Jay Armstrong Johnson with Alex Brightman & Hayley Anna Norris "Leave Luanne"

[@disgruntledcashier503]

That first lyric is about as perfect as lyrics can be: “Luanne’s fat lip is drying/the Bastard’s bacon frying/ the shiner ‘round her eye’s gone bust and bleeding”. It tells you everything you need to know about the story in one couplet

[@Abi-uj8yg]

His facial expressiveness are really what make this song so striking, the way he changes his expression just slightly from the husband to Luanne near the end just send chills down my spine

[@KimmieNicoleStone]

When he really gets down into it I can't help but sing the back-up vocals. THIS is how a song should be performed. So amazing.

[@ClownBiscuits]

bro you can tell how hard that leave Louanne must've been, holding the note out that long sounds painful. He's got some pipes!

[@ren-kz6bq]

wait... was alex brightman in the original cast recording? i never noticed.. god what a talented cast this show had

[@feelingpurpley9080]

Yes, he was! He sings Cut You a Piece of Me I know (it's my favorite song from 35mm haha)

[@Bgie-vu2jp]

My faves that he does are why must we tell them why and crazytown

[@cameo3426]

@@Bgie-vu2jp Why must we tell them why is such jam :D I really cannot understand why, but it gives me such an energetic and good vibes

[@internetuser528]

@@Bgie-vu2jp Ranboo * points *

[@GoroAkechi_]

@@internetuser528 huh?

[@Smartpplz161]

This song is a masterpiece. The lyrics, the story it tells, and the pure emotion Jay puts into it is incredible. I've listened to this over and over since it was posted and each time I watch it I'm amazed.

[@RyanScottOliver]

Hi gang! It's weird! It's: "She cries her miserable knell," like a bell tolling death. Hope that helps!

[@satirical140]

Thank you!!! This is a wonderful song :D

[@shawnritz]

i always thought it was wail.🧐

[@alexbergen8356]

CHILLS. Chills ALWAYS.

[@joneelillard892]

I've been obsessed with this song ever since I first heard it back in April

[@meltedlemon9536]

3:34 Everyone got so much false hope..

[@dmay6637]

danganronpa who?

[@luthientinuviel3883]

Me

[@SafeBurrito5465]

:(

[@ThatsSoGenie]

I come back every year just to hear the “God loves Luanne”

[@newglappy2389]

His soul just exited his body and poured out into that microphone

[@disgruntledcashier503]

This song is a fucking journey.

[@lilyfontaine2186]

This is one marathon of a song, performed absolutely beautifully.

[@kyliesparks1435]

Oh man, Ryan Scott Oliver, you rapidly became one of my favorite contemporary musical theatre composers, and this song is a big reason why. So haunting, and so intense. Plus, these performers are amazing!

[@JimmmyJam]

This song is beyond words it's so good. I was listening to the cd and literally just stopped everything when this song came on. It's perfection hit me like a tonne of bricks. But watching it performed is even better, if that's possible. Jay Armstrong Johnson's acting gave me chills in this.

[@akisorax]

The 'loyal luanne' before the remains and remains literally made me physically shake a bit. Shivers. I love this so much.

[@MichaelKrasMagic]

That high C at the end. so glorious. My favourite song from 35MM and I've been waiting FOREVER for a live video.

[@kathleenheck7910]

Wow, 3:08? And the "Praised Be, Amen" at the end? Seriously? Like, WOW!! His performance did things to my body that I wasn't sure I could feel again. Joke, joke, I'm not that old lol. Need to watch this another hundred times and then go take a cold shower hahaha. But in all seriousness, he really put his everything into singing that song. You can see how he's telling the story with his facial expressions. He's phenomenal.

[@cjames0723]

That last "GROWLING" did very bad things to me....

[@SluggzNotFound]

Lol, same

[@persephoenix]

man i know this is pretty old now, but it gives me chills. dear composer, if you're reading this, you've made a phenomenal piece.

[@garylibra]

I want to watch and listen to this until I'm sick of it. That'll be a long time. Jay Armstrong Johnson as the balladeer is stunning. Simply an amazing song and an amazing performance. 35mm is beyond words.

[@gracekeddy]

that god loves luanne....INSTANT CHILLS.

[@Arkelk2010]

Well sung!--both for drama and for all the notes. This well-written song and Mr. Johnson's range/style are a perfect fit.

