Suddenly

Album: Les Miserables: Highlights From the Motion Picture Soundtrack (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was written especially for the film adaptation of Les Miserables by the composers of the original stage musical, Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil and Herbert Kretzmer. The movie tells the tale of Jean Valjean, played by Australian actor Hugh Jackman. After spending 19 years in prison for stealing bread, he is freed but breaks his parole and is pursued relentlessly by police Inspector Javert. "Suddenly" is sung during a key moment in the story when Valjean rescues the young Cosette from the inn and adopts her, representing the first time that the downtrodden Frenchman experiences real love. Though Victor Hugo spent much time explaining this change in Valjean in his original story, it was glossed over very quickly in the stage musical. That presented a problem for director Tom Hooper - Hugh Jackman explained: "For the first time in this fifty-one year old man's life, he experiences love. Tom said 'this is one of the most incredible, dramatic moments ever written about... and we don't have a song for that?'"
  • The Les Miserables soundtrack topped the US album chart. It was the first #1 for former 30 Odd Foot Of Grunt and The Ordinary Fear of God frontman Russell Crowe, who played Inspector Javert in the movie.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Desmond Child

Desmond ChildSongwriter Interviews

One of the most successful songwriters in the business, Desmond co-wrote "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" and "Livin' On A Prayer."