"With One Look" from the stage musical, Sunset Boulevard

Like the film, the musical stage version of Sunset Boulevard is about a has-been silent movie star named, Norma Desmond. In it, an obsessed Norma plots her grand comeback—the one, she is convinced, her fans have been begging for. Unfortunately, the new Hollywood establishment is less than enthusiastic about the prospect of an aged silent-era star coming back.

In this song, an impassioned Norma, played on Broadway by Glenn Close, sings about why silent film acting was so powerful—and why she was its greatest star.

“With One Look” from Sunset Boulevard
Lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton; Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

With one look I can break your heart
With one look I play every part
I can make your sad heart sing
With one look you'll know all you need to know

With one smile I'm the girl next door
Or the love that you've hungered for
When I speak it's with my soul
I can play any role

No words can tell the stories my eyes tell
Watch me when I frown, you can't write that down
You know I'm right, it's there in black and white
When I look your way, you'll hear what I say

Yes, with one look I put words to shame
Just one look sets the screen aflame

Silent music starts to play
One tear in my eye makes the whole world cry

With one look they'll forgive the past
They'll rejoice I've returned at last
To my people in the dark
Still out there in the dark...

Silent music starts to play
With one look you'll know all you need to know

With one look I'll ignite a blaze
I'll return to my glory days
They'll say, "Norma's back at last!"

This time I am staying, I'm staying for good
I'll be back to where I was born to be
With one look I'll be me!