"Maybe This Time" is a song written by John Kander and Fred Ebb for actress Kaye Ballard. It was later included in the 1972 filmCabaret, where it is sung by the character Sally Bowles, played by Liza Minnelli. It had already been recorded and released twice, in similar arrangements, on Minnelli's debut studio albumLiza! Liza!, and subsequently New Feelin', but it turned into a traditional popstandard after its 1972 inclusion in Cabaret.
Production
Though originally written in 1964 for a different purpose, the song was put into the 1972 film version of the 1966 Cabaret musical. This is one of "two numbers that were added only in 1998, after they were used in the movie", along with "Mein Herr". h2g2 explains "both 'Money, Money' and 'Maybe This Time' are frequently inserted into the score of revival versions."
Synopsis
The website h2g2 describes this song's context within the musical's plot: "The singer sings of her hope that, against all odds, this time her love affair is going to last."
Analysis
The Telegraph explained that the song should have an air of "desperate hope" and that Bowles should feel like "someone teetering on the edge of despair." Talkin' Broadway said Maybe this Time' serving as Sally's internal monologue in response to Cliff's plea", adding that the song "is the only time we see the real person beneath the frivolous girl for whom life is a neverending party. As we're privy to Sally's unspoken thoughts here". What's On in Cape Town described Sally Bowles as a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, writing "Her iconic solo, 'Maybe This Time', can be considered the MPDG theme song." Bowles "believ she may be in love for the first time".
Critical reception
The song has been described as a "tearjerker", "wistful", and "heartbreaking". Lincolnshire Review described the song as a "soaring ballad", and Peterborough Telegraph deemed it "hopeful".
In 2009, the song was covered in the episode "The Rhodes not Taken" from the first season of the television seriesGlee, performed by Lea Michele and Kristin Chenoweth. In 2019, the song was covered in the episode "Chapter Forty-Four: No Exit" from the third season of the television series Riverdale, performed by Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge. In 2019, the song was performed by Stevie Budd in the season 5 finale of the Emmy-nominated series Schitt's Creek.
