The 3 Best and Worst Songs in ‘Oliver!’ to Celebrate 55 Years

Not many movie musicals stand the test of time the way Oliver! has. Over five decades since the film was released in 1968 and almost everyone is familiar with some quote or song from the production. Lionel Bart’s 1960 staged production was one of the forerunners of adapting musicals into movies (something we’re still doing today with upcoming films like Wicked and the Mean Girls musical).

While many people may not be familiar with Oliver!’s full soundtrack, many had to read the original Charles Dickens novel in school. But just as a refresher, the story follows orphan Oliver Twist as he finds himself entrenched in Fagin’s Gang of orphans who get by pickpocketing the upper-class echelon of London. With the help of Mr. Brownlow, Oliver gets out of the dangers of the gang, but sadly, their friend, Nancy, does not. As the story is told through song, here are the three best and worst songs featured in Oliver!

Best: “I’d Do Anything”

“I’d Do Anything” may just seem like a silly tune, but it carries so much weight in developing the characters and relationships between Nancy, Oliver, and the other boys in Fagin’s gang. It’s not only a cute and catchy tune, but it provides a window into a day in the life of a London thief. Many days are hard, grueling, and depressing, as we see in the second act, but every so often, the boys get to play and be silly. And at the bottom of it all, there is a deep love between many of the characters, in which they’d “do anything” for each other, even go to Timbuktu… and back again!

Worst: “Boy for Sale”

This song is not only depressing as far as Oliver’s journey goes, but it also is just not fun to listen to. Mr. Bumble gets so mad at Oliver for simply asking for more, with the most polite tone a young boy could be asked to use, that he parades him through the streets as an indentured servant for sale. The fact that people could just buy orphans to work for them was not only despicable, but the song is so demoralizing that it ends with Oliver literally in a coffin.

Best: “As Long As He Needs Me”

“As Long As He Needs Me” is one of those beautiful ballads that’s so simple, yet makes you cry every time you hear it. The song is Nancy’s big number as she reckons with being in an abusive relationship. In many ways, this number is what makes Oliver! so ahead of its time in trying to comprehend the complexity of abusive relationships. 

Worst: “Who Will Buy?”

The song, “Who Will Buy?” is basically seven minutes of boredom. The lyrics are basically just “who will buy” over and over again, and all the song does is set a scene. While there is a short emotional burst sung by Oliver, most of the song is there to show the contrast between a beautiful day living in a mansion versus living out on the streets. The difference is that it’s boring.

Best: “Food, Glorious Food”

Maybe one of the best songs in theater history, “Food, Glorious Food” communicates both a feeling and an idea. Plus, when seeing it performed live, the choreography tends to be inspired every time. Throughout the song, we understand both the hunger and the hope behind the orphans as they sing about “hot sausage and mustard!”

Worst: “Reviewing the Situation”

Many of the songs in Oliver! have a purpose, and “Reviewing the Situation” is one of them. It’s Fagin’s big denouement. He realizes that although he was “helping” his boys, he was sentencing them to a life not unlike his own. He’s a criminal and he vows to change! While the song seems like an honest attempt, he goes right back to his thieving ways afterward. And melodically, it’s just kind of a dud.

So “Consider Yourself” prepared to sing along to an Oliver! re-watch!