[2026] Iconic musical numbers: from the latest releases to timeless classics!

Seasons of LoveJonathan Larson

Seasons of Love – RENT (2008 Broadway Cast)

A song packed with a grand message about measuring time with love was born from the musical RENT.

Beginning with a memorable phrase that expresses a year in minutes, this piece is a gem left to us by Jonathan Larson.

An American artist known for his innovative fusion of rock and musical theatre, Larson created this song for the Original Broadway Cast Recording of RENT, released in September 1996.

Tragically, he died suddenly at the age of 35 the day before the show’s first performance.

Its universal theme—how we measure the value of a life—intertwines with moving, gospel-tinged harmonies to leave a lasting impression.

It was used memorably in the 2005 film adaptation and featured in a tribute episode of the TV series Glee, contributing to AIDS awareness.

It’s a song that resonates deeply when you think of the ones you love.

One Day MoreLes Misérables Cast

One Day More

Les Misérables is a French novel written by Victor Hugo in 1862.

It has since been adapted into a musical, an anime, and films.

This is a song in which each character sings while envisioning their own tomorrow.

It vividly expresses the feelings of the characters as they bear their various destinies and strive to confront them.

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HATSUMI

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Beat ItMichael Jackson

‘MJ the Musical’ Cast Performs ‘Beat It’

A signature song by Michael Jackson that carries a social message to show strength without resorting to violence.

It was released in November 1982 and later included on the landmark album Thriller.

Eddie Van Halen’s guitar solo is unforgettable, too.

In 2021, it was performed at the opening of the Michael Jackson musical, cementing its status as an important track that explores Michael’s music and life.

It’s a recommended song when you want to blow off stress or boost your confidence.

Lot’s WifeTonya Pinkins

Lot’s Wife

A gem of a number from the Broadway musical Caroline, or Change, where grand dramatic expression meets overwhelming vocal power.

American performer Tonya Pinkins’s commanding expressiveness brilliantly colors the story’s climax, set in Louisiana in 1963.

The piece is included on the Original Broadway Cast Album released in June 2004, allowing listeners to savor the delicate musical world crafted by Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori.

Pinkins received such acclaim that she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress that same year, and her performance at the 58th Tony Awards captivated the audience.

It’s the perfect song for anyone who wants to experience emotions welling up from deep within, or to feel the conflict between society and the individual through music.

JacksonvilleSufjan Stevens

“Jacksonville” – The Broadway Company of “ILLINOISE” (LIVE on The Late Show)

This is a gem of a track born from a concept album themed around the state of Illinois, brilliantly fusing elements of indie folk and chamber pop.

Sufjan Stevens’s banjo and horn section weave a distinctive soundscape, unfolding a profound worldview where American history intertwines with religious themes.

Featured on the album Illinois, released in July 2005, the song was also included in the Broadway musical Illinoise, which premiered in 2023.

The musical won the Tony Award for Best Choreography in 2024, bringing renewed attention to the piece.

With its moving melodies and sophisticated arrangements, this track is recommended for those who wish to reflect on America’s landscapes and history, and for anyone seeking a delicate yet grand musical experience.

Do You Hear the People Sing?Claude-Michel Schönberg

Les Misérables | Do You Hear the People Sing?

Les Misérables is a monumental musical that portrays people buffeted by the French Revolution from various perspectives.

In 2012, it was adapted into a film starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway.

“Do You Hear the People Sing?” introduced here is the song sung by the masses and plays a very important role in the story.

Republican youths, frustrated and pushed around by the new government, sing it to rouse the hearts of the people.

It is one of the defining songs of Les Misérables.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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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.