Maria (West Side Story song)

"Maria" is a song from the 1957 Broadway musical West Side Story, sung by the lead character Tony. The music was written by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The song was published in 1956.

"Maria" is sung by the male lead Tony when he learns the name of the girl he's fallen in love with is "Maria". The name "Maria" is spoken or sung in the song 30 times. The song was originally composed in E-flat major (following an 8-bar introduction in B major). In the 1961 and 2021 film adaptations, both introduction and chorus were lowered by a whole step.

The song is widely known for its use of the melodic interval of a tritone in the main theme. This is also a major motif throughout the other songs in the musical. The song is an example of the use of Lydian mode, which is the same as the major scale but with a raised 4th.

Cover versions

 * Beto Sargentelli
 * Peter Alexander
 * Alfie Boe
 * Andrea Bocelli
 * Jimmy Bryant - provided Tony's singing voice in the 1961 film
 * José Carreras
 * Dave Brubeck – featured in Silver Linings Playbook
 * Matt Cavenaugh
 * George Chakiris
 * Perry Como
 * Michael Crawford – in a medley of West Side Story songs
 * Vic Damone
 * Plácido Domingo
 * Jeff Duff
 * Ansel Elgort – played Tony in the 2021 film
 * Maynard Ferguson
 * Sergio Franchi – on his 1964 RCA Victor Red Seal album Women in My Life
 * Marvin Gaye
 * The Gods
 * Karel Gott
 * Josh Groban
 * David Habbin
 * Jay and the Americans
 * Udo Jürgens
 * Ramin Karimloo
 * Stan Kenton
 * Larry Kert – original artist, he performed as Tony in the Broadway play
 * Luis Mariano
 * Johnny Mathis
 * Matt Monro
 * Julian Ovenden
 * Gene Pitney
 * P.J. Proby
 * Buddy Rich
 * Frank Sinatra
 * Peter Tevis
 * Sarah Vaughan
 * Mark Vincent
 * Il Volo
 * Steve Watson
 * Andy Williams
 * Roger Williams
 * Vittorio Grigolo
 * Ben Platt
 * Jeremy Jordan
 * Peter Cousens
 * Ryan McCartan
 * Oto Pestner

It was also sampled in the song "Almost Like Praying" by Lin-Manuel Miranda.