The 20 Hardest Broadway Songs

Calling all Broadway fans! We’ve got a treat for you. In this blog post, we’ve put together a list of the 20 most difficult Broadway songs to sing. These songs are challenging, even for the most experienced singers.

From timeless classics such as Les Miserables to modern hits like Hamilton and The Wild Party, these songs will test your vocal range and stamina. So, if you’re ready to put your skills to the test, get ready to take on the ultimate challenge!

Get ready to don your best show face and let the music take over as we explore the hardest Broadway songs to sing. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a novice, these songs will take your performance to the next level.

1. “Defying Gravity” by Wicked

Defying Gravity (From "Wicked" Original Broadway Cast Recording/2003)Defying Gravity (From “Wicked” Original Broadway Cast Recording/2003)

First on the list is “Defying Gravity” from Wicked. It’s sung by the character Elphaba, who is one of the main protagonists of the musical.

The song is all about her defiance against gravity and her desire to fly. There are a lot of recordings from different artists who played the role and our personal favorite is Idina Menzel’s version released in 2003.

2. “Glitter and Be Gay” by Candide

Candide In Concert (2005) -  Glitter & Be Gay (HD)Candide In Concert (2005) – Glitter & Be Gay (HD)

The next song on the list is “Glitter and Be Gay” from Candide. It’s sung by the character Cunegonde, who is one of the main characters in the musical. The song is all about her being vain and materialistic.

The first ever recording of the song was done by Barbara Cook in 1956 which she thought she couldn’t pull off. However, she did an amazing job and the song has been a favorite among Broadway fans ever since.

3. “Made of Stone” by The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Hunchback of Notre Dame  - 21.  Made of StoneHunchback of Notre Dame – 21. Made of Stone

Another difficult song to sing is “Made of Stone” from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. It’s sung by the character Esmeralda, and is all about her being alone and feeling like she doesn’t belong anywhere. The song has a lot of range and is challenging to sing because of the emotional depth that it requires.

4. “The Phantom of the Opera” by The Phantom of the Opera

'The Phantom of The Opera' | The Phantom Of The Opera‘The Phantom of The Opera’ | The Phantom Of The Opera

This next song deserves a spot on the list because not only is it difficult to sing, but it’s also iconic. “The Phantom of the Opera” from The Phantom of the Opera is one of the most well-known songs in musical theater.

It’s sung by the title character, and is all about his pain and longing. There are several covers of the song, but our favorite is the original recording by Sarah Brightman and Steve Harley.

5. “Gethsemane” by Jesus Christ Superstar

Jesus Christ Superstar | Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say)Jesus Christ Superstar | Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say)

“Gethsemane” from Jesus Christ Superstar is a song sung by the character of Jesus. The song is extremely emotional and requires a lot of vocal control.

It was first recorded in the late 1990s by Ted Neeley. You can listen to it on Youtube if you want to practice the song.

6. “Bring Him Home” by Les Misérables

Colm Wilkinson - Bring Him Home (Les Misérables) [720p]Colm Wilkinson – Bring Him Home (Les Misérables) [720p]

Next on the list is “Bring Him Home” from Les Misérables. It’s sung by the character Jean Valjean, and is all about his love for his adopted son Marius.

The song is very challenging to sing because of the high notes, but it’s also emotional beautiful. The first recording of the song was done by Colm Wilkinson in 1985.

7. “Rainbow High” by Evita

Evita Soundtrack - 13. Rainbow HighEvita Soundtrack – 13. Rainbow High

“Rainbow High” from Evita is a song sung by the character Eva Perón. It’s all about her love for fashion and her desire to be beautiful.

The song is very high-energy and requires a lot of vocal endurance. The most popular cover is by the icon, Madonna, for the play’s official movie adaptation.

8. “Guns and Ships” by Hamilton

Guns and ShipsGuns and Ships

Another difficult song to sing from Hamilton is “Guns and Ships”. It’s sung by the character of Alexander Hamilton, and is all about his military tactics during the Revolutionary War. This is considered to be one of the hardest songs to sing on the musical.

9. “I Read” by Passion

I Read (Donna Murphy in Passion)I Read (Donna Murphy in Passion)

“I Read” from Passion is a song sung by the character of Clara. It’s all about her love for books and how they’ve helped her escape from her difficult life.

The song is very challenging to sing because it requires a lot of vocal control and emotional depth. The first recording of the song was done by Marin Mazzle in 1994.

