Top 10 Underappreciated Broadway Songs

"Hairspray" is a show that manages to find hope and comedy in some of life's heaviest moments. At one point in the story, protagonist Tracy Turnblad and a handful of other characters find themselves in trouble after protesting racism. What eventually follows is a song called "Without Love," where Tracy, her love interest Link, her BFF Penny, and Penny’s beau Seaweed, sing as a quartet. The tune centers on how life and all its meaning are obsolete without the presence of love. It’s filled with rich similes, lots of personality, and even some comedy that set it apart. Along with"Run and Tell That!," "Without Love" needs, well, a lot more love.

One of the best things about the stage adaptation of "The Lion King" is that it gives the character of Nala more agency. During the second act, she makes a massive sacrifice by traveling away from the Pride Lands to seek assistance, escape Scar's horrific dictatorship, and find a new home. As Rafiki and the other lionesses support her decision, they all follow her lead in performing "Shadowland". As you can imagine, the result is a deeply haunting and impactful moment, and it leaves a mark on listeners that remains after the last note plays. So why exactly isn’t it on everybody’s radar?!

One of the many themes explored in "Waitress" is judgment. The musical does an excellent job of featuring the characters in indiscriminate situations that are way more nuanced than they seem. For instance, supporting character Becky is caught making out with her manager, Cal. This is made even more complicated by the fact that they’re both married to other people. During her solo, "I Didn't Plan It," she reveals that while she's responsible for her actions, she's also human. Much like “When He Sees Me”, it's an emphatic and compassionate number that shows how embracing imperfection can set one free. It doesn’t often get the same attention as “Waitress”’ other songs, like “She Used to Be Mine,” but it should.

"Fiddler on the Roof" is often regarded as one of the most important shows in the musical theater canon. With iconic songs like "Tradition" and "Matchmaker, Matchmaker", it's no surprise that it's so loved. However, even the most celebrated productions have numbers that deserve more praise. Take, for example, Tevye and Golde's duet "Do You Love Me?". It starts off with the former asking his wife a simple question and turns into a bittersweet tune about the longevity of love. After 25 years of marriage, the two prove to each other that their love is there, even if it doesn't always seem like it. Surprisingly tender and intimate, it may not be "Fiddler"’s most popular song, but boy does it have plenty of heart.

Libraries, palaces, museums — these are just a few Emerald City attractions mentioned in the oft-overlooked but incredibly amazing "Wicked" song "One Short Day." As BFFs Glinda and Elphaba play tourists in the bright shiny green metropolis, the tune whisks listeners away on a grand yet quick adventure. Indeed, musical theater legend Stephen Schwartz’s spellbinding orchestrations and whimsical lyrics are a pure delight. It goes without saying, but it’s a "can't skip" track on the musical's original Broadway cast recording. However, it does leave us with one very important and pressing question: What exactly is a quoxwood tree? We’re happy to keep wondering, as long as we can shine a light on the incredible number that is “One Short Day.”

The name on everybody's lips has indeed been Roxie, but we’re here to ask you to give a more underrated "Chicago" gem a round of applause! "We Both Reached for the Gun" is one of the show's most clever and fun numbers, and more than deserves the spotlight. After all, it’s basically one part press conference and one part vaudevillian spectacle! What more could you want? Facing murder charges, Roxie Hart is coached by her lawyer Billy Flynn, creating an innocent persona as hungry reporters watch on. She plays the dummy to his imaginary ventriloquist self as the two give 'em the old razzle dazzle. Oh yes, oh yes, we can’t wait to hit replay on this entertaining little number!

By now, every track featured in "Hamilton" seems to be a certified smash hit. However, there are still some songs that need a little bit more love. Chief among them is "Hurricane." The act two song is one of the show's finest, but also one of its least talked about. Following Alexander Hamilton's affair with Maria Reynolds, the founding father sees his personal and professional life at risk, and is forced to do some damage control. He sings about the calm before a storm, recalls his childhood struggles, and ultimately decides to go public with his mistake via the Reynolds Pamphlet. It gradually builds in intensity, perfectly setting the scene for the turbulence that’s about to unfold.

Jonathan Larson's musical "Rent" has earned its spot in musical theater history by pushing boundaries and shaking up Broadway. The production is full of emotional and affecting numbers like “Halloween”. But perhaps the most underappreciated is "Will I?". During a support group meeting for people living with AIDS, the attendees express their distress and anxieties about what the end of their lives will look like. The lyrics are simple and cut straight to the point. Larson wrote it after multiple sessions at an actual support group, where he heard patients’ stories. Question after question, the song packs a strong punch and tugs at our heartstrings.

"The Phantom of the Opera" is spectacular musical theater at its finest. Of course, it’s chock-full of grand numbers like “Notes/Prima Donna”. And there’s no shortage of power — just look at “Think of Me.” But the show also finds time to ground itself in personal moments, and it’s one of these we wish got more recognition. During "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," chorus girl turned prima donna Christine Daaé goes to ‘visit’ her late father at the cemetery amid a difficult time. While she longs for her dad’s help, her words perfectly embody the complexity and nuance of grief. It's a touching and somber piece that digs deep and leaves no dry eyes behind.

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

"He Vas My Boyfriend", “Young Frankenstein”
This Tune Always Leaves Us in Stitches

"If Only" (Quartet), “The Little Mermaid”
It Deserved to Make More of a Splash

"Abandoned in Bandon", “Once”
So Good You Can’t Just Listen to It ”Once”

"Woman", “The Pirate Queen”
A Powerful But Oft-Forgotten Ballad Fit for a Queen

“Easy to Be Hard”,“Hair”
A Captivating Song That's Perfect for the Stage, the Big Screen, or Your Playlist

Hear us out: “Les Misérables” isn’t all doom and gloom. Underrated songs like “Master of the House” offer some relatively lighter flare. Still, there’s something about those gut-wrenching numbers that we can help but love. Take for example,"A Little Fall of Rain". It isn't just a melody and lyrics. It’s a confession, a goodbye, and a tear-jerker. During the climatic barricade scene, Éponine is fatally wounded. Dying in Marius’ embrace, she confesses her feelings for him through this duet. The number joins the ranks of other poignant yet neglected ones, like “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables”. While Éponine’s "On My Own" is considered her big moment, "A Little Fall of Rain" is her most criminally overlooked.