Top 100 Broadway Songs of All Time
#100: “Gold” “Once”
Let’s start with one for the indie kids. “Once” the musical hit the Broadway stage in 2012 and won eight of the eleven Tonys it was nominated for that year. Not only was the show a huge hit, but it has some pretty amazing songs too – including “Gold.” The song is so popular with our WatchMojo crew that according to the MojoMeter, our fans have suggested it for a video about 70 times. “Gold” is the perfect song to end a first act with. With driving guitars and a beautiful vocal performance from Steve Kazee, the music builds to an unbelievable crescendo, touching us in the process.
#99: “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” “Grease”
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This one is for all you Rizzo heads out there! “Grease” is one of the most popular musicals around. Its strength has only been bolstered by the 1978 movie starring John Travolta, the late Olivia Newton-John, and – of course – Stockard Channing. As Rizzo, Channing is a force to behold, and sings the musical’s best song, “There Are Worse Things I Could Do.” With its sultry tune, this number gives the audience a look inside the character’s head and lets us understand why she acts the way she does. The song has appeared in upwards of 30 Watch/MsMojo videos to date, and continues to be one of our favorites.
#98: “Sit Down, John” “1776”
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Hey “Hamilton” fans, why don’t you give “1776” a try too? After all, this musical takes us on a journey towards the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. At the time, if offered a different way to view the US founding fathers – more like humans with flaws rather than perfect, patriotic Gods. That outlook is present from the very start of the show, especially in the song “Sit Down, John.” The number paints a humorous picture of a Congress that can’t be bothered to discuss or do anything, no matter how much John Adams begs. Some might say that sounds familiar!
#97: “They Call the Wind Maria” “Paint Your Wagon”
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And now, a musical you may not know much about. “Paint Your Wagon” was a 1951 Broadway show that chronicled the ups and downs of California life in a mining camp during the Gold Rush. For this entry, we’re going to honor the musical’s most popular song, “They Call the Wind Maria.” This beautiful, driving tune details the men’s lonely way of life spent on the road. The song itself almost feels nomadic, with sprawling strings and bellowing vocals that might as well be wind themselves. It’s pretty impressive stuff, to put it mildly.
#96: “Shy” “Once Upon a Mattress”
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Everyone loves a good parody – especially one with a song like this! “Once Upon a Mattress” is a spoof of the well-known tale of “The Princess and the Pea.” The show chronicles the love story between Princess Winnifred and Prince Dauntless as Dauntless’ mother desperately tries to keep them apart. “Shy” is the number that introduces Winnifred – although in reality, she is anything but. She insists over and over that she’s a bashful person – all while belting at the top of her lungs and dancing dramatically with a number of different men. The tension between what she's saying and her actions make this song a keeper.
#95: “Wait for Me” “Hadestown”
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Let’s continue with something a little newer. “Hadestown” took Broadway by storm in 2019. It hasn’t been around that long, but it has clearly made an impression. According to our MojoMeter, our favorite song from the show– “Wait for Me” – has already been mentioned in 100 videos. The number happens at the end of the first act, as Orpheus prepares to go to Hadestown to rescue Eurydice. The song is not only a great ensemble number with gorgeous harmonies galore, but also a great moment for the actor playing Orpheus. Seriously, we could listen to those high notes all day.
#93: “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” “Pal Joey”
#92: “Say It Somehow” “The Light in the Piazza”
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#91: “Steam Heat” “The Pajama Game”
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#90: “Say My Name” “Beetlejuice”
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With adaptation material like the “Beetlejuice” movie, we had no doubt that the 2019 musical of the same name would be a Broadway hit. What we didn’t expect, however, was the sheer magnitude of amazing songs! For this list, we almost went with the rollicking "The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing" or the show-stopping “Dead Mom.”But, there’s really only one choice – “Say My Name.” It’s sung as Beetlejuice himself tries to convince Lydia to say his name three times so he can wreak havoc on the world of the living. The song is lively, funny, and a perfect showcase for an actor looking to go to the extremes.
