Song Beneath the Song
Encyclopedia
"Song Beneath the Song" is the 18th episode of the seventh season
of the American medical drama Grey's Anatomy
, and the 144th episode overall, it was named after a song by American singer Maria Taylor
. Written by series creator Shonda Rhimes
(this also being the only episode of the season she wrote) and directed by Tony Phelan
, it premiered on ABC
on March 31, 2011. It is the series' first musical episode, and features the cast performing songs previously featured within the program. It is accompanied by a soundtrack album
, Grey's Anatomy: The Music Event, also released on March 31, 2011. Former series regular Kate Walsh guest-starred as neonatal surgeon Addison Montgomery
.
(Jessica Capshaw
) and Callie Torres
(Sara Ramírez
) are involved in a vehicular collision, moments after Arizona proposes marriage. Callie suffers severe injuries, which endanger her life and her unborn child. She and Arizona are taken to Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital, the institute at which they both work. Their colleagues attempt to save Callie, while Arizona and Mark Sloan
(Eric Dane
), the father of Callie's baby, stand by. Callie's many injuries include neurological trauma. While barely conscious, she hallucinates an uninjured version of herself standing beside her. The hallucinatory Callie begins to sing, and is gradually joined by the doctors treating her. This singing continues throughout the episode, as Callie's projection of herself attempts to reach out to Arizona.
Callie goes into cardiac arrest
and is taken into theatre, where she is temporarily stabilized, pending further surgery. She is moved into intensive care, while neonatal surgeon Addison Montgomery
(Kate Walsh) is flown in by helicopter in case the baby has to be delivered prematurely. Arizona and Mark argue over Callie's treatment; Arizona believes that Callie would not risk endangering the baby, but Mark argues for saving Callie at all costs. The attending
surgeons devise a treatment plan, led by trauma surgeon Owen Hunt
(Kevin McKidd
). As they do so, Callie dreams about the moments preceding the accident. Her dream self sings to Arizona, interspersed with shots of the hospital staff singing and dancing with their own partners. Owen's wife Cristina
(Sandra Oh
) suggests treating Callie with a high-risk but potentially effective cardiothoracic procedure
she learned from her old mentor, Preston Burke
. Her current mentor, Teddy Altman
(Kim Raver
), refuses to perform it, but when Callie's condition deteriorates and she is rushed back into theatre, Owen agrees that Cristina should attempt the procedure.
When Callie again goes into cardiac arrest, Addison delivers her daughter at twenty-three weeks gestation. The baby is not initially able to breathe, so with Mark's support, Arizona steps in and is able to revive her. Across the operating room, Callie's condition begins to improve. Once the surgery is complete, the doctors deal with their own affairs; Mark's former partner Lexie (Chyler Leigh
) commits to her new relationship with resident Jackson
(Jesse Williams
); Lexie's sister Meredith
(Ellen Pompeo
) confesses that she was jealous of Callie's pregnancy, which prompts her husband Derek
(Patrick Dempsey
) to promise that they will have a child together; Teddy tells Cristina that she can no longer teach her; Mark and Arizona bond over their shared parenthood. Later, as Arizona keeps a vigil by Callie's bedside, the hallucinatory Callie is able to rouse her recovering self. As she regains consciousness, Callie accepts Arizona's proposal.
had planned to produce a musical episode. She first vocalized the idea during filming of the pilot episode, when the program was as yet untitled. Rhimes felt that seasons six
and seven
were the right time for the crew to "try anything and everything [they had] always wanted to do," and explained that she "finally [had] the right idea and the right talent to make [a musical episode] happen." Filming began seven and a half years after Rhimes initially raised the idea. Though cast member Dempsey jokingly referred to the episode as Glee
M.D., Rhimes intended for it to differ from other musical television episodes. She called it the opposite of "Once More, with Feeling", the "all-out, show-stopping," musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as she aimed to "do something that was musical without being a musical."
