Richard Gere is a film actor whose best-known music comes from the 2002 movie musical Chicago. He played the smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn and sang his own numbers, including “Razzle Dazzle” and “All I Care About.” Both appear on Chicago (Music from the Miramax Motion Picture), which Epic released on November 19, 2002.
People still search for Richard Gere’s singing because Chicago won the Academy Award for Best Picture, the first musical to do so since Oliver! (1968). “Razzle Dazzle,” his courtroom number, is still the main track that links his name to recorded music.
Richard Gere: key facts
| Occupation | Actor; singer in film musicals |
|---|---|
| Genres | Show tunes, film soundtrack |
| Years active (music) | 2002 |
| Labels | Epic (Chicago soundtrack) |
| Known for | “Razzle Dazzle” (2002), “All I Care About” (2002), “We Both Reached for the Gun” (2002) |
Richard Gere’s sound in Chicago (2002)
Richard Gere sang in the style of a vaudeville showman in Chicago. His numbers are brassy, jazz-age show tunes built around the character of Billy Flynn. Billy is a lawyer who treats every trial as a piece of theater. The songs come from the stage score by composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb.
Richard Gere performs “All I Care About” as Billy’s grand entrance. On the soundtrack album, the track is credited to Gere alone. The song presents Billy as a man who claims to care only about love. The film then reveals what he really cares about. “Razzle Dazzle” drops that act completely. In the song, Billy coaches his client on how to win over a courtroom with spectacle instead of facts.
Richard Gere also leads “We Both Reached for the Gun,” a staged press-conference number. On the soundtrack album it is credited to Gere and Christine Baranski. The scene treats Billy as a puppeteer and Roxie as his puppet. The comedy depends on Gere’s timing as much as his voice.
Richard Gere’s Chicago soundtrack and awards
The soundtrack album was recorded in 2002, partly at Metalworks Studios in Mississauga, Ontario, and Epic released it on November 19, 2002.
Gere’s performance as Billy Flynn won him the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. He was also nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Richard Gere shares the soundtrack album with the film’s other leads. Catherine Zeta-Jones leads “Cell Block Tango,” Renée Zellweger plays Roxie Hart, and John C. Reilly sings “Mr. Cellophane.” Queen Latifah, Mýa and Christine Baranski also appear on the album. Among the soundtrack’s leads, Gere’s numbers stand out because they are a lawyer’s sales pitches turned into songs.
Selected records by Richard Gere
| Year | Album | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Chicago (Music from the Miramax Motion Picture) | Soundtrack |
FAQ
– What songs did Richard Gere sing in Chicago?
Richard Gere sang “All I Care About,” “We Both Reached for the Gun” and “Razzle Dazzle” as Billy Flynn in the 2002 film. All three were written by John Kander and Fred Ebb.
– Did Richard Gere really sing in Chicago?
Yes. The soundtrack album credits Richard Gere as the performer of “All I Care About” and “Razzle Dazzle,” and, with Christine Baranski, of “We Both Reached for the Gun.”
– What album is Richard Gere’s “Razzle Dazzle” on?
Richard Gere’s “Razzle Dazzle” is on Chicago (Music from the Miramax Motion Picture). Epic released the album on November 19, 2002.
– What genre is Richard Gere’s music?
Richard Gere’s recorded music is show tunes and film soundtrack material. It is jazz-flavored Broadway songwriting performed in character for the screen.