Friday, September 5, 2014

Wig in a Box -Hedwig & the Angry Inch

I have only recently become a "Hed-head'' since watching Neil Patrick Harris perform at the Tony awards this past June. Hedwig has a sad and complicated past, but that doesn't stop her from rocking the stage as hard as she possibly can. John Cameron Mitchell directed and played Hedwig in the 2001 film version, which was available on Netflix until a little while back, and Neil Patrick Harris (NPH) took home the Tony for it this year.  I invite you all to check out the most recent cast recording, which is full of beautiful and amazing songs and lyrics by Stephen Trask. 
In this song Hedwig sings about how after a long day's work, when she's feeling down and out, putting on that wig and becoming a superstar allows her to forget the mundanity of life. Have fun with it! Tap into your inner glam rock-goddess! You might even attempt a German accent!
Here are the lyrics:


On nights like this
When the world's a bit amiss
And the lights go down across the trailer park
I get down, I feel had
I feel on the verge of going mad
And then it's time to punch the clock

I put on some make-up
And turn on the tape deck
And pull the wig back on my head
Suddenly I'm Miss Midwest Midnight checkout queen
Until I head home
And I put myself to bed

I look back on where I'm from
Look at the woman I've become
And the strangest things seem suddenly routine
I look up from my Vermouth on the rocks
The gift wrapped wig still in the box
Of towering velveteen

I put on some make-up
Some Laverne Baker
I'm pulling the wig down from the shelf
Suddenly I'm Miss Beehive 1963
Until I wake up
And I turn back to myself

Some girls they have natural ease
They wear it any way they please
With their French flip curls and perfumed magazines
Wear it up, let it down
This is the best way that I've found
To be the best you've ever seen

I put on some make-up
Turn on the eight-tack
I'm pulling the wig down from the shelf
Suddenly I'm Miss Farrah Fawcett from TV
Until I wake up
And I turn back to myself

Shag, bi-level, Bob, Dorothy Hamill do
Sausage curl, chicken wings, it's all because of you
With your blow dried, feather backed Toni home wave, too
Flip, for, frizz, flop, it's all because of you
It's all because of you, it's all because of you

Okay,
Everybody!
I put on some make-up
Turn up the eight track
I'm pulling the wig down from the shelf
Suddenly I'm this punk rock star of stage and screen
And I ain't never
I'm never turning back!!! 

Here's the scene from the movie, I also highly recommend listening to the NPH version, which is all kinds of amazing:

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