You know that feeling when a song just hits? That moment in Moulin Rouge! where Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman are standing atop a giant elephant, belting their hearts out? It’s peak 2000s cinema. Honestly, it might be one of the most romantic scenes ever filmed. But here’s the thing: Nicole Kidman Come What May wasn't actually written for that movie.
Yeah, you read that right.
Most people think it was the centerpiece of Baz Luhrmann’s bohemian fever dream from day one. In reality, it was a leftover. A "reject" of sorts. It’s kinda wild to think that the song which eventually defined an entire generation of musical lovers was originally meant for a completely different set of star-crossed lovers.
The Romeo + Juliet Connection
Back in the mid-90s, Baz Luhrmann was busy reinventing Shakespeare with Romeo + Juliet. He needed a massive, soaring anthem. Songwriters David Baerwald and Kevin Gilbert penned "Come What May" for that specific project.
It didn't make the cut.
It just sat there. For years.
When Luhrmann started developing Moulin Rouge!, he realized he needed one—and only one—original song. See, the rest of the movie is a "jukebox" musical. It’s all covers and mashups of Madonna, Elton John, and Nirvana. But the plot required a secret song. A "special" melody that the poet Christian (McGregor) writes specifically for the courtesan Satine (Kidman) so they can signal their love in front of everyone without the jealous Duke knowing.
Luhrmann remembered the "Romeo" scrap. He dusted it off. Suddenly, it wasn't just a song; it was the emotional heartbeat of the 2001's biggest spectacle.
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Why the Academy Said "No"
If you ever wondered why Nicole Kidman didn't win—or even get nominated for—an Oscar for this specific track, it wasn't because of her vocals. Her singing was actually a revelation. She and Ewan did all their own stunts, vocally speaking.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has a very strict rule: to be "Best Original Song," a piece of music must be written specifically for the film it appears in. Since "Come What May" was technically an old song from the Romeo + Juliet archives, it was disqualified.
Total bummer.
It still snagged a Golden Globe nomination, though. And let’s be real, the public didn't care about the fine print. The single went Gold in Australia and hit the Top 30 in the UK. People were obsessed.
The Vocal Training Struggle
Recording this wasn't just a "walk into the booth and sing" situation. Nicole Kidman has admitted she was terrified. Ewan had a bit of a musical background, but Nicole was primarily known as a serious dramatic actress.
They spent four months in workshops.
Four. Months.
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Baz Luhrmann is a perfectionist. He didn't want them to just sing the notes; he wanted them to act the song. There’s this technique they used where they’d record the vocals in a studio, but then they’d also sing live on set to capture the physical strain and emotion in their throats.
"Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place."
When Nicole sings that line, you can hear the vulnerability. It’s not a polished pop vocal. It’s raw. That’s probably why it still holds up today while other movie ballads from that era feel kinda cheesy and dated.
Variations You Might Have Missed
There are actually two versions of the song if you listen closely.
- The Film Version: This one has the dialogue and the "Elephant Love Medley" vibes baked in. It’s shorter and more dramatic.
- The Soundtrack Version: This is the full, 4-minute-plus power ballad. It has extra lyrics like "Every day I love you more and more" that were cut from the theatrical edit to keep the pace moving.
What "Come What May" Actually Means
The phrase itself is pure Shakespeare—specifically Macbeth. It basically means "no matter what happens."
In the context of the movie, it’s heartbreaking. We already know Satine is dying from consumption (tuberculosis). When they sing about loving each other "until my dying day," it’s not just a metaphor. It’s a literal countdown.
That’s the nuance of the performance. Kidman plays Satine with this sense of "I know this is our only moment." It’s desperate.
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The Legacy in 2026
Even now, decades later, the song is a staple. It’s the "final boss" of wedding songs. If you can hit those high notes, you’re basically a legend.
The Broadway musical version of Moulin Rouge! (which won 10 Tonys, by the way) kept the song as the emotional climax. Aaron Tveit and Karen Olivo took over the roles, but for most fans, the Kidman/McGregor version is the definitive one.
It’s also appeared in Glee, was covered by Il Divo, and even popped up on Dancing with the Stars. It’s become its own entity, separate from the movie.
How to Appreciate It Today
If you want to revisit the track, don't just stream it on Spotify. Go back and watch the "Elephant Love Medley" into "Come What May" sequence.
Pay attention to:
- The cinematography: The way the camera swirls around the top of the elephant.
- The breathwork: You can actually hear Nicole take a sharp breath before the big chorus.
- The orchestration: Produced by David Foster, the guy behind basically every huge hit for Celine Dion and Josh Groban. It has that massive, wall-of-sound feeling.
Basically, if you’re looking for a masterclass in how to sell a romantic moment, this is it. It’s camp, it’s over-the-top, and it’s completely sincere.
To get the full experience, look for the "Behind the Red Curtain" footage on old DVD releases or YouTube. Seeing Kidman in a hoodie and jeans standing at a microphone, trying to find Satine's voice, makes the final glamorous product even more impressive. You'll see the work that went into making it look that easy.
Next steps for the ultimate fan:
- Watch the 20th-anniversary interviews where Ewan and Nicole talk about their "scary" singing lessons.
- Compare the movie version's lyrics to the single release to spot the "forgive everything" line change.
- Check out the Broadway cast recording to see how the vocal arrangements were modernized for a live stage.