playlist
info
- this text (normal) just means the lyrics were used in the previous iteration with no alterations
- this text means it is a brand new lyric that was added in
- this text means a previous lyric that was cut was brought back
- this text means it is an unchanged lyric that was moved to a different part of the song
Each is divided from the show/production they were first heard in. Since not every single show was recorded, the dates are not entirely accurate. "Post [date]" just means that while it was used in the date of the show listed, at some point before the next show is when changes were made
Everything is sung/spoken until it's marked for them as spoken/sung, until it's marked as sung/spoken again, etc.
Demo Version (2005) [Ver. 1]
(this one doesn't feature Emmett)
[Elle]
Take back the books and pack up the clothes
Paint the walls back to that boring white
Call for a plane ticket back tonight
Drop off the car keys and go
Chalk it all up to experience
They said I'd fail, but I disagreed
Who could say then where my path would lead?
Well, now I know
Back to the sun
Back to the shore
Back to what I was before
Back where I'm known
Back in my own very small pond
Laugh with my friends
When I arrive
We'll drop the top and just drive
That's fine with me
Just let me be
Legally blonde
Thanks for your help and your company
Thanks, you've done everything that you could
If you ever wind up in my neighbourhood,
Anytime, come say hello
I've had a lovely vacation from common sense
Sorry that I was a hopeless case
You were the best thing about this place
More than you know
Makes it harder to go
Back to the sun
Back to the shore
Back to what I was before
Lie on the beach
Dream within reach
Don't stray beyond
Some girls fight hard
Some go to trial
Some girls are just meant to smile
That's fine with me
Now I can be
Legally blonde
That's fine with me
Just let me be
Legally blonde
Workshop (April 25, 2005) [Ver. 2]
(it's hard to hear Emmett in this one)
[Elle]
Take back the books and pack up the clothes
Paint the walls back to their boring white
Call for a plane ticket back tonight
Drop off the car keys and go
Chalk it all up to experience
They said I'd fail, and I disagreed
Who could say then where my path would lead?
Well, now I know
Back to the sun
Back to the shore
Back to what I was before
Back where I'm known
Back in my own very small pond
Laugh with my friends
When I arrive
We'll drop the top and just drive
That's fine with me
Now I can be
Legally blonde
Sorry that I'm disappointing you
[Emmett]
Elle, that's not true
[Elle]
But you always treated me decently
[Emmett]
Elle, you should stay
[Elle]
Maybe someday you can visit me
Give me a call, say hello
[Emmett]
You're being ridiculous
[Elle]
Anyway,
Thanks for your help and your faith in me
[Emmett]
Let's think this through
[Elle]
You did your best with a hopeless case
[Emmett]
Don't talk that way
[Both]
You are the best thing about this place
[Elle]
Thought you should know
[Emmett]
Don't you know?
[Elle]
So I guess I should go
[Emmett]
Wait, don't go!
[Both]
Back to the sun
Back to the shore
[Elle / Emmett]
Back to what I was before /
And back to what I was before
[Elle]
Lie on the beach
Dream within reach
Don't stray beyond
[Emmett]
I'm a guy girls like you just ignore
[Elle]
Some girls fight hard
Some go to trial
Some girls were just meant to smile
That's fine with me
Just let me be
Legally blonde
[Emmett]
I'll miss your smile
[Elle]
That's fine with me
Now I can be
Legally blonde
Jan 23, 2007 [Ver. 3]
(used up until sometime after Jan 24, 2007)
[Elle]
Just laugh it off like I've always done
Lord knows they've all laughed at me before
Shouldn't surprise me much anymore
Shouldn't still hurt
But it does
I thought someday you'd believe in me
Maybe that proves that I'm not too bright
Not if one word from you takes me right back where I was
Back to the sun
Back to the shore
Back to what I was before
Back where I'm known
Back in my own very small pond
Why am I here?
Why did I leave?
What did I hope to achieve?
Stupid of me
Trying to be
Legally blonde
[Elle]
Thanks for your help and for all you've done
[Emmett, spoken]
Elle, hi!
[Elle]
Thank you for treating me decently
[Emmett]
Is something wrong?
[Elle]
Maybe someday you can visit me
If you're out west, I'll be there
[Emmett]
Wait, where are you going?
[Elle, spoken]
Home
[sung]
Sorry, I'm letting down everyone
[Emmett, sung]
What brought on this?
