Analyzing "On My Own" from Les Misérables

In this video we're analyzing the music of "On My Own" from Les Misérables, by Alain Boubil & Claude Michel-Schönberg, with English translation lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer.
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[@IaLapid]

How am I crying over an analysis video?? I've been obsessed with Les Mis for over 20 years and I still learned so much from this video. On My Own is my theme song, and Eponine is forever my dream role. The "in the darkness" and "there's a darkness" part blew my mind! How have I never noticed that one word used in the same melody before?? Also please don't stop or apologize for inserting a little theory lesson. There are people like me who have only basic/foundational knowledge on musical theory and would love to learn more. Thank you so much for this!!

[@user-fb7jx1wi8o]

Thank you for making this video!!💗 I'm not sure if you will ever see this, but this really helps me understand how to convey the emotions in this song in preparation for my performance next week. This was just what I needed to understand the importance of delivering the belting part well, and it made me appreciate the song all the more. I absolutely loved how you told the story. I never knew the full backstory, which is why when I sing it, it lacks the emotions it needs. The immense effort you put into making this video was greatly appreciated. Again, thank you so much. :DD🫶

[@thriftTDvelvette]

"we can debate if she really should love this guy, i mean it's not like he really treats her great or anything...*crickets*" please expose marius!!! lmao But seriously thank you for this break down, super informative! not a die hard music theater fan but I always find it so fascinating to learn about the literature/musical devices being used.

[@QuikVidGuy]

This comment was in my head during his scale lesson and when he paused and said "C minor" I was like "Yes, he did and it led to him being dragged through the sewer"

[@PABLOSGHOST]

Blowing my mind this

[@alanagreaves1303]

Fantastic job explaining this iconic song! It's so satisfying to learn how these melodies are able to convey these emotions, and how the melodies are able to intertwine characters' story arcs. Really cool. Thank you!

[@faithpranger5966]

Love your videos!!

[@MarkMooreConsulting]

Great analysis and so well delivered!

[@redstrat1234]

Love the analysis. More please.

[@kacichristian]

I enjoy you so much, Mateo!! Your technical understanding of the music and your ability to convey it in such a charming “show and tell” way, and your musical talent in playing, and your FANTASTIC voice combine in such a way as to make it really fun and interesting to learn about song and melody and lyric structure and design.

[@treasurejuanitaarquieta]

Brilliant analysis and beautiful voice!

[@neilagangitlog]

Love love love this video! Les Miserables is what introduced me to musicals, and it has a very special place in my heart! I discovered it when I was 13, and it's the first piece of music that I was obsessed to. After listening to it a ton, I did notice the similar sounding melodies, but I didn't really have the musical intelligence to dissect it. I'm still musically dumb today, which is why I love watching your videos. You have a great way of explaining the theory behind my favorite songs! Also, if it's alright I would love to request an analysis of something from Next to Normal! Perhaps "I Miss the Mountains" or "Who's Crazy/My Psychopharmacologist and I"?

[@MusicTheatreTheory]

Omg. GREAT idea.

[@ajatamayo]

Yes! Do next to normal please! :)

[@hannahlynn8028]

yes next to normal Id love to see you talk about I Dreamed A Dance and There's A World & the transition between them, as well as Aaron & Alices voices

[@QuikVidGuy]

I love the unresolved harmony at the end of Catch Me I'm Falling

[@juliaf7481]

I wish more people would watch your videos!! Thanks for being so informative 😇

[@lieselottebreure5435]

Love this. A lot. ❤️

[@hannahlynn8028]

id love to see you do a deconstruction of the whole of Les Mis or Phantom, if you like that one.

[@nettie607]

Wonderful analysis! I've thought that about "see the face of God" music, and am really glad to see that I am not alone. You do a great job of making the theory accessible. Thanks!

[@extatis]

Amazing ! Did you also know the original French song in the concept album is called l’air de la misère (the aria of Misery) and is sung by Fantine in the beginning of the story. This might also be why it’s reused on her death bed.

[@MusicTheatreTheory]

COOL. I did not know that! Thank you for pointing this out!

[@stewiegriffin993]

I don't mind the music theory parts, I love them! Keep on keeping on :)

[@simonecesco6832]

I look forward to go in the theatre to watch a musical written by you! Cute too 😘

[@bo1932]

I remember singing this in 8th grade, and being interested in the chords because of the pivots in the bridge. I managed to understand that they work through the shared tone sung by the vocalist, and for that I'm proud of tiny me lol :)

[@Bealzabub]

I know that it's English language version is infamous but I genuinely would love to see you tackle some of the stuff from Tanz der Vampire. It actually has some surprisingly wonderful harmonies, including one that is absolutely breathtaking called "Stärker als wir sind" or Stronger Then We Are. Edit: adding that there are several subtitled versions with English available on this site as well.

[@QuikVidGuy]

Isn't the Face of God motif the same as the ostinati that play when we're being introduced to the cities? At the End of the Day and Look Down Reprise? Fitting that the final belt note uses that perfect 5th leap. another theatre youtuber - I think Laura Crone? - said that Les Mis' emotional structure is based around perfect 5th leaps and holding on the 5th scale degree

[@flatfingertuning727]

When you say the "On my own" lyrics are very different from the French, with which song are you comparing it--"L'aire de la misere" [same melody, including the vocal intro], or "L'un vers l'autre" [a completely different song with the same function]? I'd like to see more analysis of the latter, since it was cut for not being a show stopper like "On my own" that replaced it, but it has a real sweetness to it. I also think "I dreamed a dream" woudl be a nice song for analysis, especially with the major/minor transitions and how they fit the text.

[@petawaincorporated3803]

Love your breakdowns as always! PS> Are you losing weight? You are looking fitter!!!