The Top 20 Musical Theater Solo Songs

*Sobs in theater nerd*

20. That Would Be Enough from Hamilton

Disney+ / Via giphy.com

The music! The emotions! The lyrics! Still, it’s not exactly a climactic moment—beautiful, but not a huge turning point for any characters. Some of these are, which bumps this down. Sorry, Hamilfans. ☹

19. See I'm Smiling from The Last Five Years

Pitch Perfect / Via giphy.com

First off, yes, this is a picture of Anna Kendrick in Pitch Perfect, not in The Last Five Years. In this song, Cathy is trying to act happy, but she's really letting go of all her anger. She’s finally sticking up for herself! We love seeing that.

18. What Baking Can Do from Waitress

Waitress The Musical / Via giphy.com

It’s so nice to finally see Jenna in her element. It’s also nice to have her connecting with her mom, but it’s pretty sad, too. Points for making me happy and sad all at once.

17. Me and the Sky from Come from Away

London Theatre Direct / Via giphy.com

It’s such a beautiful song, and also, she sticks up for herself! Seeing such a strong female character is always great. She puts those sexist old guys in their place!

16. Not for the Life of Me from Thoroughly Modern Millie

Turner Classic Movies / Via giphy.com

It’s an awesome opening number! Millie’s just come to New York, and she starts off her new life with a total bop. It’s so cool to see her transformation!

15. Another Terrible Day from The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical

Broadway Box / Via broadwaybox.com

First off, George Salazar. Need I say more? Okay, I will. He’s also Grover, and he does SUCH A GOOD JOB with this character switch! Second, the sarcasm! It’s beautiful! It’s amazing! Also, the little conversations with the campers are EVERYTHING.

14. Miss Baltimore Crabs from Hairspray

Hairspray Live! / Via giphy.com

Is it great that she slept with the judges? NO. DON’T DO THAT. However, did an awesome song come out of it? Yes. Still, don’t sleep with people who are about to be judging you so that they'll vote for you, because it’s wrong and messed up.

13. Pitiful Children from Be More Chill

Be More Chill Musical / Via giphy.com

This song is wild. It’s so crazy. I mean, Jenna’s belt speaks for itself. Also, the melody? IT’S. AMAZING. However, it loses a few points for…you know…peer pressure? Drugs? Wait, my bad. It’s better than drugs—IT’S FROM JAPAAAAAAAAN!

12. So Big, So Small from Dear Evan Hansen

Tony Awards / Via giphy.com

It’s great to finally get to see how Heidi is feeling. Also, this is such a tearjerker, which, obviously, is a good thing.

11. High-Flying, Adored from Evita

Andrew Lloyd Weber / Via giphy.com

It’s a beautiful song, but it’s also kind of mean, because Ché is criticizing her. It’s so cool how the writer managed to balance that.

10. Michael in the Bathroom from Be More Chill

Be More Chill Musical / Via giphy.com

Because duh, George Salazar. Also, Michael is a precious angel who needs to be protected.

9. The Tree on the Hill from The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical

Broadway Box / Via broadwaybox.com

Once again, George Salazar. This time, he’s Grover, and Grover is such a happy character, but this song gives him so much depth.

8. Meant to be Yours from Heathers: The Musical

Forrest Filiano / Via youtube.com

A SONG ABOUT BLOWING UP A SCHOOL SHOULD NOT BE THIS CATCHY. And yet, it is. I’m in a constant state of having it stuck in my head.

7. And Then There Were None from Spring Awakening

Selma Arts Center / Via giphy.com

Yes, there are backup singers. Yes, Melchior’s mother speaks. It’s still a solo! It’s so sad, but it’s so catchy! I have listened to this song an embarrassing amount of times.

6. Wait For It from Hamilton

Hamilton: An American Musical / Via giphy.com

Aaron Burr was NOT THE VILLAIN OF HAMILTON. I said what I said. I mean, look at this guy. And this song is so perfect! It's so extraordinarily catchy.

5. Burn from Hamilton

Disney+ / Via giphy.com

It’s so sad! Poor Eliza. But the VOCALS! Like, if Hamilton had to cheat on her, at least we got a good song out of it.

4. Once Upon a Time from Bare: A Pop Opera

Jonah Platt / Via youtube.com

You probably haven’t heard of this musical, so I’m not going to spoil it. Just know that you need to go watch it right now. Like, literally, go watch it.

3. Defying Gravity from Wicked

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Uh…like, duh? Obviously? You can’t NOT have Defying Gravity in the top 5.

2. Role of Lifetime from Bare: A Pop Opera/A Quiet Night at Home from Bare: A Pop Opera

Wikipedia / Via wikipedia.org

Role of a Lifetime--It’s so sad, but it’s so good. And it’s so early! Like, I was not expecting that. Peter is another angel who needs to be protected at all costs (#peterprotectionsquad). A Quiet Night at Home—WOAH! Like, I needed that insight into Nadia’s character! We finally got to see what she was like alone. Also, I audibly gasped at the end.

1. All Grown Up from Bare: A Pop Opera

barelosangeles / Via youtube.com

I love this song, but I can’t explain it because A) spoilers and B) I’ll start crying. I will say this: if you listen to it, listen to the Lindsay Pearce version. It is A+. To be fair, all the versions are. That's how good the song is.