--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the Rodgers and Hammerstein…" description: "\"In the Rodgers and Hammerstein generation, popular hits came out of shows and movies.\" — Stephen Sondheim" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bb/stephen-sondheim-1556_shows_in-the-rodgers-and-hammerstein-generatio_1186849.jpg" --- # In the Rodgers and Hammerstein generation, popular hits… ![“In the Rodgers and Hammerstein generation, popular hits came out of shows and movies.” quote by Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bb/stephen-sondheim-1556_shows_in-the-rodgers-and-hammerstein-generatio_1186849.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bb/stephen-sondheim-1556_shows_in-the-rodgers-and-hammerstein-generatio_1186849.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bb/stephen-sondheim-1556_shows_in-the-rodgers-and-hammerstein-generatio_1186849.jpg) > “In the Rodgers and Hammerstein generation, popular hits came out of shows and movies.” [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Rodgers and Hammerstein era produced popular songs that originated from theatrical productions rather than standalone hits. **In simple terms:** Their songs were tied to stage and screen. Key Takeaway Appreciate the theatrical roots of classic songs. Themes music theatre culture history Mood nostalgic analytical Type historical educational When to use this quote - musical productions - film soundtracks - classic pop Key Concepts musical theatre songwriting Questions to Reflect On - How does context change a song’s impact? - What value does theatre add to music? A Different Perspective Modern listeners may separate songs from their original context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hammerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hammerstein/) ## Related quotes > [After the Rodgers and Hammerstein revolution, songs became part of the story, as opposed to just entertainments in between comedy scenes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/after-the-rodgers-and-hammerstein-revolution-songs-became-part-of-the/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [I have only one bit of advice to the beginning writer: Be sure your novel is read by Rodgers and Hammerstein.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-michener/i-have-only-one-bit-of-advice-to-the-beginning-writer-be-sure-your/) [James A. Michener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-michener/) > [It's kind of hard to get deep with Rodgers and Hammerstein. I can't think of a moral in the music - it's just fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-long/it-s-kind-of-hard-to-get-deep-with-rodgers-and-hammerstein-i-can-t/) Jeff Long > [Rodgers and Hammerstein didn't mean anything to me. I just wanted to have a hit, I just wanted to be like those people on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-garfunkel/rodgers-and-hammerstein-didn-t-mean-anything-to-me-i-just-wanted-to/) [Art Garfunkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-garfunkel/) > [The music and lyrics of Rodgers & Hammerstein connect seamlessly. Singing those beautiful songs was a joyous experience for me, and one that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-andrews/the-music-and-lyrics-of-rodgers-hammerstein-connect-seamlessly/) [Julie Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-andrews/) > [I've been singing Rodgers and Hammerstein all my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carmen-cusack/i-ve-been-singing-rodgers-and-hammerstein-all-my-life/) [Carmen Cusack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmen-cusack/) > [“I’d like to quote the lyrics of Rodgers and Hammerstein—something that’s extremely easy to do when you’re in a library near 782.14 and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-grabenstein/i-d-like-to-quote-the-lyrics-of-rodgers-and-hammerstein-something/) [Chris Grabenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-grabenstein/) > [I'm a Mexican girl from California, and I never grew up thinking I could be in a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. I didn't really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-mendez/i-m-a-mexican-girl-from-california-and-i-never-grew-up-thinking-i/) [Lindsay Mendez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-mendez/) > [Rodgers & Hammerstein shows have a purity of unironic emotion that imprints itself upon people's hearts. They seem to touch our feelings so effortlessly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-rodgers/rodgers-hammerstein-shows-have-a-purity-of-unironic-emotion-that/) Mary Rodgers > [I have only one bit of advice to beginning writers: be sure your novel is read by Rodgers and Hammerstein.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-michener/i-have-only-one-bit-of-advice-to-beginning-writers-be-sure-your-novel/) [James A. Michener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-michener/) > [I'd love to tackle a classic Shakespeare play or take on Nora Helmer in 'A Doll's House.' Musical theater, it's the classics like Rodgers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-behrs/i-d-love-to-tackle-a-classic-shakespeare-play-or-take-on-nora-helmer/) [Beth Behrs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-behrs/) > [Like Rodgers and Hammerstein, I'm not afraid to deal with themes about the ups and downs of life, yet which are still entertaining, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-weinstein/like-rodgers-and-hammerstein-i-m-not-afraid-to-deal-with-themes-about/) [Harvey Weinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-weinstein/) > [The genius of Rodgers and Hammerstein is that their songs become a part of the DNA of