[Elle]
You did your best with a hopeless case
[Emmett]
That's ludicrous
[Both]
You are the best thing about this place
[Emmett]
Elle, don't you care?
[Elle]
There's just so much I can bear
[Emmett]
And go where?
[Elle / Emmett]
Back to the sun / Back to the sun?
Back to the shore / Back to the shore?
Back to what I was before /
You never gave up before
[Elle]
Lie on the beach
Dream within reach
Don't stray beyond
[Emmett]
We both know you're worth so much more
[Elle / Emmett]
Some girls fight hard /
So fight hard
Some face the trial /
Face the trial
Some girls were just meant to smile
[Emmett]
At least tell me why
[Elle, spoken]
Emmett... Goodbye
[Both, sung]
If I leave now
How will you know
How much it hurts me to go?
Stupid of me
[Elle]
I'll never be
Legally blonde
[Emmett]
You'll never know
[Elle]
It's not up to me
How can you be
Legally blonde
Post Jan 24, 2007 [Ver. 4]
(used up until sometime after Feb 7, 2007)
[Elle]
Just laugh it off like I've always done
Lord knows they've all laughed at me before
Shouldn't surprise me much anymore
Shouldn't still hurt
But it does
I thought someday you'd believe in me
Maybe that proves that I'm not too bright
Not if one word from you takes me right back where I was
Back to the sun
Back to the shore
Back to what I was before
Where I was known
Back in my own very small pond
Why am I here?
Why did I leave?
What did I hope to achieve?
Stupid of me
Trying to be
Legally blonde
[Emmett, spoken]
There she is! Intern of the year!
[Elle]
Thanks for your help and for all you've done
[Emmett]
You did it!
[Elle]
Thank you for treating me decently
[Emmett]
Is something wrong?
[Elle]
Maybe someday you can visit me
If you're out west, I'll be there
[Emmett]
Wait, where are you going?
[Elle, spoken]
Home
[sung]
Sorry, I'm letting down everyone
[Emmett, sung]
What brought on this?
[Elle]
You did your best with a hopeless case
[Emmett]
That's ludicrous
[Both]
You are the best thing about this place
[Emmett]
Elle, don't you care?
[Elle]
There's just so much I can bear
[Emmett]
And go where?
[Elle / Emmett]
Back to the sun / Back to the sun?
Back to the shore / Back to the shore?
Back to what I was before /
You never gave up before
[Elle]
Lie on the beach
Dream within reach
Don't stray beyond
[Emmett]
We both know you're worth so much more
[Elle / Emmett]
Some girls fight hard /
So fight hard
Some face the trial /
Face the trial
Some girls were just meant to smile
[Emmett]
At least tell me why
[Elle, spoken]
Emmett... Goodbye
[Emmett, spoken]
Elle!
Elle, open up / Elle, open the door
Elle!
[Both, sung]
If I leave now
How will you know
How much it hurts me to go?
Stupid of me
[Elle]
I'll never be
Legally blonde
[Emmett]
You'll never know
[Elle]
It's not up to me
How can you be
Legally blonde
Post Feb 7, 2007 [Ver. 5]
(used up until sometime after Feb 10, 2007)
[Elle]
Take back the books and pack up the clothes
Clear out the room and drop off the key
Leave with what's left of my dignity
Get in the car, and just go
Chalk it all up to experience
They said I'd fail, and I disagreed
Who could say then where my path would lead?
Well, now I know
Back to the sun
Back to the shore
Back to what I was before
Back where I'm known
Back in my own very small pond
Laugh with my friends
When I arrive
We'll drop the top and just drive
That's fine with me
Why try to be
Legally blonde
[Emmett, spoken]
There she is! Intern of the year!
[Elle]
Thanks for your help and for all you've done
Thank you for treating me decently
[Emmett]
Is something wrong?
[Elle]
Maybe someday you can visit me
If you're out west, I'll be there
[Emmett, sung]
Wait, where are you going?
[Elle]
Sorry, I'm letting down everyone
[Emmett]
What brought on this?
[Elle]
You did your best with a hopeless case
[Emmett]
That's ludicrous
[Both]
You are the best thing about this place
[Emmett]
Elle, don't you care?
[Elle]
There's just so much I can bear
[Emmett]
And go where?
[Elle / Emmett]
Back to the sun / Back to the sun?
Back to the shore / Back to the shore?
