Roaring On Lyrics - Great Gatsby, The

Cover for Great Gatsby, The album
Great Gatsby, The Lyrics
  1. Act I
  2. Roaring On
  3. Absolute Rose
  4. New Money
  5. For Her
  6. Valley of Ashes
  7. Second-Hand Suit
  8. For Better or Worse
  9. The Met
  10. Only Tea
  11. My Green Light
  12. Act II
  13. Shady
  14. Better Hold Tight
  15. Past Is Catching Up to Me
  16. La Dee Dah With You
  17. Go
  18. Made to Last
  19. For Better or Worse (Reprise)
  20. One-Way Road
  21. God Sees Everything
  22. For Her (Reprise)
  23. New Money (Reprise)
  24. Beautiful Little Fool
  25. Finale: Roaring On

Roaring On Lyrics

Nick and Company

Roaring On

[NICK CARRAWAY]
I left my home in Minnesota
To escape a kind of restlessness
I couldn't shake after the war
And when I stepped off of the train at Pennsylvania Station
I felt that restlessness even more
All of New York City wanted what was coming next
Everyone was lookin' for what I was lookin' for

[ENSEMBLE]
Tonight let's misbehave
And take what happens to the grave
No matter what you crave
The city's reignited
The Great War has been won
The bacchanalia has begun
Manhattan's come undone
And everyone's invited
Where's the party and can you take me there?
And when the party's over, can you find another party somewhere?
We live for today, we pay off the cops
And today is never over if the party never stops
Where's the party and can you take me there?
And when the party's over, can you find another party somewhere?
We live for today, we pay off the cops
And when you think the party stops
The party's roaring on!
The party's roaring on!
And we'll beat on and on and on and on
And on and on and on
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[NICK, spoken]
The practical thing was to find rooms in Manhattan. Turns out
Manhattan is expensive. So when I heard of a cottage on the grounds of a Long Island mansion for 80 bucks a month, I jumped on it!

[LOW ENSEMBLE MEMBER #1, sung]
A rumor's goin' round
About a mansion on the Sound

[HIGH ENSEMBLE MEMBER #1 & LOW ENSEMBLE MEMBER #1]
The city's found another John Jacob Astor

[HIGH ENSEMBLE MEMBER #2]
He opens up his place
Then disappears without a trace

[HIGH ENSEMBLE]
His parties set the pace
And he takes it faster

[ENSEMBLE]
Where's the party and can you take me there?
And when the party's over, can you find another party somewhere?
We live for today, we pay off the cops
And when you think the party stops
The party's roaring on!
The party's roaring on!
And we'll beat on and on and on and on
And on and on and on
[NICK]
One evening I went down to the shoreline
Here is what I'll never forget
There was my neighbor
Standing in silhouette
He was reaching 'cross the water
His arm stretched to the sky
And then he was gone
And I was left to wonder why
I turned back to my cottage
What was he reaching for?
Then a letter from my neighbor
Fell to the floor

[NICK, spoken]
"The honor would be entirely mine if you would attend my next little party
Yours
Jay Gatsby"

[NICK, sung]
The very first time I saw Gatsby's name
If only I knew then that I would never be the same

[ENSEMBLE]
Where's the party and can you take me there?
[NICK]
He hypnotized the city

[ENSEMBLE]
Yeah, take me there

[NICK]
We were drawn to him like moths to a flame
Was there some other way

[ENSEMBLE]
Some other way

[NICK]
This all could have gone?

[ENSEMBLE]
This all could've gone

[NICK]
Before he crossed the Rubicon

[ENSEMBLE]
Woo!

[ENSEMBLE]
The party's roaring on

[NICK]
He had the world at his feet

[ENSEMBLE]
The party's roaring on

[NICK]
Oh, he made the summer beat on and on and on

[ENSEMBLE]
Oh, we beat on and on and on and on and on and on

[NICK]
The party's roaring on

[ENSEMBLE]
The party's roaring on

[NICK]
The party's roaring on

[ENSEMBLE]
The party's roaring on
And we'll beat on and on and on and on

[NICK]
And on

[ENSEMBLE]
And on

[NICK]
And on

[ENSEMBLE]
And on
And on

[NICK]
And on

[NICK & ENSEMBLE]
And on


Lyrics Meaning and impact of "Roaring On" by Noah J. Ricketts & Original Broadway Cast of The Great Gatsby.

Roaring On Lyrics video by Noah J. Ricketts & Original Broadway Cast of The Great Gatsby - A New Musical
Noah J. Ricketts & Original Broadway Cast of The Great Gatsby - A New Musical singing the 'Roaring On' lyrics in the music video.

Song info:

  • Featuring Artist(s): Original Broadway Cast of The Great Gatsby
  • Producer(s): Jason Howland, Nathan Tysen
  • Composer: Jason Howland
  • Writer: Jason Howland, Nathan Tysen
  • Release Date: June 8, 2024
  • Musical Genre: Musical Theatre
  • Album: The Great Gatsby - A New Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
  • Track #: 1
  • Language(s): English
  • Mood: Exuberant, Reflective
  • Tags: Broadway, Musical, Jazz Age

Song meaning.

Noah J. Ricketts & Original Broadway Cast of The Great Gatsby - A New Musical performing song Roaring On
Performance of 'Roaring On' by Noah J. Ricketts & Original Broadway Cast of The Great Gatsby - A New Musical in the music video.
"Roaring On" throws us headfirst into the champagne-soaked, jazz-driven chaos of post-World War I New York. It’s a bright, decadent, and almost feverish tribute to the cultural high of the Roaring Twenties — but with the looming shadow of something darker, lurking behind the glittering chandeliers and extravagant parties. Nick Carraway, our narrator, steps off the train chasing meaning — or maybe just distraction. The lines set up a central theme: that post-war America was restless and searching. The ensemble reflects a collective hedonism, the desire to escape and feel something, anything, that wasn’t the war. "Where’s the party and can you take me there?" isn’t just a question — it’s an existential plea.

The song’s architecture and instrumentation:

The track swings with lavish Broadway orchestration layered with jazz-age urgency — the flutes flutter like champagne bubbles, drums mimic footsteps racing toward midnight mischief, and Nick’s lines are conversational, grounding us in his transformation.

Breakdown of central verses and images:

“Tonight let's misbehave / And take what happens to the grave” – The revelers don't just drink, they bury secrets. This line echoes the core theme of The Great Gatsby: beautiful surfaces hiding tragic depths. “We pay off the cops / And when you think the party stops / The party’s roaring on” – Here’s the raw tension: the party is artificial, propped up by bribery and lawbreaking, hinting at a world where pleasure comes with a price. “One evening I went down to the shoreline…” – This key verse is Gatsby’s emotional reveal. He’s a man trying to grasp something across the bay — a love, a dream — a recurring metaphor straight from Fitzgerald’s novel.

Which songs share same dreams of escape and illusion?

Thumbnail from Roaring On lyric video by Noah J. Ricketts & Original Broadway Cast of The Great Gatsby - A New Musical
A screenshot from the 'Roaring On' music video, capturing the mood and meaning of the song.
  1. "All That Jazz" by the cast of Chicago: Another razzle-dazzle number bursting with glam and danger. Both pieces dive into indulgent nightlife, but while "Roaring On" has undertones of yearning, "All That Jazz" is pure razzmatazz. Both deliver biting commentary under the party surface.
  2. "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" by ABBA: Though from a different era, this song mirrors the frantic hunger for connection. The disco beat masks emotional desperation. Just like Gatsby's guests chase thrills, ABBA’s anthem is about filling a void with dance and glitter.
  3. "The Glamorous Life" from A Little Night Music: Sondheim’s gem speaks to the allure of wealth and celebrity — much like Gatsby’s mysterious lifestyle. But beneath the surface glitz, both songs reveal the hollowness of dreams built on illusions.

Questiong and Answers.

What does Nick’s restlessness represent in the opening lines?
It reflects the post-war disillusionment experienced by many young men of the era. His journey mirrors a generation’s need to redefine identity after surviving trauma.
Why is Gatsby reaching toward the water so symbolic?
It visually represents longing — a man chasing something intangible. The gesture reflects his hope for Daisy and, metaphorically, the unattainable American Dream.
Why do the party scenes feel both exciting and hollow?
Because they mirror a culture of excess built on fragile foundations — false friendships, bootleg money, and unfulfilled dreams. The noise masks a deep loneliness.
Scene from Roaring On track by Noah J. Ricketts & Original Broadway Cast of The Great Gatsby - A New Musical
Visual effects scene from 'Roaring On' enhancing the experience of the song words and music.

Which awards and chart positions did composition Achieve?

While specific awards for "Roaring On" are still forthcoming due to its recent release, the musical itself has garnered considerable attention on Broadway. As the opening track, it has been highlighted in early reviews as a standout ensemble piece capturing the Jazz Age’s fever pitch. Its presence on musical theatre streaming charts is growing, with high listener engagement.

Fan and Media Reactions.

Initial audience response on platforms like YouTube has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Fans praised the theatrical grandeur and how it channels the original novel’s tone into a musical language.
Absolutely electric! The opening number gave me chills. I felt like I was back in the 1920s!
Musical Theatre Fan
The ensemble vocals are insane, and the buildup is perfect. That final "and on and on" part? Genius.
@JazzHandsDaily
Nick Carraway’s narration has never felt more real. Noah J. Ricketts nails it — vulnerable and sharp.
@BroadwayBuzzTalk
This is how you open a musical. The choreography, the sound, the DRAMA!
@StageLightsRising
Love how they worked in Fitzgerald’s language — “beat on, boats against the current...” chills.
@BooksAndBroadway

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