Magic changes are occurrences or transformations that seem to defy logical explanation or scientific understanding. Throughout history, humanity has been captivated by the idea of magic and the possibilities it presents. Whether it be in the form of ancient spells and rituals, mystical creatures, or supernatural phenomena, magic has always held a special place in our collective imagination. One of the most famous examples of magic changes is the story of Cinderella. In this beloved fairy tale, a poor and mistreated young woman is magically transformed into a glamorous princess by her Fairy Godmother. This magical change enables Cinderella to attend a royal ball and ultimately find her true love.
In honor of Grease LIVE, which aired last weekend, I’ve decided to share this pseudo-doo wop song! So many pseudo-doo wop songs lately!! This song, “Those Magic Changes” is not the rendition from Grease LIVE, rather this is the version by Sha Na Na from the original film. Just a note, the rendition from Grease LIVE was wonderful by the way! I’m not sure when it will be available on YouTube, but it was definitely authentic! I will not spoil it too much, but it involved a lovely guitar vignette! Anyway, this version by Sha Na Na is just as lovely. A brief background on Sha Na Na: this band actually became famous after their performance at Woodstock in 1969!! Interestingly, this was the only group at Woodstock that played “old songs.” If you look at their set-list from Woodstock, all of their songs were either doo wop or old rock n’ roll songs from a decade before. Some of the songs were “Little Darlin,” “Blue Moon,” “Teen Angel,” “Duke of Earl,” etc!! The point is, is that this band has always been famous for playing old songs. Of course, now in 2016 the other sets from Woodstock are definitely considered to be old too, but even in 1969, doo wop and Elvis-esque rock n’ roll were things of the past. Music changed drastically throughout the 1960s. It was an incredible decade.
Changes refers to the key changes which show up, predictably, halfway through the song; the Harris version has background singers who sing the notes themselves, which I ve always liked. As evidenced from this blog, I am very passionate about old R B from the 50s and 60s aka doo wop , but I also thoroughly enjoy showtunes, jazz, and Beethoven.
This magical change enables Cinderella to attend a royal ball and ultimately find her true love. The story of Cinderella has been retold countless times and continues to enchant audiences of all ages, highlighting our fascination with magical transformations. Another popular example of magic changes can be found in the world of literature and film.
Songs from Musicals: #30, “Those Magic Changes,” from Grease
Grease is, for a musical with only three important characters, maybe a little crowded with looks to Frenchie or Kenickie or Doody. What matters most in Grease are the presumed tough guy who ain’t really so tough, the nice girl who lives to preserve his manhood, and the tough girl who might be that tough as long as she isn’t pregnant. That said, I appreciate the endless versatility of what’s honestly a throwaway song. “Those Magic Changes,” when Sam Harris of the 1994 revival does it, is American Bandstand in a box, complete with screaming teenagers. Jordan Fisher, in the live performance on Fox earlier this year, crooned his way into our hearts with an acoustic version, an octave lower than what Harris was singing. Both are effective. For whatever’s wrong with Grease, which I blame for virtually every movie and TV show about high school, regardless of where it gets its origin (Glee as well as10 Things I Hate About You, American Pie to Heathers), there may not be a musical in the past fifty-odd years that’s been as successful at putting most of its musical catalog into pop culture; offhand, I think only Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera come close, and they only go one or two songs deep.
There’s a pun in place in this song, a pun so obvious and awful that I almost feel bad talking about it. It’s not a mistake that “Those Magic Changes” is placed at the beginning of the show in virtually every version; as I recall, the Fox production sends us back to Fisher a few times for reprises to finish off what they packaged for iTunes as a four minute song, but even the first incidence showed up pretty early in the telecast. “Changes” refers to the key changes which show up, predictably, halfway through the song; the Harris version has background singers who sing the notes themselves, which I’ve always liked. But there is the inevitable “teenagers are changeable and must change” business which goes on in the backdrop of “the Fifties didn’t let go of the Sixties as easily as y’all think they did,” which are both, of course, changes in their own way, the changes which dictate the course of the musical entirely. Can Sandy escape the Fifties? Will Rizzo survive the Sixties? Can Danny accede to any of the responsibilities of adulthood? Etc.