Back to what I was before /
You never gave up before
[Elle]
Lie on the beach
Dream within reach
Don't stray beyond
[Emmett]
We both know you're worth so much more
[Elle / Emmett]
Some girls fight hard /
So fight hard
Some face the trial /
Face the trial
Some girls were just meant to smile
[Emmett]
At least tell me why
[Elle, spoken]
Emmett... Goodbye
[Both, sung]
How can I leave
Now that I know
How much it hurts me to go?
[Elle]
It's not up to me
I'll never be
Legally blonde
[Emmett]
How can you know?
[Elle]
It's not up to me
How can you be
Legally blonde
Post Feb 10, 2007 [Ver. 6]
(used up until Feb 15, 2007)
[Elle]
Take back the books and pack up the clothes
Clear out the room and drop off the key
Leave with what's left of my dignity
Get in the car, and just go
Chalk it all up to experience
They said I'd fail, and I disagreed
Who could say then where my path would lead?
Well, now I know
Back to the sun
Back to the shore
Back to what I was before
Back where I'm known
Back in my own very small pond
Laugh with my friends
When I arrive
We'll drop the top and just drive
That's fine with me
Why try to be
Legally blonde
[Emmett, spoken]
There she is! Intern of the year!
[Elle]
Thanks for your help and for all you've done
Thank you for treating me decently
[Emmett, spoken]
Is something wrong?
[Elle]
Maybe someday you can visit me
If you're out west, I'll be there
[Emmett, sung]
Wait, where are you going?
[Elle]
Sorry, I'm letting down everyone
[Emmett]
What brought on this?
[Elle]
You did your best with a hopeless case
[Emmett]
That's ludicrous
[Both]
You are the best thing about this place
[Emmett]
Elle, don't you care?
[Elle]
There's just so much I can bear
[Emmett]
And go where?
[Elle / Emmett]
Back to the sun / Back to the sun?
Back to the shore / Back to the shore?
Back to what I was before /
You never gave up before
[Elle]
Lie on the beach
Dream within reach
Don't stray beyond
[Emmett]
We both know you're worth so much more
[Elle / Emmett]
Some girls fight hard /
So fight hard
Some face the trial /
Face the trial
Some girls were just meant to smile
[Emmett]
At least tell me why
[Elle, spoken]
Emmett... Goodbye
[Emmett]
Now that you're gone
Just let me say
How much I want you to stay
[Elle]
It's not up to me
I'll never be
Legally blonde
[Emmett]
Why can't you stay?
[Elle]
It's not up to me
How can you be
Legally blonde
Feb 16, 2007 [Ver. 7]
(used up until Apr 3, 2007)
[Elle, sung]
Take back the books and pack up the clothes
Clear out the room and drop off the key
Leave with what's left of my dignity
Get in the car, and just go
Chalk it all up to experience
They said I'd fail, but I disagreed
Who could say then where my path would lead?
Well, now I know
Back to the sun
Back to the shore
Back to what I was before
Back where I'm known
Back in my own very small pond
Laugh with my friends
When I arrive
We'll drop the top and just drive
That's fine with me
Just let me be
Legally blonde
[Emmett, spoken]
There she is! Intern of the year!
[Elle]
Thanks for your help and for all you've done
Thank you for treating me decently
[Emmett]
What's wrong?
[Elle]
Maybe someday you can visit me
Give me a call, say hello
[Emmett, sung]
Why, where are you going?
[Elle]
Sorry, I'm letting down everyone
[Emmett]
What brought on this?
[Elle]
You did your best with a hopeless case
[Emmett]
That's ludicrous
[Both]
You are the best thing about this place
[Emmett]
Elle, you should know-
[Elle, spoken]
Callahan hit on me
[Emmett, spoken]
He what?
[Elle]
He kissed me
Then he fired me
And made it very clear I don't belong
[Emmett]
He's wrong!
[Elle]
Emmett!
[Emmett]
No, he can't get away with this!
We'll fix it
We'll fight it!
[Elle, sung]
Emmett, please (just) let me go
[Emmett, sung]
No, don't go!
[Elle / Emmett]
Back to the sun / Back to the sun
Back to the shore / Back to the shore
Back to what I was before /
Please, will you open door?
