Nobody sings "The Music of the Night" quite like Michael Crawford does. It's phenomenal and heartfelt.

Bless this talented woman and her ability to never blink.

Michael Crawford sings this like nobody else ....its so ethereal!

One of the most beautiful things on stage I've ever seen. Michael Crawford was absolutely incredible...

The insane thing is, at the time Michael Crawford was known to be a physical comedy actor, so many people went into Phantom expecting it to be a goofy show. Apparently during intermission at previews, everyone was going to the payphones and going ''you're....not gonna believe this..."

Nobody could ever play a better deer in the headlights than Sarah Brightman

michael crawford ,the best version of music of the night

I was at a convention in Los Angeles in 1989 with my English mother accompanying me. We were passing the theater-and I think it was on Wilshire Boulevard-to see that the Phantom of the opera was playing there with the original cast. I wanted to go so badly, but my mother, in her 70’s was not up to it and I would never have left her alone, so I missed that opportunity. But seeing this was a treasure. I’m in my late 70’s now, so seeing this was a gift. Thank you.

Michael Crawford the BEST in my opinion

Michael Crawford is still the best Phantom.

Crawford is the only version that brings tears to my eyes.

Nobody sings it better than Crawford !!!!

Crawford and Brightman are the standard that all leads in Phantom should aspire to be.

Although my favorite Christine and Raoul have changed over time, nobody has managed to knock Michael Crawford from the top spot on my list. In my opinion, he embodies the role like no other.

Sarah Brightman looks completely hypnotized by the Phantom.

His face at 4:12 just makes me wanna cry, it just oozes with "Please don't reject me, you're my everything". Michaels 'Music of the Night' will always be my favourite, it conveys such a softer yet deeper emotion to me than the others I've seen

Michael Crawford is by far the best Phantom. His voice is soft and gentle but has this insane power behind it at the most wonderful of times.

"For I compose the music of the night" *casually tosses sheet music to the side*

Michael Crawford is the GOAT Phantom

he,s the best phantom EVER

He moves so smooth and softly light on his feet which for his character would make sense because he's a magician and an illusionist

Met MC in '87 during his time in Phantom/Broadway. The man couldn't have been more gracious.

Michael Crawford is simply the best ever

Crawford truly is my favorite as well. He sings it like a lullaby but with a hidden urgency of need. That's so hard to do in a single performance. He truly was born to play this role. Love it!

Crawford - The daddy of all Phantoms ...

Of all the male singers who sang this play Michael Crawford can't be beat.

Michael Crawford owns this song right up until the last heavenly note.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is a god damn genius.

Sarah Brightman & Michael Crawford will always be the TRUE Phantom & Christine. Period.

Freaking amazing. Notice how he looks at her when she sees herself as his bride?? Even with a mask, his love and desire are on his face.

It's not even close. Michael Crawford is the best Phantom.

Micheal. And. Sarah. We're. Breathtaken. Awesome. I. Loved. It.

Even if you're not a fan of musicals or POTO, ya gotta admit that the Phantom has a pretty cool lair.

Does this guy even breathe??? Unbelievable singing skills.

My grandma took me to see this multiple times in the 90s in Toronto, Canada. She died two weeks ago at home. I got to care for her and while she was unconscious but could hear I played this song for her. It was her favorite. Especially Michael Crawford. 💜

"Listen babe, I'm hot in the dark where you can't see what you're looking at" - This Song

Yul Brynner - best King EVER. There will never be another. Michael Crawford is the best Phantom EVER - PERIOD. Saw him in LA. AMAZING. Not a dry eye in the house. No one can hold a cabdelabra to him!

Here we see the wild Opera Ghost, Phantomius operatica crawfordium, in his natural habitat, attempting to attract a mate.

Michael Crawford will always be my phantom!

I worked security for many Broadway shows. The Phantom of the Opera was the best show that I have ever seen. The music stayed with me for many months. Thank you Andrew Lloyd Weber.

Crawford and Brightman set the bar. Show was created in England. However, when the show hit Broadway the whole world found how wonderful the Phantom could be.

Michael Crawford looks so damn unrecognisable as the Phantom because he looks so much different in real life, it's amazing. He's the one and only true Phantom...

