Top 20 Catchiest Songs from Movie Musicals
#20: “Steppin’ Out with My Baby” “Easter Parade” (1948)
Picture it: Fred Astaire, the white suit, top hat, dancing on the stairs – it’s an iconic image, and an even more iconic song. “Steppin’ Out With My Baby” is a song from the 1948 musical “Easter Parade,” starring Astaire and Judy Garland, with music by Irving Berlin. Not only was it the highest-grossing musical movie of that year, but it also gave us some of the catchiest tunes Berlin has ever written – including this one. The song was later made re-famous by Tony Bennett, but we love Astaire’s version, with its big band orchestration, electric tap number, and that signature rhythmic Astaire flair. He makes it look like smooth sailing, indeed.
#9: “I Could Have Danced All Night” “My Fair Lady” (1964)
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Has there ever been a catchier, more joyful declaration of happiness? If you ask us, Lerner and Loewe really know how to write about having a crush. When Professor Henry Higgins takes in ragamuffin Eliza Doolittle, he’s determined to teach her how to speak properly, ridding her of her Cockney accent. As she learns more, the two get closer, sharing an impromptu dance one night, and – well you know the rest. This is a tune you can’t help but sing along to – the jubilance of the moment radiates out of the melody, rising and falling as Eliza proclaims her weightlessness and happiness. Sung by Marni Nixon who dubbed Audrey Hepburn’s singing voice, it’s joy personified – and there’s nothing catchier than that.
#18: “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” (1968)
Who woulda thought a song about a flying car could be so darn catchy? The movie “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” stars Dick Van Dyke, a man who buys an old car for his kids and fixes it up, all the while making up fantastical stories about it. The car – affectionately named Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – is so beloved by the family, they create a song about it. Part of the reason this tuneis so catchy is due to its utter simplicity. The lyrics, the melody – it’s all easy to sing, easy to remember and easy to love. Apparently, the Academy thought so too, and the song was even nominated for an Oscar. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, we love you indeed!
#17:” New York, New York” “On the Town” (1949)
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New York, New Yoooooork! In what might be the catchiest opening number of all time, in 1949’s “On The Town,” three sailors – played by Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin – head to the Big Apple for 24-hour leave. Not to be mistaken for Sinatra’s other famous tune about the city, “New York, New York” was written by Betty Comden, Adolph Green, and the great Leonard Bernstein. As the three sailors gallivant around the city – riding horses, riding bikes, seeing the sights – their glee is palpable. The swinging feel of the music only lends to that glee, and by the time they hit that last “it’s a wonderful town,” you’ll be singing right along with them.
#16: “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953)
Talk to us, Harry Winston! Tell us all about it! When you think Marilyn Monroe, you think “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.” In this 1953 movie musical, Monroe plays Lorelei, an engaged woman whose fiance and fiance’s father are suspicious of her behavior and they hire a PI to follow her on a trip to Paris. When she arrives, she finds her credit has been cancelled, so she and her friend Dorothy become showgirls at a club to get by. She sings this high-energy, sensual number at the club, and nearly everything about it is remarkable. From Monroe’s inimitable breathy tone to the easily hummable tune, this one will get your foot tapping.
#15: “Don’t Rain on My Parade” “Funny Girl” (1968)
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We’ve talked a lot about joyful songs on this list so far, but does it get sunnier than “Don’t Rain On My Parade?” Based on the life of Broadway star Fanny Brice, “Funny Girl” stars Barbra Streisand as the titular character, and became an iconic role for the actress. Of course, an iconic role needs an iconic song – and that’s where “Don’t Rain On My Parade” comes in. Fanny sings the song when she decides to marry Nicky Arnstein, and the song is a strong and brash declaration of love and intent. You can’t help but scream this one to the rafters, and when Streisand sings it, you get the impression that NOTHING is going to stop her. Not even a spot of rain!
#14: “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat” “Guys and Dolls” (1955)
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1955’s “Guys and Dolls” is filled with plenty of snappy tunes – how could we forget Marlon Brando’s rendition of “Luck Be a Lady”? – but for this entry, we have to go with the unforgettable “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat.” This particular tune brings a special brand of lightheartedness and humor to an already delightful film. When the gamblers are asked to repent for their sins, one gambler – Nicely – retells a wild dream he had the night before where he was convinced to give up his gambling ways. Thus, the number begins, pairing sweet and plaintive verses from Nicely with jumpy, upbeat choruses with the entirety of the gambling chorus. Seriously, if you don’t sing along, you’re the one rocking the boat.
