| "You've Got Possibilities" | |
|---|---|
| Song byLinda Lavin | |
| Language | English |
| Composer | Charles Strouse |
| Lyricist | Lee Adams |
"You've Got Possibilities" is an Americanshow tune. It was created byCharles StrouseandLee Adams for the 1966Broadway showIt's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman and sung byLinda Lavin in the show. Lavin plays a secretary at theDaily Planet with a crush onClark Kent and the song describes her hope to change Kent's mild-mannered, square persona[1] ("Let me pry you from your shell... You've got possibilities... you don't even know you've got").
It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman was not a big hit, but "You've Got Possibilities", generally considered the show's most memorable tune,[2] became something of a cabaret standard.[3]
Peggy Lee recorded the song on her 1966 albumBig $pender and released it as the B-side of the single "Come Back to Me".[4]Joanie Sommers released "You've Got Possibilities" as the B-side of her single "Never Throw Your Dreams Away", also in 1966,[5] whileCarol Ventura released it also in 1966 as anA-side single.[6]
Linda Lavin included the song on her 2011 albumPossibilities[7] (she had earlier sung it on the 1966 original cast album forIt's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman).[1]Matt Monro's version appears on hisHere's To My Lady (1966)[8] andThe Best of the Capitol Years (1990),[9]Jason Graae released a version onYou're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile (1996),[10] Wendy Coates onJourneys (2001),[11] andKaren Akers onLike It Was (2006).[12]
Barbara McNair recorded a version forMotown Records in 1966, but it was not released until 2016, in digital format onMotown Unreleased: 1966.[13][14] Song composer Charles Strouse himself is heard singing "You've Got Possibilities" on the albumCharles Sings Strouse (2006), part of the Songwriter Series produced in conjunction with theLibrary of Congress.[15]
"You've Got Possibilities" was used in a 2005 television advertising campaign for Pillsbury Grand biscuits.[16]
"Possibilities", the one number from the score that has had any significant afterlife.