the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-hammond/the-genius-of-rodgers-and-hammerstein-is-that-their-songs-become-a/) [Nicholas Hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-hammond/) > [I was essentially trained by Oscar Hammerstein to think of songs as one-act plays, to move a song from point A to point B…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-was-essentially-trained-by-oscar-hammerstein-to-think-of-songs-as/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [In their plush melodies and plummy platitudes, many Rodgers-and-Hammerstein songs were secular hymns, which so insinuated themselves into the ear of the Eisenhower-era listener…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-corliss/in-their-plush-melodies-and-plummy-platitudes-many-rodgers-and/) [Richard Corliss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-corliss/) ## More by Stephen Sondheim > [I have, by nature, an analytical mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-have-by-nature-an-analytical-mind/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [“They all deserve to die. Tell you why, Mrs. Lovett, tell you why. Because in all of the whole human race Mrs Lovett, there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/they-all-deserve-to-die-tell-you-why-mrs-lovett-tell-you-why-because/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [It's not so hard to be married, I've done it three or four times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/it-s-not-so-hard-to-be-married-i-ve-done-it-three-or-four-times/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [I don't find my life that interesting. The shows, maybe. But not me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-don-t-find-my-life-that-interesting-the-shows-maybe-but-not-me/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [“Careful the things you say, Children will listen. Careful the things you do, Children will see. And learn. Children may not obey But children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/careful-the-things-you-say-children-will-listen-careful-the-things/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [“Because in all of the whole human race Mrs. Lovett, there are two kinds of men and only two There's the one staying put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/because-in-all-of-the-whole-human-race-mrs-lovett-there-are-two-kinds/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [I love computers. I love writing on them. I love gadgetry. The thing is: I am a slow reader. So, if I am going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-love-computers-i-love-writing-on-them-i-love-gadgetry-the-thing-is/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [I have inherited my father's sense of humour about myself. It's a lot more pleasant to make fun of yourself than when someone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-have-inherited-my-father-s-sense-of-humour-about-myself-it-s-a-lot/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [I prefer neurotic people. I like to hear rumblings beneath the surface.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-prefer-neurotic-people-i-like-to-hear-rumblings-beneath-the-surface/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [I'm sure many writers have these strange, tiny little habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-m-sure-many-writers-have-these-strange-tiny-little-habits/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [Musicals are, by nature, theatrical, meaning poetic, meaning having to move the audience's imagination and create a suspension of disbelief, by which I mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/musicals-are-by-nature-theatrical-meaning-poetic-meaning-having-to/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [Nowadays, there are sometimes more producers than there are people in the cast, because it takes that much money to put a show on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/nowadays-there-are-sometimes-more-producers-than-there-are-people-in/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [Perpetual anticipation is good for the soul but it's bad for the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/perpetual-anticipation-is-good-for-the-soul-but-it-s-bad-for-the-heart/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [I was watching him crawl, Back over the wall-! Then bang! Crash! And the lightning flash! And- well, that's another story, Never mind- Anyway...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-was-watching-him-crawl-back-over-the-wall-then-bang-crash-and-the/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [I'm always conscious of what I'm writing, conscious of what the actor may ask me. I have a defense for nearly every line in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-m-always-conscious-of-what-i-m-writing-conscious-of-what-the-actor/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) [Explore all 228 Stephen Sondheim quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) ## More Hammerstein quotes > [After the Rodgers and Hammerstein revolution, songs became part of the story, as opposed to just entertainments in between comedy scenes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/after-the-rodgers-and-hammerstein-revolution-songs-became-part-of-the/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [Like Rodgers and Hammerstein, I'm not afraid to deal with themes about the ups and downs of life, yet which are still entertaining, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-weinstein/like-rodgers-and-hammerstein-i-m-not-afraid-to-deal-with-themes-about/) [Harvey Weinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-weinstein/) > [Rogers and Hammerstein were such a genius pair. They were able to touch on subject matter so