Central Park S1 - Top 10 Songs
So, I’ve been following Central Park on Apple TV since it came out.
I’ll be honest - I think the plot could have been stronger in Season 1, the humor isn’t always to my personal taste, and I get really put off by how expressionless the characters are when they sing.
But the ambitiousness, the staging, and the quality songs and vocal performances make up for a lot, and I’m hoping for a stronger Season 2!
I really want to give this show a little more love, so here are my top 10 songs from the first season! (In order of appearance)
“Own It” (1x01)
This sort of acts as the introduction and “I Want” song for the series main characters (though many of them get personal “I Want” songs in following episodes). It really unites this main theme of passion and investment in things others may think are strange or unlikely - “It’s totally healthy how much I care.”
“Weirdos Make Great Superheroes” & “Weirdos Make Great Superheroes (Reprise)” (1x02)
This is what got me into the show. I already love Sara Bareilles and this tune is so good and catchy! And the sentiment is so true. Just A++, I want to perform this song someday.
“The Park is Mine” (1x03)
You gotta love a good conflict song, and I love the wordplay - you really feel the tension and then it all just descends into chaos.
“If There’s a Will” (1x05)
Daveed Diggs, man. This song starts out as a classic villain song and then segue ways into an entirely different genre in such a fun way, and really sets Helen’s plotline for the episode.
“Method to This Madness” (1x05)
Kind of surprised I like this one, because it’s not a big, showy piece, but I just love the suspense as they try to figure out the mystery and Molly coming in for the save.
“Too Close” (1x06)
Pairing up Rannells and Gad of Book of Mormon fame again is already brilliant, but then you have these really almost-black comedy examples of getting “too close,” and it works so well! And it says a lot about Birdie’s character too, which I find intriguing.
“Show Up” (1x06)
Such a girl power number that also surprisingly advances the plot. Those harmonies, though!
“Can We Do Today Again” (1x07)
I didn’t love that the episode itself was filler on the Tillerman’s end, but this song is a fun pairing contrasting Owen and Paige, I like the wordplay and it definitely reminds me of a certain genre of song (can't put my finger on it).
“Imperfectly Perfect” (1x08)
I like the message and energy of the song - comparing love and pizza, who knew? Didn’t love the staging on it, but it’s fun to listen to. It’s kind of like Central Park’s version of the Steven Universe maxim, “If every pork chop were perfect, we wouldn’t have hot dogs.”
“Die Trying” (1x10)
Gotta love an epic season closer (that’s still a little tongue-in-cheek) featuring reprises of themes from throughout the show. The animation is also great with Molly’s comics paralleled to the actual action.
“I’m the Worst” (1x04) - It’s so short, but so great! Kristen Bell hits an amazing high note right at the end, and there’s so many superhero references!
“Momma’s Got This” (1x03) - It’s pretty funny, and I love that a mom character gets to be this confident yet messy and her kids are (mostly) supportive.
“Manager to Manager” (1x04) - Owen really starts to come into his own in this number as he does something bold to save the park and I love how the managers end up relating and working together.
“First Class Hands” (1x06) - Darren Criss, y’all. You can hear him in these lyrics, and Andrew Rannells performs it so well.
“I Did Not Account for This” (1x09) - I just love the punk rock vibe, it stands out for this show and for musicals in general.
“Hellfish” (1x10) - the lyrics really help sell the threat of the Snakehead fish and Leslie Odom Jr of course performs it so well, I just felt something was off with the music style that didn’t quite fit what the song wanted to do? Idk
“New York Doesn’t Like Your Face” (1x10) - because Audra McDonald, y’all. Her soprano is so on point.
