On My Own -- Samantha Barks (Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary)

[@Grace-ni6ed]

her rendition makes me feel the utter loneliness of clinging on to unrequited love. the emotion conveyed is unparallelled.

[@SamuelDJCox]

I think this is 1,000,000x more powerful, magical and haunting than the film version - from orchestration to performance...

[@jonathandoelander6130]

Always

[@teti9087]

Yeah I heard they told her to underperform so she wouldn’t outshine anyone in the film due to her experience.. and yet she still outshined them all 😂

[@tomgallowitz]

@@teti9087 except Aaron he was her equal, may not have done Les Mis but he was strong as well, the stage principles definitely outshined their Hollywood companions

[@Sharpe1502]

@@tomgallowitz Not to mention perfectly cast. If I remember right, Enjolras is described as blonde and angelic looking.

[@adamlambboy8332]

@@teti9087 girl held back and still outperformed everyone.

[@deartheodosia]

Samantha is absolutely incredible as Eponine! She definitely owns the role.

[@deartheodosia]

She’s currently playing Elsa in West End’s Frozen, just saw her a few days ago and god she is just phenomenal!! The power in her voice is absolutely unmatched. She has my heart!

[@th3m00nstone]

i hate how i can't watch one vid of sam singing this without the lea stans comparing her to lea. they're both amazing and shouldn't be pitted against each other.

[@Dan-gi6tf]

To be fair, Lea is already an icon by now. It’s a good thing for Sam to be compared to her tbh (if you think about it in a positive light). Like being compared to Judy Khun (as Cosette) or Philip Quast (as Javert), it’s like an accolade. It’s not like Nick Jonas being compared to Michael Ball just to troll him (because tbh Nick is nowhere near Michael), unless of course if that’s how y’all view it when Sam and Lea are mentioned in the same sentence, then that’s a different story

[@jph595]

Honestly, I prefer her singing this and Lea singing I Dreamed a Dream. But I'm uncultured and have only seen a handful of videos. I do like Lea, of course, her singing A Whole New World with Peabo is amazing. But Samantha does this one right, for me.

[@lauropinca2104]

I not a fan of Lea but Lea has set a standard that the new versions have been trying to copy or pass it.

[@GM-qt3bm]

Nah Lea was far more convincing. This boot-leg performance belongs in community theatre

[@biancahq5477]

RIGHT

[@simonhbrooke]

It's remarkable that she doesn't take a breath during 'a world that's full of happiness that I have never known'. The control is very impressive considering what a belt that last note is.

[@feelgood7]

As someone said about her: What a pipe! :)

[@samtheruffian]

I’m always so angry about how underutilized Samantha was in the movie. They took everything from Eponine’s character- moving On My Own to a less impactful place in the plot, having Gavroche deliver the letter instead (getting rid of her putting Marius’ needs a over her own), cutting Little Fall of Rain in half (removing Marius’s lines of love to comfort her), removing her from the Epilogue welcoming Valjean to heaven (they could’ve had her there as well) and treating her like an afterthought. They didn’t allow eponines story to be told and Samantha couldn’t show off how well she could portray the character.

[@FranciumZ]

I think the part where they moved the On my Own song was intentional as in the book, it was Gavroche who gave the letter after Eponine's death. And the part where she took the letter from Cosette is a hint of her personality in the book, miserable and manipulative (in the book, she was also the reason why Marius went to the barricade). And at the epilogue, they also followed the book, it was the bishop and Fantine who welcomed Valjean in the afterlife, not Eponine. But I really don't like how they cut the lines of a little fall of rain :((.

[@dragonclaws9367]

I read the book and saw it off Broadway in Philly. I was highly displeased with the movie. It cut out a LOT

[@darkiee69]

Why should she be there to meet Valjean? They never met and had no interaction whatsoever.

[@FranciumZ]

@@darkiee69 true.

[@borisfenestra]

And yet somehow she still managed to carry the film on her back with her vocal performance

[@popcultureenthusiast]

her voice is gold

[@NovaNishing]

God what a beautiful voice. Her projection is incredible

[@MrZola1234]

I just can't stay away from this video. Samantha's Eponine is cathartic.

[@Littleangel_-jp4xb]

Honestly, one of my favorite numbers in the whole show. Underrated performance by Samantha Barks!