[@feedmeastraycat8247]

THE FUCKING PASSION IN HIS SINGING AND FACE AND MOVEMENTS

[@bluewindgetssobare]

hes such an amazing performer

[@Scarlettifity]

3 mins in and im already teary eyed and there’s still a whole ass 4 minutes to the song 👁👄👁 this song really is so goooood

[@TaakosGoodOutHere]

6:21 the way he says Luanne sends shivers down my spine SO GOOD!!!

[@kcorona7715]

i would KILL to hear shoshana bean sing this

[@smollhobbit3363]

God this is still amazing 7 years later

[@jeanidelira6390]

Am i the only one who's getting Orpheus' vibes from this guy???

[@shawnritz]

what does Jay have to do with Orpheus

[@sophiad548]

i honestly see the orpheus vibes

[@EmilyReinke]

I was thinking more Evan Hansen

[@jeanidelira6390]

@@EmilyReinke OMG yes

[@sarahcusack5829]

More Damon Duanno vibes than Reeve Carney tho tbh

[@Aaron-kr5vg]

This is sung with so much passion. I can’t stop listening!

[@jonnysetzler5859]

This has to be up there with some of my favorite live music performances *ever*, like the song is absolutely brilliant and then Jay's performance just sends it flying to the top of the list. His expressions and just how into it he gets? Brilliant. Just brilliant

[@johnnyrattacasa9850]

Jay Armstrong Johnson does things to my whole body omg 😮😳❤️

[@loudjb13]

This song is amazing. I've just listened to it 10 times. I wish I could find the lyrics

[@cnith2]

Yeah, lyrics would be useful!

[@NyxieLove22]

At like 4:00 you expect it to be all happy and good then she dies and it's like such a let down cuz you expected and hoped for her to get free

[@Gabija-tz6gv]

You have to admit, even though she died, in the end she was finaly free.

[@midnight_rose2337]

I have no words for this dude’s singing. Dammmmnnn

[@h.e.7307]

Such a beautiful song and amazing story! And absolutely brilliantly performed! Been a fan of this song for about a year, and man, so so so so good.

[@alyssagoodrich9945]

OML THAT LONG LEAVE LUANNNEEEEEE HITS SO HARD IM SCREAMING -

[@lumenessence]

I have this song on repeat in my car... such a great song and amazing performance!

[@LikitungEmpire_Liknation]

The Lyrics: Luanne's fat lip is drying, The bastard's bacon frying, The shiner on her eye's gone bust and bleeding. He shouts, "Girl, set the table!" But he knows she ain't able. Her arm's done broke, Hung limp like yolk, And softly she's repeating... "Leave, Luanne. Why don't you march out that door? Southern woman, he ain't no good to you. Leave, Luanne. Louisiana wants war, But it's you dying on her ruby plains." And yet, loyal Luanne remains. Ever since he got him laid off, His sanity's just made off. No, he was never nice, but now he's cruel. He rapes her, and he beats her, She don't 'fess how he treats her, 'Cause a Bible verse Says it won't get worse, And she won't be a fool. "You won't never leave, Luanne, 'Cause if you walk out that door His truck will be gunning for you. No, you won't leave, Luanne, Or he'll give you 'What for?' You got heart where you should have had brains." And so, loyal Luanne remains. Someone's howling, Screams like sighing with battered breath Grating, growling, Never dying In a fate worse than death. But months of such conditions Turn laymen to logicians And tonight the bastard's sleeping like a log. So she plucks the kitchen cleaver, Creeps up toward his roped-up lab retriever, And she cuts the rope, And hope on hope, She starts to shout, "Your dog's got out!" She's got her chance. With no back glance She runs out to the bog, Screaming, screaming: "Leave, Luanne!" "Leave, Luanne. You've got a life left to live In a house hanging off the Golden Coast! Leave, Luanne. You won't forget nor forgive, " And she don't feel the stings, the rips, and scrapes As finally Luanne escapes. Swim, Luanne! Swim, Luanne! And in the swamp of beeches, Oh, as the preacher preaches, As the light In the night Holds through the marsh and brushes As the blood inside you rushes Left and right, Hold on tight- -Until you reach the bank And you crawl onto the bank, 'Til you feel a little yank on your hair And, stricken, stare at the bastard Who beat you there. The bastard lies in bed now, Half-sad his wife is dead now. She drowned herself in a swamp in wild despair. He thinks he used to love her, But push it came to shove her, A wife disposed, A wife case closed, And no one seems to care, To grieve Luanne. Now no one's on his shoulder, But his mattress don't feel colder, And in fact, it's hellish hot, and the air is dank and steaming. Yet his body starts to shiver When the window cracks a sliver And a fiery fog From the miry bog Pours in the room In a sticky gloom And there the man Sees dead Luanne. He's terrified, But he keeps his pride, 'Cause he knows that he ain't dreaming. And he starts screaming, "Leave, Luanne. Hell sent you back here for more, 'Cause ain't no one ever loved you." But said Luanne, "I've come to settle a score, " And she shows him her feet are bound in chains. And loyal Luanne remains And remains And remains And remains! Someone's howling, Screams like sighing With battered breath. Grating, growling, Never dying In a fate worse than death. Luanne, She cries her miserable wail So the bastards will never sleep again! No, no reprieve, Luanne, She brings their souls down to hell, A caution to the cruelest of men: God loves Luanne! Praised be! Amen!