#13: “The Trolley Song” “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944)
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It’s an easy enough tune to remember – just make the sounds a trolley makes! “Meet Me in St. Louis” stars Judy Garland and follows the Smith family over the course of a year. Many a standard originated in this film, all of them sung beautifully by Garland and her signature voice. But, nothing is quite as toe-tappingly catchy as “The Trolley Song.” What makes this tune so memorable isn’t just the chug chug or clang clang of the trolley, but Garland’ gorgeous voice as she warbles about being in love. The song was nominated for an Academy Award, but unfortunately lost out – no worries, it’s a winner in our hearts.
#12: “Do-Re-Mi” “The Sound of Music” (1965)
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It would be pretty difficult not to include the song that makes up all songs on this list. Of course, we love Julie Andrews’ rendition of “My Favorite Things” – who doesn’t love schnitzel with noodles? – but “Do Re Mi” is the most memorable song from this musical classic. In the film, Maria, played by Andrews, uses “Do Re Mi” to teach the von Trapp children how to sing – and in doing so, she also taught all of us how. In addition to the song being an absolute ear worm, it’s hard to forget the amazingly gorgeous backdrop that accompanies the von Trapp family as they prance around, singing at the top of their lungs. The hills are alive, indeed!
#11: “Ease on Down the Road” “The Wiz” (1978)
We’ll get to the movie that came before this 70s cult classic later on – but for now, let’s focus on this groovy hit! “The Wiz” is a musical based on L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” featuring an all-Black cast, and starring THE Diana Ross as Dorothy, a teacher from New York who is somehow transported to Oz. This incredibly catchy tune comes after she meets the Scarecrow, played by Michael Jackson, and they find themselves traveling down the famed Yellow Brick Road. They proceed to do just what the song says – ease on down the road! The beat, the orchestrations – it’s all so fun and snappy, it’s impossible not to dance right down that road alongside them.
#10: “We’re Off to See the Wizard” “The Wizard Of Oz” (1939)
Moving right along to another great song for the road! “The Wizard of Oz” is famous for many reasons – whether it be the amazing songs, or the stunning use of Technicolor. But our favorite moment has to be each and every time this jaunty tune plays. Whenever a new friend joins Dorothy on her journey, they burst into this gleeful song and skip down the road to their destination. It’s become such a standard, and has been covered by everyone from Mitch Miller to Alvin and the Chipmunks. And it’s easy to see why – the words have become so ingrained into our heads, and many a family has probably been annoyed by someone whipping this one out on a road trip.
#9: “If I Were a Rich Man” “Fiddler on the Roof” (1971)
You know you’ve made it into the catchy song canon when you inspire a Gwen Stefani hit. “Fiddler on the Roof” follows the life of Tevye, a Jewish man living in Imperial Russia in the early 1900s, and his daughters’ marriage prospects. This song comes rather early in the story, and features Tevye reflecting on his life and what he might be able to do if he just had a little more dough. The song has long sequences of lilting chants – which you can hear on Gwen Stefani’s “Rich Girl” as well – and funnily enough, those moments without words are the most memorable and catchy of all. Seriously, who among us hasn’t daydreamed about being rich and let out a little “dibby dibby dum?”
#8: “Oompa Loompa” “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” (1971)
While far from the best song in this 1971 classic, you can’t deny the Oompa Loompa theme song gets stuck in your head like no other. Starring Gene Wilder as the candy man himself, “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory” is filled with many strange, fantastical, sometimes horrifying sights – who could forget the sight of Violet blowing up into a blueberry? But the most memorable image of all has to be Wonka’s small workmen, the Oompas Loompas. With orange skin and green hair, they work hard, and warn you of the perils of the factory through song. If those kids were smart, they would have listened to the Oompa Loompas and gotten out.