and director Tony Phelan
selected songs that became famous through their use in Grey's Anatomy, and chose "the most iconic ones, the ones that best suited [their] singers, and the ones that made the most sense." The multiple cover version
s include the program's theme tune, "Cosy in the Rocket" by Psapp
. The primary vocalists are cast members Ramírez, McKidd, Leigh and Chandra Wilson
. The soundtrack also includes "How to Save a Life
" by The Fray
and "Running on Sunshine" by Jesus Jackson
, performed as ensemble pieces by Ramírez, McKidd, Wilson, Leigh, Daniel Sunjata
, Scott Foley
, Ellen Pompeo
, Justin Chambers
, Raver and Capshaw. Ramírez, McKidd and Wilson also perform together on Snow Patrol
's "Chasing Cars
". Ramírez is the lead vocalist on "The Story
" by Brandi Carlile
, and "Grace" by Kate Havnevik
, which also features the other female cast members, including Leigh and Sarah Drew
on the chorus. Capshaw duets with Ramírez on KT Tunstall
's "Universe & U
". Wilson is the lead vocalist on "Wait" by Get Set Go
, McKidd on "How We Operate
" by Gomez
, and Leigh on Anna Nalick
's "Breathe (2 AM)
".
Music director Chris Hovarth was recruited to arrange the selected songs for the cast. The arrangements took around two months, with vocals recorded over four days in February 2011. Hovarth praised the cast's response to the episode, noting that only four performers had "serious vocal talent", while some had "barely sung in the shower" before. Those with professional singing experience include Ramírez, who won a Tony Award
for her role in the musical Spamalot
, and Wilson, who appeared in the Broadway
production of Caroline, or Change
. Cast members' reactions toward the episode varied. Pompeo initially deemed the idea "crazy", but rescinded her stance following the first read-through. Recurring cast member Sunjata stated that singing was "a bit out of [his] comfort zone," but found it an "interesting challenge," and McKidd deemed it "very exciting to do something that's completely out on a limb for the show."
Michael Ausiello
assessed that the episode would "either be a show-stopping triumph or a spectacular failure," with no possible middle ground. William Keck of TV Guide
initially had "serious doubts", which were allayed by a visit to the set, during which he listened to the soundtrack. Keck likened it to the "much-beloved early seasons of Grey, when music played a vital role on the show." Entertainment Weekly
Dan Snierson predicted heavy use of Auto Tune, though fellow EW writer Jennifer Armstrong was optimistic that the episode would be a success, commenting: "I have faith. I like musicals, I like Grey. I'm rooting for this to work."
on Fox
. The rating was the second highest of the seventh season until that point, and a 30 percent increase from the previous episode, "This is How We Do It", which was watched by 2.4 million fewer viewers.
In Canada, where the episode also aired on March 31, 2011, it was watched by 3.18 million viewers. Viewership again increased on "This is How We Do It", which attained 2.63 million viewers. However, while the preceding episode was the most-viewed scripted show for the week of its original broadcast, "Song Beneath the Song" ranked second, behind The Big Bang Theory
.
, with 19,000 copies sold. It reached number 2 on the U.S. Soundtracks chart, and was the number 5 Independent Album
. "The Story" entered the Billboard Hot 100
singles chart at number 69, and the Canadian Hot 100
at 72.
Grey's Anatomy (season 7)
Season seven of Grey's Anatomy, an American medical drama television series developed by Shonda Rhimes, began airing on September 23, 2010 on ABC. The season concluded on May 19, 2011.-Main cast:*Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey...
of the American medical drama Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series created by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC; since then, seven seasons have aired. The series follows the lives of interns, residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital in...
, and the 144th episode overall, it was named after a song by American singer Maria Taylor
Maria Taylor
Maria Diane Taylor is an American singer/songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama. She is also a member of the duo Azure Ray with Orenda Fink, as well as the band Now It's Overhead, both of which are signed with Saddle Creek Records...
. Written by series creator Shonda Rhimes
Shonda Rhimes
Shonda Rhimes is an American screenwriter, director and producer. Rhimes is best known as the creator, head writer, and executive producer of acclaimed television series Grey's Anatomy and its spin-off Private Practice. In May 2007, Rhimes was named one of Time magazine's 100 Time 100 people who...
(this also being the only episode of the season she wrote) and directed by Tony Phelan
Tony Phelan
Tony Phelan is an American television screenwriter, producer and director.Phelan is best known for his work on Grey's Anatomy, for which he has been nominated for two Emmys and three WGA awards, of which he was won one, shared with the writing team members from the show...
