Top 20 Opening Songs from Musicals That Give Us Chills

#20: Heaven on Their Minds

Jesus Christ Superstar

Now thats a gutsy way to open a show! Judas comes out swinging with this blistering, cynical warning, and the second he starts singing, you feel the air shift. Its so electrifying, and his words speak to a universal truth that still resonates today, perhaps even more than ever. Every performer brings their own energy to it, rage, fear, sorrow, spite, but theres always something painfully human pulsating behind each note and lyric. Heard live, the way it fills the air thick with tension, unbridled emotion, and Judas inner turmoil is inescapable. You can practically feel it in your gut. Knowing how this story ends, this early warning becomes incredibly poignant and chillingly prophetic.

#19: All That Jazz

Chicago

From the opening notes, this song grips you with its dangerous, magnetic pull. The rhythm builds steadily, and before you know it, youre completely drawn in. Its catchy and stylish, with a hypnotic quality that perfectly sets the shows theme. The way Velma starts soft and subtle almost makes you lean forward in your seat like youre trying to listen in on some secret. Now that she has you, she and the ensemble slowly build the number into a thundering crescendo. Roxie is introduced here, too, mostly to prove Billys point, with enough razzle-dazzle, you really can get away with anything. The sheer theatrical force floods the senses, leaving a thrill that chills.

#18: Willkommen

Cabaret

Perhaps one of the biggest themes in Cabaret is the Kit Kat Klubs escapism, skirting willful ignorance as fascism creeps across Europe. The Emcee welcomes the audience with charm, but theres always something off, like you sense something dark just out of sight behind the curtain. The Emcee clearly knows whats going on outside, but encourages the crowd to forget and lose themselves in hedonism. The music builds and booms at the end, like hes trying to drown out the horrors beyond the clubs walls. Indeed, that might be the most haunting part of all. The music is catchy and playful, but its hard to ignore that ominous undertone that makes your skin tingle.

#17: Alexander Hamilton

Hamilton

Right from the start, the song launches into a fast-paced, epic summary of Alexander Hamiltons life. Its packed with so much detail, and the music keeps growing bigger and bigger, giving a strong feeling of destiny. As more characters join, the chorus builds into a powerful, layered sound that transports you back in time. This explosive opening sets the tone for the whole show. Somewhat, uniquely, it reveals the ending early, although can you really ask history to come with a spoiler alert? Knowing how the story ends makes every moment after feel heavier, like each step leads closer to inevitable doom. It raises the stakes and gives you a spine-tingling rush right away.

#16: Road to Hell

Hadestown

Like Hamilton, this show opens with a number that introduces this world and its main players. Interestingly, this song wasnt even in the original score; it actually started as a piece of dialogue that grew in songwriter Anaïs Mitchells head until it turned into this full-on opener. Theres a lot to love here: Hermes jazzy vocals, Orpheus smooth tones, and the Fates bringing fierce gospel fire. Whether you know the story of Orpheus and Eurydice or not, this song makes it clear that this isnt an easy, happy tale. That grim reality, paired with a captivating, almost celebratory beat, creates a profound and chilling irony.

#15: Aquarius

Hair

This show wastes no time welcoming the audience into its tribe with a dreamlike, almost otherworldly melody that feels like an invitation to join this trip you know the kind. The Age of Aquarius promises peace, unity, and transformation, and the cast makes it feel real, often breaking the fourth wall to bring you into the vision. Set against the Vietnam War, their hope for a freer, kinder world hits so hard. Harder still if youre lucky enough to see it live. Hearing that kind of wide-eyed idealism now, when it feels so far away, is honestly kind of heartbreaking, and yet you yearn for it. And thats what gets you.

#14: The Bells of Notre Dame

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

For whats technically a Disney opening number, The Bells of Notre Dame goes way harder than youd expect. Its massive, ominous, and beautifully layered. Right from the start, it feels like a force bearing down on you. Those Latin choral voices, the tolling bells, and that sweeping orchestration all create this overwhelming sense of something huge unfolding. Theres tension and grandeur in every bar, and it sets the mood in a way that pins you to your seat. It starts soft and eerie, then builds into this thunderous wave of sound that practically crashes over you. Its sacred, dramatic, a little terrifying, and absolutely unforgettable. It practically shakes the ground before it begins.