#7: “Consider Yourself” “Oliver!” (1968)
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We’ll get to more singing orphans later on this list, but for now, let’s start with the Brits. We’d be remiss not to mention this musical’s opening number – “Food, Glorious Food” is an ode to eating for the ages – but the catchiest number in “Oliver!” comes from none other than the Artful Dodger himself. When Oliver finds himself out on the street and arrives in London, he meets Dodger, another orphan who takes poor Oliver in. To teach him the ropes and welcome him with open arms, he sings “Consider Yourself,” a brassy, showy number sung in that signature accent. With dirt on his nose and a top hat on his head, Dodger is an unforgettable mentor, and this an unforgettable song.
#6: “It’s the Hard-Knock Life” “Annie” (1982)
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And now onto more singing orphans, but this time girls, and this time in New York! When we think of this movie, we no doubt think partly of Carol Burnett, Tim Curry, and Bernadette Peters squawking out “Easy Street” in their signature brassy tones - but we’ve got to give it to the little girls themselves for this one. Taking place while the girls clean up the orphanage, “It’s the Hard Knock Life” has such an indelible tune, and for its angry, harsh lyrics, has a sort of joy to it. There’s something to be said for how much fun you can have while screaming at the top of your lungs, “You’ll stay up till this dump shines like the top of the Chrysler Building!”
#5: “I Got Rhythm” “An American in Paris” (1951)
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It’s hard to imagine a more fun time than tap dancing with Gene Kelly. And during this scene in “An American in Paris,” these cute kids are definitely having the time of their life. In this 1951 musical classic, Kelly plays a World War II vet trying to become a painter in the City of Lights. This song doesn’t have much to do with the plot – Kelly’s character just sings with some French kids on his way home – but for such a simple idea, it sure has remained in our consciousness for all these years. The song was so popular, it went on to serve as the foundation for numerous other famous songs – as Kelly says, who could ask for anything more?
#4: “You’re the One That I Want” “Grease” (1978)
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Tell us about it, stud! “Grease” is filled with so many catchy tunes, it was hard to pick just one. We could have gone with the rocking “Greased Lightning,” or the reminiscing fun of “Summer Nights” ...but “You’re the One That I Want” is definitely the one that WE want. Towards the end of “Grease,” Sandy, played by Olivia Newton-John, decides she’s going to take matters into her own hands to impress Danny, played by John Travolta. And boy, does she! From that classic black ensemble, to that iconic opening line, to the fun and jazzy “ooh ooh oohs,” everything about this song makes it impossible to not sing along.
#3: “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” “Mary Poppins” (1964)
Be honest: how many times have you tried to spell this? If you’re anything like us, it was ALWAYS stuck in your head – so probably a lot. “Mary Poppins” was an instant classic, and certified Julie Andrews as a star and an Oscar-winner. There were plenty of songs we could have gone with – the lovely and healing “Spoonful of Sugar” comes to mind – but there was no other choice than this mouthful of a tune. Even though the sound of it DOES sound something quite atrocious, the wackiness of the number made it an instant hit for kids – and adults – alike. It’s so fun and so ridiculous, it makes us forget about Dick Van Dyke’s Cockney accent. Well...almost.
#2: “Singin’ in the Rain” “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952)
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We’ve got another Gene Kelly entry, ladies and gents! “Singin’ In the Rain” came out in 1952, and while it was only mildly successful then, it’s since become a classic – and much of that success is due to the three talents at its helm – Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor. While O’Connor’s “Make Em Laugh” never fails to get US laughing, and “Good Morning” is a spectacular dancing achievement for all three actors, nothing beats Kelly’s sublime titular number. As he swings himself around the street, getting soaking wet in the process, the pleasure and delight in his voice and his movements are infectious. What a glorious feeling, indeed!
#1: “America” “West Side Story” (1961)
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Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece musical “West Side Story” was made into a film and released in 1961 – to amazing results. It’s hard to pick a single most memorable moment from the film – the dancing is sublime, and Natalie Wood’s exuberance during “I Feel Pretty” will never be forgotten – but we had to pick a song that captured it all: the dancing, the singing, the iconography. The only choice is “America,” a number where Rita Moreno’s Anita and George Chakiris’ Bernardo argue about the pros and cons of being an immigrant in the States. Moreno is unforgettable and electric in this scene – and the Latin-inspried music and humorous, though cutting lyrics, make this song one for the ages.
