[2026] Iconic musical numbers: from the latest releases to timeless classics!
Many of the songs used in musicals are quite famous, and you often hear them in various places—on TV, in commercials, or as background music in videos.
These pieces often include tracks that pump you up or grand, moving numbers that give you chills, touching not only musical fans but a wide range of people.
In this article, we’ll introduce a whole selection of such musical numbers!
We’ve picked broadly from a variety of shows, so you might find a tune you once heard and wondered about, or a song from one of your favorites.
Take this opportunity to give them another listen!
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[2026] Musical Masterpieces: From the Latest Works to Timeless Classics! (101–110)
bandwagonFred Astaire
With Fred Astaire’s flowing dances, gangsters passing by love scenes, scenes that enchant and make you laugh… it’s packed with everything—literally, that’s entertainment.
It feels like all the delights of musicals gathered into one.
If I Can’t Love HerThomas Hampson
In the musical anime Beauty and the Beast, the Beast sings If I Can’t Love Her, known in Japanese as Aisenu Naraba.
Just the title alone is enough to bring tears to your eyes.
It conveys the Beast’s heartrending struggle—cursed by magic, yearning for love, and fumbling awkwardly in his pain.
Mambo
You’ve probably heard the word “Mambo!” at least once, and the famous number “Mambo” from the classic West Side Story is one of its inspirations as well.
This piece, in which the Puerto Rican Sharks dance with fierce energy, is one you should absolutely experience in the theater—not just for the music, but for the dance, too.
Voulez VousMamma Mia
A musical that features many songs by ABBA, known for hits like Dancing Queen.
Among the songs in this musical, Voulez-Vous is especially memorable for a scene where a large group of people dance together on stage to its upbeat rhythm.
Get Ready DancingMotown the Musical
This is a song that brilliantly reconstructs the quintessential Motown sound as a musical.
It fuses the message of “Get Ready,” which conveys love and allure, with that of “Dancing in the Street,” which brings people around the world together through music and dance.
It was performed in Motown the Musical, which premiered on Broadway in 2013, captivating audiences.
Based on the autobiography of Motown founder Berry Gordy, the work traces the remarkable success of an African American–owned label.
Seamlessly blending elements of soul, funk, and R&B, it reminds us of the universal power of music.
[2026] Musical Masterpieces: Introducing Everything from the Latest Works to Timeless Classics! (111–120)
Shall We Dance?Yul Brynner, Patricia Morrison
“The King and I” depicts an exchange sparked by a cultural encounter between the King of Siam and an Englishwoman.
Depending on how you look at it, it can feel condescending toward the East, but as a story set in the 19th century, the king’s tentative yet dignified dancing—never losing his royal bearing—is one of its highlights.
DreamgirlsDreamgirls
Dreamgirls is a Broadway musical that depicts the rise of a female group called The Dreams to stardom.
The film adaptation, in which American singer Beyoncé appeared as one of the members, garnered major attention.
The trio’s vocals are absolutely stunning—just listening to them makes you feel truly happy! In Japan, the song also became famous after comedian Naomi Watanabe performed a parody following the film’s release.
This is a must-hear piece that showcases the grandeur and breathtaking power unique to musicals!
