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[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!

[2026] Musical Masterpieces: From the Latest Works to Timeless Classics! (21–30)

Little Shop of Horrors

Suddenly SeymourAlan Menken

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

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.

The Phantom of the Opera

Think of MeEmmy Rossum

Think of Me – Emmy Rossum | Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack (Movie Clip)
Think of MeEmmy Rossum

“Think of Me” is the signature song of Christine, the heroine of The Phantom of the Opera.

It is sung in a moving scene where she rises from the background chorus to the leading role, and the lyrics reflect the life she has walked to reach this moment.

The soprano’s dazzling high notes and technique are also not to be missed.

South Pacific

Some Enchanted EveningRichard Rodgers/ Oscar Hammerstein II

A masterpiece that shines brilliantly in Broadway musical history, this love ballad by the golden duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, created in 1949, is a gem that portrays a fateful encounter and the universality of love.

Its rich melody and poetic lyrics quietly resonate in the listener’s heart.

At its premiere, Ezio Pinza captivated audiences with his resonant voice, and in the same year Perry Como reached No.

1 on the Billboard chart while Bing Crosby climbed to No.

3, propelling the song to swift popularity.

It drew renewed attention with the 1958 film adaptation and has continued to be covered by illustrious artists such as Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand.

An eternal classic loved across generations, it’s a song to cherish in life’s special moments or during a tranquil evening.

La La Land

Another Day Of SunLa La Land

This song was used in the opening of the 2016 musical film La La Land.

With singing, dancing, and a variety of other performances, it’s a very captivating opening.

While the tune is very bright and exciting, the lyrics carry a sense of emptiness.

It’s a song that conveys both the difficulty of chasing dreams and the determination to keep trying anyway.

Fun Home

Ring of KeysJeanine Tesori/Lisa Kron

A moving masterpiece from the musical Fun Home that strikes the heart with a young girl’s self-discovery.

Created by the American female duo Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron, this work delicately portrays the complex emotions of a child at the moment she first finds someone who resembles herself.

It was included on the original cast album Fun Home, released by PS Classics in February 2014, and at the 2015 Tony Awards, Tesori and Kron became the first all-female composing team to win Best Original Score.

Celebrated for boosting self-acceptance within the LGBTQ+ community, it’s recommended both for young people grappling with identity and for anyone who values diversity.

Hamilton

SatisfiedLin-Manuel Miranda

Among the standout masterpieces in the Broadway musical Hamilton, this number continues to captivate fans around the world.

Showcasing Lin-Manuel Miranda’s exceptional gifts as a lyricist and composer, it vividly portrays Angelica’s complex inner world.

Its structure brilliantly fuses hip-hop, R&B, and traditional musical theater elements, and—paired with the innovative “rewind” staging—profoundly moves audiences.

Included on the Original Broadway Cast Recording released in 2015, Renée Elise Goldsberry’s breathtaking performance earned her the 2016 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress.

Combining deep emotional expression with innovative musicality, this piece comes highly recommended for everyone from musical newcomers to seasoned fans.

The Music Man

Ya Got TroubleMeredith Willson

The Music Man “Ya Got Trouble”
Ya Got TroubleMeredith Willson

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.