of a beautiful song called “Seasons of Love.”

The lyrics ask how can we measure a year.  Is it days, weeks, months, 525,600 minutes? Is it in things we do or say?  In the seasons of a person’s life. Rightfully, it concludes that the most effective way is to measure it in love – thus, the title.

The simple yet powerful lyrics were written and composed by Jonathan Larson for his multi-award winning musical “Rent,” which debuted on Jan. 27, 1996, in an off-Broadway production.  It became an anthem to Larson himself when he died suddenly from an aortic aneurism the night before the show’s opening. Filled with grief, the cast joined hands in a line at the front of the stage to sing it as a tribute to Larson.  Ever since, that has been the way the song has been performed in the show.   The music is wonderful, but the words are its power.  Click past the annoying ad and have a listen to this version from “Rent,” the movie.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj7LRuusFqo