[@kathleenheck7910]

Couple of notes, it's "pushes through the marsh and brushes". And in the end part, as Ryan Scott Oliver said above, it's "she cries her miserable knell", not wail. Just letting you know.

[@bestimacho]

Jay's face at the end: 🔴

[@Angel12068]

Damn, i'll always get chills listening to this. And how he expresses it makes this song the more better.

[@RyanScottOliver]

Thanks sir!

[@emylye627]

God, amazing.

[@Oncekaterina]

holy smokes

[@KidDunker312]

Literally so amazing

[@jayden_dipr]

AH I LOVE THESE PEOPLE

[@benjivaudeville]

Performing this at Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year - adore this song!

[@ehm95]

Phenomenal! Awesome to finally see a live version :)

[@OhSkyeLanta]

Wow those expressions 😍🤩 somehow he’s managed to keep those faces we all make the first time hearing this song 😍😍😍😍

[@Someloser3232]

God I love this song

[@youalreadyknow9259]

You know someone’s good when they look like they bout to turn into hulk at parts

[@cristinasjourney]

I saw this live. It was so good!

[@xal0nenowx]

Question- I don't have the sheet music, but i've managed to make out all the lyrics except for part of the last verse and it's driving me crazy! After the second tag, "grating, growling, never dying in a fate worse than death. Luanne, she cries ......... So the bastards will never sleep again." Any chance you could help me fill in that one line? This song is so flawless

[@st4rz.of.perdition]

“she cries her miserable knell”

[@publius8945]

you can always look up the lyrics

[@xal0nenowx]

@@publius8945 when I posted the comment 7 years ago the lyrics weren’t available online 😂 thanks tho

[@paris-lr9im]

@@st4rz.of.perdition so weird, a bunch of sites say “her miserable wail” and i’ve always heard it as “her miserable annal” that makes a lot of sense tho

[@st4rz.of.perdition]

@@paris-lr9im when i looked it up a LONG time ago it showed knell so thats what ive thought but ur totally right lol!! also anal haha

[@JessicaColecello]

Great job! I was wondering if I could make some music videos for some 35mm songs and out them on KZbin. This song would be a little hard to do, but I think I could do songs like "On Monday" and "Caralee." This is such a beautiful musical and I think it would be great publicity, if anything.

[@RyanScottOliver]

Replied above!

[@julia_5249]

He tweeted me guys

[@mrishuh]

CHILLSSSSSSSS

[@exco6367]

Awoo

[@luckyclover6323]

only 7 people disliked this 🤣looks like they lost almost as much as Luanne's husband did

[@Realisticallyliteral]

Anyone else get some spring awakening vibes from this?

[@KaitlynSchulz]

yeah! it reminds me of ‘the bitch of living’.

[@carolinereadowl6271]

Wait, where's Alex?

[@jupiter_108]

*waits for alex*

[@Jojo13Lorin]

I really like this song by a woman, like Katie Thompson's cover.

[@christophertapia6111]

Anyone else think the part after she escapes sounds like that one song from brother bear?

[@slashersimp44]

Why he kinda 😳

[@ShiroRiya]

I feel like the band rushed the 'swimming through the marsh' section so hard, but Jay still killed it and even got in an extra run. King shit fr.

[@RyanScottOliver]

Replied above!