West Side Story - 6. Maria

The Original Soundtrack from the Movie "West Side Story"

Maria by Jim Bryant

(Jim Bryant for Richard Beymer)

[ferristhorn]

"Say it loud and there's music playing
say it soft and it's almost like praying"
Possibly the most beautiful lyrics ever written.

[perrywinkle]

Hilarious line from a stand up comic way back when: "guy runs up and down Spanish Harlem singing and shouting 'Maria' and ONE girl comes to a window!"

[chancnation]

This song is so lovely. Love the fact that he just can't stop saying her name :)

[rocstar]

I've always hated my name until now...

[sonnygmailcom]

The whole show brings me to tears.  Bernstein's music is so emotionally intimate.  It probably brings tears for a hundred people each for a hundred reasons.

[elladrawswell]

It would be funny if he just yelled "Maria" repeatedly and some bystanders would be like "damn kids and their drinking."

[annebertels]

This whole song is the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard

[freakshowstreet]

Well, now I'm kind of obligated to break out into song next time I meet someone named Maria

[jaydenthomas]

The most beautiful sound I ever heard
Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria
All the beautiful sounds of the world in a single word
Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria
Maria, Maria, Maria
I've just met a girl named Maria
And suddenly that name
Will never be the same
To me
Maria!
I've just kissed a girl named Maria
And suddenly I've found
How wonderful a sound
Can be!
Maria!
Say it loud and there's music playing
Say it soft and it's almost like praying
Maria
I'll never stop saying Maria!
Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria
Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria
Maria
Say it loud and there's music playing
Say it soft and it's almost like praying
Maria, I'll never stop saying Maria!
The most beautiful sound I ever heard
Maria!

[gilmicheletti]

Haunting, beautiful music.It reminds me of the time shortly after I met my Mary, asked her for a date, and she said yes.I do believe I was walking on air all the way back to my college at Rice University.She was as beautiful as this song, inside and out.We went together for 4 years and were married for 44.She waits for me in Heaven.

[cornybram]

I love the sheer joy in his tone as he sings this. This song always ends up getting stuck in my head when I’m in a good mood.

[rubincuminbum]

To hell with the story, the music is GENIUS!

[aquariansage]

Sorry, didn't catch her name. What is it again?

[davinaagawu]

i love the fact that he doesn't use vibrato on the lower notes. it makes me appreciate them more, and i can hear them more clearly. :)

[IchiroSuzuki]

Saw this movie in fifth grade. I was never the same. My appreciation for music and musicals has only grown since then

[deputyseal]

Doesn't your heart just soar when he hits those high notes?

[jimthompson]

As pure and moving a lyric I've ever heard...

[StefanosSoderstrom]

I met Bernstein on a flight to Moscow in 1988. His first visit since being expelled/banned in the 50's. A very congenial man. Was surprised that i would want his autograph. My Dad took me to see the film on its release in the UK. So it was great to meet the man himself even for a brief moment. It was the time of Glasnost and Perestroika. How different things are now. Back in the USSR!

[popinzk]

My fiancee is named Maria! When I watched this part for the first time tonight it was quite a shock, and the ending to the movie made me cry.

[ABIwithani]

It doesn't matter how many times I hear this song, it always brings me to tears 😪😭