History[edit]

Sondheim wrote the lyrics and music over a two-day period during rehearsals for the play's Broadway debut,^[6] specifically for the actress Glynis Johns, who created the role of Desirée.^[6] According to Sondheim, "Glynis had a lovely, crystal voice, but sustaining notes was not her thing. I wanted to write short phrases, so I wrote a song full of questions" and the song's melody is within a small music range:^[3]