#89: “Vanilla Ice Cream” “She Loves Me”
#88: “Glitter and Be Gay” “Candide”
#87: “The Twenty-Fifth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
#86: “What Do the Simple Folk Do?” “Camelot”
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#85: “I Will Never Leave You” “Side Show”
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Forget a show-stopping solo – this song is double the fun! “Side Show” tells the story of Daisy and Violet Hilton, twin performers who were born joined at the hip. Throughout the show, the duo go through multiple trials and tribulations, including navigating romantic relationships. But when all is said and done, all they really have is each other. “I Will Never Leave You” definitely has a literal meaning. But its true beauty lies in the love and empathy the twins have for one another as they sing. It’s a soaring duet that never fails to make an impact.
#84: “Written in the Stars” “Aida”
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#83: “New York, New York” “On the Town”
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#82: “You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two” “Oliver!”
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#81: “Today” “A Strange Loop”
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#80: “Someone in a Tree” “Pacific Overtures”
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“Pacific Overtures” might not be one of Stephen Sondheim’s most well-known shows, but it’s definitely one of his most underrated. The show details Japan’s history starting from the 1850s, and is quite difficult to stage, so you won’t see it done too often. But the fact that the show is so rare makes hearing songs like “Someone in a Tree” that much more of a treat. The tune combines Sondheim’s signature style with Japanese influences, and features harmonizing that’s extremely pleasing to the ear. Trust us, once you give this one a listen, you won’t want to stop.
#79: “What Would I Do?” “Falsettos”
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#78: “Lot’s Wife” “Caroline, or Change”
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#77: “All the Wasted Time” “Parade”
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#76: “Whatever Lola Wants” “Damn Yankees”
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#75: “Me and the Sky” “Come from Away”
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“Come from Away” took New York City by storm in 2017, shedding light on a little-known detail about September 11, 2001. The story takes place in the town of Gander in Newfoundland, where 38 planes were forced to land after the attacks on the Twin Towers. “Welcome to the Rock” is an amazing opener for the show. But our favorite number from the musical has to be “Me and the Sky.” The song chronicles the life of Beverley Bass, the real life American Airlines pilot – and first female captain for the airline – who was flying that day. The song soars to insane heights and is filled with unparalleled emotion, making it one of the best.
#74: “21 Guns” “American Idiot”
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#73: “Mamma Mia” “Mamma Mia!”
#72: “Raise You Up/Just Be” “Kinky Boots”
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#71: “Confrontation” “Jekyll & Hyde”
#70: “Brotherhood of Man” “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”
On Broadway, dancing is just as important as singing or acting. But in this case, it might be the most important thing of all. “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” is a delightful farce of a show. It tells the tale of J. Pierrepont Finch, who starts off as a window washer, but becomes a company executive. One of Finch’s best moments in the musical comes in the form of “Brotherhood Of Man,” a number that’s as exquisitely silly as it is physically intricate. The plucky instrumentation is paired with energetic dance moves that even some of the best can’t master! It’s impressive stuff, to put it mildly.
#69: “Ease on Down the Road” “The Wiz”
#68: “Ring of Keys” “Fun Home”
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#67: “Losing My Mind” “Follies”
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#66: “Electricity” “Billy Elliot: The Musical”
#65: “Big Spender” “Sweet Charity”
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Now THAT’s how you open a show! Okay, so maybe “Big Spender” isn’t actually the first song you hear in “Sweet Charity.” But it more than sets the tone for what’s to come. Not only was the production a Broadway hit, but its 1969 film adaptation also represents a milestone in movie musical history. Directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse, the “Big Spender” number in the film is one of the most iconic numbers to ever grace the screen. Big, brassy instrumentation combines with signature Fosse dance moves to create something amazing.
#64: “Comedy Tonight” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”
#63: “Apex Predator” “Mean Girls”
#62: “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist” “Avenue Q”
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#61: “Magic to Do” “Pippin”
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#60: “Hello, Dolly” “Hello, Dolly!”
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“Hello, Dolly!” is almost synonymous with musical royalty at this point. When your lead has been played by the likes of Carol Channing, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, and Pearl Bailey, it’s hard not to be! But not only is the titular role of this production iconic, its titular song ain’t too shabby either. “Hello, Dolly” has all the energy needed to become a Broadway standard, and was even popularized by another musical legend. Louis Armstrong had his recording inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001, solidifying the song’s status as one of the greats.
