Top 10 Motivational I Want Songs in Musicals

We all know that disappointment when we hit a roadblock while chasing our dreams; Fanny certainly does. She’s told she doesn’t have the right look to make it in showbiz, but she doesn’t let that dissuade her for a moment. Instead, she sings this comical upbeat number that shows them what they’d be missing and proves that she knows her worth. Sometimes, we also need a reminder that we’re “the Greatest Stars” and our aspirations are worth fighting for. Later, she finds a new dream, leading to another epic “I Want” song. Take a tip from Fanny and never let anyone “Rain on [Your] Parade.”

While the digital age has turned us into our own Yentes, we can definitely identify with Hodel and Chava creating a wish list for their ideal mates. Even more relatable, who among us hasn’t fantasized about what we’d do if we were rich? Tevye, a poor milkman, sings about the material luxuries he desires for himself and his wife, as well as the impact his wealth would have on his social standing. We might not necessarily want a staircase that leads nowhere, but we can get behind the idea of having enough cash that you could if you wanted to. For now, we’ll just “bidi-bidi-bum” until our next payday.

Bobby, a bachelor (or bachelorette in some productions), reflects on their friends’ romantic relationships during their 35th birthday party. Breaking tradition from your typical “I Want” song, “Being Alive” comes toward the end of the show when Bobby finally admits what they truly want. We all know how hard it is to put yourself out there and expose your vulnerabilities. And sure, we all have deep desires we’re too scared or embarrassed to say out loud. Bobby encourages listeners to be honest with themselves and go after what they want, even if the path isn’t always smooth sailing. After all, having dreams and being in good company is a big part of “Being Alive.”

It’s right there in the title! Sometimes our goals feel like they’re so out of reach we’ll never achieve them. Does that mean we should just give up? No! Instead, we’d recommend turning this song up as loud as you can and reminding yourself that you can do anything you set your mind to. Indeed, this song has transcended its musical to become a universal fight song that’s been covered by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Josh Groban. It’s a perfect choice for when you’re feeling weary and starting to question whether it’s worth plowing on. Nothing is beyond your capabilities if you keep your eye on the prize.

Veronica Sawyer wants many things. She wants her classmates to be nicer, she wants high school to end, and she wants to be “solid Teflon” like the Heathers. Even if your school days are behind you, there’s still much to take away from this song. Who doesn’t want a world where everyone’s kind and respectful and we’re not living in a perpetual state of anxiety over impending conflicts. We want the world Veronica fantasizes about and even feel encouraged to do our part to create it. This an excellent choice for when life’s got you down and you need reminding that life can be “Beautiful.”

Perhaps no “I Want” song has an easier time shattering our hearts into a million pieces than this one. Audrey relays the future she envisions with Seymour, away from Skid Row and her controlling boyfriend. Her optimism in the face of such adversity is truly inspiring, and after all, who doesn’t need help finding a silver lining from time to time. This song, written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, makes us reflect on greener pastures while hitting us deep in the feels. The duo’s also behind “Part of Your World,” Ariel’s “I Want” song in “The Little Mermaid.” Fun fact: They jokingly nicknamed it “Somewhere That’s Wet.”

What would you do if you won the lottery? That’s the $96,000 question. After Usnavi discovers he sold the winning ticket, the neighborhood muses over what they’d do with the winnings in this electrifying number. Benny dreams big, while Usnavi’s plans are slightly more down to earth. Daniela contemplates opening a new salon, while Sonny wants to improve the barrio. And Vanessa? Well, she doubles down on the sentiments from her earlier “I Want” number, “It Won’t Be Long Now.” Incorporating rap, dancehall, reggaeton, and more, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the excitement. By the last note, we had big plans for our hypothetical 96K.

We’re well acquainted with Dorothy’s wish to see what lies “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” But the 2003 musical “Wicked” showed us what motivated the so-called Wicked Witch of the West. Madame Morrible recognizes Elphaba’s talents and arranges a meeting with the Wizard. Elphaba’s delighted that someone’s finally seeing past her green exterior and celebrating her for who she is, and who wouldn’t want that? Of course, at this point, she’s still very green (pun intended), and the Wizard turns out to be far from what she expected. Still, we can totally relate to her desire to be accepted and appreciated. Wizard or no Wizard, Elphaba shows us that our potential is “unlimited.”

This song is about seizing your chance at glory with both hands and never letting go. These historical figures sing about their hopes, dreams, and plans for their futures and the future of their country. Sure, we might not be fighting for freedom or creating the foundations for an independent state, but we get it. No matter how big or small your aspirations might be, the message of this number is universally relatable and a unifying theme throughout the show. Burr, whose life practically parallels Hamilton’s, gets a chance to express his wants too. Who hasn’t wanted to be in “The Room Where It Happens?”

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Maybe This Time,” “Cabaret”
For When You Need Encouragement Not to Lose Hope

“Something's Coming,” “West Side Story”
For When You Have an Inkling That Something Good Is Waiting Right around the Corner

“Santa Fe (Prologue),” “Newsies”
For When You Need Reminding of the Bigger Picture

“Not for the Life of Me,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie”
For When You Need a Morale Boost While Chasing Your Dreams

“Purpose,” “Avenue Q”
For When You’re Searching for Your, You Guessed It, Purpose

We all have different things that drive us. For Elle Woods, that’s love. After Warner breaks up with her, she goes above and beyond to win him back. Maybe we wouldn’t apply to Harvard Law School just to get back with an ex, but we can certainly admire her efforts. If she’s willing to do all that for Warner, just imagine what we could do for the things we really want. Even if we try a fraction as hard as Elle does, at least we’d know we’d put our all into it. With unwavering determination and a can-do attitude, Elle gets what she wants. What, like it’s hard?