Could I Leave You? (song)

"Could I Leave You?" is a song written by Stephen Sondheim for the 1971 musical Follies for the character Phyllis.

Synopsis

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Phyllis sings to her husband about how apathetic she is to her marriage, yet she decides to stay.

Critical reception

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Time magazine explained that Sondheim is "still the great chronicler of married life" in all its form - in this song he demonstrates the bitterness of marriage.[1] Backstage described it as "biting contemplation of divorce."[2] Vulture calls the song a "stinging Coward-esque waltz."[3] The New York Times notes "Phyllis’s lacerating assertion of independence to her husband, overflows with both tenderness and hostility."[4]

References

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  1. ^ Corliss, Richard (2010-06-12). "Why Broadway Hates Stephen Sondheim". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  2. ^ "Follies". Backstage.com. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  3. ^ "Theater Review: Reviving an Old Farewell, in Follies". Vulture. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  4. ^ Brantley, Ben (2011-09-12). "'Follies' on Broadway - Review". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-04-26.