I’ve struggled for years to figure out what it is that grinds my gears about this musical. For some time, I think, I didn’t like it because my peers were convinced it had a happy ending, while I could smell (I was a pre-teen who thought “feminism” was a dirty word, so I’m definitely not going to say “understand”) something fishy about an ending in which a guy stays who he is and a girl is forced to renounce who she was before. But once everyone else still got the point, the musical didn’t entice me any more than it had before. I think the problem I’ve had is that for a show about those magic changes, the people playing the parts don’t flatter the changing. Grease doesn’t ring true when sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds play it, and yet it doesn’t work much better when a bunch of adults – Aaron Tveit at 32, Julianne Hough and Vanessa Hudgens at 27 – play people a decade younger. It may be that Grease, performed about as often as any other musical, is a rarity: it might be the book that can’t really be adapted to the stage or screen.
Grease is, for a musical with only three important characters, maybe a little crowded with looks to Frenchie or Kenickie or Doody. What matters most in Grease are the presumed tough guy who ain’t really so tough, the nice girl who lives to preserve his manhood, and the tough girl who might be that tough as long as she isn’t pregnant. That said, I appreciate the endless versatility of what’s honestly a throwaway song. “Those Magic Changes,” when Sam Harris of the 1994 revival does it, is American Bandstand in a box, complete with screaming teenagers. Jordan Fisher, in the live performance on Fox earlier this year, crooned his way into our hearts with an acoustic version, an octave lower than what Harris was singing. Both are effective. For whatever’s wrong with Grease, which I blame for virtually every movie and TV show about high school, regardless of where it gets its origin (Glee as well as10 Things I Hate About You, American Pie to Heathers), there may not be a musical in the past fifty-odd years that’s been as successful at putting most of its musical catalog into pop culture; offhand, I think only Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera come close, and they only go one or two songs deep.
The Harry Potter series, written by J.K. Rowling, follows the journey of a young boy who discovers he is a wizard and is thrust into a magical world of spells, potions, and mythical creatures. Throughout the series, the protagonist, Harry Potter, undergoes numerous magical changes, from learning how to fly on a broomstick to transforming objects with a simple flick of his wand. These magical changes not only provide excitement and entertainment to readers and viewers but also serve as a metaphor for personal growth and self-discovery. In addition to fictional stories, magic changes have also been a part of real-life cultural practices and beliefs. For centuries, people have sought the help of shamans, witches, and healers who claim to possess supernatural powers. These individuals are believed to be able to bring about magical changes, such as curing illnesses, warding off evil spirits, and predicting the future. While these practices may be viewed as superstitious or unscientific by some, they continue to hold significance in many cultures around the world, highlighting the enduring allure of magic and its potential to impact our lives. In conclusion, magic changes have captivated human imagination and curiosity throughout history. Whether in fairy tales, literature, or cultural practices, magic has the power to evoke a sense of wonder and possibility. As we continue to explore the mysteries of the universe, it is likely that our fascination with magic and its potential to bring about extraordinary transformations will endure..
Reviews for "Embracing the Magic of Impermanence: Finding Beauty in Change"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Those majic changes". The plot felt extremely predictable and the characters were one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself losing interest halfway through the book. The writing style was also a bit average, lacking the depth and richness that I expect from a good novel. Overall, it just didn't live up to my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Emily - 1/5 - "Those majic changes" was a complete letdown for me. The storyline was incredibly weak and seemed to drag on forever. I struggled to find any sort of enjoyment in reading it and found myself forcing through the pages in hopes that it would get better, but it never did. The characters were unremarkable and lacked any depth or development. I regret wasting my time on this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Those majic changes" but unfortunately, it fell flat. The writing style was overly simplistic, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. I also found the dialogue to be repetitive and uninspiring. The plot had potential, but it was executed poorly and lacked any sort of suspense or excitement. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn't suggest this book to others.
4. Michael - 2.5/5 - "Those majic changes" was an average read for me. While the concept was interesting, the execution was lacking. The pacing was slow and there were many unnecessary scenes that didn't add much to the overall story. The characters were forgettable and I didn't feel invested in their journey. The book had potential, but it failed to deliver a captivating and engaging narrative. I wouldn't actively discourage others from reading it, but it's not something I would enthusiastically recommend either.
5. Julia - 1.5/5 - I found "Those majic changes" to be a tedious and tedious read. The writing was dull and lacked any sort of spark or wit. The characters were incredibly cliché and their actions were predictable. The plot twists were also easily predictable, leaving me unsatisfied. It felt like a book I've read a hundred times before, and there was nothing unique or original about it. I wouldn't waste my time on this book again.