, it premiered on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
on March 31, 2011. It is the series' first musical episode, and features the cast performing songs previously featured within the program. It is accompanied by a soundtrack album
Soundtrack album
A soundtrack album is any album that incorporates music directly recorded from the soundtrack of a particular feature film or television program. In some cases, not all the tracks from the movie are included in the album; however there are rare cases of songs in the trailers that do not appear in...
, Grey's Anatomy: The Music Event, also released on March 31, 2011. Former series regular Kate Walsh guest-starred as neonatal surgeon Addison Montgomery
Addison Montgomery
Addison Adrienne Forbes Montgomery , was a fictional character on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, and is currently starring on its spin-off show Private Practice. Addison is a world-class neonatal surgeon with board certifications in both Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Maternal and Fetal...
.
Plot
En-route to a weekend breakaway, surgeons Arizona RobbinsArizona Robbins
Arizona Robbins is a fictional character on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by Jessica Capshaw. She was introduced in the show's fifth season as an attending surgeon and the new head of pediatric surgery.Originally contracted to appear in three episodes, Capshaw's contract was...
(Jessica Capshaw
Jessica Capshaw
Jessica Brooke Capshaw is an American actress. She is known for her role as Jamie Stringer in The Practice and for her role as Dr...
) and Callie Torres
Callie Torres
Calliope Iphegenia "Callie" Torres, M.D., is a fictional character from the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by actress Sara Ramírez...
(Sara Ramírez
Sara Ramírez
Sara Ramírez is a Mexican-American singer/songwriter and actress. She is known for her role as Callie Torres in Grey's Anatomy and as the original Lady of the Lake in the 2005 Broadway musical Spamalot, for which she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.-Early life:Ramírez...
) are involved in a vehicular collision, moments after Arizona proposes marriage. Callie suffers severe injuries, which endanger her life and her unborn child. She and Arizona are taken to Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital, the institute at which they both work. Their colleagues attempt to save Callie, while Arizona and Mark Sloan
Mark Sloan (Grey's Anatomy)
Mark Sloan is a fictional surgeon from the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by Eric Dane.-Storylines:Mark first appears in season two, introduced as a highly-respected otolaryngologist sub-specialized in plastic surgery and the former best friend of neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd...
(Eric Dane
Eric Dane
Eric Dane is an American actor. After appearing in television roles throughout the 1990s and 2000s, he became known for playing Dr...
), the father of Callie's baby, stand by. Callie's many injuries include neurological trauma. While barely conscious, she hallucinates an uninjured version of herself standing beside her. The hallucinatory Callie begins to sing, and is gradually joined by the doctors treating her. This singing continues throughout the episode, as Callie's projection of herself attempts to reach out to Arizona.
Callie goes into cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest, is the cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively...
and is taken into theatre, where she is temporarily stabilized, pending further surgery. She is moved into intensive care, while neonatal surgeon Addison Montgomery
Addison Montgomery
Addison Adrienne Forbes Montgomery , was a fictional character on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, and is currently starring on its spin-off show Private Practice. Addison is a world-class neonatal surgeon with board certifications in both Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Maternal and Fetal...
(Kate Walsh) is flown in by helicopter in case the baby has to be delivered prematurely. Arizona and Mark argue over Callie's treatment; Arizona believes that Callie would not risk endangering the baby, but Mark argues for saving Callie at all costs. The attending
Attending physician
In the United States, an attending physician is a physician who has completed residency and practices medicine in a clinic or hospital, in the specialty learned during residency. An attending physician can supervise fellows, residents, and medical students...
surgeons devise a treatment plan, led by trauma surgeon Owen Hunt
Owen Hunt
Owen Hunt is a fictional character on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by Kevin McKidd. He was introduced in season five as a US Army trauma surgeon who served in war-torn Iraq, and consequently joins Seattle Grace to teach medicine as a surgical attending, sometimes with...
