The score included the ballad "Seasons of Love," "Rent," "Would You Light My Candle," "I'll Cover You," "La Vie Boheme" and "Santa Fe." The resulting cast album from the show was the most successful recording of an American musical in almost 30 years.
The musical was conceived by Jonathan Larson, a 35-year-old composer who died from an undiagnosed dissecting aortic aneurysm the night before the musical made its Off-Broadway debut. It is believed that this condition resulted from Marfan syndrome.