The Disappointment Song – A Definition

A Disappointment Song is a serious song in which a character expresses disappointment that the world has not turned out the way (s)he had hoped. A successful Disappointment Song will convey what the character's hopes have been, and include how those unfulfilled hopes are affecting the character now, today, in this moment. Optionally the character might attempt a glimpse at the future (bleak or promising) and perhaps contemplate an action to undertake from this point forward.

You won't find the "Disappointment Song" listed in traditional textbooks about musical theatre. We've observed this new kind of genre in contemporary theatre in which characters express disappointment that their lives have not turned out the way that they expected. You'll probably find at least one of these songs in most new musicals these days. The danger here, of course, is that the character comes across as whiny or self-pitying, often blaming others for their lack of success.

For this course, we'd like you to focus on a decidedly uncomical take on a character who is disappointed about life, rather than just complaining about a particular problem, and we'd like you to concentrate on how not to make the character merely wallow in self-pity. There's something to be learned from a character who's exploring unfulfilled dreams or expectations...without resorting to whining or asking for pity.

Examples of Disappointment Songs

Learn to Live Without (If/Then) I Miss the Mountains (Next to Normal) Edges of the World (Fun Home) Requiem (Dear Evan Hansen)