#59: “You’ll Never Walk Alone” “Carousel”
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#58: “I Am What I Am” “La Cage aux Folles”
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#57: “Shall We Dance?” “The King and I”
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#56: “Summertime” “Porgy and Bess”
#55: “I Could Have Danced All Night” “My Fair Lady”
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It’s safe to say that as musicals go, “My Fair Lady” is a pretty iconic one. This classic has a plethora of famous tunes for us to choose from, including “On the Street Where You Live”. “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” was also a compelling option. But there’s nothing quite as joyous as “I Could Have Danced All Night.” Eliza Doolittle sings this buoyant tune after she dances with Henry Higgins, igniting a bit of a spark within her. The clever way the song is staged lends to its dazzling nature, and it gives whichever actor is lucky enough to sing it a chance to truly shine.
#54: “Home” “Beauty and the Beast”
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#53: “I’m Here” “The Color Purple”
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#52: “When I Grow Up” “Matilda the Musical”
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#51: “She Used to Be Mine” “Waitress”
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#50: “You Don’t Know” “Next to Normal”
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If we’re talking modern day musicals, there’s none quite as revered as “Next to Normal.” The show won three Tony Awards, including Best Original Score. The music in the production is out of this world, with incredible songs like “I Miss the Mountains,” “I Am the One,” “Superboy and the Invisible Girl,” and “I’m Alive.” But “You Don’t Know” reaches the highest of emotional peaks. Diana sings the song to her husband Dan as she reflects on the death of her son. She tries to explain to Dan that there’s no way he could comprehend her loss. It’s a heartbreaking tune, and one of the best.
#49: “Friend Like Me” “Aladdin”
#48: “So Much Better” “Legally Blonde”
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#47: “Aquarius” “Hair”
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#46: “96,000” “In the Heights”
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#45: “I Got Rhythm” “Girl Crazy”
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If we’re talking about Broadway history, there aren’t many shows who have more to offer than 1930’s “Girl Crazy.” The musical ran for over 200 performances and made a star out of a little-known actress named Ginger Rogers. Heck, it even featured a young Ethel Merman in her first Broadway production. Merman actually sang the song we chose for this entry, the incomparable “I Got Rhythm.” This jazzy tune has been performed by numerous stars, including Judy Garland in the 1943 film version and Gene Kelly in 1951’s “An American in Paris.” The song is so famous, it’s almost eclipsed the very show it comes from!
#44: “Gimme Gimme” “Thoroughly Modern Millie”
#43: “Wheels of a Dream” “Ragtime”
#42: “42nd Street” “42nd Street”
#41: “My Favorite Things” “The Sound of Music”
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#40: “Send In the Clowns” “A Little Night Music”
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If there’s one thing Stephen Sondheim could always do, it was write a song for a TRUE actor. That’s what’s so great about all of his art, but especially his work in 1973’s “A Little Night Music.” We love the alliterative whirlwind that is “The Miller’s Son”. And we can’t ignore the mysterious beauty of “Liaisons”. Yet ultimately, we know there’s only one right answer here. “Send In the Clowns” is perhaps Sondheim’s most famous song, and certainly one of his best. His picture of a woman contemplating her life so thoroughly is a heartbreaking one to get through, but it’s worth it.
#39: “Ol' Man River” “Show Boat”
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#38: “Suddenly, Seymour” “Little Shop of Horrors”
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#37: “Hello!” “The Book of Mormon”
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#36: “Anything Goes” “Anything Goes”
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#35: “Springtime for Hitler” “The Producers”
If there’s one thing we love, it’s a musical that makes fun of bigots, and “The Producers” does just that. It centers around two men who are determined to create the worst show ever. Eventually, they come up with“Springtime for Hitler: A Gay Romp With Adolf and Eva at Berchtesgaden.” No need to rewind, you heard us right. The song “Springtime for Hitler” serves as the title number for the fictional musical. It’s so ridiculous that it all comes off as a huge, hilarious joke. We’re not exaggerating when we say it’s one of the wildest things we’ve ever seen on stage.