[@angelacremonte9413]

She nailed it like how Lea Salonga did. The fact that they met and worked together makes me think that Lea already passed the torch for the role of Eponine to Sam.

[@tomgallowitz]

Same with Frances Ruffelle the original Eponine, when Sam got the role on film they excitedly gave their seal of approval

[@MARTIN-bd7gm]

Nope

[@CandleLight1974]

Samantha, Frances, Shan and every other Eponine wipe the floor with the ridiculous starer and shouter that is Lea Saloveyoulongtime.

[@jervinsy5948]

Y

[@AQWninjanani]

@@CandleLight1974those 32 mill views and have been studied by broadway singers says otherwise

[@camiellen]

can’t believe i had the privilege of meeting her years and years ago when she was west end with my brother, got a pic and everything. She’s amazing!

[@Qichar]

After seeing Samantha Barks in the role, in my mind's eye Eponine = Samantha.

[@Kureemy]

Bruh, I am a big fan of Lea Salonga’s version of this song, but man, Samantha Barks’ performance gave me the chills and it was better than the movie version she starred in.

[@CandleLight1974]

Samantha, Frances, Shan and every other Eponine wipe the floor with the ridiculous starer and shouter that is Lea Saloveyoulongtime.

[@morebaconandeggs]

@3:06 SB went full out, guns blazing. I felt it with every fiber of my being.

[@chianatimborirmarak8304]

Samantha Bark is amazing! I just love her! And for me Eponine will always be Samantha Bark. She really made me feel the song.

[@Jept]

*Gives a rightfully earned standing ovation from my living room* 👏👏👏👏👏

[@SharinganRyokusho]

I remember watching this in 2012, listening to this soundtrack while studying for college exams.... now its 2024. Time flies...

[@wendymayte9785]

Her voice is so powerful!! Amazing performance.

[@sproins]

I've probably watched this DVD hundreds of times (yes, I'm a bit obsessed) and out of all the stellar performances and great moments, this is my favorite. Sam is such a talented young lady. Really stole the show here.

[@eponine9615]

I wish she went full out with this song in the movie. I mean she did great but it would of been better if she went more out like this version. thats my opinion i liked that she belted more in this

[@wdrh03]

Different medium, different approach

[@katelynbrown7427]

I think it must’ve been a directoral choice. Or maybe with her being in the cold rain, she couldn’t sing as all out?

[@Lucy-nw4im]

The director told her to tone it down because he was worried that she would overpower and outshine the rest of the cast.

[@lostthenerd]

i think they made it different for the movie :( so sad that the movie version was cut off the first part too!😭

[@TimTYT]

would *have* or *would've* ffs

[@NWS189]

Amazing. That high note was so moving

[@sunny-ue7xe]

the silence after the climax gives me chills..

[@tacom1]

One can not faulter this , no need to compare, this is just simply amazing. Samantha ia a blessing, truly truly talented.

[@HomeschoolVoices]

She's the best ❤️

[@playonweirds]

This song was written to be performed by good performers, so it shouldn't be surprising to see more than one person performing it well.

[@blackrose8418]

What a weird point it's like saying videos are made to be watched by viewers so it shouldn't be surprising to see more than one person watching it. Like duh

[@a_bird2.0]

@@blackrose8418 its cus ppl in the comments are acting like only lea can sing this song well

[@borochi2144]

God, the way she smiles is sooo saddd

[@francinegunderson3254]

2:06 OMG THIS IS AMAZING!!! that note with the orchestra is just wow... also I really like how it just melts into your ears. I’m speechless so beautiful!!!

[@laurieannegagnon]

I felt like crying at the end, so powerful...

[@fumiep808]

Just so beautiful.

[@maddiewilliams9740]

She will always be my favorite eponine 💜

[@sloanekirk009]

Love her rendition of this song

[@kathdia3743]

I love it. It may be imperfect but her character suits it in a good way.

[@nyanchan_kawaii]

機会があってこのコンサートを観たんだけど、エポニーヌに惚れちゃった… 姿も声も美しい……

[@debrafleury3437]

I love when she sings "known" at the end the note flows freely from her. Other singers have to scream it out to hit the note.

