Top 10 Artists You Didn't Know Wrote Broadway Songs

“Randy Newman's Faust”
The story of a man who trades his soul for knowledge and worldly pleasures has been retold countless times. Surprisingly, Newman, perhaps best known to many of us as the guy behind “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from “Toy Story,” also ventured into this dark tale. Newman released the soundtrack as an album featuring legends like Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, and James Taylor. While the show might not be widely known, its music has outlived its origins. “Life Has Been Good to Me” appeared in an episode of “3rd Rock from the Sun,” while “Relax, Enjoy Yourself” and “Can’t Keep a Good Man Down” were performed in “Ally McBeal’s” musical episode.

“The Last Ship”
“The Last Ship” tells the story of a man returning to his struggling English shipbuilding town. He faces lost love, tough economic times, and a mission to save his community. The story was inspired by Sting’s own background, which, although he worked hard to escape, he wanted to honor for all it had given him. The music borrows from his album “The Soul Cages” but is mostly comprised of original numbers. Sting infused it with soul-stirring ballads and a blend of pop, rock, and folk that perfectly underscore the narrative. Even though the story didn’t quite hit home with North American audiences, it still scored Tony nominations for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations.

“Bombay Dreams”
A. R. Rahman is a musical visionary, celebrated for his groundbreaking work in Indian cinema. He skyrocketed to global fame with his score for “Slumdog Millionaire,” which won him two Academy Awards. Rahman is also the mastermind behind the soundtrack for the musical “Bombay Dreams,” produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It tells the story of Akaash, a young man from an impoverished area who dreams of Bollywood stardom. The score is a stunning blend of traditional Indian music with Western pop and classic show tunes, creating a rich and energetic soundscape. Although it may not have reached as many audiences as it should have, just wait—once “Shakalaka Baby” gets stuck in your head, you’ll be hooked!

“Spring Awakening”
Duncan Sheik is best known as a singer-songwriter and composer. He gained fame with his 1996 hit single “Barely Breathing,” which earned a Grammy nomination and became a pop radio staple. You might not know that he’s also a big name in musical theater, thanks to his Tony-winning score for “Spring Awakening.” It’s a coming-of-age story set shortly before the turn of the 20th century. While it’s often called a rock musical, Sheik said he didn’t exactly set out to stick to one genre—each song was written to capture the raw emotion of the moment. Indeed, every song is emotionally charged with the ability to make you laugh, cry, or jump around in unrestrained angst.

“The Capeman”
If you’re just finding out that Paul Simon wrote a musical, you’re probably not alone— “The Capeman” only ran for 68 performances. The show tells the story of Salvador Agrón, with a soundtrack that mixes Latin rhythms, gospel, and doo-wop. The music earned Tony nominations for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations, undoubtedly thanks to its bold, genre-blending sound. But Simon’s attempt to shake up the Broadway formula might’ve worked against it. The show cost a (then) staggering $11 million, faced bad press, and closed quickly. Still, the music stands out as perhaps the best part. With such a unique score, maybe “The Capeman” isn’t done for good—perhaps there’s a second chance somewhere in its future.

“Kinky Boots”
Let us hear you say, “Yeah!” if you didn’t know, this ’80s pop icon is also a Tony Award-winning composer. Lauper quickly realized that writing show tunes is a whole different game than pop hits. Now, she had to craft songs for a bunch of characters, each with their own personalities. She teamed up with musical director Stephen Oremus, who layered in harmonies and orchestrations. The result was an eclectic soundtrack from the powerful “Not My Father’s Son” to the hilariously relatable “History of Wrong Guys.” Then there’s the feel-good “Raise You Up/ Just Be” that makes you want to lace up your knee-high boots and strut into a more open-minded future. “Time After Time,” Lauper has shown she knows how to create a crowd-pleaser.

“Finding Neverland”
Barlow rose to fame as a member of the British boy band Take That and made his musical theater debut with the stage adaptation of the 2004 film “Finding Neverland.” The show uses a mix of folk, pop, and orchestral music to tell the story of how author J. M. Barrie ended up writing “Peter Pan.” Fun fact: it was James Corden who suggested Barlow to the book writer Harvey Fierstein, who was actually looking to collaborate with Webber. Initially, Fierstein asked Barlow for one epic finale but soon admitted he needed an entire soundtrack. Unfortunately, the musical closed after 17 months. But perhaps with a little faith, trust (some tweaking), and pixie dust, it will find another life. Never say Never…(land)!

“Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark”
Given the web of drama around “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,” it’s easy to forget the music, let alone who wrote it. The show quickly earned a reputation as “a comic book rock opera circus,” and not in a good way. Bono explained the soundtrack wasn’t just rock but mixed in dance jams and show tunes to match the show’s intensity. Despite their efforts, critics didn’t exactly love it. Bono jokingly said he was inspired to compose it after Andrew Lloyd Webber remarked that rock musicians hadn’t ventured on his turf in a while—so Bono decided to give him some competition. But hey, “Phantom” wasn’t an instant hit either, so maybe there’s hope after all.

“Diner”
“Diner,” a musical based on the 1982 film of the same name, is a coming-of-age story set in the 1950s, centered around a group of friends who gather at a diner in Baltimore to discuss life, relationships, and their future. While the show didn’t make it big, it was praised for its catchy, heartfelt music and for bringing a fresh spin to the original film's themes. Crow crafted a collection of doo-wop, R&B, and early rock 'n' roll tunes that could easily have been chart-toppers back in the day. The rich vocal layers and clever lyrics energize the narrative, pushing it forward with purpose. Here’s hoping one day it will get its just desserts.


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

From Rock Royalty to British Royalty

The Talking Heads Front Man’s 2020 Concert Was Rejigged into a Very Short-Lived Musical

Did You Know That This Singer Was Behind “Everybody Rejoice/a Brand New Day”?

You Know Him As “ (the Piña Colada Song)” Guy but His Foray into Musical Theater Won Him Two Tony Awards!

You May Know He’s the Brains Behind “Matilda,” but That’s Not the Only Movie He Adapted for the Stage

“SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical”
Here are some names you’d never expect to pair with “SpongeBob SquarePants”: David Bowie, Plain White T’s, Panic! At The Disco, and Steven Tyler. Yet they, along with an even longer list of legends, contributed to the Broadway musical’s soundtrack. Imagine being a fly on the wall as T.I., Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, and more were tasked with writing songs that both fit the show’s wacky narrative and reflected their unique styles. Series creator Stephen Hillenburg wanted the chaotic, quirky spirit of Bikini Bottom to translate to the stage, and what better way than a wild mix of genres? It sounds like getting these big names on board was a breeze!

Did you know these artists were behind these tunes? Let us know in the comments