HIGH NOTES
Portrait of a songwriter
LAURA BARNETT
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A rapid fire chat with lyricist Tim Rice
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Born in Amersham, north-west of London, in 1944, Tim Rice is best known for his work with Andrew Lloyd Webber. He also wrote the lyrics for “Chess”. His high point was “The opening night of ‘Evita’ in 1978. Everybody in the show was at the top of their game.” And the low point: “The 1988 production of ‘Chess’ on Broadway. It was an absolute disaster.”
What got you started?
Meeting Andrew (Lloyd Webber). I was 19, and a law student. I knew I wanted to write something — songs or film scripts — but it seemed an impossible dream. Then I met Andrew through a book publisher, and he convinced me that it was all going to happen.
What was your big breakthrough?
A schoolmaster at St Paul’s School in London asked Andrew and me to compose something for a concert in 1968. We wrote ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’. Sunday Times critic Derek Jewell came because his son was at the school, and wrote a review predicting a great future for us.
What have you sacrificed for your art?
Nothing deliberately. It has actually allowed me to do thousands of things I wouldn’t otherwise have done...
What one song would work as the soundtrack to your life?
Bob Dylan’s ‘Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright’. It’s more realistic than most love songs; it’s saying, I know you’re wasting my time, but I don’t mind.
Should musicals be taken more seriously?
If they’re good. There are so many awful ones that the few brilliant ones get a bad name. But it’s the same with opera; there are zillions of appalling operas, but no one says: “My God, all opera is crap.” Complete this sentence: At heart I’m just a frustrated . . .
Who would you most like to work with?
I would love to write a song with the Everly brothers. But it’s probably best not to work with someone you admire: they’ll just show up your inadequacies.
What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you?
David Land, my original manager, said: “Don’t put your own money into your shows.” He was right: if you work for five years on a show and it’s a flop, at least you’ve only wasted your time.
What’s the worst thing anyone ever said about you?
After ‘Evita’, a critic said: “Tim Rice has put in another strong claim to be the worst lyricist in the world.” I wanted to ask: “Could you tell me who the second worst is, so I’ve got something to aim for?”
Guardian Newspapers Limited 2009
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