I've Been" from Hairspray, the 2002 Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman musical based on the John Waters film of the same name. It's been a few years since we talked about the show's propulsive and endlessly optimistic closing number, so how does this song -- coming just before the final sequence and featuring a darker, if still optimistic tone -- sit within the show? And what's Erik's Grand Unified Theory of songs of inspiration?

All clips are from the 2002 Original Broadway Cast Recording of Hairspray featuring Mary Bond Davis and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary.

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We conclude our look at inspirational songs with "I Know Where I've Been" from Hairspray, the 2002 Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman musical based on the John Waters film of the same name. It's been a few years since we talked about the show's propulsive and endlessly optimistic closing number, so how does this song -- coming just before the final sequence and featuring a darker, if still optimistic tone -- sit within the show? And what's Erik's Grand Unified Theory of songs of inspiration?

All clips are from the 2002 Original Broadway Cast Recording of Hairspray featuring Mary Bond Davis and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary.