Famous songs recommended for musical beginners

Suddenly SeymourAlan Menken

Joy Woods is Audrey – SUDDENLY, SEYMOUR with Matt Doyle | Little Shop of Horrors

This sweeping musical number, woven straight from the heart, is a collaboration by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, who made a striking Off-Broadway debut as a duo.

Crafted by Menken, a genius composer from the United States, its beautiful melodies interlace with soul-stirring lyrics.

The song appeared as an in-show number in Little Shop of Horrors, which premiered in 1982.

This celebrated duet, in which the protagonist and a woman sing of the feelings deep within their hearts, also underscored a memorable scene in the film adaptation released in December 1986.

Contributing to the movie’s success—which grossed $54 million worldwide—the song has since remained a favorite, covered by many artists.

It’s perfect for fans of moving love stories and an ideal entry point for those new to musicals.

There’s No Business Like Show BusinessIRVING BERLIN

There’s No Business Like Show Business

When it comes to iconic songs that shine as a towering presence in the world of musicals, there’s a gem crafted by quintessential American composer Irving Berlin! It’s a powerful number that captures both the allure and the hardships of show business, featured in the 1946 Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun starring Ethel Merman.

The lively melody woven by brass and percussion brilliantly conveys the glamour of the stage and never fails to captivate listeners.

A film of the same name was made in 1954, featuring a star-studded cast including Marilyn Monroe.

Best known in Ethel Merman’s rendition, the song has been covered by numerous artists such as Bing Crosby and Liza Minnelli.

It’s the perfect track for those who dream of show business or want to recharge with a heart-pounding melody!

Ya Got TroubleMeredith Willson

The Music Man “Ya Got Trouble”

A masterpiece crafted by Meredith Willson that shines brilliantly in musical theater history.

Hailing from Iowa, he unveiled it in 1957 in The Music Man: a signature patter song performed as the con man Harold Hill deftly persuades the townspeople.

Its rhythmic, rapid-fire delivery has been hailed as a precursor to early rap—and even earned high praise from Stephen Sondheim.

The work won the 1958 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, and Robert Preston left a definitive performance in the 1962 film adaptation.

Its cultural impact is broad, from quotations in the animated series My Little Pony to parodies on The Simpsons.

Highly recommended for those who appreciate sharp dialogue and persuasive expression.

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Les Parapluies de Cherbourg) — The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (I will wait for you all my life…)Danielle Licari

Michel Legrand film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg Je t’attendrai toute ma vie…

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Les Parapluies de Cherbourg) is a French film released in 1964.

It was an unconventional work for its time, with the entire film sung and no spoken dialogue.

The lead, Catherine Deneuve, is a beautiful actress who represents France and has many fans in Japan.

The film is a musical about the poignant love story between Geneviève, played by Deneuve, and her lover Guy; however, the singing was dubbed and not performed by the actors themselves.

It’s a work whose final scene leaves a lingering resonance in the heart.

Mamma Mia — Dancing QueenMeryl Streep, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski

Dancing Queen – Mamma Mia

A film adaptation of the Broadway musical released in 2008.

The renowned actress Meryl Streep plays the mother, and her scenes singing and dancing herself were especially memorable.

Sophie, a daughter who grew up not knowing her father, is set to marry and sends invitations to her wedding to three “potential fathers.” The film has a breezy feel and is guaranteed to put you in a happy mood.

The music throughout is by ABBA.

Ol’ Man RiverJerome Kern／Oscar Hammerstein II,

Ol’ Man River

From the 1927 musical Show Boat by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II—who produced numerous masterpieces that have gone down in American music history—we present a moving song.

Set against the timeless flow of the Mississippi River and told from the perspective of Black laborers, this piece is a weighty ballad steeped in elements of spirituals and the blues.

Its pentatonic melody unfolds at a leisurely tempo, symbolically expressing life’s hardships and hopes.

Premiering in December 1927 at New York’s Ziegfeld Theatre, the work was later adapted into films in 1936 and 1951; in particular, Paul Robeson’s deep bass rendition captured the hearts of many.

It is a classic that ranked 24th on the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 Greatest Songs in American Movies.

Rose’s TurnJule Styne／Stephen Sondheim.

Rose’s Turn-Gypsy-Ethel Merman

The climactic showstopper of the musical Gypsy is a masterpiece where profound lyrics and a deeply emotional melody blend to perfection.

Created by two of 20th-century America’s foremost talents, Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim, this moving number has continued to stir audiences’ hearts since its 1959 Broadway premiere.

The song is a soliloquy in which the protagonist, Rose, reexamines her life and desires, and it is renowned as a quintessential “11 o’clock number” in musical theater history.

From Ethel Merman to Bette Midler, and with Audra McDonald set to take on the role in December 2024, many powerhouse actresses have shone in this iconic scene.

It is highly recommended for anyone who wants to empathize with a heart wavering between dreams and reality, or to experience the profound depth of musical theater.