Poor Thing

Album: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street (1979)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Poor Thing" is the fifth song from the Steven Sondheim musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street. It has the same music as "The Barber And His Wife" and builds on the same lyrics; it is sung by Mrs Lovett to Todd, the former Benjamin Barker who has returned to London after a 15 year exile. In it, she tells Todd how after he was transported by the corrupt Judge Turpin his wife Lucy was raped by him, which led to her poisoning herself. This leads to Todd swearing revenge not only on the judge but apparently on the aristocracy of London, if not on the entire world. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.