Showtime Favorites: My Top Musical Songs to Sing Along To
Musical theater became a fixture in my life at a young age. I fell in love with theater when I saw a play in middle school put on by the drama club of West Side Story. After seeing that production, I took drama classes as one of my electives. I was in the Aladdin show and did a scene for a variety show in middle school, as well as some other shows in high school. It became an obsession for me.
Even before my love of musical theater, one of my favorite hobbies has been singing. To this day, I spend at least two hours singing my favorite songs. My perfect day consists of some time with my musical theater playlist playing and belting out the lyrics. On this playlist, I’ve included songs that spoke to me from my favorite musicals, not including animated movies, since I have a different playlist for that. Some of the musicals featured on the list are Rent, Grease, West Side Story, Chicago, Rocky Horror Picture Show, A Chorus Line, Hamilton, and Moulin Rouge. Though I love all the songs from these shows, I only selected one song from each musical I connected to the most.
These are my favorite songs to sing from each of my favorite musicals.
Rent – Take Me or Leave Me
Rent is one of the top musicals on Broadway. I didn’t watch it until I was older, but I quickly fell in love with it. The flow is perfect, and there are so many fun songs in Rent. Most people would go for Out Tonight since it’s a fun, upbeat song or the popular Seasons of Love. My go-to is Take Me or Leave Me. This duet is between two characters, Maureen and Joanne, arguing and letting the other know they shouldn’t have to change to be in this relationship. The song is relatable as everyone probably felt this way in a relationship one time in their life. Another reason this song stands out to me is Idina Menzel’s voice. I actually learned about her in Frozen first, so when I found this song in Rent, I knew it would be a song I’d keep on repeat.
Grease – There Are Worse Things I Could Do
Grease is my second favorite musical of all time. Growing up, this was on repeat since it was one of the movies my whole family liked. During my singing lessons, There Are Worse Things I Could Do was the first song that came to mind. The song is a ballad from Rizzo where she speaks about actions that are looked down on, and that she prefers to do before showcasing any vulnerability in front of her lover after finding out she may be pregnant. Honestly, it’s probably my number one musical number. It’s an emotionally charged song that gives me goosebumps every time, and I get lost in the music every time I sing it. The song has the perfect pace and octave I love from a musical number.
West Side Story – Something’s Coming
This one is probably a curveball for most theater heads. I Feel Pretty, and America are instant hits from West Side Story, and even Officer Krupke is an upbeat and entertaining song to sing. However, Something’s Coming, sung by Tony before he met Maria, is my favorite song to belt when I am in a singing mood. He sings about feeling like something good is coming but can’t quite figure out what it is as it feels out of reach. It gives a unique feeling from most of my other song choices because of the rhythm and the dreamy lyrics. It’s a great break between more emotional songs.
Chicago – Roxie
Chicago is one of the most singable musical albums of all time. I love the well-known Overture/All That Jazz, and Catherine Zeta-Jones’ silky voice makes the song smooth. My go-to is Roxie by Roxie Hart. This cheeky song showcases Roxie singing about how she will be famous and boasts so much confidence. The playfulness in the music allows me to have more fun and change up the lyrics since my name has the same syllables.
Rocky Horror Picture Show – Sweet Transvestite
Another bold and sassy entry, Sweet Transvestite is a crowd favorite from Rocky Horror Picture Show. It’s the introductory song of one of the lead characters, Frank N Furter, and it’s a fitting entrance for the larger-than-life character. It’s an entertaining and slightly provocative musical number that makes singing enjoyable.
A Chorus Line – What I Did For Love
A friend recommended What I Did For Love, and I have been obsessed with it ever since. It’s a beautiful and heart-rending song about a lost love that I deeply resonated with. It’s one of my favorites because it pushes my range throughout the song. I love it because it is more of a challenge for me to sing and makes me the most emotional on the list.
Hamilton – Satisfied
During quarantine, Hamilton was one of my musical obsessions since Disney Plus was released around that time. The hip-hop-influenced musical quickly made its way to my heart, and from first viewing, Satisfied was my favorite song. I don’t know if it was because I saw myself on the stage when I looked at the actress playing Angelica, Renée Elise Goldsberry, or the stylings of the musical number, but I fell in love. I love to sing this song and have worked hard to get the fast-paced lyrics down.
Moulin Rouge – Sparkling Diamond
Moulin Rouge is one of the most romantic musicals, and I was lucky enough to see it live recently. It never fails to make me cry. The musical is packed with unforgettable songs like Come What May, the sweetest duet ever, and Elephant Love Medley, another beautifully composed duet. My favorite sing is Sparkling Diamonds, with its upbeat and cheeky flair, it is the introduction of Satine, played by Nicole Kidman in the movie adaption. Who doesn’t love singing about diamonds because diamonds are a girl’s best friend! I absolutely love the theater version, but have watched the adaption more, so I sing those versions more. I would eventually like to learn and sing One Day I’ll Fly Away sung by Nicole Kidman which I’ve connected to through its longing lyrics.
Though I love to sing these songs, I also love many other songs from each musical. Who doesn’t love Time Warp from Rocky Picture Horror Show or The Schuyler Sisters from Hamilton?
What is your favorite musical number? Share the song that makes you sing out loud in the comments.