(Kevin McKidd
Kevin McKidd
Kevin McKidd is a Scottish television and film actor and director. Before playing the role of Owen Hunt in Grey's Anatomy, McKidd starred as Lucius Vorenus in the historical drama series Rome, and provided the voice of Captain John "Soap" Mactavish in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and the sequel...
). As they do so, Callie dreams about the moments preceding the accident. Her dream self sings to Arizona, interspersed with shots of the hospital staff singing and dancing with their own partners. Owen's wife Cristina
Cristina Yang
Cristina Yang is a fictional surgeon on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy. The character is portrayed by actress Sandra Oh, who won a Golden Globe and a SAG Award in 2006 for the role...
(Sandra Oh
Sandra Oh
Sandra Oh is a Canadian actress. She is best known for the role of Dr. Cristina Yang on ABC's Grey's Anatomy, for which she has won a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award. She also played notable roles in the feature films Under the Tuscan Sun and Sideways, and had a supporting role on the...
) suggests treating Callie with a high-risk but potentially effective cardiothoracic procedure
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of diseases affecting organs inside the thorax —generally treatment of conditions of the heart and lungs .-Cardiac / Thoracic:...
she learned from her old mentor, Preston Burke
Preston Burke
Preston Xavier Burke, more commonly known as Burke, is a fictional surgeon on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy. The character was portrayed by actor Isaiah Washington, up until the third season.-Storylines:...
. Her current mentor, Teddy Altman
Teddy Altman
Theodora "Teddy" Altman, is a fictional surgeon on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy portrayed by actress Kim Raver. She is the new cardiothoracic surgeon at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital.-Background:Dr...
(Kim Raver
Kim Raver
Kimberly Jayne "Kim" Raver is an American actress.She is best known for her numerous roles on TV: as Kim Zambrano on Third Watch, Audrey Raines on 24, Nico Reilly on Lipstick Jungle, and, most recently, Teddy Altman on Grey's Anatomy.-Personal life:Raver was raised in New York City by her mother,...
), refuses to perform it, but when Callie's condition deteriorates and she is rushed back into theatre, Owen agrees that Cristina should attempt the procedure.
When Callie again goes into cardiac arrest, Addison delivers her daughter at twenty-three weeks gestation. The baby is not initially able to breathe, so with Mark's support, Arizona steps in and is able to revive her. Across the operating room, Callie's condition begins to improve. Once the surgery is complete, the doctors deal with their own affairs; Mark's former partner Lexie (Chyler Leigh
Chyler Leigh
Chyler Leigh is an American actress, best known for her portrayal of Dr. Lexie Grey on ABC's Grey's Anatomy. She also portrayed Janey Briggs in Not Another Teen Movie.-Early life:...
) commits to her new relationship with resident Jackson
Jackson Avery
Jackson Avery is a fictional surgeon on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by Jesse Williams. He was a recurring character in the sixth season before being made an official series regular for season seven...
(Jesse Williams
Jesse Williams (actor)
Jesse Williams is an American actor and model. He is known for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on the ABC series Grey's Anatomy and as Lena's boyfriend Leo in the film sequel The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2...
); Lexie's sister Meredith
Meredith Grey
Meredith Grey is a fictional surgeon and the series protagonist on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy. The character is portrayed by actress Ellen Pompeo. In 2007, Pompeo was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Meredith...
(Ellen Pompeo
Ellen Pompeo
Ellen Kathleen Pompeo is an American actress, known for playing the title role of Meredith Grey on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy.-Early life:...
) confesses that she was jealous of Callie's pregnancy, which prompts her husband Derek
Derek Shepherd
Derek Christopher Shepherd, also referred to as McDreamy, is a fictional surgeon on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy. The character is portrayed by actor Patrick Dempsey, who was nominated in 2006 and 2007 Golden Globe for the Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series Drama for...
(Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Galen Dempsey is an American actor, known for his role as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy. Prior to Grey's Anatomy he made several television appearances and was nominated for an Emmy Award...
) to promise that they will have a child together; Teddy tells Cristina that she can no longer teach her; Mark and Arizona bond over their shared parenthood. Later, as Arizona keeps a vigil by Callie's bedside, the hallucinatory Callie is able to rouse her recovering self. As she regains consciousness, Callie accepts Arizona's proposal.