[Elle]
Lie on the beach
Dream within reach
Don't stray beyond
[Emmett]
We both know you're worth so much more
[Elle / Emmett]
Some girls fight hard /
So fight hard
Some face the trial /
Face the trial
Some girls were just meant to smile
[Elle]
That's fine with me
Just let me be
Legally blonde
[Emmett]
I'd miss your smile
[Elle]
It's not up to me
Just let me be
Legally blonde
Apr 3, 2007 [Ver. 8]
(used up until sometime past Apr 11, 2007)
[Elle, sung]
Take back the books and pack up the clothes
Clear out the room and drop off the key
Leave with what's left of my dignity
Get in the car, and just go
Chalk it all up to experience
They said I'd fail, but I disagreed
Who could say then where my path would lead?
Well, now I know
Back to the sun
Back to the shore
Back to what I was before
Where I was known
Back in my own very small pond
Laugh with my friends
When I arrive
We'll drop the top and just drive
That's fine with me
Just let me be
Legally blonde
[Emmett, spoken]
There she is! Intern of the year!
[Elle]
Thanks for your help and for all you've done
Thank you for treating me decently
[Emmett]
What's wrong?
[Elle]
Maybe someday you can visit me
Give me a call, say hello
[Emmett, sung]
Wait, where are you going?
[Elle]
Sorry, I'm letting down everyone
[Emmett]
What brought on this?
[Elle]
You did your best with a hopeless case
[Emmett]
That's ludicrous
[Both]
You are the best thing about this place
[Emmett]
Elle, you should know-
[Elle, spoken]
Callahan hit on me
[Emmett, spoken]
He what?
[Elle]
He kissed me
Then he fired me
And made it very clear I don't belong here
[Emmett]
He's wrong!
[Elle]
Emmett!
[Emmett]
He can't get away with this!
We'll fix it
We'll fight it!
[Elle, sung]
Emmett, please (just) let me go
[Emmett, sung]
No, don't go!
[Elle / Emmett]
Back to the sun /
Back to the sun
Back to the shore /
Back to the shore
Back to what I was before /
Please, will you open the door?
[Elle]
Lie on the beach
Dream within reach
Don't stray beyond
[Emmett]
We both know you're worth so much more
[Elle / Emmett]
Some girls fight hard /
So fight hard
Some face the trial /
Face the trial
Some girls were just meant to smile
[Emmett]
If you can hear
Can I just say
How much I want you to stay?
[Elle]
It's not up to me
Just let me be
Legally blonde
[Emmett]
I want you to stay
[Elle]
It's not up to me
Just let me be
Legally blonde
Final Broadway Version [Ver. 9]
(used until the 1NT)
[Elle]
Take back the books and pack up the clothes
Clear out the room and drop off the key
Leave with what's left of my dignity
Get in the car, and just go
Chalk it all up to experience
They said I'd fail, but I disagreed
Who could say then where my path would lead?
Well, now I know
Back to the sun
Back to the shore
Back to what I was before
Back where I'm known
Back in my own very small pond
Laugh with my friends
When I arrive
We'll drop the top and just drive
That's fine with me
Just let me be
Legally blonde
[Emmett, spoken]
There she is! Intern of the year!
[Elle]
Thanks for your help and for all you've done
Thank you for treating me decently
[Emmett]
What's wrong?
[Elle]
Maybe someday you can visit me
Give me a call, say hello
[Emmett, sung]
Wait, where are you going?
[Elle]
Sorry, I'm letting down everyone
[Emmett]
What brought on this?
[Elle]
You did your best with a hopeless case
[Emmett]
That's ludicrous
[Both]
You are the best thing about this place
[Emmett]
Elle, you should know-
[Elle, spoken]
Callahan hit on me
[Emmett, spoken]
He what?
[Elle]
He kissed me
He fired me
And made it very clear I don't belong
[Emmett]
He's wrong!
We'll fix it
We'll fight it!
[Elle]
Emmett, please
There's no reason for me to stay
[Emmett, sung]
What about love?
I never mentioned love
The timing's bad, I know
But perhaps, if I'd made it more clear
That you belong right here
You wouldn't have to go
'Cause you'd know that I'm so much in love
[Elle]
Back to the sun
Back to the shore
Back to what I was before
[Emmett]
Please, will you open the door?
[Elle]
Lie on the beach
Dream within reach
Don't stray beyond
[Emmett]
We both know you're worth so much more
[Elle]
Some girls fight hard
Some face the trial
Some girls were just meant to smile
[Emmett]
If you can hear,
Can I just say
How much I want you to stay?
