A few years ago, we sat down across from our friends Benj Pasek and Justin Paul to record a video for a brand new video series called Musicnotes Song Spotlight. The series features a behind-the-scenes look at the popular songs we all know and love from the people who wrote them. From the moment we encountered this dynamic songwriting duo, we knew that they were a force to be reckoned with. Two years later, we were not wrong!
On Sunday, January 7th, Pasek and Paul picked up the Golden Globe for “Best Original Song in a Motion Picture” for the second year in a row. This time, it was for the incredibly empowering tune, “This Is Me” from movie musical, The Greatest Showman. The song is an anthem of self-acceptance for anyone who has ever felt out of place or rejected, and has touched people far beyond the movie screens.
Last year, Pasek and Paul’s Golden Globe was for the unforgettable song “City of Stars” from La La Land. The jazzy tune also picked up the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and is currently nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media in the upcoming 60th Grammy Awards. “City of Stars” was also Musicnotes’ Top Download for 2017!
We had the privilege of sitting down with the talented songwriters to discuss “City of Stars” firsthand.
City of Stars – La La Land – Pasek and Paul | Musicnotes Song Spotlight
Thriving on stage as well as on screen, Pasek and Paul’s Broadway show Dear Evan Hansen won them the 2017 Tony Award for Best Original Score, featuring popular songs like “Waving Through A Window,” “For Forever,” and “You Will Be Found“. The show was (and continues to be) a Broadway sensation that has impacted countless lives through raw storytelling and beautiful music.
We were excited to sit down with the songwriters again as they shared the story behind “Waving Through a Window”.
Waving Through a Window – Dear Evan Hansen – Pasek and Paul | Song Spotlight
Many people may not know that Pasek and Paul have had their foot in the songwriting world for quite some time now. Though these young and brilliant songwriters have more recently become familiar names, they are the writers behind the Lucille Lortel Award Winning Musical, Dogfight, Tony Award Nominated A Christmas Story: The Musical, James and the Giant Peach, “Get Back Up Again” from Trolls, and of course, Season 2 of NBC’s hit show, Smash.
In our first ever sit down with Pasek and Paul, they shared with us the story behind “Caught in the Storm” from Smash. They brought along a friend, Loren Allred, who, coincidentally, has now been featured in The Greatest Showman, singing “Never Enough.”
Caught in the Storm – Smash – Pasek and Paul | Musicnotes Song Spotlight
We don’t know what the future holds for this award-winning duo, but we’re sure that it will be nothing short of legendary. The two have taken the world by storm in these past few years, and we expect that they’re just getting started!
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