[@osnapitzarij]

i love every second of this, the emotion … a true master piece

[@alecbona4549]

This is beautiful. Much better than the movie version but I'm guessing that was a directorial preference

[@carolinem3088]

I'm guessing she was directed to under-sing to avoid showing up the '' listers' in the film.

[@carolinem3088]

*A listers*

[@Nuadin]

​@@carolinem3088well I do know based on interviews that Broadway stars have to completely change the way they sing on screen versus on stage. On n stage you have to be loud and project so people can hear you in the back, while on screen, the mic is right there and a lot of Broadway stars are told they have to lower their voice and not belt as high otherwise the mic doesn't pick it up well. It's supposed to be more controlled but less beltier.

[@ryaneliasbaker]

It’s the POP on “known” that I’m in absolute love with

[@ginahaebara5982]

Samantha is the very first Eponine that I've ever know.. and yes I fell in love with her version of characther❤

[@MrZola1234]

The greatest Eponine ever!

[@kevinmay9151]

I already know what this comment section is about but it's just nice to see her talent not bogged down by terrible film direction.

[@hallergrace8782]

The absolute best eponine

[@ghostoftheschiavona]

after listening to her rendition of as long as he needs me (which is thematically and somewhat musically similar to i dreamed a dream) i believe she def has it in her to play fantine at some point in her career. lea salonga did it, carrie fletcher did it, i reckon sam barks can too. she’s got the pipes on her.

[@paulapiqueras905]

And now I'm all alone again nowhere to go No one to turn to Without a home, without a friend Without a face so say hello to And now the night is near Now I can make believe he's here Sometimes I walk alone at night When everybody else is sleeping I think of him and then I'm happy With the company I'm keeping The city goes to bed And I can live inside my head On my own, pretending he's beside me All alone, I walk with him 'til morning Without him, I feel his arms around me And when I lose my way I close my eyes And he has found me In the rain, the pavement shines like silver All the lights are misty in the river In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight And all I see is him and me forever And forever And I know it's only in my mind That I'm talking to myself and not to him And although I know that he is blind Still I say, there's a way for us I love him, but when the night is over He is gone, the river's just a river Without him, the world around me changes The trees are bare and everywhere The streets are full of strangers I love him, but every day I'm learning All my life, I've only been pretending Without me, his world would go on turning A world that's full of happiness That I have never known I love him... I love him... I love him... But only on my own

[@hyewon5176]

Samantha Barks was so perfect for the role❤

[@oli9220]

Lea

[@George-ob3vh]

I’ve watched this video multiple times now and somehow I keep coming back to it, I just feel that it won’t get old, this song sincerely makes a me draw a tear to my eye.

[@allenbalasa4034]

Boy, Samantha can belt!👏

[@stabbytt]

stop comparing her to lea.

[@tomooee]

yeah because lea is much better everyone knows that

[@meralynmontero7040]

She's lovely and amazing 💗

[@alexisfulgencio498]

Just enjoy their performance, no need to compare. If you prefer others' performance, then watch it. This is not a singing contest.

[@sweettreat2063]

This is far way better than in the film. Goosebumps she is si great

[@italianjob-vx6hp]

For me the best Eponine, superb emotion, tempo change superb, and that KNOWN high note blasted out ,sublime!

[@Kim-ss5bb]

Incredible as always 😍

[@MrZola1234]

Samantha is my favorite Eponine of all time and oh how jealous I am of this person who was there at her performance at the 25th-anniversary concert. She is not quite as technically sound as Lea Solanga (nobody is), but her singing projects a bit more desperation and vulnerability sprinkled with a bit of hope compared to Lea's slightly more angry and defiant portrayal of Eponine. I think Samantha's choices connect a little bit better with the gamete of emotions we all feel in the midst of unrequited love.

[@alarson1799]

*gamut Gamete is something else, lol

[@AtlasBlizzard]

I still wonder why they left out the opening part of this song in the movie. It's so strong and the song isn't complete without it.

[@ozzfer6257]

Oh she's definitely a wonderful belter

[@cjfernandez5574]

Wow. The emotions....

