Singing for the Actor

Text Analysis Worksheet

Instructor: Marqui Maresca
Email: m_m524@txstate.edu

Your Name: Mykal Bayne

Name of Song: Maybe I like It This Way
Composer/Lyricist: Andrew Lippa
Show: Wild Party

1. What “Type” am I marketing with this song?

A #StrongIndependentWoman (with baggage)

2. What is the song about?

The song focuses on the character, Queen’s, mental struggle with whether she should
stay in a toxic relationship or not. This character is typically very strong-willed and
independent, but through this song we a more vulnerable, reluctant side to her.

3. What is the core human experience this song deals with?

Loneliness. This song asks the question is it better to be with someone and be unhappy,
or be alone and happy? In Queen’s mind happiness is derived from being with someone
physically, so being by herself feels like death sentence.

4. Write a single phrase that expresses a human action. This song is about someone who…..

“is love with someone who isn’t good for her, but would be worst for anyone else.”

5. Why do I take this action?

Because I recognize he is wrong for me, but I understand him more than I do myself.

6. Who am I singing to?

I imagine I’m singing to myself.

7. What is the emotional state of the person I am singing to? Does it change during the song?
 I’m very fragile in the beginning-like I’m confessing something. Towards the ending, I
find the strength behind my convictions and resolve that I’m fine with the way things
are.

8. Where am I?

My bedroom

9. What time is it?

Nighttime (past midnight)

10. If this show wasn’t a musical, write a single line of dialogue that replaces the song in the
show.

“Maybe I like it this way.” (That’s probably cheating, but I think it speaks to the whole of
feelings of self-doubt, manipulation, and passion.)

11. What do I want? What is my objective in the song?

I want him to want me. I’m not sure of my feelings yet, but I know I want him to stay.

12. What do I hope will happen as a result of my singing this song? Finish sentence: If things go
the way I want them to, after I sing this song…

“I will be more sure of my love for him and have the strength to follow him.”

13. What is at stake for my character in this song?

Her pride.

14. Why do I have to sing it right now? What is so important?

I’m about to risk everything; I may lose my friends, my lifestyle, my sense of self, and
my reputation for a man that is abusive. This is important because I have been selfish
and uncaring of others opinion of me my whole life, now I care too much about one
person and that scares me.

15. What happened right before I begin singing? What event happened that leads me to sing
my first line? What was just said to you?
 I was speaking with Mr. Black, who is also in love with me and wants me to run away
with him, about that state of my relationship.

16. What happens if I don’t achieve my goal?

I’ll probably get killed.

17. What is the conflict in the song? What obstacles do I have to overcome?

I have to overcome my own internal issues and pridefulness to ask myself, honestly, is it
worth it?

18. Always fight for your objective through a song. In what ways can you battle, and what are
your tactics? What am I willing to do to achieve my objective?

I’m battling my own image of myself that I’ve created. I’ve given up everything to get to
this point, and the fact that I’m willing to give it all up for a man scares me. I’m fighting
to be honest with myself and I’ll analyze every factor I can before admitting it to myself.

19. A song is a journey, where did you start and where do you end? What did you learn or what
problem did you solve?

I learned that even though I put on a thick and uncaring skin, I’m actually very sensitive
inside.

20. Write a few sentences on your back story for this song/monologue.

I’ve entered into a sexual relationship with a man I used to hate and now find myself not
only liking him, but falling in love with him. He understands as much as I understand
him and I’m willing do anything for him. However, some days he’s hard to be around,
which makes me question myself. The other days, he’s he’s easy to be with, which also
makes me question myself. The entire situation is confusing and frustrating, because
the only time we truly connect is in bed. I worry if I should risk the pain and devote
himself to him, or get out while I can.