far ahead of its time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruthie-ann-miles/rogers-and-hammerstein-were-such-a-genius-pair-they-were-able-to/) [Ruthie Ann Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruthie-ann-miles/) > [I'd love to tackle a classic Shakespeare play or take on Nora Helmer in 'A Doll's House.' Musical theater, it's the classics like Rodgers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-behrs/i-d-love-to-tackle-a-classic-shakespeare-play-or-take-on-nora-helmer/) [Beth Behrs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-behrs/) > [Stephen Sondheim told me that Oscar Hammerstein believed everything that he wrote. So there's great truth in the songs, and that's what was so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernadette-peters/stephen-sondheim-told-me-that-oscar-hammerstein-believed-everything/) [Bernadette Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-peters/) > [Not being a natural songwriter... for me the appreciation of a great song and the writers came early on, growing up in a musical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-raitt/not-being-a-natural-songwriter-for-me-the-appreciation-of-a-great/) [Bonnie Raitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-raitt/) > [I have only one bit of advice to beginning writers: be sure your novel is read by Rodgers and Hammerstein.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-michener/i-have-only-one-bit-of-advice-to-beginning-writers-be-sure-your-novel/) [James A. Michener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-michener/) > [Rodgers & Hammerstein shows have a purity of unironic emotion that imprints itself upon people's hearts. They seem to touch our feelings so effortlessly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-rodgers/rodgers-hammerstein-shows-have-a-purity-of-unironic-emotion-that/) Mary Rodgers > [I'm a Mexican girl from California, and I never grew up thinking I could be in a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. I didn't really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-mendez/i-m-a-mexican-girl-from-california-and-i-never-grew-up-thinking-i/) [Lindsay Mendez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-mendez/) > [“I’d like to quote the lyrics of Rodgers and Hammerstein—something that’s extremely easy to do when you’re in a library near 782.14 and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-grabenstein/i-d-like-to-quote-the-lyrics-of-rodgers-and-hammerstein-something/) [Chris Grabenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-grabenstein/) > [We never thought we were writing for posterity, because at the time everyone assumed that all the great standards had already been written by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-stoller/we-never-thought-we-were-writing-for-posterity-because-at-the-time/) [Mike Stoller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-stoller/) > [I've been singing Rodgers and Hammerstein all my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carmen-cusack/i-ve-been-singing-rodgers-and-hammerstein-all-my-life/) [Carmen Cusack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmen-cusack/) > [The music and lyrics of Rodgers & Hammerstein connect seamlessly. Singing those beautiful songs was a joyous experience for me, and one that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-andrews/the-music-and-lyrics-of-rodgers-hammerstein-connect-seamlessly/) [Julie Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-andrews/) > [Rodgers and Hammerstein didn't mean anything to me. I just wanted to have a hit, I just wanted to be like those people on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-garfunkel/rodgers-and-hammerstein-didn-t-mean-anything-to-me-i-just-wanted-to/) [Art Garfunkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-garfunkel/) > [I can't wait to play the Hammerstein shows. Things have been exploding in the last week, and that's going to be the exclamation point.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-anastasio/i-can-t-wait-to-play-the-hammerstein-shows-things-have-been-exploding/) [Trey Anastasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-anastasio/) [Browse all 22 Hammerstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hammerstein/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In the Rodgers and Hammerstein generation, popular hits came out of shows and movies.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Sondheim" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/in-the-rodgers-and-hammerstein-generation-popular-hits-came-out-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Hammerstein" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/in-the-rodgers-and-hammerstein-generation-popular-hits-came-out-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bb/stephen-sondheim-1556_shows_in-the-rodgers-and-hammerstein-generatio_1186849.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bb/stephen-sondheim-1556_shows_in-the-rodgers-and-hammerstein-generatio_1186849.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bb/stephen-sondheim-1556_shows_in-the-rodgers-and-hammerstein-generatio_1186849.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In the Rodgers and Hammerstein generation, popular hits came out of shows and movies.” — Stephen Sondheim", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Stephen Sondheim", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In the Rodgers and Hammerstein generation,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/in-the-rodgers-and-hammerstein-generation-popular-hits-came-out-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/in-the-rodgers-and-hammerstein-generation-popular-hits-came-out-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```