Conception
Since Grey's Anatomy began, series creator Shonda RhimesShonda Rhimes
Shonda Rhimes is an American screenwriter, director and producer. Rhimes is best known as the creator, head writer, and executive producer of acclaimed television series Grey's Anatomy and its spin-off Private Practice. In May 2007, Rhimes was named one of Time magazine's 100 Time 100 people who...
had planned to produce a musical episode. She first vocalized the idea during filming of the pilot episode, when the program was as yet untitled. Rhimes felt that seasons six
Grey's Anatomy (season 6)
Season six of Grey's Anatomy, an American medical drama television series developed by Shonda Rhimes, began airing on September 24, 2009 on ABC, and finished airing on May 20, 2010.-Cast:-Main cast:*Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey...
and seven
Grey's Anatomy (season 7)
Season seven of Grey's Anatomy, an American medical drama television series developed by Shonda Rhimes, began airing on September 23, 2010 on ABC. The season concluded on May 19, 2011.-Main cast:*Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey...
were the right time for the crew to "try anything and everything [they had] always wanted to do," and explained that she "finally [had] the right idea and the right talent to make [a musical episode] happen." Filming began seven and a half years after Rhimes initially raised the idea. Though cast member Dempsey jokingly referred to the episode as Glee
Glee (TV series)
Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and on GlobalTV in Canada. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues...
M.D., Rhimes intended for it to differ from other musical television episodes. She called it the opposite of "Once More, with Feeling", the "all-out, show-stopping," musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as she aimed to "do something that was musical without being a musical."
Musical performances
Rhimes, executive producer Betsy BeersBetsy Beers
Betsy Beers is an American television producer best known for her work on Grey's Anatomy.She has served as executive producer for over sixty episodes of Grey's Anatomy since its debut in 2005, and continues as executive producer of its 2007 spin-off series, Private Practice...
and director Tony Phelan
Tony Phelan
Tony Phelan is an American television screenwriter, producer and director.Phelan is best known for his work on Grey's Anatomy, for which he has been nominated for two Emmys and three WGA awards, of which he was won one, shared with the writing team members from the show...
selected songs that became famous through their use in Grey's Anatomy, and chose "the most iconic ones, the ones that best suited [their] singers, and the ones that made the most sense." The multiple cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
s include the program's theme tune, "Cosy in the Rocket" by Psapp
Psapp
Psapp is an experimental electronica band. The band, a duo consisting of members Carim Clasmann and Galia Durant, are sometimes credited with inventing a musical style known as toytronica, a form of electronica made with toys and toy instruments...
. The primary vocalists are cast members Ramírez, McKidd, Leigh and Chandra Wilson
Chandra Wilson
Chandra Danette Wilson is an American actress and director, best known as Dr. Miranda Bailey in the ABC television drama, Grey's Anatomy.-Early life:...
. The soundtrack also includes "How to Save a Life
How to Save a Life (song)
"How to Save a Life" is a song by American rock band The Fray. It is the title track from their debut album and was released as the second single from it. The song is one of their most popular airplay songs and peaked in the top 3 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States...
" by The Fray
The Fray
-Literature:*Fray, a phenomenon in Terry Pratchett's The Carpet People*Fray , a comic book series by Joss Whedon**Melaka Fray, titular character of the comic book series-Music:*"Fray", a song from the album 14 Shades of Grey by Staind...
and "Running on Sunshine" by Jesus Jackson
Roland Clark
Roland Clark is a House Music producer, songwriter and vocalist who is featured on two Fatboy Slim releases.In the past, he has used the aliases Houseboy, Keita, Jesus Jackson, People, Roland Clark presents Digital Pimps, Roland Clark,Dark Clark, South Street Player and Urban Soul and has been in...
, performed as ensemble pieces by Ramírez, McKidd, Wilson, Leigh, Daniel Sunjata
Daniel Sunjata
Daniel Sunjata is an American actor who performs in film, television and in the theater.-Career:...
, Scott Foley
Scott Foley
Scott Kellerman Foley is an American actor. He is known for roles in television shows such as The Unit and Felicity, and in films such as Scream 3...
