| Article Index |
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| Top 100 Showtunes |
| Top 100 Showtunes 26-50 |
| Top 100 Showtunes 49-25 |
| Top 100 Showtunes 24-01 |
| All Pages |
76: Once Upon The Natchez Trace- The Robber Bridegroom- 1977
A far as musical comedies go, this often overlooked/unheard of show is top of the line. This very bluegrass opening number introduces us to our quirky cast of main characters through their future descendents (played by the same actors who play the characters themselves). We are brought into the show as if it is being told as a long passed down piece of folklore...This song creatively puts all the characters and setting in place for a hilarious show.
75: Guys and Dolls- Guys and Dolls- 1955
"Guys and Dolls" is catchy, funny, and speaks a social truth that transcends the period setting.
74: Do You Hear the People Sing- Les Miserables- 1980
Here we have a heck of a protest song from a very overrated (although great) musical.
73: My Strongest Suit- Aida- 1998
I love songs that A) "Steal" the show B) Make you forget the context of the show and C) Have false endings. So it only makes sense that this rock out intentionally shallow song pushes my buttons, Sherie Rene Scott on the original cast album certainly doesn't hurt it's case.
72: Momma Look Sharp- 1776- 1969
1776 is a fantastic show all around, but this incredibly haunting song seems to come out of nowhere. We feel so far removed from the revolutionary war that we often forget the real human tragedy of it all, "Momma Look Sharp" will remind you. Pretty tear inducing stuff.
71: Step Too Far- Aida- 1998
Can't I just have a song on here because it is catchy and really fun to sing?
70: Listen To Jesus Jimmy- Reefer Madness- 2001
Maybe just because it offends Christian sensibilities. But probably because it is funny. Shocking is just a bonus.
69: But Mr Adams- 1776- 1969
A select group of our favorite founding fathers are selected to draft the Declaration of Independence, they promptly begin arguing over who is to write it to hilarious results. I dare you not to laugh when Benjamin Franklin says "Hell No"
68: Dancing Through Life- Wicked- 2003
A perfect example of story driven music. The tunes change, cross in and out of each other, and culminate in a grand ending performed by the entire cast. All the while the story propels forward and we get great character moments. It really has to be heard to be understood.
67: Louder Than Words- Tick Tick Boom- 2001
Tick Tick Boom is sort of an anomaly. Jonathan Larson wrote this show long before the world ever knew his name, and after his death and the subsequent success of RENT Larson's quirky early work gets a proper production. Larson's style was still developing here...Heck...it was still developing when he died...He had a lot more to give us. You may love his stuff or hate it, I happen to be in the former category and I find this one in particular very uplifting.
66: Go, Go, Go Joseph- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat- 1972
The word "upbeat" doesn't even describe it, this is an excuse to bring out the most crazy and psychedelic costumes and set pieces you can imagine. Aesthetically speaking this show is all about color, and this is the song that really shows it. And you can dance crazy!
65: As Long as You're Mine- Wicked- 2003
There aren't enough haunting love ballads in the world.
64: The Shmuel Song- The Last Five Years- 2002
"The Last Five Years" is one of the most brilliant things ever conceived...ever. I won't give you the whole rundown, but I will say that this is a character developing piece disguised as a story. We get to see what really inspires Jamie, success. Jamie thinks that by offering "success" to the one he loves, he is giving the best gift he can give. This is one of the reasons he ultimately fails on the one thing he claims is most imporant...Kathy. We begin to see all the subtleties of the problems in the relationship, the cracks are showing....
63: On My Own- Les Miserables- 1980
Because I said so.
62: Take Me As I Am- Jekyll And Hyde- 1997
Love Song. Big Voices. Soaring Heights. Epic. I'm a sucker.
61: I'm Free/Heaven Help Me- Footloose- 1998
In addition to epic love songs I am also a sucker for rebellion songs. This song is rock all the way, it the message is simple, "Stick it to the man!".
60: Pity The Child- Chess- 1986
Chess has one of the best scores of all time.This tortured character piece really stings, few songs can rival the emotion and intensity found here.
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59: I Know the Truth- Aida- 1998
"I Know the Truth" has exactly the kind of theme and vocals I love in a female piece. This is a nice contrast piece for Amneris from the earlier "Stronger Suite" in this list. It is painful, real, and just so pretty.
58: No One Mourns the Wicked- Wicked- 2003
"Wicked" has a fantastic way of having truly epic showtunes, that is, songs that span several characters and their motivations. Much like "Dancing Through Life" earlier in the list, we get several little tunes interweaved with a strong chorus. In addition to all that this is a marvelous opening number, it sets us up in a world, it exposed us to a very back/white or good/evil world view...Then spends the next two hours tearing down our preconceived notions of what it is to be wicked. Taking a well known story that really is morally simplistic and showing a more sympathetic side to the bad "character" as well as a darker side to the "good" character is nothing short of brilliant (Like they did in that book about the wolf and the three pigs). The lesson? That unless you have every scrap of information you really shouldn't judge. All this in one opening number!
57: Therapy- Tick Tick Boom- 2001
This funny little piece has to be one of the most fun songs to sing of all time. There may not be much substance, but style and fun have to count for something. I mean...It's really...philosophical...
56: Once In a While- The Rocky Horror Show- 1973
If you only know of Rocky Horror through the movie, odds are you've never even heard this one. Yes one of the very best songs in this highly charged musical was left out of the movie. In any event this may be seen as a weird choice, but there's no accounting for taste. I just love this song, it is soft and simple but I love the melody. The definitive version of this song is in the new Broadway recording.
55: The Wizard And I- Wicked- 2003
A hopelessly optimistic character piece, a chance for some really soaring female vocals, and a host of clever little references to the movie. Winner.
54: Somewhere That's Green- Little Shop of Horrors- 1982
A song that is almost simultaneously funny and sad. Ellen Green's (and subsequently Kerry Butler's) character is so silly yet legitimate. Little Sop is a dark show, no doubt about it, it may be a comedy but this is a song about an abused woman who lives in the slums dreaming about someday having the kind of happy life she sees in magazines. And we all know poor Audrey will end up "somewhere that's green".
53: Is Anybody There- 1776- 1969
Such Passion! Such Fire! The historical John Adams is done justice. This solo piece is performed in an empty and dimly lit congressional chamber...I'll just let the lyrics speak for themselves...
I see fireworks! I see the pageant and
Pomp and parade
I hear the bells ringing out
I hear the cannons roar
I see Americans - all Americans
Free forever more
52: Close Every Door- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat- 1972
A beautifully written song that, like most songs in Joseph, is never incredibly vocally demanding. It's just pretty.
51: Tommorow- Annie- 1976
What a simple sentiment, and what a universal truth. The sun will come out tomorrow, imagine that. Annie is a great show, and this is one that pretty much every American knows and loves.
50: Shadow Land- The Lion King- 1997
It just sounds so epic.
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