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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] Try Singing These at Your Choir Contest! Recommended Western Songs (41–50)

Stand By MeBen E. King

Ben E. King – Stand By Me (Official Audio)

Stand By MeBen E. King

It’s a song inspired by African American spirituals.

It’s widely known as the theme song for the movie of the same name, Stand by Me.

Some of you may have heard it in commercials as well.

The singer, Ben E.

King, was also a Japanophile and even appeared on Japanese TV shows in the past.

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Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen

Call Me Maybe – for Choir and Orchestra

Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen

Carly Rae Jepsen is a female singer-songwriter who gained popularity with her catchy, pop sound.

She became internationally famous with Call Me Maybe.

This song is a unique piece with a twist ending—the guy she likes turns out to be gay—so at first glance, it might seem unsuitable for a choral arrangement.

However, that’s not the case at all; depending on the piano accompaniment, it can fully maintain the quality of the original even as a choral piece.

It does require a good sense of rhythm and is more suited to advanced performers, but definitely give it a try.

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Bad GuyBillie Eilish

Choir! Choir! Choir! sings Billie Eilish “Bad Guy”

Bad GuyBillie Eilish

Billie Eilish’s smash-hit “Bad Guy,” released in 2019.

Wait—Billie Eilish at a choral competition? That’s got to be impossible, right? Many people probably think so.

But don’t worry.

Although some aspects of the song are overshadowed by its stylish sound, it’s actually built on a very simple structure.

That means its appeal can be conveyed fully with voices alone.

If you want to change what’s considered standard at choral competitions, definitely give it a try.

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Livin’ On A PrayerBon Jovi

Livin’ on a Prayer – Sing City™ Rock Choir

Livin' On A PrayerBon Jovi

If you want an energizing choral piece that can carry you to victory in a competition, I recommend “Livin’ On A Prayer.” It’s a classic Bon Jovi hit that everyone knows.

Many might think its powerful rock edge doesn’t suit choir, but this song actually pairs extremely well with choral performance, and the chorus packs exceptional punch.

Have you seen that video from overseas of a Black man singing this song on a train? If you perform it with that kind of big, bold voice, it’ll bring the house down at a competition.

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Shape Of YouEd Sheeran

Shape of You – Ed Sheeran (Gents Universitair Koor)

Shape Of YouEd Sheeran

Ed Sheeran’s signature hit “Shape of You,” which became a massive global success in 2017.

Many people may have discovered Ed Sheeran through this song.

Although its tropical house-inspired sound might seem ill-suited for choral performance at first glance, it actually contains sections that work well for choir—especially the end of the chorus.

If you can create a clean harmony in the scat-like part that closes the chorus, the piece comes together beautifully.

It’s a challenging song, but definitely worth trying.

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