10. “(Not) Getting Married Today” by Company

(Not) Getting Married Today - Madeline Kahn - Company(Not) Getting Married Today – Madeline Kahn – Company

“Getting Married Today” from Company is a song sung by the character of Amy. It’s all about her cold feet on her wedding day and how she’s having second thoughts about getting married. The song is very high-energy and requires a hint of comedic expressions.

11. “Pity the Child” by Chess

Murray Head - Pity The Child "From CHESS"Murray Head – Pity The Child “From CHESS”

The next song on the list is “Pity the Child” from Chess. It’s sung by the character of Freddie, and is all about his difficult life and how he’s been dealt a bad hand.

The song is very emotional and requires full control of your voice for the change in pitches. The first recording of the song was done by Murray Head in 1984.

12. “After Midnight Dies” by The Wild Party

After Midnight Dies (Original Broadway Cast/2000)After Midnight Dies (Original Broadway Cast/2000)

“After Midnight Dies” from The Wild Party is a song sung by the character of Sally. It’s all about her party lifestyle and how she’s starting to feel the effects of it.

The song is very challenging to sing because it requires a lot of endurance and range. You can stream it on Youtube if you want to listen to it.

13. “So Much Better” by Legally Blonde

Legally Blonde the Musical//So Much BetterLegally Blonde the Musical//So Much Better

Legally Blonde is a movie turned Broadway musical and “So Much Better” is one of the hardest songs from it. The song is sung by the character of Elle Woods, and is all about how she’s better off without her ex-boyfriend. The song requires a lot of energy and sass, which can be hard to channel if you’re not used to doing this type of music.

14. “Memory” by Cats

Memory (Reprise) | Cats the MusicalMemory (Reprise) | Cats the Musical

Cats is popular for being one of the longest-running musicals on Broadway, and “Memory” is one of the most iconic songs from it. The song is sung by the character of Grizabella, and is all about how she’s looking back on her life and reminiscing about the good times. If you’re up for a challenge, you can try to sing this song yourself.

15. “Electricity” by Billy Elliot The Musical

Electricity - Billy Elliot The MusicalElectricity – Billy Elliot The Musical

“Electricity” from Billy Elliot The Musical is a song sung by the character of Billy. It’s all about his love for dancing and how it makes him feel free.

The song is very challenging to sing because it requires energy and movement to perfectly execute it. You can check out a cover of the song on Youtube if you’re interested in listening to it.

16. “I’m Here” by The Color Purple

I'm Here - The Color PurpleI’m Here – The Color Purple

Next on the list is “I’m Here” from The Color Purple. It’s sung by the character of Celie, and is all about her journey of self-discovery and how she’s found her voice. The most popular version of this song is by Cynthia Erivo, who sung it 8 times in a week as she played the character.

17. “Satisfied” by Hamilton

SatisfiedSatisfied

Another difficult song from the Broadway musical Hamilton is “Satisfied”. It’s sung by the character of Angelica Schuyler, and is all about how she’s not going to settle for anything less than she deserves. A version by Renee Elise Goldsberry can be streamed on Youtube and Spotify if you want to hear it.

18. “Putting It Together” by Sunday In The Park With George

Putting It TogetherPutting It Together

“Putting It Together” from Sunday In The Park With George is a song sung by the character of George. It’s all about how he’s trying to create art and how it’s not as easy as it seems. The song requires a lot of range, and is one of the harder songs on Broadway.

19. “Days and Days” by Fun Home

21. Days and Days - Fun Home OST21. Days and Days – Fun Home OST

FunHome is a musical based on the graphic memoir by Alison Bechdel, and “Days and Days” is one of the hardest songs from it. The song is sung by the character of Alison, and is all about her coming to terms with her sexuality. You can listen to several different versions of the song on Youtube if you’re interested in hearing it.

20. “Pierre and Anatole” by Great Comet

Pierre & AnatolePierre & Anatole

The final song on the list is “Pierre and Anatole” from Great Comet. It’s sung by the characters of Pierre and Anatole, and is all about their relationship.

The song is very challenging to sing because it requires a lot of emotion and range. Great Comet is a newer musical, yet the difficulty of this song has made it a fan favorite.

Final Thoughts

These are some of the hardest Broadway songs to sing. If you’re up for a challenge, try learning one of these songs. They may be difficult, but they’re also some of the most iconic and beloved songs in musical theatre. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover a hidden talent for singing!