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[Choral Songs You Can Sing in English] Recommended English Songs for Choirs [2026]

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.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

While singing in English might feel a bit intimidating, many people probably still harbor a longing to try it.

In this article, we’ve selected songs from film scores and Western pop music that are perfect for choral singing in English.

It’s easy to focus on how it sounds—thinking things like “I have to get close to a native accent”—but the top priority is understanding the song and uniting with your fellow singers to create music together!

Treasure your desire to sing choral pieces in English and dive into practice.

We also touch on the meaning of the lyrics and the films in which these songs appear, so please use this as a reference.

[Singable in English] Recommended English Songs for Choirs [2026] (21–30)

OrdinaryNEW!Alex Warren

Alex Warren – Ordinary (Official Lyric Video)

OrdinaryNEW!Alex Warren

Ordinary – Cover Alex Warren | Schulhaus Schönau OS West

Having stepped from social media into the world of music, Alex Warren has become an artist who moves the hearts of many.

Released in February 2025, “Ordinary” is inspired by the deep bond with his wife and centers on the theme of extraordinary love found in everyday life.

Set to a pop melody, the song celebrates a miraculous relationship that never fades, even as the world changes.

Its sincere, warm message embraces listeners and rekindles a sense of gratitude.

It’s a perfect piece to sing at a choir competition while feeling the precious bonds with your friends.

Be sure to let your class fill the room with beautiful harmony.

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Birds of a FeatherNEW!Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish – BIRDS OF A FEATHER (Official Music Video)

Birds of a FeatherNEW!Billie Eilish

Birds of a Feather (Billie Eilish) | One Voice Children’s Choir

The American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish’s iconic song “Birds of a Feather.” Released in May 2024 as a track on the acclaimed album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, it drew major attention after being performed at the Paris Olympics closing ceremony.

Contrary to its pop, airy sound, the song expresses deep love and an eternal bond—the desire to stay together until death.

Its delicate vocals and harmonies stand out, and layering voices in a class setting can convey beautiful resonance and emotional richness.

It’s a perfect piece for anyone looking to create a choral performance that’s moving and unlike the usual.

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Man I NeedNEW!Olivia Dean

Olivia Dean – Man I Need

Man I NeedNEW!Olivia Dean

New York Vocal Collective – Man I Need

Here’s a piece I highly recommend for those who want to win a choir competition with bright, forward-looking energy: a song by the British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean.

She’s an accomplished artist who has earned acclaim for her sound that fuses neo-soul and pop.

With its dynamic rhythm and sweet harmonies, this track centers on the empowering theme of recognizing your right to be loved and moving forward with strength.

Released as a single in August 2025, it’s included on the album “The Art of Loving,” which portrays diverse forms of love.

Choosing a song by this hot, of-the-moment artist—who became a global singer-songwriter after winning a Grammy in 2026—will surely make your choir stand out for its impeccable taste!

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Can’t Take My Eyes Off YouNEW!Boys Town Gang

Boys Town Gang – Can’t take my eyes off you

Can't Take My Eyes Off YouNEW!Boys Town Gang

Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – covered by Pub Choir (with a symphony orchestra!)

Here’s a cover that’s perfect for anyone who wants to liven up a choir contest with bright, glamorous dance-pop.

Sung by the Boys Town Gang, it became a massive hit as a signature track on the album “Disc Charge.” Released in 1982, it remains hugely popular around the world.

In July of the same year, it debuted on the UK charts and drew considerable attention.

Combining a universal melody that sings straightforwardly about love with a dynamic beat, this piece has the power to instantly brighten the atmosphere.

It was later featured in the game “Just Dance 4,” so you may have heard it somewhere.

If the whole class sings it with handclaps, you’ll create a fantastic stage performance.

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The Fate of OpheliaNEW!Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia (Official Music Video)

The Fate of OpheliaNEW!Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia (Cover) | Epic Orchestral & Angelic Choir

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who captivates the world with her diverse musicality.

This work was released in October 2025 as the lead single from the album “The Life of a Showgirl.” While drawing on the motif of a tragic heroine, the song explores a profound theme of love that overcomes adversity.

It also drew attention for being tied to the limited-release film “Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl,” which premiered in the same month.

Though characterized by a light, upbeat rhythm, adding choral arrangements would fully bring out its dramatic atmosphere.

It’s recommended for classes aiming to create a theatrical stage.

Be sure to check it out.

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Soon Ah Will Be DoneWilliam Levi Dawson

Soon Ah Will Be Done (Encore)

Soon Ah Will Be DoneWilliam Levi Dawson

The impactful Black spiritual “Soon Ah Will Be Done.” It’s a choral piece by African American composer and conductor William Levi Dawson.

The lyrics sing of being taken from Africa to America and forced into hard labor.

The chorus can sound like a cry of anguish, and you might hesitate to sing it in a choir, but it’s one of the most representative and frequently performed pieces.

The English carries an African-influenced dialect, but please give it a try!

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Joyful JoyfulThe St. Francis Choir

Sister Act 2 – Joyful, Joyful – The St. Francis Choir – Taylor Sings

Joyful JoyfulThe St. Francis Choir

The powerful hymn “Joyful, Joyful” is based on the fourth movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No.

9.

It became famous when Lauryn Hill sang it in the 1993 film Sister Act 2.

The song itself is truly beautiful, and it would be absolutely cool to perform this hymn in a choir.

The chorus has a hip-hop flavor, and the most challenging part will require a lot of practice with the English, but the rest seems fairly singable.

It’s a song well worth the challenge.

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