Tomorrow (Annie)
1977 song from the musical Annie
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"Tomorrow" is a show tune from the musical Annie, with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, published in 1977.[1] The number was originally written as "Replay" (The Way We Live Now) for the 1970 short film Replay, with both music and lyrics by Strouse.[2][3]
| "Tomorrow" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Andrea McArdle | |
| Published | 1977 |
| Genre | Pop, show tune |
| Composer | Charles Strouse |
| Lyricist | Martin Charnin |
| "Tomorrow" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Aileen Quinn | |
| from the album Annie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | |
| B-side | "Let's Go To The Movies" |
| Released | 1982 |
| Genre | Pop, show tune |
| Length | 2:21 |
| Label | Columbia |
| Composer | Charles Strouse |
| Lyricist | Martin Charnin |
| Producer | Ralph Burns |
Composition and lyrics
In 1972 Strouse, and Thomas Meehan began working on a musical based on the Little Orphan Annie comic strips, Annie.[4] Strouse contributed a reworked version of "Replay" as "Tomorrow". "Annie" took until 1976 to reach Broadway[4] and during that time Strouse reworked "Replay" again for possible use in what became "Charlie and Algernon", a musical version of Daniel Keyes's Flowers for Algernon with book by playwright David Rogers although it was not ultimately used.[5]
The song has always been prominently featured in productions of the musical throughout its history: several variations of the song were performed in the original 1977 Broadway production, including being the show's finale.[6] Its lyrics are repeated as a personal motto by the character of Annie in Thomas Meehan's 1980 novelisation.[7] It was the entry and concluding credits score for the 1982 film adaptation; an a capella version of the song was performed by Aileen Quinn as Annie during the scene at the White House where Annie and Warbucks meet Franklin D. Roosevelt.[8][9]
The song pronounces an optimistic view of life through its main themes and the phrases 'hang on until tomorrow' and 'when I'm stuck with a day that's gray and lonely, I just stick out my chin and grin [and say]'. It appears to be in unison with another song in the score, "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile", which again pronounces the importance of smiling, though in a much lighter and cheerful tone.