If you’ve ever seen a musical, whether it was performed live on stage or through a film, have you ever had a song that stood out to you the most? A song that you can recognize in an instant once the music starts to play?
Take, for example, “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked” or maybe even “The Schuyler Sisters” from “Hamilton.” You may not even have to watch these musicals to know that they’re prominent songs in pop culture. You can’t deny that they’re all quite catchy and get stuck in your head. Here are five songs that you might catch yourself mumbling the lyrics to because they’re so well known.
# 1: “America” from “West Side Story”
In the song from the “Romeo and Juliet”-inspired musical that takes place in the 1960s, the lyrics of this whimsical and lively song touch on the issues Puerto Ricans faced when coming to the mainland in the mid-20th century. The lovely Anita speaks about how she likes to be in America. However, her boyfriend Bernardo seems to think otherwise and wishes to go back to San Juan.
This song also has entertaining choreography and is filled with playful banter between the boys and the girls. Despite the slight differences between the 1961 film and the 2021 remake, this song continues to carry charm and liveliness throughout the years
# 2: “My Favorite Things” from “The Sound of Music”
One of the more well-known songs of a popular musical in the world of theatre, this is sung when Maria attempts to comfort the Von Trapp children, huddled all together around the bed during a thunderstorm. The lyrics are about the things that comfort Maria and the beauty in all aspects of life. The melody of the song accompanies the lyrics perfectly: a nice, soothing tune as you reminisce about the things that bring you joy in your life, even if it’s as simple as “whiskers on kittens” or “brown paper packages tied up with strings.”
From the beauty in nature, to pets, to revered possessions, and the indulgence of food, this song is meant to signify that a person can find solace and positivity in times of feeling blue. In the stage version of this musical, this is sung to Maria by Mother Abbess to comfort her before she leaves for the real world.
# 3: “Ease on Down the Road” from “The Wiz”
This musical is a retelling of the classic “The Wizard of Oz” novel, featuring an all-black cast and a funkier spin on the score. This song is the musical’s version of “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” that plays when Dorothy and Scarecrow begin their adventure to find Oz in Emerald City. This is also reprised two more times when Dorothy meets Tinman and Lion during the progression of Act 1.
In the movie, this is sung by Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, filled with happy and joyful dancing as they make their path down the yellow brick road.
# 4: “All I Ask of You” from the “The Phantom of the Opera”
A sweet song from the romantic drama, this is sung when Raoul and Christine flee to the rooftop after the Phantom interferes with the performance that evening. On the snowy rooftop, the two declare their love for each other.
Raoul wants to be the one to protect Christine and guide her, convincing her that her fears are now in the past. Christine wants his reassurance and to follow him wherever he may go. However, the Phantom sees this and is enraged, wanting his revenge and taking the opera singer for himself.
The melodic music creates a feeling of warmth and safety, even during the mayhem that occurs prior to the song.
# 5: “Dancing Queen” from “Mamma Mia”
Even if you have never watched a minute of “Mamma Mia”, it’s no doubt you’ve heard the lyrics, “dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen” at least once in your lifetime. This song was originally made by the group ABBA and is one of their most iconic songs to this day.
This song is played when Donna expresses how much she misses the past when she was younger. Her best friends, Tanya and Rosie attempt to cheer her up and tell her that it’s never too late to be the girl that she once was. This variation of the song was sung by Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, and Julie Walters in the movie.
As time passes, it’s inevitable that more songs from musicals will become classics both in and out of the world of theatre and no matter how old or new they may be. The original “Wicked” has been out since 2003, and yet many songs from there are even in mainstream media today. Les Misérables debuted in 1987, and it’s considered a classic. What new musical will stand the test of time and become a classic for years to come?
