Top 10 Greatest Broadway Love Songs
#10: “What More Can I Say?”
“Falsettos” (1992)
This is a really cute song, but it also serves as the calm before the storm, so we’re a little conflicted here! The number begins while Marvin watches Whizzer sleeping on his chest, and gives the audience a brief but warm glimpse into his happy and peaceful state of mind. The song carries over a beautiful piano melody, and features relatable lyrics like “I can’t eat breakfast/I barely tie my shoe.” It’s a wonderful testament to love and the feelings of elation that abound upon entering into a new relationship. And to think, the next song is called Something Bad Is Happening, and the story turns to utter chaos. So enjoy this brief respite of happiness while you can.
#9: “I Can Hear the Bells”
“Hairspray” (2002)
“I Can Hear the Bells” has to be one of the happiest-sounding and cutest songs in Broadway history. Of course, none of it is actually true, as it is prompted by a mere bump and takes place entirely inside of Tracy’s lovestruck mind. But hey, we were kids too, and we remember envisioning our future with our crush who we never even talked to! Much like “What More Can I Say,” the genius behind “I Can Hear the Bells” is just how relatable it is. Only, this song is relatable in a more fun and lighthearted way - but that certainly doesn’t detract from its impact. It’s fun, it’s adorable, and it reminds us of simpler times. In other words, it’s a perfect Broadway love song.
#8: “Shall We Dance?”
“The King and I” (1951)
This 1951 musical features a number of beautiful love songs, including “Something Wonderful.” However, we have to give this spot to “Shall We Dance?,” a gorgeous and upbeat polka tune featuring some passionate interplay between Anna and King Mongkut. It serves as a wonderful climax to the story, as the characters finally recognize and express their love for each other through the art of song and dance. It’s a testament to the power and influence of music, but also a fun and catchy song that really gets stuck in the head. Such is the brilliance of Rodgers and Hammerstein.
#7: “Suddenly, Seymour”
“Little Shop of Horrors” (1982)
Who knew that death could serve as an inspiration for the cutest of songs? Okay, maybe it’s an outlier, but that’s certainly the case with “Suddenly, Seymour!” Throughout the first act of the play, Audrey is abused by her boyfriend, a sadistic dentist named Orin. The first act ends with Orin’s death, as he asphyxiates on laughing gas and is fed to Audrey II. His absence prompts Audrey and Seymour to admit their feelings towards each other, with “Suddenly, Seymour” serving as a wonderful and heartwarming exploration of these new feelings. It’s an uplifting and empowering song, and it’s also an absolute belter, demanding that you sing along!
#6: “Helpless”
“Hamilton” (2013)
There’s a reason “Hamilton,” and Lin-Manuel Miranda, blew up. They’re just so unbelievably good! The play received critical acclaim for its original approach to Broadway music, mixing traditional showtunes with elements of rap, R&B, and soul. “Helpless” is recounts the adorable meeting and instant infatuation between Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler. Many people have compared Eliza’s singing and flow on this song to that Beyoncé, which makes sense, considering Lin-Manuel Miranda is an enormous Beyoncé fan. “Helpless” is unlike anything we’ve heard on Broadway before, and it perfectly showcases the talents of a fresh theatre megastar.
#5: “Somewhere”
“West Side Story” (1957)
It’s hard picking the greatest love song from “West Side Story.” After all, it is arguably one of the greatest Broadway shows, and one of the greatest love stories ever written. “One Hand, One Heart” is certainly mesmerizing, but we have to go with “Somewhere,” the song performed during the Somewhere Ballet and briefly reprised as Tony dies in Maria’s arms. It’s a bit on the short side, but it’s also incredibly sweet, infusing hopeful and dream-like lyrics and virtuosic singing with musical phrases borrowed from Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. “Somewhere” is pure beauty in musical form, and has since become one of the most popular and covered Broadway love songs of all time. In short, it’s a masterpiece.
#4: “If I Could Tell Her”
“Dear Evan Hansen” (2015)
“If I Could Tell Her” is certainly a cute song, but you have to admit, it’s also a little creepy and inappropriate. At this point in the play, Evan is visiting his crush Zoe, whose brother Connor has just committed suicide. He then expresses his feelings for Zoe through lyrics and compliments that are made to sound like they came from her deceased brother. So, he’s essentially using her dead brother as his wingman. Somehow, it still manages to play out as fun and lighthearted and at times very funny. Despite the creepy factor, it’s a charming, unfiltered confession of love. The dead brother angle is weird, but also makes the number unique and memorable.
#3: “I’ll Cover You”
“Rent” (1993)
“I’ll Cover You” shares a lot in common with “What More Can I Say?” Both center around LGBT characters declaring their love, which was still fairly groundbreaking in the early 90s. Both also serve as ominous portents of things to come, as one half of each couple eventually passes away from AIDS. This tragedy is overtly foreshadowed in “I’ll Cover You,” when Collins sings, “When you’re worn out and tired/When your heart has expired.” The song is iconic, and it serves as a powerful testament to the universality and unstoppable nature of love.
#2: “All I Ask of You”
“The Phantom of the Opera” (1986)
“All I Ask of You” is one of those rare Broadway showtunes that transcended the stage to hit the airwaves. The song comes after Christine tells Raoul about her encounter with the Phantom. Raoul then vows to protect her, and Christine accepts his protection and love. It’s a gorgeous operatic pop ballad, filled with luscious strings and some unbelievable singing from Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton - or, you know, whoever’s performing it! The song became a bonafide worldwide hit when it was released as a single with Cliff Richard, peaking at number one in Ireland and South Africa and reaching #3 in the UK. It’s become pretty much synonymous with show-stopping Broadway belters.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Seventeen”
“Heathers: The Musical” (2010)
“In a Crowd of Thousands”
“Anastasia” (2017)
“Wait for Me”
“Hadestown” (2006)
“Something to Believe In”
“Newsies” (2011)
“Till There Was You”
“The Music Man” (1957)
#1: “As Long as You’re Mine”
“Wicked” (2003)
Let’s be serious here, any song performed by Idina Menzel is sure to get our hearts pumping! At this point in the story, Fiyero has declared his love for Elphaba, and Elphaba literally can’t believe her luck, seeing as how poorly she’s treated by the rest of Oz. The song is a unique mixture of traditional Broadway showtune and 80s power ballad, and that’s a mixture we hadn’t previously imagined could work this well. The song also helps humanize Elphaba, AKA the Wicked Witch of the West, in a way that mere dialogue cannot. It represents pure passion, and we love every last minute of it.