, Ellen Pompeo
Ellen Pompeo
Ellen Kathleen Pompeo is an American actress, known for playing the title role of Meredith Grey on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy.-Early life:...
, Justin Chambers
Justin Chambers
Justin W. Chambers is an American actor and former Calvin Klein male fashion model. As of 2005, he is starring in the ABC drama series Grey's Anatomy as Dr. Alex Karev....
, Raver and Capshaw. Ramírez, McKidd and Wilson also perform together on Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
's "Chasing Cars
Chasing Cars
"Chasing Cars" is the second single from Snow Patrol's fourth album, Eyes Open. It was recorded in 2005 and released on 6 June 2006 in the US and 24 July 2006 in the UK as the album's second single....
". Ramírez is the lead vocalist on "The Story
The Story (song)
"The Story" is a song written by Phil Hanseroth. It was released as a single by American folk rock singer Brandi Carlile in 2006, from her 2007 album The Story. The song has been covered by Sara Ramírez for Grey's Anatomy and on her 2011 extended play Sara Ramirez-Composition and recording:"The...
" by Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile is an American singer and songwriter.-Early life:At age eight, Carlile performed a rendition of the country music song "Tennessee Flat Top Box" with her mother. She began to play the guitar and write songs at fifteen. At sixteen, she began to perform as a backup singer for an Elvis...
, and "Grace" by Kate Havnevik
Kate Havnevik
Kate Havnevik is a singer and songwriter from Oslo, Norway. Her debut album, the critically acclaimed electronica infused Melankton, was released in March 2006 on iTunes and April 2006 in Norway only, before being licensed internationally later...
, which also features the other female cast members, including Leigh and Sarah Drew
Sarah Drew
Sarah Drew is an American actress. She is known for her role as Hannah Rogers in Everwood and for her role as Dr. April Kepner on Grey's Anatomy .-Personal life:...
on the chorus. Capshaw duets with Ramírez on KT Tunstall
KT Tunstall
Kate Victoria "KT" Tunstall is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist from St Andrews, Scotland. She broke into the public eye with a 2004 live solo performance of her song "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" on Later... with Jools Holland...
's "Universe & U
Eye to the Telescope
Reviews for Eye to the Telescope were positive. Mark A. Price of PopMatters gave the album a score of 7 out of 10, noting that it manages to sound "both new and familiar", mixing influences from artists like Melissa Etheridge and Fiona Apple while adding some originality of her own...
". Wilson is the lead vocalist on "Wait" by Get Set Go
Get Set Go
Get Set Go is a band formed in 2003 in Highland Park, Los Angeles, California. They are generally seen as indie rock. Their main songwriter is known as "Mike TV." They are known for a tendency to mix dark lyrics with upbeat or "catchy" melodies...
, McKidd on "How We Operate
How We Operate
How We Operate is the fifth studio album by the British rock band Gomez, which was released in May 2006. The album was produced by Gil Norton who has worked with the likes of Pixies and Foo Fighters, and was recorded at RAK Studios, London. The band have again adopted the more minimalist and...
" by Gomez
Gomez (band)
Gomez are an English indie rock band from Southport, comprising Ian Ball , Paul "Blackie" Blackburn , Tom Gray , Ben Ottewell and Olly Peacock . The band is distinguished for having three singers and four songwriters, employing traditional and electronic instruments...
, and Leigh on Anna Nalick
Anna Nalick
Anna Christine Nalick is an American singer-songwriter. Her debut album, Wreck of the Day, featuring her first radio hit, "Breathe ", was released on April 19, 2005. Nalick left her label under Sony in 2009 after a falling-out surrounding the release of her second album...
's "Breathe (2 AM)
Breathe (2 AM)
"Breathe " is a 2005 single from singer-songwriter Anna Nalick. The single was re-released in 2006 and charted at #45 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks in the United States, as well as #79 on the Australian singles charts. Breathe has been certified Gold by RIAA...
".
Music director Chris Hovarth was recruited to arrange the selected songs for the cast. The arrangements took around two months, with vocals recorded over four days in February 2011. Hovarth praised the cast's response to the episode, noting that only four performers had "serious vocal talent", while some had "barely sung in the shower" before. Those with professional singing experience include Ramírez, who won a Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
for her role in the musical Spamalot
Spamalot
Monty Python's Spamalot is a musical comedy "lovingly ripped off from" the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Like the film, it is a highly irreverent parody of the Arthurian Legend, but it differs from the film in many ways, especially in its parodies of Broadway theatre...
