By Sami DeSocio
One of the greatest things about seeing a musical is getting the unforgettable songs stuck in your head for days at a time. Sometimes those songs even become audition songs for those of us that are pursuing theater as a career. There are some that take no prompting at all, and then there are those that some might have to think of for a second.
Here are a few of the catchiest Broadway songs that I know I have stuck in my head:
1) RENT– “Another Day”- this is the part of the show when the mantra “No Day But Today” is first introduced in song. At the end of the show, they repeat these words until the curtain comes down, and I have seen first hand at Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal concerts, the trance like way in which RENTHeads will sing these words. It’s hauntingly beautiful and brings comfort to all that do it.
2) A Chorus Line– “I Hope I get it”- Really? The theme song to every performer who ever lived! We all have those moments of “I hope I get it” and once its in your head, there’s no getting it out
3) Les Miserables– “Do you hear the People Sing?”- The battle cry of the French revolution at its finest! I have fond chorus memories, sitting on busses with my peers, singing this song at the top of our lungs before and after competitions.
4) Wicked– “Defying Gravity”- The song where Elphaba draws her line in the sand, and decides to be bad. It’s been an audition song so many times (along with “Popular”) that I’ve now seen audition posts asking people not to sing the song!
5) Curtains– “Show People”-While this show was never overly popular, Kander and Ebb did right on this one when they wrote this song. It is the greatest explanation of why actors do what they do, and the feelings and emotions of what’s going on in their heads.
6) CATS– “Memory”- Any female musical theatre performer worth her salt can pull this from the sky at any audition! The one that’s been spoofed the most, and the one that brings tears to peoples’ eyes.
7) The Phantom of the Opera– “Phantom of the Opera”- This is almost the theme song for the show. Everyone knows the opening chords, and everyone knows this song. I’ve even seen it done at karaoke! Beautifully haunting and absolutely memorable.
8) Annie– “Tomorrow”- Just like any adult female musical theatre performer can do “Memory”, any little girl can perform “Tomorrow”. Its synonymous with the show and every little girl learning to sing knows the song!
9) Beauty and the Beast– “Be Our Guest”-whether it be the cartoon or the Broadway show this song has been the to represent it for the past twenty or so years. It’s big. It’s loud, and its great!
10) Memphis– “Memphis Lives in Me”- The show’s theme song, and Huey’s explanation for not wanting to leave the only home he’s ever known.
What are some songs from shows that you haven’t been able to get out of your head?