It must be a requirement for a Broadway musical to have a love song. It seems like every Valentine's Day, blogs roll out a list of great Broadway love songs. The Sun Times recommends "If I Loved You" from Carousel. Broadway.com recommends "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" from The Lion King. And Theater Advisor recommends "So in Love" from Kiss Me Kate.
None of these recommend "You're the One that I Want," so we don't know if we should trust their advice on anything.
We have no idea why they omitted it, but maybe it's because Grease isn't a simple love story. Danny and Sandy don't love each other for who they are; they seem to love each other for who they become.
Or is that true? Maybe Danny and Sandy do love each other for who they are: people willing to compromise for their partner. Grease is messy and imperfect when it comes to love…just like love itself often is.
Questions about Love
- At the beginning of the movie, why does Sandy think she's in love? Does Danny feel the same way?
- At the end of the movie, are Danny and Sandy in love? Are Rizzo and Kenickie?
- Does Kenickie offer to raise Rizzo's child (when he thinks she's pregnant) out of love or obligation?
Chew on This
It's difficult to tell the difference between love and lust, especially for a hormone-addled teenager. Sandy and Danny might be in lust at the beginning of the film, but they're closer to love at the end.
Rizzo grows to love Kenickie when she sees what a responsible, stand-up guy he is.