[@mykhel721]

this song hits dif if ur in love with a fictional character

[@caril.9384]

😭😭😭😭

[@lostthenerd]

i don't have anything to say i'm just gonna give her 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 srsly, this is the best Eponine performance i've watched omg

[@barquinliberty6366]

She did her home work🙌🏾💯

[@levia-chan]

WOW WTF SO GOOD

[@Shenghoc]

The Best version ever! Thanks your sharing!

[@Kyrose03]

Lea's version is still the best.

[@eponine9615]

@@Kyrose03 No Samanthas version is the best

[@Kyrose03]

@@eponine9615 lol

[@blackrose8418]

@@Kyrose03 Eh nah Lea is a better Fantine than Eponine really

[@johndelacroix9909]

Technical aspects of singing, Lea was miles away from this. Dont get me wrong, Samantha sings very good.

[@nursesusan2010]

Frances Ruffle originated her character's speaking & singing voices, of Epinine, in the West End & Broadway productions of Les Miz. She put forth the two most heartfelt, unique & emotional portrayals of this character & the renderings of her iconic songs. All of the subsequent singers were also magnificent; it was a must to have been chosen to sing with the original productions. However, Frances Ruffle originated the roles, both in the U.S. & in England & gave forth the most emotional, believable, & heart wrendering versions of her most iconic songs. The other versions are remarkable as well, but Ruffle will always be credited for originating both the West End & Broadway originals of her iconic character. Her singing was the most unique, heartfelt, emotional (and special). Couldn't beat the emotions in her or her character's voice,(most notably her singing voice). Love you Francine! I'll also never forget that you won a Tony award for the most outstanding featured actress in a musical. We'll deserved & the voters were right on! Looking to see or hear you again on Broadway (I know you did the "roller skating" musical & have done solo albums as well. Please keep it up. AWED, Susan Semel, (USA)

[@MrSniganoo]

I agree but I guess it’s also like when you hear a cover song before you hear the original and that is the one you prefer the most. I heard Frances as Eponine first so I am biased in my preference. However, I do feel that with Sam I am seeing a performance but with Frances I felt emotional listening to her sing. That’s the difference for me.

[@augustushaynes1311]

I love Lea Salonga, she’s a beast and totally deserves all of the success and praise she gets. I also enjoy a few others’ versions of this tune. But Samantha Barks’ performance of this song is the very best rendition out there mainly for one simple reason: She brings it home. Go and listen to this performance again, and essentially any time she’s performed this song, if you listen from “and I know, it’s only in my mind...” on, you’ll notice that she’s on another level from the rest who have played Eponine, even Lea. No one brings this song home and displays the full range of emotion that this song demands better than Sam.

[@imsherlyndjsjsn6537]

Lol

[@joseeguren4645]

I totally agree with you, Lea is a great singer but Samantha brings every line with so much emotion and pain that not even Lea managed to do

[@95thRiflesOCI]

2:53 best version.

[@elijahhetheridge]

In every vid of her singing this she always says “without me” toward the end packed with so much emotion. Like damn she got friendzoned 😩

[@honeybee6356]

My fav Eponine💗 so much passion and emotion in this performance. I love her so much

[@hermitcrab7474]

makes me cry every time :)

[@collegeri]

She really pulls you in.

[@FireflyBakerySweets]

She should have been able to sing it like this in the movie

[@morgan-ry4vs]

The 25th anniversary is never not playing on the tv when it’s time to clean the house. I absolutely loved listening to it but I especially loved listening to Samantha and was so excited she was going to be in the movie. This version, in my opinion, will always be better than the movie version. I realize the movie is most likely to focus on the acting over singing, but she can have such a powerful voice and I was a little sad that the movie doesn’t show that.

[@keomgranger695]

KNOWN!

[@edwardzh1]

Man this is so much better than the movie version

[@AllyBubblesSpriggs]

Damn girl!!! Belt it!!!!!

[@sctmcg]

I mean, I love Lea but come on......this is the greatest ever version.

[@AQWninjanani]

She has weird accent changes it was kinda weird

[@ss-mp2oe]

I love this💞💞

[@OceanGal33]

Lovely!!!

