Top 10 Movie Musical Songs That Gave Us Chills

It’s not often we get a new, original musical for the big screen but“The Greatest Showman” proved that they can still pull in the audiences. There are plenty of fantastic performances throughout the movie, but “This Is Me” hits the hardest. Hugh Jackman’s P.T Barnum may be the protagonist, but his circus performers are the real heroes. They’re consigned to the sidelines, while Barnum reaps the rewards, but they aren’t prepared to stay in the shadows. As the Bearded Lady, Keala Settle leads the band of outcasts in an electrifying anthem that will speak to anyone who has ever felt different.

This Lin-Manuel Miranda musical focuses on the lives of Latin American New Yorkers and was inspired by the neighborhood where the writer grew up. The characters are mostly young, first or second generation immigrants, with big dreams but also a deep love for their community. Abuela Claudia is the matriarch of Washington Heights, a Cuban immigrant who traveled to New York with her mother in the 1940s. We see her through the young protagonist’s eyes, as a benevolent grandmother figure, but “Paciencia y Fe” puts her struggles in the spotlight. Olga Merediz’s heartbreaking performance reveals how far the character has come, but also what it cost her.

It’s always fun to see popular songs reinterpreted for a jukebox musical. The results aren’t always pretty, but once in a while they make for some real movie magic. “Moulin Rouge!” took “Roxanne” by British rock band “The Police” and gave it an Argentinian tango twist. When fused with “Tanguera” by Mariano Mores it becomes a piece of high drama, the perfect soundtrack to Christian’s mounting feelings of jealousy. The violin strings and the gravelly tones of the Argentinian set the mood, but it’s Ewan McGregor’s solo that takes the number to another level. It’s a powerful moment and one of the highlights of the film.

The film adaptation of “Phantom” might not be the best example of a movie musical, but you can’t deny the songs are fire. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s thrilling score combines the musical styles of opera and musical theater and is also heavy on the synthesizers (it was written in the eighties after all). The romantic duet “All I Ask of You” features soaring operatic voices and gorgeous harmonies that will make you catch your breath. Emmy Rossum is a lovely Christine, with a beautiful voice that blends well with that of Patrick Wilson’s Raoul. And just when we thought we couldn’t feel any more, the Phantom stabs us in the heart with his heartrending reprise.

“Hairspray” is a real feel-good musical but it also tackles some serious themes. Set in sixties Baltimore, it follows Tracy Turnblad, a white teen who scores a spot as a dancer on a local TV show. Her African-American castmates are relegated to one segregated show a week, and when this is cut altogether, Tracy joins them as they march for equal rights. This is when Queen Latifah, as Motormouth Maybelle, really gets her time to shine. “I Know Where I’ve Been” is a heartfelt anthem of protest that stands out amid the movie’s other numbers, which are mostly tongue in cheek. Latifah’s version of the song is movingly acted and powerfully sung.

You might be more familiar with the fifties adaptation of “Showboat,” in which “Ol’Man River” is sung by William Warfield. However, Paul Robeson’s performance from the 1936 film is the one that moves us most. Before turning to acting, Robeson was a professional football player, lawyer and political activist whose father was born into slavery. His success in “Show Boat” on stage got him cast in the movie adaptation, where he leads a stirring rendition of the musical’s most famous number. With a tune by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, it’s a powerful song, despite some problematic and dated lyrics. With his deep bass-baritone, Robeson brings gravitas and emotional weight.

The 2021 re-make of “West Side Story” was a wonderful tribute to the 1961 movie. We especially loved that the cast did all their own singing this time. However, one beloved scene from the original was missing from the new movie. In the re-make, the song “Somewhere” was performed by Rita Moreno’s character, Valentina. Her rendition was understated and moving, but the lyrics hit harder when sung by the young lovers themselves. Both tragic and hopeful, the original “Somewhere” expresses Maria and Tony’s wishes that one day there will be a safe place for people like them to be together. Natalie Wood gives a heartbreaking performance and Marni Nixon’s singing gives us chills every time.

“Over the Rainbow” was almost cut from “The Wizard of Oz” as there were concerns that it slowed down the action. Luckily, someone changed their mind. The scene became iconic and the song remains a beloved standard. Judy Garland created plenty of memorable musical moments during her on-screen career. We also love “The Man That Got Away,” her big number from “A Star is Born.” However, her most unforgettable performance is this one. The young Garland sings with the control and maturity of someone much older, but still exudes the wide-eyed innocence of a farm-girl from Kansas. It’s a simple, quiet scene, but her star quality makes you stop and pay attention.

“Les Mis” is jam-packed with thrilling musical sequences and heartbreaking solos, but the movie musical was more about the acting than the singing. The live performances were intended to better convey raw emotion - and it really worked. Eddie Redmayne nearly broke us with his tearful rendition of “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables.” But despite her limited screen-time, it’s Anne Hathaway’s “I Dreamed a Dream” that we all remember best. The song builds from a gentle lament to a torrent of furious emotion, as a despairing Fantine rages at the loss of her youth and happiness. It’s an acting tour-de force that won Hathaway a well-deserved Oscar.

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

“Tomorrow Belongs to Me,” “Cabaret” (1972)
This Nazi Youth-Led Chorus Is Chilling in a Very Different Way

“Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “The Sound of Music” (1965)
The Mother Abbess Convinces Maria to Return to Face Her Fears

“I’ll Cover You (Reprise),” “Rent” (2005)
An Emotional Tribute at Angel’s Funeral

“Something Wonderful,” “The King and I” (1956)
Lady Thiang’s Heartbreaking Solo about the Man She Loves

“Rose’s Turn,” “Gypsy” (1962)
Mama Rose Finally Takes Her Moment in the Spotlight

Jennifer Hudson had some big shoes to fill when she took on the role of Effie White in “Dreamgirls.” Following Jennifer Holliday, who originated the role on Broadway, would be daunting for anyone, and Hudson was a former American Idol contestant with no professional acting experience. As it turns out, she had nothing to worry about. “And I Am Telling You” is a torch song performed by Effie at the midpoint of the show. It’s one of the biggest songs in musical theater, and Hudson definitely does it justice on screen. Her performance is raw, messy and vulnerable and her incredible voice carries you through every emotion the character is feeling. This is the stuff standing ovations are made of.

Which movie musical number do you always wait for? Tell us your favorite moments in the comments!