Musicians Who Should Write Musicals

This morning, I sat in my car, stuck behind a bus, singing along to my latest obsession.

While I was listening, it hit me that Manchester Orchestra would write an amazing musical. Plenty of musicians have turned their talents to Broadway musicals. Sara Bareilles's "Waitress" has been a hit, "The Who's Tommy" is a classic, while others such as Sting's "The Last Ship" was a pretty quick flop. I started thinking about other musicians that would be great if they wrote a musical, and thus, this list was born.

1. Manchester Orchestra
The first album by this indie rock band "I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child" has been on repeat nonstop in my car for the past few weeks, and their most recent album "A Black Mile to the Surface" is equally as good. Lead singer and songwriter Andy Hull writes lyrics that are poetic and emotional. A musical by this band would be beautifully depressing, and I would love it.
Musical-worthy line: 'Cause like dying young, idols got the best of me / Well don't stop calling, you're the reason I love losing sleep

2. Panic! at the Disco
As I've mentioned before, this is my favorite band, and frontman Brendon Urie is no stranger to musicals. Not only did he star in "Kinky Boots", his songwriting talent can be seen (or rather, heard) in the currently running "Spongebob Squarepants: the Broadway Musical" in the song "(Just a) Simple Sponge". The band itself is incredibly theatrical in production and performance. Urie himself has mentioned before how much he loves musicals, so now he just needs to write his own. His lyrics are incredibly vivid and even though the words don't seem to always make sense, the meaning is clear. And I have always thought the album "Vices & Virtues" (one of my all-time favorites) would translate into a great jukebox musical.
Musical-worthy line: Ever since we met / I only shoot up with your perfume / It's the only thing / That makes me feel as good as you do

3. Taylor Swift

Loved by many, but hated by many. In my mind, Taylor Swift's talent is undeniable, and not just because I have been a self-proclaimed "Swiftie" since I was 9. She's most popular for her love songs, but take a listen to any of her albums and you'll see that she's more than just that. Her lyrics evoke such vivid imagery that you might feel she's singing about your life, and her catchy tunes will be stuck in your head for ages (I'm still trying to shake off "Shake it Off"). She too would make a great jukebox musical (and it was!) but a whole musical of new Swift songs would be just as amazing.
Musical-worthy line: And you call me up again just to break me like a promise / So casually cruel in the name of being honest

4. Regina Spektor
Another one of my favorites who is completely underrated, Regina Spektor's musical style is part indie pop, part undefinable. With most songs played either on her piano or guitar, each song has its own distinct style. It's impossible to try to lock her into one genre - it's just not how she goes. Her incredible unique style would translate very well to theatre. It would be something that no one has seen before and I think it would be truly beautiful. A few years ago she was writing for a musical, but nothing has been heard about it since.
Musical-worthy line: I know the morning is wiser than the nightime / I know there's nothing wrong, I shouldn't feel so down

What do you guys think?

Who do you want to see write a musical?

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