[@almostaverageroger]

This is better than the movie version

[@newnuance]

2:50 The way Sam belts "Pre-ten-ding" is apex mountain for "on my own"

[@GeniusJewels]

She deserved an Oscar. My absolute favorite character. She was me in real life. At the end of this play, the author shared the gospel. Hollywood cut it out. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and He will NEVER leave you or forsake you, & when you die... Heaven is your forever home❣️ 💟✝️🙏

[@ctlt-pg4tm]

The coughing at the beginning and end are a really nice touch.

[@DarthTrader707]

SUCH a good performance. She was literally the only good thing in the theatrical release. It was one of the worst decisions in cinema history to cast big name ACTORS over musically trained performers, and then the mistake was compounded by having them sing "live" instead of dubbing the performances with at least studio polished recordings. The only one who managed to pull it off was Samantha, but she also complained about having to sing in a cold "rain" while she had a cold. I love Les Mis, but I only saw that movie once, and would never watch it again. Russel Crow? Wolverine? And yes...Anne Hathaway? What a joke.

[@joseeguren4645]

what about aaron?

[@howverydeadly23]

This is much more of a powerful performance than the movie version! She was very subdued in the movie version I felt, it was a lot more solemn, this shows how much of a child Éponine really was and all her frustrations and heartbreak over Marius.

[@Floober903]

holy fuck

[@vivianleenet]

Lea is the better singer, hands down. but keep in mind Eponine is a scrappy poor girl who grew up with shady pickpocket parents. She would sound more like this, full of emotion, a little wild, desperate. Lea sings like a queen and ultimately has the best diction, tone, and technicality... but Samantha has the character embodied.

[@hmm4976]

u mean a disney character?🤭

[@blackrose8418]

Better singer? Nah

[@morebaconandeggs]

Well said.

[@lefinlay]

For a show called Les Misérables, I’d rather the performers convince me they actually are miserable; not refined and regal 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@strawberryreproduction6565]

What are you talking about? She absolutely killed this in a very similar way to Lea. Your comment seems more appropriately geared towards Francis ruffele. Her version was much less refined and raw. She will always be my favorite

[@darthvenom100]

This is the anthem for anyone still stuck in the friend zone

[@rm_rn86]

This is superb. Her talent wasn’t justified in the movie. Good thing I found this. Did she sang it a little too fast tho?

[@SmilerBFC]

Leanne dobinson would play this part so well

[@Rjbaker83]

She was absolutely fantastic in this performance. Too bad she lost the vibrato she had here.

[@lfcmonkeyyyman6229]

For me, as a person who first saw Les Miserables as the movie, obviously prefers the movie version.. in fact, for me, i prefer pretty much all of the movie versions because of the action, scenery and believable story line.. this for me is just a person singing in a concert setup.. of course, to the purists, the musical concert came first and so they'll prefer that version.. neier version is bad, but inthink it's like almost every song you listen toband fall in love with, the first version you hear will be the best..

[@flavioT.]

Taqueospariu!

[@rebeccayood5152]

Samantha is very, very good. She's great!! Lea is my favorite but Samantha is wonderful!! My only criticism is that I don't hear the heartbreak 💔.

[@No-ok8or]

2:19

[@henrymathews8844]

Leas version is best

[@JMRGMNG-oc6on]

Finally someone who reach the standard that Lea sets for this role

[@jay-ardeguzman5891]

Sorry, but I can't stop myself comparing any "On My Own" vocal performance with the 10th Anniversary Les Mis performance. Enunciation, dynamics, emotion... for me, that performance sets the standard

[@claireyoo4807]

Dude there was no reason. Just enjoy her performance.

[@marcblaser3770]

She is great, but I don't like how she "shouts" the climax to the song. I better like the artists that find a way to "sing" it. Samantha doesn't do that.

[@johnpaulplatilla3155]

Great performance she almost interpreted it just like how Lea did.

[@briobrandon911]

Cant help but to compare this to Lea’s... Lea’s version was just on a wholenother level.

[@offbrandhandymanny]

i love lea too she’s my role model but we shouldn’t compare their both equally incredible

[@stabbytt]

Lea did incredibly well but can't Sam have one video without people comparing her to Lea?

[@hmm4976]

@@stabbytt i mean lea is also being conpared to sam soooo...🤭

[@motherofcats2712]

Nah. I prefer this version to Lea's. But, my favorite is still Frances Ruffelle. Followed by Kaho.