#13: The Old Red Hills of Home

Parade

This song addresses the reality of soldiers before they head off to war and after they come home. The first half feels wide-eyed and innocent, with the eagerness of a soldier chasing promised glory, completely unaware of the true horrors. On the surface, its a stirring, patriotic ode to the South, its land, its people, its heritage, and the Confederacy. The lyrics evoke a strong sense of pride and a yearning for a bygone era, often seen as simpler and purer. Thats where it gets complex and unsettling. The melody may be stirring, but underneath, the song reveals how this romanticized pride can feed an us vs. them mindset that breeds prejudice and violence.

#12: Into the Woods

Into the Woods

Once upon a time, there was a Baker, his wife, a boy with a cow, a girl in a red hood, and a damsel missing a shoe. Their lives become entwined by one thing: a wish. This fifteen-ish--minute opening number is like a slow walk through the woods; it starts gentle and curious, introducing each character, then grows more urgent as their deepest hearts desire turns desperate. The melody builds gradually, wrapping around you like vines, stirring both wonder and unease. Like the magic at the heart of the story, this prologue casts a spell on its audience, filling us with awe, delight, and just enough danger to send a shiver down the spine.

#11: Ragtime

Ragtime

Its practically impossible not to be moved by the way this prologue builds so carefully and yet hits you where it hurts. What starts as three separate worlds, upper-class New Rochelle, Harlem, and the immigrant communities, slowly begins to layer and overlap, both musically and thematically. Its precise, its tight, and that structure alone creates a sense of momentum you can feel in your chest. But theres tension underneath all the optimism. They might be singing in harmony, but the dissonance between the groups is still there. It sums up this pivotal moment in American history perfectly, full of hope, yet fractured at its core. That contrast stays with you.

#10: Just Another Day

Next to Normal

In its opening notes, this tune draws us into a world that feels instantly recognizable like slipping on a familiar mask to hide the struggles within. Its seemingly mundane lyrics clash with a desperate plea to keep the grip from slipping, creating a subtle tension beneath the surface. It almost feels like a calm façade, barely containing a brewing storm, just waiting to break free. The melody starts relatively calm and gradually builds with heavier chords and more intensity, mirroring the mounting anxiety. Also, Diana falls out of rhythm toward the end as the mask begins to slip. If that doesnt send shivers down your spine, we dont know what will.

#9: Maybe

Annie

Annie wastes no time hitting us in the feels with a song where the titular orphan sings about parents she hopes to reunite with one day. Beginning softly, the song reflects Annies profound sense of loneliness. Yet, as she sings of hope and reunion, the music gradually swells, echoing her growing desires. The melodys pretty simple, leaving plenty of room for the heartfelt lyrics to shine. With its childlike innocence and optimism, Annies yearning will hit you right in the gut. By the time the last note fades away, it almost feels like her feelings have seeped into our own, stirring up something deep inside us.

#8: Tradition

Fiddler on the Roof

From the first note, this song bursts with a vibrant energy, underscoring the importance of tradition to Tevye and his community. Its happy and festive, but if you listen closely, youll hear hints of their struggles, too. Still, when everything comes togetherthe strong beat, the booming music, those surprising harmonies, and the passionate singingits just awe-inspiring. Its almost like a big celebration of everything that unites the Jewish community of Anatevka. Anytime everyone joins together for a triumphant chorus of Tradition, we just want to join Tevye for a lively dance. As the melody crescendos, we start to feel as shaky as a Fiddler on the Roof in anticipation of whats to come.

#7: No One Mourns the Wicked

Wicked

Any song that starts with Good news, shes dead is sure to send chills down our spines. Right from the start, this song grabs you and then dives into introducing our two leading ladies, albeit in very different ways, and makes us question everything we thought we knew about them. The song shows how easily people can get swept up in sensational language and, in this case, a catchy tune. The harmonies between Glinda and the mob are absolutely breathtaking. Even though we might not realize it yet, Glindas sweetness against the harshness of the mob tells us theres a lot more to this story than meets the eye, and it already has us hooked.

