Working on a Song Audiobook By Anaïs Mitchell cover art

Working on a Song

The Lyrics of Hadestown

Preview
Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Working on a Song

By: Anaïs Mitchell
Narrated by: Anaïs Mitchell, Steve Earle
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $15.75

Buy for $15.75

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

"Working on a Song is one of the best books about lyric writing for the theater I've read." (Lin-Manuel Miranda)

Anaïs Mitchell named to TIME's List of the 100 Most Influential People in the World of 2020

An illuminating book of lyrics and stories from Hadestown — the winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical — from its author, songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, with a foreword by Steve Earle

On Broadway, this fresh take on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice has become a modern classic. Heralded as “The best new musical of the season,” by The Wall Street Journal, and “Sumptuous. Gorgeous. As good as it gets,” by The New York Times, the show was a breakout hit, with its poignant social commentary, and spellbinding music and lyrics.

In this book, Anaïs Mitchell takes listeners inside her more than decade’s-long process of building the musical from the ground up — detailing her inspiration, breaking down the lyrics, and opening up the process of creation that gave birth to Hadestown. Fans and newcomers alike will love this deeply thoughtful, revealing look at how the songs from “the underground” evolved, and became the songs we sing again and again.

©2020 Anaïs Mitchell (P)2020 Penguin Audio
Drama & Plays Entertainment & Performing Arts Theater United States World Literature
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_T1_webcro805_stickypopup

Critic reviews

"Working on a Song is one of the best books about lyric writing for the theater I've read. Up there w the Sondheim Tomes and Ira Gershwin's book. Specifically, re-writing, and revising, and holding on to your voice while telling your story." (Lin-Manuel Miranda)

All stars
Most relevant  
Anais Mitchel does an excellent job with this book, an honest and insightful take on her magnum opus, "Hadestown." A must read for writers who are obsessed with glory and how much work and effort a masterpiece often needs.

A Writer's Gem

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

It's like she's there chatting with you about your favorite musical. My favorite parts are when she goes through the evolution of the lyrics over time. It's absolutely fascinating to watch the musical grow and transform before your eyes.

It's like she's there chatting with you

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I thoroughly enjoyed the original cast soundtrack which made me go see the show which in turn had me listen to this book. It’s great to hear the notes of how alive this play is. Ms. Mitchell is a beautiful writer and storyteller

Lovely addition to this story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I love hadestown, it might be one of my favorite musicals of all time. Hearing Anaïs Mitchell talking about the evolution of her lyrics it’s truly helpful of you are an artist.

Enriching if you are a composer

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Great stories behind the words and it was wonderful to hear early drafts and alt versions of the songs!

wonderful!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listening to this book is like having a 1 to 1 coffee chat airy Anaïs Mitchell.

Lovely experience to listen to some behind the scenes processes of the most beautiful theatrical experiences of my life!

Simply Beautiful !

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Extremely detailed book. Beautifully read. Can’t wait to listen to the soundtrack from beginning to end. Brava, Anais!

When you need to know it all!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Anaïs makes this additional behind the scenes look into the making of Hadestown a warm and welcome companion. Her narration is full of her love for the work and the details she gives completely consumes the listener. I was a fan before Broadway, but her journey and success there has only made me admire her and her work that much more.

Perfect Addition to the Perfect Story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I'm late to the Hadestown train (pun intended) but I got into it and fell hard. 😅 Reading this gave the lyrics some serious depth and more emotion than I thought possible.

Insightful read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.