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[2026] Let's Sing at the Chorus Competition! A Roundup of Recommended Western Songs

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

When it comes time to choose a piece for the chorus competition, I think many people are thinking, “We don’t want to overlap with other classes!” Since it’s a special competition, you want to pick songs that are uniquely yours and show a performance that stands out from the rest.

In times like that, singing Western music is highly recommended! So in this article, I’ll introduce lots of Western songs that are great for choral performances.

I’ve included not only timeless classics but also recent pop hits, so please use this as a reference when selecting your piece.

[2026] Let’s Sing at the Chorus Competition! Recommended Western Songs (91–100)

True ColorsCyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper – True Colors (Official HD Video)

True ColorsCyndi Lauper

This is a single released from Cyndi Lauper’s second album.

The song questions the true beauty within a person and has also been used as an anthem for human rights movements.

Singing it together might help convey its message even more powerfully.

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SeñoritaShawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello – Señorita (Acapella version by Bahiyya Haneesa)

SeñoritaShawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

If you’re looking to take on a sexy number for your choir competition, we recommend “Señorita.” Released in 2019 by Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes, the song gained worldwide popularity, helped by the fact that the pair confirmed they were dating after its release.

With just piano and choir, you can fully bring out the essence of the original.

If you want to incorporate Latin music or a love song into your choir competition program, this is a must-check!

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Be My BabyThe Ronettes

Be My Baby [with Japanese translation] The Ronettes

Be My BabyThe Ronettes

The Ronettes were a girl group that enjoyed huge success in the 1960s.

Their song “Be My Baby” is known as one of their signature works.

For a chorus competition, I think the key point of this song is how easy it is to sing.

The main vocal line isn’t very difficult, and there aren’t really any phrases that require belting.

However, because the melody is very bright, it can deliver a powerful impression relative to its level of difficulty.

Since the original is sung by multiple people in a chorus-like style, I recommend checking out the original recording when you practice this song.

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As It WasHarry Styles

As It Was – Harry Styles (Irish Choir Cover)

As It WasHarry Styles

This song fuses pop with innovative musical expression.

Centered on themes of adapting to post-pandemic changes, loneliness, and the struggle with fame, it resonates powerfully with listeners.

Harry Styles’s clear, translucent vocals and the memorable melody line are particularly compelling.

Released in April 2022, it topped the charts in many countries and won numerous awards, including a Grammy.

Featured on the album “Harry’s House,” the track reflects influences from 1970s and ’80s music.

It conveys a determination to move forward without being bound by the past.

It’s a perfect song for anyone who needs the courage to embrace change.

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Blinding LightsThe Weeknd

The Weeknd – Blinding Lights (HYBRID ACAPELLA)

Blinding LightsThe Weeknd

Here’s a piece I recommend for those who want to take on a choir competition with a distinctive musical flair: “Blinding Lights.” This song was released in 2019 by The Weeknd, a singer-songwriter from Canada.

It’s a modern take on the synth-pop that was mainstream in the 1980s, giving the whole track a cyber-like vibe.

While the video features a solo performance, this song can achieve a very high level of quality in a choir competition if you layer the harmonies with care.

It does require practice, but if you’re looking to make a bold impression, definitely check it out.

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