[Elle]
It's not up to me
Just let me be
Legally blonde
[Emmett]
I need you to stay
[Elle]
It's not up to me
Just let me be
Legally blonde
Current Version (2009 onwards) [Ver. 10]
(what is usually used today)
[Elle]
Take back the books and pack up the clothes
Clear out the room and drop off the key
Leave with what's left of my dignity
Get in the car, and just go
Chalk it all up to experience
They said I'd fail, but I disagreed
Who could say then where my path would lead?
Well, now I know
Back to the sun
Back to the shore
Back to what I was before
Back where I'm known
Back in my own very small pond
Laugh with my friends
When I arrive
We'll drop the top and just drive
That's fine with me
Just let me be
Legally blonde
[Emmett, spoken]
There she is! Intern of the year!
[Elle]
Thanks for your help and for all you've done
Thank you for treating me decently
[Emmett]
What's wrong?
[Elle]
Maybe someday you can visit me
Give me a call, say hello
[Emmett, sung]
Why, where are you going?
[Elle]
Sorry, I'm letting down everyone
[Emmett]
What brought on this?
[Elle]
You did your best with a hopeless case
[Emmett]
That's ludicrous
[Both]
You are the best thing about this place
[Emmett]
Elle, you should know-
[Elle, spoken]
Callahan hit on me
[Emmett, spoken]
He what?
[Elle]
He kissed me
He fired me
And made it very clear I don't belong
[Emmett]
He's wrong!
We'll fix it
We'll fight it!
[Elle]
Emmett, please
There's no reason for me to stay
[Emmett, sung]
What about love?
I never mentioned love
The timing's bad, I know
But perhaps, if I'd made it more clear
That you belong right here
You wouldn't have to go
'Cause you'd know that I'm so much in love
[Elle]
Back to the sun
Back to the shore
Back to what I was before
[Emmett]
I should have told you before
[Elle]
Lie on the beach
Dream within reach
Don't stray beyond
[Emmett]
We both know you're worth so much more
[Elle]
Some girls fight hard
Some face the trial
Some girls were just meant to smile
[Emmett]
Is it too late?
Can I just say
How much I want you to stay?
[Elle]
It's not up to me
Just let me be
Legally blonde
[Emmett]
I need you to stay
[Elle]
It's not up to me
Just let me be
Legally blonde
song info
Sung by: Elle, Emmett
Different Versions: 10
Times Each Was Used:
Ver 1: 1
Ver 2: 1
Ver 3: 2 recorded, up to 7
Ver 4: 6 recorded, up to 11
Ver 5: 1 recorded, up to 4
Ver 6: 2 recorded, up to 3
Ver 7: 5 recorded, up to 11
Ver 8: 7 recorded, up to 12
Ver 9: a lot
Ver 10: possibly even more
my thoughts
The ballad is interesting to me since it went through so many changes! As compared to the rest of the songs/scenes during the Pre-Broadway shows, this was the one they were figuring out the most. The other songs stayed mostly similar (a few lines were changed) but this definetly had the most drastic change. Even considering the path that Positive went down, I think the ballad still stands. It always had the same vibe (and similar lyrics) throughout its history. I thought it was interesting that they changed it up so much and then went back to most of the original lyrics!
I like the final version the most, particularly because it has Emmett reuse Elle's melody used earlier in What You Want. It's a great parallel to her adopting his own at the end of Chip on My Shoulder, it shows how they've grown to understand and appreciate one another on a deeper level. The fact it wasn't there originally is crazy to think about. Especially since I think it really highlights the development in their relationship.
With that considered, though, I do like the final Pre-Broadway version and all of the times that Emmett echoed the "Back to the sun, back to shore" and his reply to "Some girls fight hard / Some face the tiral" lines. I think it sounds really pretty.
Before they had Elle tell Emmett what happened with Callahan/why she's leaving, there was a scene they eventually had to cut where Emmett actually shows up at The Hair Affair in another attempt to stop her. He leaves before the next song happens. With the few shows it happened in, I get why, and I'm glad they cut it. Even though I adore Elle and Emmett, Vivienne being the one to begin Elle's peptalk speaks volumes and is why the Legally Blonde (Remix) is my favourite song from the musical. The development for Vivienne, and subsequently her relationship with Elle, really pays off in the final version than it did in the Pre-Broadway shows where Emmett was there.
I do have my own thoughts about how the whole thing was orchestrated, but maybe that's for another page...