I remember once I've been in NYC with my parents in 1997. I was crazy about seeing this show but the tickets were so expensive for us we couldn't afford it. The box office attendant said finally wait there are three tickets in the row 50 of the orchestra we said yes. The night of the show we enter the theatre gave the tickets to the person that help us and we headed to the back she called us. No it's this way and we followed. It happened that the seats were in the first row in the middle. We saw each other and we couldn't believed it. When the orchestra starts with this amazing pipe organ that filled us with the illusion it made us vibrate our bodies. My mother and I saw each other and we were crying about the emotion. Then in the beginning an enormous chandelier falls right on top of our heads I could feel the breeze and falls on stage. The director of the orchestra and the singer were fabulous I fell in love with the music of Weber. I'm eternally thankful to that man that with just that enormous gesture made us so incredibly happy.

Hard to find this version of the lyrics so here it is: Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation Darkness wakes and stirs imagination Silently the senses abandoned their defenses Helpless to resist the notes I write For I compose the music of the night Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender Hearing is believing Music is deceiving Hard as lightning, soft as candlelight Dare you trust the music of the night? Close your eyes for your eyes will only tell the truth And the truth isn’t what you want to see In the dark it is easy to pretend That the truth is what it ought to be Softly, deftly, music shall caress you Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you Open up your mind Let your fantasies unwind In this darkness which you know you cannot fight The darkness of the music of the night Close your eyes Start a journey through a strange new world Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before Close your eyes and let music set you free Only then can you belong to me Floating, falling, sweet intoxication Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation Let the dream begin, let your darkest side give in To the power of the music that I write The power of the music of the night You alone can make this song take flight Help me make the music of the night

Who's here from.the free version that was released during quarantine ?

A hell of a way of saying,," Be Mine "

Yhey are both amazing. Im in my 50s now but had the ultimate privilege to see them in Houston TX when is was 16

All in all, that is one seriously talented dude. Kudos, Mr. Crawford.

I'm absolutely obsessed with this song and michael crawford as the phantom !!!

Beautiful. This is the way the song is supposed to be sung... soft, seductive, meant to wrap around the ear and fill the mind.

Brilliant Brilliant. Some mother's really ave them.

Michael Crawford is smoking hot, he took this to another level that won’t be touched. Every note and movement is precise. At 3:30, the performance is like an out of body experience. Even the way he covers Christine in the boat with the blanket. He walks backwards like a boss.

I don't care what anyone say, Michael Crawford was, is, will always be the Phantom. No one sing this song like him.

Sarah's eyes in this video always freaked me out

I have seen this show 5 times. Twice with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. The first was the opening night for the public. What a thrill, What a cast, What a musical score

There was only ever one Phantom - Michael Crawford ❤

Every time I watch this original "Music of the Night" with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman, it is the most hypnotic and sensual scene in "The Phantom of the Opera". I've watched other musical actors & actresses portray this same scene, but nothing compares to this original!

I find that in every phantom video, Sarah either looks like a teenager just starting to wear makeup, A killer Phsyco, Or someone wayy too interested in you.

Looks like and sings like a real phantom in phantom of the opera nailed the role perfectly no question about it way to go very impressed keep on singing job well done you should be proud way to go !!! Joe

I first heard of Michael Crawford from watching the Trans-Siberian Orchestra DVD where he sang O Holy Night. He was older at that point but his voice always gave me goosebumps. Amazing singer!

No one sings these roles like Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. They were absolute perfection in these roles.

I much prefer this version. No empty spots. It flows.

It. Was. Beautiful. To. Watch. Every. Minute.

No other Phantom for me except Michael. He brought something to it that I haven’t seen duplicated in the several Phantoms I’ve seen since.

People keep saying that Sarah looks creepy. You guys seem to forget she is supposed to be in a DARN DIDLLY DARN TRANCE. OF COURSE SHE WON'T LOOK REGULAR!!!!

I love how he sings low for most of the song but then at 2:45 he goes high and then goes back to low, GOSH none other like Michael Crawford.

It’s nice to hear someone sing the notes and rhythms as they were meant to be. Too many singers take “liberties” - i.e. distort things because they think they’re being expressive. Sing what’s there!

