Top 10 Musical Theatre Songs Everyone Sings Along To

“Wicked”
The entire “Wicked” soundtrack is phenomenal, with plenty of “Popular” numbers that we love to sing along to. Yet, you’ll often find us warming up our vocal cords in preparation for the epic Act One finale, “Defying Gravity.” This song marks a pivotal moment in the story, and the melody does an exceptional job of taking us through that transition. Whether you sing half of this duet or dream cast yourself in both roles, you’re in for one vocal rollercoaster! And that’s all before the song hits its climax; then, we’re all going as hard as humanly possible. Just don’t peak too soon; you’ll want your ending battle cry to be right up there with the greats.

“Chicago”
Perhaps, like Roxie, you like to see the world as your stage, and hey, why not? While we don’t condone violence, is there anything more empowering to a musical theatre fan than pretending to be one of the six merry murderesses of the Cook County Jail and adding your voice to the “Cell Block Tango?” Even if you don’t know all the dialogue, the chorus is easy to master! From the first “Pop! Six! Squish!” and so on, wherever we are or whatever we’re doing, we can’t help but stop and sing our hearts out. “If you had been there if you had heard it, [we] betcha you would have done the same!”

“Hamilton”
We’ll leave songs like “Guns and Ships” to the pros, but there are still plenty of chances to sing along with the “Hamilton” soundtrack, and we’re not ones to throw away our shot. Taking inspiration from mid-20th century British Invasion music, King George’s “You’ll Be Back” is just one of those tunes that’s super easy and fun to follow. Fashioned like a breakup letter, inspired by an off-the-cuff joke by “House” actor Hugh Laurie, the British Monarch sings this comically spiteful ditty to the Americans who’ve just declared their Independence. It's the kind of melody that pulls you in and won’t let go. No, seriously—King George demands that you join in, so everybody…

“Rent”
Jonathan Larson’s song about making every minute count has long transcended the realm of “Rent.” With lyrics about “measuring your life in love” and celebrating the little joys we often take for granted, it’s no wonder so many people connect with it. The lyrics are easy enough to pick up after just a few listens, and if not, you can always clap along to its catchy melody until the chorus rolls around. Also, thanks to this song, how many of us now know how many minutes there are in an average year? “Seasons of Love” has been covered endlessly and even parodied from time to time. Even Stevie Wonder put his mark on it!

“Les Misérables”
“Do you hear the people sing?” With a soundtrack as iconic as “Les Misérables,” it’s almost impossible not to. From “I Dreamed a Dream” to “On My Own,” we discovered the art of sobbing and belting in perfect harmony. Just make sure to pace yourself—“One Day More” is waiting to steal your breath, too! And let’s be honest, we’re not just choosing to sing along with Jean Valjean or Eponine or Enjolras, no, no. We have to sing every. Single. Part. Yes, they overlay each other at times, but hey, who doesn’t love a challenge? At least they all come together in the end. We’ll always be ready to sing along one time more!

“Hairspray”
This energetic finale number has practically had audiences shaking and shimmying their way out of theaters and singing with wild abandon since its stage debut. What’s not to love? It’s a full-on celebration of everything that keeps us moving forward—love, self-expression, social justice, and the unstoppable rhythm of life itself. Who wouldn’t want to join in with a number that’s one giant tribute to breaking down barriers and being true to yourself? It’s just over-the-top fun and non-stop energy, and whether you’re singing it solo or as a group number, everyone gets their chance to shine. Sure, you’ll be out of breath by the end, but that’s just part of the magic—you really can’t stop the beat!

“Grease”
If you’re looking for the ideal musical for a sing-along, “Grease” is the one that you want! “Summer Nights” is certainly a popular karaoke number! Meanwhile, the Oscar-nominated “Hopelessly Devoted,” written for the 1978 movie adaption, has since become a fan favorite. However, is there a bigger crowd-pleaser than “You’re the One That I Want?” With easy-to-remember lyrics, plenty of sass, and a playful back and forth between singers, everything about this song just invites you to have a good time! We don’t even need a Danny for our Sandy (or vice versa) to jump in and give it our all. It’s fun, flirty, and, like any great fairground ride, leaves us ready for another round.

“Annie”
This song is arguably one of the most uplifting and feel-good pieces in any musical! “Tomorrow” follows a simple melody that packs plenty of power and builds up a sense of hope that’s almost contagious. On the flip side, we’re also prone to join in for a round of “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” especially when life is getting us down. Yet, we’ll always follow it up with “Tomorrow” as a reminder that things will get better. Plus, belting out those big notes feels so freeing, like you’re letting all your worries go with every word. It’s a classic for a reason—this timeless optimism always feels fresh, no matter how many times you sing it!

“The Sound of Music”
Let’s start from the very beginning; we hear it’s a very good place to start. From the title number to stripping things back to “Do Re Mi,” this musical is really about how “The Sound of Music” can shape and influence our stories. So, of course, it practically feels like one big invitation to join in! Yet there’s one number, in particular, we love singing along to as much as Maria loves “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,” and based on the number of times it's been covered and sampled, we’re not the only ones. Many film lovers chose it as one of their favorite things, too, landing it a spot on AFI's “100 Years...100 Songs” list in 2004.


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

Always Ready to Go Go Go with Those “Ah-Ahs”

We’ll March Our Band Out, We’ll Beat Our Drum & We’ll Always Sing Out at the Top of Our Lungs

Bonus Points If We’re Singin’, Dancin’ & Splashin’ Through Puddles, Too. What a Glorious Feelin’!

Let's Be Honest: We Learned How to Spell ‘Oklahoma’ from the Number of Times We Sang Along

A Catchy Confidence Booster, Why Wouldn’t You Want to Sing It Out As Loud As You Can!?

“The Wizard of Oz”
Come on, this is one of those songs that’s so iconic that even if you’ve never seen “The Wizard of Oz,” you’ll probably know all the words (although if you haven’t, where have you been?). Dorothy sings about a world beyond the rainbow where “Troubles melt like lemon drops,” and if that’s not relatable, we don’t know what is! Anyway, this song has been covered more times than we can count, has been honored in so many ways, won an Oscar, and has even been played in outer space! Singing it feels like letting go of all the weight of reality and just floating into a dreamy world of possibilities. Sign us up for more of that!

What show tune can’t you help but sing along to whenever you hear it? Let us know and get a sing-along going in the comments.