The Wiz - So You Wanted to See the Wizard

[@seang3393]

I watched Andre deShields perform this in the show's first week at the Morris Mechanic Theater in Baltimore, October 1974.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I'm back here because he's rumored to play the Wizard again. But this time, in the Wicked 2 part movie with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande

[@dekegordon1168]

I took my wife and 6-year-old son to see the play, and as much as We enjoyed it this song was the show stopper for me!!!! The young boy was mesmerized by the play because he had never seen anything live like this!!! I still have great memories of this and it's been over 40 years ago!!!! It was a GREAT EXPERIENCE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mcrachelgrace9568]

Magic!

[@Jtmcad14]

Definitely my favorite song of this musical. soooo catchy

[@MJlova4eva]

I wish they kept this song in the movie version.

[@thatsjarrod1965]

They wanted too, but Richard Pryor couldn't sing

[@revengeofbcraig5755]

+MJlove4eva It was in the movie. They just did the intro and Richard saying "So you wanted to meet the wizard"

[@marshawnkilpatrick7622]

They could have used andre de shields as the wiz's singing voice and Richard Pryor as the wiz's speaking voice the audience would never tell the difference because andre de shields and Richard Pryor sound similar

[@Donnymac]

@@marshawnkilpatrick7622 That would have worked.

[@killerb.8040]

Movie version was whack. It was mostly boycotted Diana Ross made Barry Gordy and her instead of the teenage Stephanie Mills. Stephanie was already known as Dorothy. Stephanie's Home. Makes Diana's Home sound like just pure garbage. The only points they get is Michael Jackson's You can't win.

[@LegionIvory]

Queen Latifah did a terrific job with this song. Did incredible justice.

[@Th3On3Y0uW4nt]

I agree. She was amazing! the entire cast was on point! Queen and MJB were the Best!

[@manuelorozco7760]

+Tony Lewis Williams I agree too amen to the awesome cast especially Shanice, Elijah, Queen, Ne-Yo, David, Mary and the original Broadway Dorothy herself Stephanie Mills.

[@seang3393]

+Legion Ivory Andre DeShields didn't do a bad job,either.

[@re-huvane5622]

I wish they would’ve gotten Andre so his interpretation of The Wizard could be preserved forever. I’m not against casting Queen Latifa in theory but I think Andre needs to have a recorded performance.

[@FetalaigaFaga]

Straight cappin

[@lynettepeterson956]

My mom took me and my sister to see the original stage play in Chicago! Nothing else tops it. And Andre still sings this song til this day the same way!!!

[@itstheburnz]

Queen Killed! TOTAL showman!! She can do anything!

[@AnastasiaOsho]

"The Wiz Live" brought me here. As much as I love "The Wiz", the movie, you would think I would know all the songs from the Broadway play that birthed the movie. The entire cast of "The Wiz Live" did an excellent job. So proud of all of them!!

[@manuelorozco7760]

I liked the movie and LIVE NBC version equally. However, the new one had more visual beauty and depth.

[@barbarabutterfield2679]

Andre DeShields finally got a TONY!!! He should have gotten one a looooong time ago. I have loved him since I saw him in the Wiz! ......and I still love this!!!!!

[@manuelorozco7760]

And he's aged pretty good

[@re-huvane5622]

He’s a national treasure!

[@GrandPrizeFitnesAJAY]

One of my favorite songs ever. 💯

[@zackstark24601]

OMG ITS HERMES FROM HADESTOWN

[@gusk00]

So you wanted to meet the Wizard? Let me tell you that you've come to the right place! Shall I make you a frog or a lizard? You should see the strained expression on your face! If the way I come off is frightening, That's the way I felt like coming on today. Have you ever been kissed by lightning? Let me tell you, that will make you go away. I fly And the magic of my power takes me higher, To a level where the clouds turn into fire, In the warmness of the fire I feel fine. Just keep your eyes open and the magic you will see, It will whistle on the wind as it emanates from me. It's a strong and true vibration, you can feel it on your skin. So come and take my hand and we will dance upon the wind. So you wanted to meet the Wizard?

[@ashantimurray3849]

this is such a great song

[@ericdavis2790]

My mom took me and my brother to the opening. OMG I was blown away!!!! Stephanie mills voice gave me goosebumps and still to this day when I listen to the soundtrack I get the same feeling as if I was there way back when. Funny thing is years later I worked as a studio engineer for Charlie Smalls son. Amazing!!

