I KNOW WHERE I’VE BEEN

From the Film “Hairspray” 

Music by Marc Shainman

Lyrics by Marc Shainman and Scott Wittman

Arr.  Tim Sarsany 

The song “I Know Where I’ve Been” was written by Composer Marc Shaiman and Lyricist  Scott Wittman for the 2002 Musical Hairspray based on the movie of the same name. The selection is a soulful ballad about racial struggles performed by the character Motormouth Maybelle as she leads a torch-filled protest march for equality through the streets of Baltimore. The song is very pretty, but its slow and serious tone is jarring after the frivolity of the rest of the score. It has been described as “anthemic,” a power ballad about the struggles of racism,” one of the “Hairspray’s“  true highlights. Despite all the fun and fluff of Hairspray, that message of tolerance and acceptance is one that hits home without preachiness.