#34: “Tomorrow” “Annie”
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#33: “Some Enchanted Evening” “South Pacific”
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#32: “Maybe This Time” “Cabaret”
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#31: “Superstar” “Jesus Christ Superstar”
#30: “If I Were a Rich Man” “Fiddler on the Roof”
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“Fiddler on the Roof” is one of those shows that has become so entrenched in the culture, you probably don’t even realize how many of its songs you actually know. “Tradition” is a wonderful opening number. Songs like “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” and “To Life” offer a bit of levity. Meanwhile, “Sunrise, Sunset” has become a staple in its own right. But no number has achieved as high a level of cultural osmosis as “If I Were a Rich Man.” If you somehow aren’t familiar with the addictive song, you definitely know Gwen Stefani’s pop hit of a similar tune. We’ve got “Fiddler” to thank for that.
#29: “Seize the Day” “Newsies”
#28: “No One Is Alone” “Into the Woods”
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#27: “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” “The Pirates of Penzance”
#26: “The B*tch of Living” “Spring Awakening”
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#25: “Being Alive” “Company”
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It’s time for more Sondheim, and we couldn’t be more delighted! “Company” is one of the maestro’s most excellent shows, stuffed to the brim with songs that we can’t get enough of. There’s the hysterical “Getting Married Today” . And “The Ladies Who Lunch” is a show-stopper. But “Being Alive” isn’t just one of Sondheim’s best Act 2 numbers, it’s one of his best songs point blank. The number expertly navigates the positives of being in a relationship while examining why those exact same things make commitment so scary. Plus, it’s got a beautiful melody to boot!
#24: “Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat” “Guys and Dolls”
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#23: “Ya Got Trouble” “The Music Man”
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#22: “Waving Through a Window” “Dear Evan Hansen”
#21: “A Little Priest” “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”
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#20: “Tonight” “West Side Story”
Some songs hit you from their very first notes – and this is one of them. “West Side Story” is one of the most iconic musicals of all time, and it was pretty hard to pick just one song to honor. “America” is a whirlwind of color and choreography. “Somewhere” might be the most famous song from the show. Still, “Tonight” has to be the best. This duet between Tony and Maria is one of this musical’s most romantic moments. The instrumentation soars, and the harmony is beautiful – so beautiful, in fact, that Watch/MsMojo viewers have suggested the song over 70 times.
#19: “I’d Give My Life for You” “Miss Saigon”
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“Miss Saigon” is a musical of epic proportions, so it only makes sense that its songs would deliver the drama. Following the story of Kim – a young Vietnamese girl who falls in love with an American soldier – it features a plethora of gorgeous tunes. “You Will Not Touch Him” is a stirring song about protection. “Last Night of the World” is a lovely duet. Yet “I’d Give My Life for You” is the clear winner. Kim sings the song to her son, Tam, and passionately lets him know that she’s willing to sacrifice everything for him. It’s heart-wrenching and strong in equal measure, giving the actor a lot to work with.
#18: “The Impossible Dream” “Man of La Mancha”
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Some songs are so good, they surpass the production they come from. So is the case with this stirring song about hope and courage from “Man of La Mancha.” The musical is a meta version of the story of Don Quixote, and the Don himself sings “The Impossible Dream” when explaining the importance of his quest. Since the musical, a number of famous performers have recorded the song, including Frank Sinatra, The Temptations, Glen Campbell, and even Cher. It’s no wonder it’s been mentioned in over 60 of our videos. Talk about a great tune!
#17: “Circle of Life” “The Lion King”
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Ah, it’s the song that defined a generation of ‘90s Disney kids. The 1994 film “The Lion King” is one of Disney’s best, so it’s no wonder a Broadway musical followed it up three years later. Julie Taymor directed the stage version, creating a totally immersive world complete with massive puppets. While the entire show is amazing, the opening number – “Circle of Life” – sets the tone and is an absolute masterpiece. We already knew we loved the song from the film version, but on stage, it takes on a brand new life as a proper Broadway opener.
#16: “Don’t Rain on My Parade” “Funny Girl”
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Here’s another song that’s straight up blown past its source material in cultural relevance. “Funny Girl” arrived on Broadway in 1964, but most fans are probably more familiar with the 1968 movie version. Barbra Streisand starred in both, and will forever be associated with the role of Fanny Brice and the show’s amazing songs. While we love the smooth, sweet sounds of “People” nothing can surpass “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” This Broadway standard has been covered a multitude of times over the years, and always comes with a sense of triumph. You can’t hear this one without singing along, and we hope you don’t let anyone tell you not to.
