the first rehearsal with a full orchestra.
We will do it for free.'"
“They said they wanted a fast-paced patter song for Steve,” says Wittman.
Steve Martin on ‘Only Murders in the Building’.Patrick Harbron/Hulu
“We were really aided and abetted by the writers.
They set this song up to be dramatically woven throughout the season.
Another point in their favor was knowing from the word go that it would be Martin performing the number.
Steve Martin on ‘Only Murders in the Building’.Patrick Harbron/Hulu
Martin sang the entire thing himself, even though the number was written for several performers.
For Pasek and Paul, writing for Martin was both an honor and a challenge.
“That made us feel entitled to make it difficult and challenging.
The cast of ‘Only Murders in the Building’.Patrick Harbron/Hulu
“It turned out to be a party,” says Shaiman.
and we would move on.
There was no ego about it.”
Steve Martin on ‘Only Murders in the Building’.Patrick Harbron/Hulu
was suggested in some of the scripts,” says Pasek.
“We thought that could be a great hook phrase.
Then, you begin to reverse engineer it, and you’re basically putting together a crossword puzzle.
What are all the rhymes that could possibly have to do with a crime or inquisition?
‘Okay, triptych and apocalyptic!'”
Shaiman credits Paul with devising the catchy main melody line that recurs with the titular question.
“Some songs are really written to be a big, open, memorable chorus,” reflects Paul.
“But this one was really lyrically motivated.
There’s such a rhythm and a melody built into the DNA of the lyric.
They came together in a way that wasn’t intentional.
But it just felt like this is how it should sound.”
They did make one change at Martin’s request.
The lyric which goes, “Will a baby get tried for matricide?”
previously asked, “Will a baby get fried for matricide?”
Particularly because, on the day in question, they were running behind schedule.
“Everyone watching his performance, that was for real,” Wittman says.
He was quite at home up there."
He didn’t merely pull it off; he nailed it in two takes.
The performance captured on screen is imitable, but mightDeath Rattle Dazzlehave a life beyondOnly Murders?
Specifically one on the Great White Way?
But the quartet still thinks it’s unlikely.
“But stranger things have happened.”
But if someone has an idea for how to make it work, Pasek is all ears.
It would need a really creative take.
And if there’s anyone out there who has one, let us know."