#6: Welcome to the Rock

Come from Away

If you ask anyone old enough to remember what they were doing on September 11th, 2001, they could probably tell you without missing a beat. Indeed, thats where this song finds us. The residents of Gander, Newfoundland, sing about getting on with their daily routines, totally unaware that the world as they know it is about to change. As news of the tragedy spreads, the music shifts, reflecting the resilience and unity of the community. Their stirring harmonies capture their solidarity and humanity's capacity for strength and compassion in the face of adversity. It's a really moving tribute to the extraordinary acts of kindness and courage that emerged from the darkest of times.

#5: Deliver Us

The Prince of Egypt

If the version from DreamWorks animated movie gave you chills, just wait until you see it performed live. The music itself is incredibly moving, with its haunting melody and powerful vocals. Meanwhile, the lyrics tell an emotional tale of oppression and the hope for freedom that grips your heart and soul. Hearing the Hebrews crying out for deliverance live on stage especially strikes a chord. Every cast member pours their heart into the number, making sure nobody is left unmoved. If you ever get the chance to see it live, the performance from the whole company is absolutely stunning. It's one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful things you'll ever witness on stage.

#4: Mama Who Bore Me

Spring Awakening

Before teenage angst puts the rock in this rock musical, Wendla sings this contemporary ballad about the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. Frustrated by her moms silence on the facts of life, Wendla voices how unprepared she feels as she comes of age. The melody and arrangement evoke vulnerability and turmoil, complemented perfectly by Wendlas expressive vocals. She captures the confusion of being a teenager in a way that resonates with everyone, no matter how long its been since their teen years. You can feel her conflict as she tries to figure everything out while feeling like nobody understands. Thats why this song hit you right in the feelsits just so honest and real.

#3: Prologue

Les Misérables

The Prologue wastes no time immersing the audience in a central theme of the show: social injustice and poverty. We meet Jean Valjean, a convict whose only crime was trying to feed his family, leading to a harsh 19-year sentence. Despite his freedom, Valjean remains haunted by his past. Only through encountering kindness does he find the resolve to break free from his history and become a force for good. Prologue pulls at every single heartstring with profound frustration, despair, and unfairness, all conveyed powerfully through the companys voices. Valjeans final note can set off a shockwave of chills. You almost expect the whole theater to start shaking with the power of it.

#2: Circle of Life

The Lion King

Remember the first time you watched Disneys The Lion King and how you stood to attention like a meerkat at the first notes of this song come on, thats core memory material. Now imagine experiencing that live! From that very first note, the cast has you in their grip, hanging on every word they sing. The harmonious blend of English lyrics and Zulu chants casts its magic over us, drawing audiences deeper into the story. The melody builds and builds, holding the audience in a trance-like state. Then, when baby Simbas introduced and the song hits its peak well, the energy is electric enough to launch us right to the top of Pride Rock!

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

Magic to Do, Pippin

A Captivating Invitation to Extraordinary Wonders & a Thrilling Touch of the Unknown

In Every Age, Titanic

The Tragic Fate of the Ship & Its Many Passengers Gives It a Chilling Undercurrent

(Little Shop of Horrors), Little Shop of Horrors

That Booming, Ominous Voice Starkly Contrasted with the Upbeat, Foreboding Melody Gives This Song a Hair-Raising Kick

Anybody Have a Map?, Dear Evan Hansen

There Are Almost No Words to Describe How Close to Home This Song Hits, Even If Youre Not a Parent

The Sound of Music, The Sound of Music

The Way the Music Swells Feels Capable of Making the Very Mountains Tremble

#1: Prelude: The Ballad of Sweeney Todd: Attend The Tale of Sweeney Todd

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Is there anything more hair-raising than a melody beckoning you into a tale shrouded in darkness? The soundtrack is known for its intricate harmonies and eerie chords, which create this unsettling tension that perfectly mirrors the twisted story. Unlike typical upbeat show tunes, Sweeney Todds melodies feel offbeat, constantly keeping you on your toes. Its vocal style often booms with operatic grandeur, with these powerful, soaring notes that add to the drama and intensity. Yet, just as you settle into its rhythm, it swerves, plunging into moments of eerie calm that catch you off guard. The music itself becomes a character, intensifying the storys emotion.

Which opening number from a musical never fails to give you chills? Let us know in the comments.