Music and The Fictive Dream

"Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" is a timeless story that has captured the hearts of both children and adults alike. The story has been transformed into various forms, such as books, candy brands, theme park attractions, and movies, making it a cultural icon worldwide. If you have read the book or watched the film, you are probably familiar with the beloved characters of Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka. The story has many historical layers and complexities due to its various adaptations. To avoid confusion, I have chosen to analyze the musical pieces in the 1971 movie musical adaptation of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," directed by Mel Stuart, which is based on the 1964 novel "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" written by Ronald Dahl. However, I love Johnny Depp—Gene Wilder's performance as Willy Wonka was outstanding and unforgettable.    

   

                                                     I've Got a Golden Ticket

The story revolves around Charlie Bucket, the protagonist who resides in a destitute condition along with his mother and Mr. and Mrs. Bucket's parents on the outskirts of the town. They live in a small shack and share one bed, consuming cabbage soup as their daily meal. Despite Charlie's love for chocolate, they cannot afford it. What makes this situation more poignant is that their town is home to the world's largest chocolate factory, owned and run by Willy Wonka, and Charlie must pass by the factory twice daily on his way to school, which adds to his distress. The local newspaper announces that Willy Wonka will randomly give away five golden tickets hidden inside the wrapper of one of his Wonka bars. The selected individuals will be bestowed with an exceptional opportunity to explore the intricate workings of a highly advanced chocolate factory and a lifetime stock of chocolate. One day, while returning home from school, Charlie discovers misplaced money. He seizes the opportunity and heads to the nearest candy store. This decision ultimately alters his fate, and he finds the last golden ticket. As he rushes home to inform his family, a man named Slugworth jumps out of the shadows and offers him a bribe of $10,000 to smuggle an everlasting gobstopper. However, unbeknownst to Charlie and the other golden ticket winners, this is merely a part of the test to determine which of the winners is trustworthy enough to take care of the factory. This moment introduces Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley’s "I've Got a Golden Ticket," performed by Charlie Bucket and Grandpa Joe. The song encapsulates the excitement and thrill of Charlie's newfound luck. This song is also one of the most memorable and sets the stage for excitement and possibilities. Charlie has the chance to bring a guest to the chocolate factory and chooses his bedridden Grandpa, Joe. Charlie and his grandpa have always been close, and miraculously, after Charlie finds the golden ticket, his grandpa can walk again and join him on the adventure.

Beginning lyrics: “I never thought my life could be anything but catastrophe, but suddenly, I begin to see a bit of good luck for me. Cause I’ve got a golden ticket. I've got a golden twinkle in my eye. I never had a chance to shine. It's never a happy song to sing. But suddenly, half the world is mine. What an amazing thing, cause I've got a golden ticket.”

These lyrics beautifully depict Charlie's wondrous turn of events despite his challenging situation. Amongst all the children who stumbled upon golden tickets, Charlie's discovery was truly miraculous. The other children had a slightly better chance of finding their tickets due to their parent's financial resources, allowing them to purchase more candy bars and increase their odds. The song masterfully builds up the excitement and anticipation of the film, leaving you rooting for Charlie throughout his journey. This backstory makes it easy for me and the audience to relate to Charlie. It's easy to root for the hard-working underdog, making this song and story all the more enjoyable.

The lyrics "I never thought I’d see the day when I would face the world and say Good morning, look at the sun" could suggest overcoming severe depression, considering the film's dark theme. Grandpa Joe sings these lyrics when he realizes he is no longer bedridden as if the magic of the Wonka Ticket has cured his debilitation. 

Willy Wonka's musical composition captures the essence of imagination and inspiration. The lyrics, "I never dreamed that I would climb over the moon in ecstasy," as sung by Grandpa Joe, perfectly embody the magical and uplifting nature of the story. The musical score's technical excellence is showcased in the way it seamlessly integrates with the plot to create a cohesive and immersive experience for the audience.