[@manuelorozco7760]

You must be proud of yourself

[@-GGee-]

Thank you for sharing this best original music.

[@jerrodmecca7745]

The Broadway way play is always the best. Soundtrack, performance and all. Its like A Book to movie.

[@richardmbowman]

This show is/was one of Broadway's finest moments! The original cast (and crew) still deserve accolades. With all due respect, the film version can't touch this! Ms. Mills, Hinton, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Charlie Smalls, de Shields, Wm. Brown, et. al, these people put on a show! And oh, it was directed by the great Geoffrey Holder! Perfect.

[@ashantimurray3849]

boy

[@beckywoodley2210]

+Richard Bowman Did you see the live performance last night on NBC? YUK!!!!! On SO many levels. Let's start with the shiny waxed floor that belonged in the multi-purpose room of a high school ! I did like David Alan Grier, as the Lion, though. He was the ON-ly traind actor on that stage! Wanted to hug Stephanie Mills cuz I know she was upset when she got offstage. She was having major vocal problems, and the slow music tempos did NOT help! Oy vey! They completely left out Geoffrey Holder's Yelllow Brick Road choreography. It's like they did a combination of the stage production with the movie. The girl as Dorothy was just as miscast as Diana Ross was. Common, who also is not an actor and has just lucked out being hired as one a few times, had no imagination as the gate keeper. Latifah looked cool as the Wiz....and...the end! Icould go on, but I won't.

[@richardmbowman]

Becky Woodley Yep.. I did. I watched it. I was....uh...entertained. Not greatly impressed though. I didn't recognize Mary J. as The Witch! Latifah & D.A.G. were good...as expected. Ne-Yo as the Tin Man(?) was ok too. Shanice is good...as a singer. But..I'll repeat...Stephanie Mills owns that role. When she sang/sings "HOME" nobody can touch her. NO BODY.

[@beckywoodley2210]

I didn't watch the whole show Thurs., just couldn't do it. I did flip back to it off and on, but missed Mary Blige, & a few other numbers. I googled hers yesterday & really enjoyed it. I also liked the idea of an evil witch being pretty. Latifah looked good like I said, as for her number though, it was out of her range. I turned away for the last time after that. I read about the new concept for the show. The script writer was Harvey Fiersten! Wow, never saw THAT coming. Anyway, it was obvious there were 21st century changes w/the choreography, but I didn't know that was the actual premise for the whole show. So Fierstein's new Dorothy was supposed to be filled w/age appropriate angst. However, other than what is written on the page, Shaneice is not saavy enough in terms of her acting skills to convey those nuanced layers. Not her fault. Even though I tuned into the show just as Stephanie began to sing, had Shaneice been a more seasoned actor, I would have picked up the new direction of the show. She's a teenager with a great voice who just graduated from high school last year, took a chance & went to an audition & bam her whole life changed. I'm going to watch the show again w/fresh eyes, Common will still be awful though. All of the other music issues will remain the same, but I'm going to look at the overall idea Fierstein was aiming for. I also read that a couple of new numbers were added to the show. Didn't see enough of it to find that out. Apparently, the pop singer who plays the Tin Man was asked to compose a new number for himself. You saw it. Did it fit into the feel of the original score or did it seem like a pop number tossed into the mix? Dorothy has an added number as well? Stephanie Mills has said that she hopes to be cast as Aunt Em in the upcoming broadway cast. I wish

[@rowlandrod90]

Yes God Bless them ALL! R.I.P. GEOFFREY HOLDER AND CAST!

[@nikolnik123]

So YoU WaNtEd To MeEt ThE WiZaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAd

[@whosfamilyisthis1012]

I am loving this song 😚😚😚😚😚😚

[@ashantimurray3849]

great song

[@monicarwells2]

Quincy Jones showed out completely with this entire production. Sound like Nina Simone lol

[@highlightpurgatory1850]

Great song!

[@mcrachelgrace9568]

When I hear this, I can't sit still!

[@ashantimurray3849]

meet the wizard

[@ashantimurray3849]

I like this song it sound so great

[@acrescool]

2 people got turned into frogs and lizards. :P

[@shaneknight1489]

Lol.

[@Fritter_Films]

34 actually.