#15: “Anything You Can Do” “Annie Get Your Gun”
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You competitive singers out there will love this one. One of the more zany musical classics, “Annie Get Your Gun” has a large number of songs that have become musical standards over the years. “There’s No Business Like Show Business” perfectly encapsulates “the biz”. And “You Can’t Get a Man With a Gun” is a delightful solo for Annie. But the funniest, most impressive number has to be “Anything You Can Do.” Full of attitude and style, it gives both singers an opportunity to show off their vocals and acting chops. Maybe that's why it’d been suggested almost 90 times by fans of our channel. You all must really like a challenge.
#14: “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” “Evita”
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Andrew Lloyd Webber is known for his amazingly over-the-top nature. We’ll talk about some of his other feats a little later on, but for now, we want to focus on “Evita.” Telling the story of Eva Perón, it has flashy dance numbers and spectacular songs galore. We love the Act I closer, “A New Argentina”. And Eva’s arrival to the big city is detailed amazingly by “Buenos Aires.” But, if we’re being honest with ourselves, there’s no other choice but “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.” The song is framed as a speech, and allows Eva to speak her truth to her people with a gorgeous melody. The result is riveting, to put it mildly.
#13: “I Hope I Get It” “A Chorus Line”
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It’s time for the dancer’s favorite musical – “A Chorus Line.” This hit about a bunch of Broadway hopefuls at an intense audition has a plethora of memorable numbers. “What I Did for Love” stands out as the most beautiful. “One” is probably the one (pun intended) you know best. But there’s something undeniably exciting about the show’s first number, “I Hope I Get It.” It’s right there in the title – the musical opens up in the middle of an audition, with every dancer giving their all in the hopes they make the cut. The song is fast-paced and energetic, exuding hope and anxiety in equal measure.
#12: “Memory” “Cats”
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We hope you didn’t think we would forget this one! How could we? It’s burned into our brain, into our … memory, you might say. “Cats” is another Andrew Lloyd Webber classic that’s as extravagant as they come. But one song stands above the rest and grounds the musical in a sense of reality. “Memory” is without question the most famous number from “Cats,” sung by Grizabella as she begs for her peers to embrace her. Despite the fact that the song is sung by a literal feline, you can’t deny the gorgeous melody and the raw desperation that rings through in the lyrics. It’s a classic for a reason.
#11: “You Can’t Stop the Beat” “Hairspray”
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Now for something a little more upbeat – after all, “Hairspray” is known for its big, snazzy numbers. The Broadway show came from a delightful John Waters movie from the 1980s, and has a little something for everyone. But more than anything, the songs make us want to dance! "Welcome to the 60's," "Run and Tell That!," and “Good Morning Baltimore” all have the type of energy that immediately has you tapping your toes. But even they can’t compete with the show’s final number, “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” Everything you need to know about this infectious tune is right there in the title – you literally can’t help but have fun.
#10: “All That Jazz” “Chicago”
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Some opening numbers stand tall above the rest – this is one of them. Speaking of energetic dance numbers, “Chicago” is stuffed to the brim with them. We’d be remiss not to mention the iconic “Cell Block Tango,” or Roxie’s showstopping self-titled number. Heck, we even almost went with the puppeteering mastery of “We Both Reached for the Gun.” But when you start a show on a high this high, it’s hard to pick anything else. “All That Jazz” perfectly sets up both of the female leads and the tone of the show, expertly mixing lust, murder, and drama.
#9: “Sunday” “Sunday in the Park with George”
Stephen Sondheim is a master of the pen, and “Sunday in the Park with George” is a perfect example of that. Indeed, it offers a robust collection of his songs to enjoy. We almost went with “Finishing the Hat,” a heartbreaking ode to love and creation. But the choral beauty of “Sunday” is hard to pass up. The number occurs at the end of the first act, as George takes control of his artistic expression and moves the characters around the stage at his pleasure. Watching the titular art piece come together through this rousing musical moment is one of the best things to have ever happened onstage.
#8: “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’” “Oklahoma!”
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Remember what we said about opening numbers? Well this one is definitely a fan favorite, suggested nearly 70 times over the course of Mojo history. But when it comes to “Oklahoma!,” we had a harder time settling on “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’” than you might think. “Lonely Room” is one of the most haunting numbers to ever grace the stage. And the show’s titular piece is certainly something to behold. "I Cain't Say No" is a solo number for the ages. Plus, “People Will Say We’re in Love” is a great duet. But still, there’s just something about that lone cowboy on stage. “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’” is the perfect scene setter, and we’ll never tire of it.
#7: “And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going” “Dreamgirls”
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Come on – you didn’t think we would leave this one out, did you? “Dreamgirls” has been a cultural touchpoint many times throughout history. Its original Broadway run was in the 80s, and the 2006 film reminded us just how good it is. But the most memorable thing about this show – without question – is the song “And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going.” It’s a jaw-dropping showcase for a vocalist, and many amazing women have performed it excellently over the years. Whether it’s Jennifer Hudson or the incomparable Jennifer Holliday, you have to give this iconic song to an iconic diva.
#6: “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” “Gyspy”
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And we’re back with our last Sondheim entry of the list! Sondheim wrote the lyrics for “Gypsy,” accompanying composer Jule Styne. The musical dramatizes the life of burlesque entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee and spotlights the relationship between her and Rose, her mom. Rose is the most interesting and larger-than-life character in the show, so it makes sense that she has some of the best songs. “Rose’s Turn” is a wild revelation of a number. But we decided to go with the Act I closer, “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” In addition to the wonderful play on words, the song highlights Rose’s ambition and carefully projects to the audience just how dangerous her endeavors might be.
#5: “My Shot” “Hamilton”
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Before we get to this one, let’s take a look at some of the other amazing songs in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton.” “Satisfied” is one of the greatest modern female solos of all time. “Burn” isn’t far behind it. Meanwhile, “Wait for It” and “The Room Where It Happens” are iconic tunes. Both “Alexander Hamilton” and "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)" are incredible ensemble numbers. But one tune stands apart from the rest. “My Shot” is a five-and-a-half minute banger, and is one of the most high-energy songs ever brought to the Broadway stage. It’s hard to sing along to, but we’ll never stop trying.
#4: “The Phantom of the Opera” “The Phantom of the Opera”
We’ve talked a lot about Andrew Lloyd Webber throughout this video, but now it’s time to celebrate his masterpiece. “The Phantom of the Opera” is about as decadent and extravagant as they come – and that over-the-top mentality extends to its songs. “All I Ask of You” is a magnificent duet. “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” and “The Music of the Night” are mesmerizing solos. But the awe-inspiring drama of the titular number takes the cake. From the moment you hear that amazing opening chord progression, you’re hit with the perfect combination of opera and rock and roll. It’s truly a sensation.
#3: “Defying Gravity” “Wicked”
“Wicked” has undoubtedly cemented itself as one of the most definitive Broadway musicals of the 2000s – and for good reason. Not only does the show have excellent source material – you can’t go wrong with “The Wizard of Oz” – but its songs are catchy and wonderful. From “Dancing Through Life” to “As Long as You’re Mine” to “For Good,”there are just no skips. But our favorite is “Defying Gravity.” It comes at a pivotal point in the story, and the emotion that’s contained within it is insanely poignant. We could listen to Elphaba’s ending belt a million times over.
#2: “Seasons of Love” “Rent”
It wouldn’t be a Broadway list without “Rent.” Jonathan Larson’s rock musical masterpiece was an immediate hit when it got to Broadway. Since then, the show and its array of energetic songs have continued to fill the playlists of musical theater kids everywhere. “La Vie Bohème” is a perfect encapsulation of the soul of “Rent.” And nothing makes us break down in tears like “I’ll Cover You (Reprise).” But how could we choose anything but “Seasons of Love?” How else would we know how to measure a year? This song not only teaches us that, but is emblematic of “Rent’ in a way that none of its other numbers are.
#1: “One Day More” “Les Misérables"
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Having finally made it to number one, it feels like this was a no-brainer. With all of its astounding songs, “Les Misérables" was destined for greatness. Songs like “I Dreamed a Dream” and “Bring Him Home” are achingly beautiful. “Stars” and “On My Own” deftly let us in on the inner thoughts of the characters. And “Do You Hear the People Sing?” is a protest song to end all protest songs. But nothing gets us going like “One Day More.” This perfectly chilling Act I closer features beautiful vocal arrangements along with an everlasting image of revolt. What more could you ask for?