Michael Crawford, just superb.

Michael’s performance is truly mesmerising. He literally has me in a trance every time I watch him. He’s a truly remarkable actor. His mannerisms are so on point with the character he is portraying. He was like this as Frank Spencer as well. He truly convinces you of the role he’s playing and you have a hard time distinguishing fact from fiction.

When Michael Crawford sings this song, I forget to breathe.

Michael was sensational. I haven't been able to connect with anyone else in this role. Gorgeous. x

There's literally no pause or breath between "Let your mind start a journey to a strange new world!" and "Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before!"

This was the Phantom, Without doubt Michael Crawford's skill in this role, the softness yet power, every word pronounced. Sarah Brightman, young, beautiful, talented actress and singer. There are many talented people but to have it all come together as it did so very beautifully. Your emotions soar. A master piece of work! Who would have thought that Michael Crawford could have given such a Magnificent piece. One very talented man. I do hope his life has been blessed as he has blessed us.

From frank spencer to the phantom , the roles couldn’t be more different and he pulls both off so well.

What really blows my mind is that this gentleman was that hapless but loveable Frank Spencer..one of the biggest and best paradoxes in life. Love him.

I first knew about Michael Crawford from watching this video in 2006 and instantly fell in love with his phantom. 13 years later, here I am, falling in love with him again and again. I wish I had been born sooner so that I could see him perform live on stage as phantom.

I don’t know why but Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo make me cry. I really like John Owen-Jones too. It’s so hard to pick favorites. They are all just incredible in their own unique ways.

Michael Crawford, Andrew Lloyd Webber...amazing combination, and with Sarah Brightman, well...

Yeah, Michael Crawford is still the best Phantom ever.

I'll never understand why they changed the lyris from this version. It's pure poetry.

His voice is/was incredible

I like how he just carelessly just lifts her and takes her to the boat! *GASP* oooooooo chiiillls!!! OOOOOOOO

That little smile at the end while he gazes upon her..... I love Erik. 😍

The slight grin on Michael's face when he struts to where his sheet music is kept. Haha!

I love how he smiles at the end looking all smitten. More phantoms should do that.

I just love his little smile at the end. Michael is the one true Phantom!

After all these years I still get goose bumps listening to this masterpiece...

Micheal Crawford’s Phantom was the first Phantom I really fell in love with, and his singing is so perfect. It captures that ‘creepy yet seductive’ vibe all Phantoms should have.

Michael IS the Phantom! The Phantom IS Michael! I first learned of Michael as Cornelius in that wretched Streisand version of Hello Dolly. Man alive, that was a train wreck, but I thought then he was going to do something fabulous! He did! Michael is the Phantom like Jeremy Brett IS Sherlock Holmes!

The fact Crawford could oscillate between whispered singing and full forte dynamic is astounding. His head-voice when “breathy singing” and remaining in tune is also very remarkable. Crawford fully embodied the sympathetic dungeon-dwelling creature aesthetic beautifully.

I am from a very rural place, and I did not know that this musical existed until I heard the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum Corp cover this music in 1988. I have a diverse musical education, including 8 years with the clarinet, and this is one of my all time favorites. Crawford will most likely never be surpassed in his performance of this song. His performance is perfect. Tone, intonation, and phrasing are very near perfect.

03:21 that's how floating in clouds must feel like !

Michael Crawford will always be the Phantom I first fell in love with. He will always have the #1 spot in my heart; but Ramin Karimloo is a very close second.

The dissonance and resolution of the strings while Michael holds the final note is pure magic

Tale as old as time...

Michael Crawford is THE PHANTOM! There has never been one like him since. Man and this first version of the song,...SO much better than what we got in the end. The lyrics are better, and Michael's voice is better suited being slightly higher than the soundtrack version. Softer than butter voice!

My God that man is talented, first Frank Spencer, now this

Quite possibly the best phantom to ever grace the mask (besides Paul Stanley of course😂😂) but god Michaels voice is of an angel

The look on Sarah's face at the very beginning is how I feel every time I watch this because Michael's hands are so hypnotizing...why are they so hypnotizing...???

His voice is literally like an angel. I can’t believe I found this live! If he sang this to me I would immediately fall in with him. 🎼😍