The Best Of Times Lyrics
The Best Of Times
Albin:This is a little song,
Nostalgic and unique-eh!
I learned to sing this song before I learned to speak-eh!
I learned to sing this song
Upon my mother's knee,
And she learned to sing this song
Upon her mother's knee,
And her mother learned this song
Upon her mother's knee,
And if your mother sang that little song to you,
Then sing along with me.
The best of times is now.
What's left of Summer
But a faded rose?
The best of times is now.
As for tomorrow,
Well, who knows? Who knows? Who knows?
So hold this moment fast,
And live and love
As hard as you know how.
And make this moment last
Because the best of times is now,
Is now, is now.
Now, not some forgotten yesterday.
Now, tomorrow is too far away.
So hold this moment fast,
And live and love
As hard as you know how.
And make this moment last,
Because the best of times is now,
Is now, is now.
Albin, Jacqueline:
The best of times is now.
What's left of summer
But a faded rose?
The best of times is now.
As for tomorrow,
Well, who knows? Who knows? Who knows?
So hold this moment fast,
And live and love
As hard as you know how.
And make this moment last,
Because the best of times is now,
Albin:
Is now,
Angelique:
Is now, is now is now, is now.
Albin, Jacqueline:
Now!
Tabarro:
Now!
Albin, Jacqueline:
Not some forgotten yesterday
Pepe:
Yesterday!
Albin, Jacqueline:
Now!
Babette:
Now!
Albin, Jacqueline:
Tomorrow is too far away.
M. Renaud, Waiters:
So hold this moment fast,
And live and love
As hard as you know how.
Female Singers:
And make this moment last,
Because the best of times is now,
Is now, is now
All:
The best of times is now.
What's left of Summer
But a faded rose?
The best of times is now.
As for tomorrow,
Well, who knows? Who knows? Who knows?
So hold this moment fast,
And live and love
As hard as you know how.
And make this moment last
Because the best of times is now,
Is now, is now.
Now, not some forgotten yesterday.
Now, tomorrow is too far away.
So hold this moment fast,
And live and love
As hard as you know how.
And make this moment last,
Because the best of times is now, is now.
So hold this moment fast,
And live and love
As hard as you know how.
And make this moment last,
Because the best of times is now,
Is now, is now
Is now, is NOW!
Song Overview

Song Credits
- Artist: Jerry Herman
- Featuring: Elizabeth Parrish & George Hearn
- Producer: Thomas Z. Shepard
- Writer: Jerry Herman
- Album: La Cage Aux Folles (Original Cast Recording)
- Track Number: 12
- Release Year: 1983
- Genre: Musical Theatre
- Language: English
- Copyrights © 1983 RCA Victor
Song Meaning and Annotations

“The Best of Times” by Jerry Herman is the champagne toast of La Cage Aux Folles. It bursts with effervescence, but there's a hint of wistfulness underneath the sparkle — like a party thrown in defiance of sorrow. Sung in the face of uncertainty, this number is a communal anthem, a gentle reminder that right now — not yesterday, not maybe-someday — is all we really have.
Carpe Diem, in Cabaret Shoes
The best of times is now / What's left of summer but a faded rose?
That metaphor — the “faded rose” — perfectly captures how quickly beauty, youth, love, or summer can wilt. But rather than mourn, the lyrics choose celebration. It's not about clinging to the past, but about savoring the moment like a sip of good wine.
A Musical Philosophy
There’s no dense plot twist or philosophical puzzle here. Just truth, wrapped in melody. It's advice passed down in song form:
So hold this moment fast / And live and love as hard as you know how
The lines are simple, but there's a reason they linger. They come from a place of earned wisdom. In a story about chosen family, drag artistry, and love that doesn't fit society’s mold, this refrain hits even harder. These aren't just general musings — they're survival tactics. Carpe Diem, but with glitter.
Collective Joy
This isn’t a solo number. It’s designed as a chorus — a unifier. Whether sung on stage, at a wedding, or in a small club at 2 a.m., it brings people together. That repetition —
The best of times is now, is now, is now
— drives the point home like a mantra. If “I Am What I Am” is the defiant solo, “The Best of Times” is the group hug that follows.
Similar Songs

- “Seasons of Love” by the Cast of RENT
Both songs use time as a central metaphor — a reminder that life is fleeting. “Seasons of Love” measures it in love and community, much like “The Best of Times.” The emotional arc is similar: hope, grounded in reality. - “Put On a Happy Face” from Bye Bye Birdie
Though lighter and more comedic, this song also rallies against gloom. It encourages joy as resistance, just as Jerry Herman does. The tone is different, but the heartbeat is the same. - “Thank You for the Music” by ABBA
Another track that acknowledges the passage of time while celebrating joy. Both songs walk the line between nostalgia and exuberance, using song as both escape and embrace.
Questions and Answers

- What is the central message of “The Best of Times”?
- It’s a reminder to live fully in the present. The song encourages embracing life’s fleeting joys instead of worrying about an uncertain future or clinging to a nostalgic past.
- Why does the song mention a “faded rose”?
- The faded rose symbolizes how beauty and good times can wither. It's a poetic way of saying: don’t wait, because everything lovely is temporary.
- Is this a solo or ensemble number in the musical?
- It’s a group number, led by characters like Albin and Jacqueline, designed to be uplifting and inclusive — often performed with the full cast and lots of audience engagement.
- How does this song fit into the story of La Cage Aux Folles?
- It acts as an emotional balm during a moment of tension, helping the characters — and the audience — reset and remember what really matters: love, connection, and celebration.
- Has this song been used outside of the musical?
- Yes. It’s often used in cabarets, LGBTQ+ events, and even weddings. Its message of seizing joy resonates far beyond the proscenium arch.
Fan and Media Reactions
"This is the kind of song that makes you want to dance and cry at the same time." – YouTube user: StageDoorSoul
"Every Pride event should end with this. It’s joy in its purest form." – YouTube user: LavishDramaQueen
"When George Hearn hits that final ‘is now’? Instant serotonin." – YouTube user: CurtainCallMeMaybe
"It’s so simple, yet so life-affirming. This song should be a mantra for 2025." – YouTube user: Heartstrings72
"Jerry Herman knew how to write for the heart. And this one lands right in the center." – YouTube user: MusicalRealist