When I Grow Up (Matilda)

"When I Grow Up" is a song from the musical Matilda. Its music and lyrics were written by Tim Minchin.

"When I Grow Up"
Song by Matilda the Musical cast
from the album Matilda the Musical (Original London Cast Recording)
Language	English
Released	2011
Recorded	May 2011
Studio	AIR Studios
Genre	Show tune
Length	3:36
Songwriter(s)	Tim Minchin

Production

"When I Grow Up" was the first song that Tim Minchin wrote for Matilda, attempting to find a tone for the entire musical, drawing inspiration from his own child.[1] He also drew inspiration from a childhood memory in which the adults on his grandfather's farm would fiddle with the padlock to a gate, whereas Minchin went out of his way to hurdle the gate, promising to himself to never open the farm gate.[2]

Synopsis

The song "sees children and adults flying high on swings" as they explain when it will mean to grow up. Even the adults feel they haven't yet grown up.[3]

New York Magazine notes that in the song, "they dream of being old enough to handle the burdens that life, with its rude sense of humor, has already given them".[4]

The New York Times writes "Matilda’s schoolmates sing of a time when they’ll be strong enough to carry the burdens forced upon them and to flush out monsters from under the bed. Grown-ups know that some burdens crush even the broadest shoulders, that there will always be some kind of monster to worry about, and that happy endings are at best only provisional."[5]

Critical reception

Variety described the song as "the exuberant second act opener", yet noted "it’s impossible to miss the poignancy of inchoate feelings of loss and hope flooding beneath the surface".[3] The Hollywood Reporter wrote "Only the most chronic misanthrope could fail to get misty-eyed when these mistreated kids glide back and forth on long rope swings singing “When I Grow Up.” That song’s soul-stirring mix of yearning and escape encapsulates what makes Matilda such a joy."[6] New York wrote "It must be a relief for the young actors — I know it is for the audience — when at the beginning of act two they get to sing a lovely, simple, Beatles-like tune called “When I Grow Up” while flying on rope swings high above the stage".[4] The New York Times noted many adults said they cried during this song, "the show’s most conventionally pretty number". New Jersey Newsroom described it as "jubilant".[7] Chicago Tribune said the song was the "most remarkable moment" of the show, "simple", and "gorgeous".[8] Time Out wrote "“When I Grow Up” is a particularly affecting, wistful number that captures kids aching for adulthood, blissfully ignorant of its pains and burdens.".[9] Entertainment Weekly named it "the second-act show-stopper", and said the song "takes a simple, round-like melody and artfully sketches a pint-size perspective on the supposedly absolute freedoms of adulthood".[10] Out named it "the barn-raiser song".[11]

Performances

"When I Grow Up" and "Naughty" were performed in a medley at the Royal Albert Hall in November 2012.[12]

References

1. Groves, Nancy; Cain, Sian; Minchin, Tim (16 July 2014). "Tim Minchin Q&A – as it happened". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
2. Litson, Jo (30 June 2015). "Tim Minchin: Part 1". Jo Litson: Scene and Heard. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
3. Benedict, David (11 April 2013). "Legit Review: 'Matilda'". Variety. Variety Media, LLC. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
4. Green, Jesse. "Matilda the Musical - Theater Profile and Schedule - New York Magazine". New York. Vox Media. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
5. Brantley, Ben (9 May 2013). "... And a Child Should Lead Them". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
6. Rooney, David (4 November 2013). "Matilda: Theater Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
7. "Matilda the Musical Broadway Reviews - Report Card". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
8. Chris Jones (11 April 2013). "Review: 'Matilda' on Broadway at Shubert Theatre". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
9. "Matilda". Time Out. Time Out Group. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
10. Geier, Thom (12 April 2013). "Matilda". Entertainment Weekly. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
11. Kendall, Gillian (9 May 2012). "The View From London: 'Matilda the Musical'". Out. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
12. Gilbert, Ryan (4 December 2012). "Watch the West End Cast of Matilda Perform a 'Naughty' Medley at Royal Variety Performance". Broadway.com. John Gore Organization. Retrieved 14 August 2020.