, and Wilson, who appeared in the Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production of Caroline, or Change
Caroline, or Change
Caroline, or Change is a through-composed musical with book and lyrics by Tony Kushner and score by Jeanine Tesori that combines spirituals, blues, Motown, classical music, and Jewish klezmer and folk music....
. Cast members' reactions toward the episode varied. Pompeo initially deemed the idea "crazy", but rescinded her stance following the first read-through. Recurring cast member Sunjata stated that singing was "a bit out of [his] comfort zone," but found it an "interesting challenge," and McKidd deemed it "very exciting to do something that's completely out on a limb for the show."
Storyline and character development
The script was written by Rhimes in November 2010. She centered the episode around Ramírez's character, Callie, and stated that the storyline would have developed regardless of whether it involved musical performances. The actress used the opportunity to launch her career as a singer-songwriter; an alternate version of "The Story" is included on her debut EP, released four days prior to the episode's premiere. The episode focuses on Callie as she hallucinates during a medical crisis. Former series regular Kate Walsh returned for the episode as neonatal surgeon Addison. The episode served to improve the relationship between Mark and Arizona. Capshaw assessed that, "The traumatic circumstance leads to them having a greater understanding of each other and then appreciation, and then need for each other and desire to be in each other’s lives. They come to care, I think, for one another."Pre-broadcast commentary
Critical response prior to broadcast was mixed. TVLineTVLine
TVLine is a website devoted to information, news and spoilers of television programs.-History:In late 2010, Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello announced that he would be leaving EW after nearly two years in their employ to establish a TV-centered website with MMC, the media company founded by...
Michael Ausiello
Michael Ausiello
Michael Ausiello is an American television industry journalist and actor. He was a Senior Writer at TV Guide and its companion website, TVGuide.com. On May 28, 2008, Ausiello left TV Guide for Entertainment Weekly and posted his first blog for Entertainment Weekly on July 2, 2008...
assessed that the episode would "either be a show-stopping triumph or a spectacular failure," with no possible middle ground. William Keck of TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
initially had "serious doubts", which were allayed by a visit to the set, during which he listened to the soundtrack. Keck likened it to the "much-beloved early seasons of Grey, when music played a vital role on the show." Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
Dan Snierson predicted heavy use of Auto Tune, though fellow EW writer Jennifer Armstrong was optimistic that the episode would be a success, commenting: "I have faith. I like musicals, I like Grey. I'm rooting for this to work."
Ratings
During its original broadcast, "Song Beneath the Song" was watched by an average of 13.09 million American viewers. It attained a 4.9/13 Nielsen rating/share in the 18–49 demographic, making it the second highest-rated program of the night, behind only American IdolAmerican Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
on Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
. The rating was the second highest of the seventh season until that point, and a 30 percent increase from the previous episode, "This is How We Do It", which was watched by 2.4 million fewer viewers.
In Canada, where the episode also aired on March 31, 2011, it was watched by 3.18 million viewers. Viewership again increased on "This is How We Do It", which attained 2.63 million viewers. However, while the preceding episode was the most-viewed scripted show for the week of its original broadcast, "Song Beneath the Song" ranked second, behind The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, both of whom serve as executive producers on the show, along with Steven Molaro. All three also serve as head writers...
.
Post-broadcast commentary
In 2011, this episode of Grey's Anatomy was ranked #19 on the TV Guide Network special, 25 Biggest TV Blunders 2Track listing
Chart history
Grey's Anatomy: The Music Event débuted at number 24 on the Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, with 19,000 copies sold. It reached number 2 on the U.S. Soundtracks chart, and was the number 5 Independent Album
Independent Albums
The Billboard Independent Albums is a chart of the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays in the United States, compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels...
. "The Story" entered the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
singles chart at number 69, and the Canadian Hot 100
Canadian Hot 100
The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007...
at 72.
External links
- "Song Beneath the Song" at ABC.com