[@cherylwest7310]

😂

[@weiseesel1217]

i too, need to learn this this is great. must find the words though...

[@manicaldwell5926]

I can't wait to dance to this song

[@markburke239]

Just for your info i was doing this broadway show the wiz with my highschool and i was trying to look up videos for tips on choreography and i came across a video called kim burke in the wiz i watched it and i just have to say the way this highschool had performed was incredible especially the girl that played dorothy so if any yall are doing this show pu hv to watch kim burke in the wiz

[@Thomasdillon123]

just did this musical at school IT WAS SOOOO MUCH FUN!!!

[@allikattchica6640]

The original Broadway Show of the The Wiz, wins hands down!!! Stephanie, Andre, Dee-dee...wow! the movie and subsequent plays were good as well!

[@stonerzayyy2768]

you are my favorite show ever in my entire life the way I hope I see you forever

[@XDeathXKingXGTRider]

Such an amazing song, I remember singing this for my school play ;D

[@darnellgreene5306]

Not the original Lion Song from the Broadway album. SAD- I LOVE that song!

[@Marrftoons]

I didn't know this song till' 2015

[@manuelorozco7760]

+Marrf man So me neither

[@seang3393]

+Marrf man I first knew it in Oct 1974 when I saw the play.

[@money1319]

Nell gl this is a bop

[@marksheen8304]

Thanks!!

[@ashantimurray3849]

we learned this song at my school learn 8

[@Gavinchannel_12]

like this we ply dis in hidenwood school

[@melanatedzen]

It's 2020 and KZbin STILL doesn't have a auto repeat button??

[@scobbyyy]

Random but I think Jamie Foxx would perform this really well

[@manuelorozco7760]

That would be interesting considering his past roles

[@shuifeng1333]

🔥🖤🔥

[@andrewmiller4210]

Queen Laftih will do the song!

[@manuelorozco7760]

+Andrew Miller And she did a really good job with it

[@gucciblk20]

To a level where the clouds turn into fire

[@-Ardaigh]

so you wanted to meet the wizar.............d

[@amahra100]

Oh, I wish this song had been included in the movie version. However, they'd had to choose someone other than Pryor who could sing.

[@re-huvane5622]

Andre’s heavily implied in an interview that he’s pissed that his performance has never been documented. I mean there is a archival recording of a 90s performance of The Wiz he was in at the TOFT archive at the Lincoln Center Library, but it’s restricted to “qualified researchers” and those who are allowed to view it only once in their lifetime.

[@thetokyoflower149]

So you wanted to meet the wizard Let me tell you that you've come to the right place Shall i make you a frog or a lizard You should see the strange expression on your face If the way i come on is frightening That's the way i felt like coming on today Have you ever been kissed by lightning? Let me tell you that will make you go away! I fly, and the magic of my power takes me higher To a level where the clouds turn into fire In the warmness of the fire I feel fine Just keep your eyes open and the magic you will see It will whistle on the wind As it emanates from me It's a strong and true vibration You can feel it on your skin Now come and take my hand And we will dance Upon the wind So you wanted to meet the wizard!!

[@haileywalker176]

best song ever made all these songs are the best songs ever made😀😁😃😄👧

[@sevenfingers2110]

See also Berimbau by Andres Torron

[@earlviney5212]

1976 27th lancers

[@notfy2162]

I need the lyrics

[@manuelorozco7760]

I guess I'm not the only one who was brought here by the Wiz Live! I like this version but Queen Latifah did a sensational job with her entrance.

[@fandeajedrez1]

Somebody tell me, in the name of love, why I see you on every video with a song of The Wiz on the comments!

[@manuelorozco7760]

Joaquin Martinez Am I annoying you?

[@fandeajedrez1]

Manuel Orozco No man, I f. love that! I do the same thing with every musical when I connect with it (but rarely make a comment). Hands up musical geeks!

[@manuelorozco7760]

Joaquin Martinez Why thank you

[@robsonflauzino7721]

Show

[@leonineaugust]

6 people never got to meet the wizard

[@luisvidela6911]

100th comment

[@ashantimurray3849]

we be learning it at school

[@jamesa.fitzpatrick1566]

Meet

[@eternalmiasma5586]

I hate that so many people think of the MJ version when they hear “the wiz” it’s a great musical! Terrible movie

[@MrJoshinJosh]

Not Owens’!

[@ashantimurray3849]

great song