                    

                                                                 I Want It Now

During the tour of the chocolate factory, Willy Wonka had to deal with the mischievous behavior of the Golden Ticket winners. He eventually eliminated them one by one. In Roald Dahl's book, the name Veruca is associated with “warts that grow on the back of his feet,” which gives an idea of how Roald Dahl felt about the character of Veruca Salt. Veruca Salt was a spoiled and self-centered girl whose parents always gave in to her demands. When the golden tickets were announced, Veruca demanded that her father's staff unwrap chocolate bars until they found a golden ticket for her. Veruca insisted on having one of the geese during the tour despite Willy Wonka's refusal to sell them. This scene shows the consequences of Veruca's inability to handle rejection for the first time in her life. The movie emphasizes the importance of making morally sound decisions and highlights the negative consequences of poor choices. To no surprise, she goes down as a "Bad egg."

The lyrics are: "I want today, I want tomorrow, I want to wear them like braids in my hair, and I don't want to share them! I want a party with rooms full of laughter and ten thousand tons of ice cream, and if I don't get the things I'm after, I'm going to scream!"

The song "I Want It Now" is performed by Julie Dawn Cole, with lyrics and music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Julie Dawn Cole is the actress who plays the role of Veruca Salt in the movie, a twelve-year-old girl who finds the second golden ticket. Veruca's character is particularly noteworthy as she embodies all the undesirable traits that Willy Wonka wants to avoid in a potential heir to the chocolate factory. Her remarkable performance perfectly captures the essence of a highly unsuitable successor. Julie Dawn Coles delivered an exceptional performance of the song "I Want It Now" in a single take. The song presented a challenge with its intricate rhythms and the need to incorporate syncopated beats seamlessly. In addition, the performance included elaborate choreography and props like boxes and ribbons, which added an element of risk. Despite the complexity of the presentation, Coles flawlessly executed the performance. It was said that the day this was filmed was Julie's birthday.

                    

                                                Pure Imagination

Charlie's character is wise and empathetic enough to return the Gobstopper to Willy Wonka, even after receiving a final rant from him. This act proves that Charlie is chosen to take over the chocolate factory. The movie concludes with the enchanting melody of "Pure Imagination," playing as Willy Wonka and Charlie ascend in the Wonkavator. Despite Roald Dahl's opinion that the piece was too cheerful, the song's chord progression is lovely and timeless. The music resonates deeply within us, evoking emotions from our childhood that simultaneously leave us happy and sad. This is a testament to the remarkable power of a timeless song and its ability to connect with people on a deep emotional level.

“If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it, Anything you want to, do it.
Want to change the world? There's nothing to it.”These Lyrics from Pure Imagination are haunting because of the level of nostalgia. Wilder's soft speaking voice and soft tone create a whimsical combination. The way Gene Wilder can nail crescendos makes the songs even more powerful.

The classic film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is often linked to the iconic tune "Pure Imagination," written by British songwriters Leslie Bricussee and Anthony Newley in 1971 specifically for the movie. The late Gene Wilder famously performed the song and is a beloved addition to the film. Interestingly, the song was written in a brief phone conversation and completed within a day. Additionally, the song has been covered by the funk metal band Primus. Their album, "Primus and the Chocolate Factory, with the Funji ensemble," features an impressive rendition of "Pure Imagination," along with covers of "The Candy Man" and "I've Got a Golden Ticket." I highly recommend listening to this album, as their versions of these classic songs are some of my favorites.

                   

The core message of Willy Wonka is that honesty, diligence, and innovative thinking can lead to a radical transformation in one's life. The enduring impact of this message is convincingly portrayed in the movie's songs, which continue to evoke deep emotions and resonate with audiences even after more than five decades since the film's release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJzV5bMbuU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zcVnNwAHys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k8nbpFKAsI

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_and_the_Chocolate_Factory_(franchise)

https://genius.com/Jack-albertson-ive-got-a-golden-ticket-lyrics

https://genius.com/Julie-dawn-cole-i-want-it-now-oompa-loompa-lyrics

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primus_%26_the_Chocolate_Factory_with_the_Fungi_Ensemble

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willy_Wonka_(musical)