Exploring "Would You Fall In Love With Me Again" by Jorge Rivera-Herrans & Anna Lea
Song Credits
- Featuring Artist(s): Jorge Rivera-Herrans & Anna Lea
- Writer: Jorge Rivera-Herrans
- Release Date: December 25, 2024
- Album: EPIC: The Musical
- Label: Winion Entertainment LLC
- Musical Genre: Pop, Musical Theatre
- Language: English
Song Meaning
"Would You Fall In Love With Me Again" is a poignant moment in *EPIC: The Musical*, where the characters Odysseus and Penelope finally reunite after 20 years of trials, suffering, and separation. This emotional ballad focuses on Odysseus’ return to Ithaca and his intense self-reflection about whether Penelope could still love him after everything he has done and become.
The song begins with Odysseus’ weary and broken words, “I am not the man you fell in love with,” which immediately sets the tone for the struggle he feels. After everything he has gone through, from brutal battles to self-destructive decisions, Odysseus doubts whether Penelope would accept him again. This internal conflict is compounded by his belief that the man she once loved has been replaced by a version of himself he finds monstrous.
The lyrics "Would you fall in love with me again, if you knew all I’ve done?" convey a deep sense of guilt and regret. Odysseus is consumed by his actions throughout his journey and questions whether these have irreparably damaged his relationship with Penelope.
ANNOTATIONS: In the Odyssey, Athena transforms Odysseus into a beggar, allowing him to observe the state of Ithaca without being recognized. This disguise proves effective, as even Penelope cannot recognize him when he approaches her. However, it is unlikely that this happened in EPIC, as Athena is only revealed to be alive after Odysseus has already arrived in Ithaca, and both Telemachus and Penelope recognized him on sight.
During this break, both Odysseus' and Penelope's motifs/motif instruments can be heard in beautiful, chaotic harmony together. As Penelope's bedroom door creaks open, she greets her husband at last. After a 10-year war, cyclops encounter, terrifying storm, sleep deprivation, fighting gods, watching everyone die, being trapped on an island for 7 years with a woman obsessed with him, sailing back to Ithaca, fighting Poseidon into surrendering, and killing 108 men, Odysseus should be exhausted.
Penelope's comment could imply that Odysseus has gotten significantly thinner since she last saw him, likely due to the fact that he and his men did not eat for much of the voyage after their food supplies ran low in Full Speed Ahead. Throughout the 20 years away from Ithaca, Odysseus faced serious obstacles and pain. His hopes were shattered over and over, his friends killed in front of him, and he had to do monstrous actions, turning him from a man to a monster. He has PTSD from everything he's been through, and he cannot smile the same way as he used to do before.
Odysseus acknowledges that he has, in fact, become the monster and accepted that ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves. The melody of "Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves" is used to describe this change. Odysseus holds incredible guilt for all he's done and couldn't control, and he doesn't believe he is worthy of his wife's love, as he has become a monster.
Penelope is testing Odysseus to make sure it is truly him by asking him to lift their wedding bed, built into an olive tree, knowing that it is impossible. If Odysseus also knows that what she is asking him to do cannot be done, then it proves that he is her husband.
A final harmonization between Penelope and Odysseus answers the question posed by the title of the song: Penelope will always choose to love Odysseus, no matter the pain he has been through and no matter the pain he has caused himself. After 20 years of suffering and trauma, Odysseus can relax, live in peace, rule his kingdom, and no longer be hurt by the people around him because he has Penelope's love with him always.
Penelope's Test and Unwavering Love
Penelope’s response is a reflection of her strength and deep understanding of their bond. She challenges Odysseus to prove himself by asking him to move their wedding bed, knowing full well that it cannot be done. This test serves as a way to ensure that the man standing before her is truly her husband, Odysseus, as only he would know the bed’s true construction. This iconic moment is a metaphor for the enduring love between them, built not just on romantic ideals but on shared memories and symbols. Despite Odysseus’ transformations—both physical and emotional—Penelope reassures him that she will always love him. Her words, "I will fall in love with you over and over again," signal that their love is resilient, enduring the challenges of time and tragedy. The deep bond between the two is reaffirmed by Penelope’s forgiveness, signaling that true love is not only about accepting the perfect moments but also embracing the flaws and scars that make one whole.Musical and Emotional Dynamics
The song's structure reflects the emotional turbulence of the scene. There is a gradual build-up to the harmonization between Odysseus and Penelope, symbolizing the reunion not only of bodies but of hearts. The song intertwines the motifs associated with both characters, signaling that they have come full circle after their trials. The final harmonization between them emphasizes that despite the years and the changes, their love remains unshaken.Songs Sharing Similar Themes
- 'I Will Always Love You' by Whitney Houston: This iconic ballad shares the theme of eternal love despite challenges and separation. Like Penelope and Odysseus, it speaks to the enduring nature of love that transcends time and hardship.
- 'The Prayer' by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli: This song explores themes of longing, devotion, and the hope that love will bring them back together. It resonates with the yearning in Odysseus’ heart, as he asks if Penelope would love him again after all the pain and distance.
- 'Come Back to Me' by David Cook: Similar to Odysseus’ questioning of whether his partner can still love him, this song expresses the desire for reconciliation and a return to a once-perfect relationship, filled with vulnerability and the hope for forgiveness.
Questions and Answers
- Why does Odysseus question Penelope’s love for him?
- Odysseus questions Penelope's love because he feels he has become a different person due to the traumatic events he has experienced. He believes his actions, both monstrous and self-serving, may have destroyed the love they once shared.
- What does Penelope’s request to move the wedding bed symbolize?
- Penelope’s request symbolizes the deep bond they share, as only Odysseus would know that the bed is immovable, a metaphor for the unbreakable nature of their love. It serves as a test to confirm his identity, but also represents her desire for confirmation that their love has remained steadfast despite the passage of time.
- How does the song reflect the theme of love in *EPIC: The Musical*?
- The song embodies the central theme of love's endurance in *EPIC: The Musical*. Despite the passage of time and the pain both characters have endured, they are able to reconnect and reaffirm their love, showing that true love transcends hardship and transformation.
Awards and Chart Positions
- While "Would You Fall In Love With Me Again" has not yet been released as a single, *EPIC: The Musical* is highly anticipated to perform well in both musical theater and digital music charts.
- The song’s emotional depth and the powerful performances from Jorge Rivera-Herrans and Anna Lea are expected to receive accolades in the musical theater community.
Fan and Media Reactions
"I’ve never been so moved by a song. The lyrics, the harmonies, the emotion — they all come together so beautifully. I’m still crying!" — A fan’s emotional reaction to the song.
"The moment when Odysseus and Penelope harmonize at the end is so powerful. It feels like all of their suffering and love culminates in this beautiful, tragic moment." — A theater critic’s review.
"This is one of the most profound and touching moments I’ve seen in a musical. It’s like the love story of Odysseus and Penelope has been waiting for this song to say everything they’ve been through." — A fan on social media.