Turn it Off!
Posted on Jul 13th, 2011 by Allison (Music / Entertainment)

Virtually every morning for the past 2 weeks, I have awakened with one (or more) of the songs from Book of Mormon, the musical, playing in my head. Brandon had purchased the cd, and we listened to it over and over again while I was in Costa Rica.

The songs are so catchy that they just stick in your head and won’t go away. But that’s ok, because I simply love the soundtrack.

Since it was written by the brilliantly funny South Park boys (who refer to this musical as their love-letter to Mormonism), and the musical genius Robert Lopez (Avenue Q) I expected some profanity and crudeness. They have built their career on crudeness and pushing the envelope, and I can handle most of what they throw out on South Park. But three of these numbers are a bit too much for me and I have them “unchecked” in iTunes so they don’t play. Most songs, however, are simply delightful – catchy, fun, clever, brilliant or just plain silly.

If you love musicals you really need to listen to a few of these songs. Even if… no, especially if you’re Mormon (with a sense of humor), since you’ll get all the inside jokes. Some of the best musical theater music I’ve ever heard.


You can hear most on YouTube – the one I’ve got here on the page is Hello! Listen and enjoy!

My three favorite numbers are:

  • Hello! – the perfect opening number. And every time I listen to it I catch some clever phrase I missed before. “Eternal life is super fun!”
  • Two by Two – the missionaries get paired up and learn where they’re going. Favorite line: “We’re fighting for our cause, but we’re really, really nice!” Plus the clever play on the word “of” used throughout.
  • I Believe. Beautiful ballad the lead missionary sings as he comes through his crisis of faith. Though I thought it would have been more appropriately titled “I know” – since that is how most Mormons share their beliefs… But “I know” doesn’t roll as musically off tongue, so “I believe” is a better fit. One swear word you probably miss if you’re not listening carefully.

Other fun numbers (no profanity):

  • You And Me (But Mostly Me)
  • Turn It Off! (what was playing in my head when I decided to write this post)
  • Man up – ridiculously silly and makes me laugh.
  • Baptize Me… this is so clever. Very sweet, very innocent – but what a double entendre! I just have to shake my head and laugh.
  • And Spooky Mormon Hell Dream – ridiculous. Very South Park. Picture the South Park version of hell…

The songs I’d suggest you stay away from, if you don’t want to ingest the most offensive stuff. Trust me… you can’t “unhear” it once you have…

  • Last half of Hasa Diga Eebowai – the first half is fun. Last half (when they explain what it means) get’s pretty bad.
  • Making Things Up Again
  • Joseph Smith American Moses

Have you listened the music? Do you love it? Hate it? Have a favorite song? Which one is playing in your head? 🙂

Buy it now!

The Book of Mormon (Original Broadway Cast Recording) - The Book of Mormon - Original Broadway Cast

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Comments

Jennifer Pearce on July 13th, 2011 at 5:15 pm

Very entertaining music and lyrics. Made for some fun drives! 🙂


Ashley Rae on July 13th, 2011 at 5:29 pm

The only song I have heard is “I Believe”, which I thought was hysterical. I am looking forward to hearing the rest of the CD when we come to visit you! 🙂


Michelle on July 13th, 2011 at 5:59 pm

I love it! I enjoy the same songs as you do, especially Turn it Off..like a light switch, lol. Love I Believe…And I Believe; that in 1978 God changed his mind about black people! So very clever and extremely catchy. Now we need to see the play.


GoodReason on July 13th, 2011 at 6:52 pm

So glad I’m not the only one who wakes up with these songs in my head! Usually it’s ‘Turn It Off’.

The songs are great, but kind of clamorous at 6am. Couldn’t I wake up to something ambient?


Chris on July 13th, 2011 at 9:21 pm

Was ‘I Believe’ performed on the Tony’s? I think that’s the one I saw and loved it. Very, very clever.


Ken on July 14th, 2011 at 12:49 am

They nailed mormon culture! Great score. Now, I’ve gotta get my butt back to NYC to see it.


paul on July 14th, 2011 at 8:25 am

I down loded the sound track as soon as iTunes had it available. I burned it and we listened to it on a road trip and also burned another copy and shared it with our friends in No Carolina when we were there. I think it’s hilarious. I agree there are a couple songs that are hard to listen to but I do anyway.


Kristin on July 15th, 2011 at 3:27 pm

I have had these stuck in my head and they have been the background music to my dreams (which frankly doesn’t worth that well). But they are are brilliant.


craig on July 16th, 2011 at 11:00 am

I can’t wait to get my own planet too!!! I believe!


Sunday in Outer Blogness: Bodies Edition! | Main Street Plaza on July 17th, 2011 at 6:18 am

[…] moral conclusions — hip urbanites aren’t all saints. And with all the discussion of the Book of Mormon musical, I think it’s important to highlight what some real Mormons are actually doing in […]


Brandon on July 17th, 2011 at 7:33 pm

I’m so glad you did a post about this! Such a fun soundtrack. Yeah, the are only certain parts of the songs I can listen to. I’m thinking of doing some editing so I don’t have to keep muting the trcks, especially when the kids are listening.

Also, You left out a couple of my other favorites:
Sal Tlay Ka Siti (Salt Lake City)
All-American Prophet

I like these both more than Spooky Mormon Hell Dream, which actually does have some profanity. Very clever show, though, and they really did nail Mormon culture, and have so many fun inside jokes that only Mormons would get. It would be fun to see this show to see what goes in in between the songs.


Allison on July 19th, 2011 at 10:25 am

Brandon, thanks for adding in SalTlay Ka Siti… and All-American Prophet. I sort of ran out of steam before I finished the post and forgot them.

I do find myself singing, “Sal Tlay Ka Siti… the most perfect place on earth…..”

I do like both of them more than Spooky Mormon Hell Dream – I just mentioned it because it’s so bizarre…. so very SOUTH PARK.

Really hope to see the musical one day.


Allison on August 2nd, 2011 at 12:51 am

I can’t help myself… I’ve been listening to all the songs… they just get funnier and funnier.

Are any of you friends with Elder Price on Facebook? He is absolutely keeping me in stitches…


Ken on August 2nd, 2011 at 2:36 am

His response on Mormon.org to the question, “What historical sights will you be visiting this summer?” with, “Mountain Meadows Massacre,” was BRILLIANT!


Ashley Rae on August 2nd, 2011 at 2:57 pm

Yes, these songs have been in my head for a full week, now. lol. And kennedy keeps walking around singing them, as well. “Sal Tlay Ka Siti!” and “Turn it off!” It’s hilarious.

Such great and catchy music.

“The war lords there are friendly… they help you cross the street…”


Jill on August 7th, 2011 at 3:38 pm

I can’t let this review go by without calling you out on your omission of Bobby Lopez as part of the songwriting team. Parker/Stone have done some songs, but it’s Lopez who takes what should never, ever have worked and turned it into a Broadway Smash. Lopez knows his show tune conventions, and turns them on their ear. Go out and buy the cast album from AVENUE Q (which Lopez co-wrote with Jeff Marx) and you’ll see what I mean.


Allison on August 7th, 2011 at 11:32 pm

That was a glaring omission **hangs head in shame***

Thanks for calling me out. Yes – Bobby is a creative genius and should not have been left out! I love the Avenue Q music.


Jennifer George on December 10th, 2011 at 8:53 am

I love everything about this. Granted, I’ve been a big South Park fan for years. The controversy just amuses me.
I got some Book of Mormon tickets this summer and I’ve been humming the tunes ever since. I’m going to have to get the cast recording.


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