As a Broadway fan who probably needs to expand my song inventory, I can only speak for those musicals which I know best. They include Les Miserables, Wicked, Book of Mormon, Catch Me If You Can, Hamilton, If/Then, RENT, Chicago, Avenue Q and a few others, among them more obscure shows like Tarzan, Shrek, and Sunday in the Park with George.
In my experience, I’ve found that no matter how I’m feeling at any given time or what situation I find myself in, I can call up a song from a musical that fits the moment perfectly. Can you relate to any of these?
1) When you’re feeling optimistic:
"The Wizard and I" - Wicked
2) When it's Thursday and the weekend is right around the corner:
"One Day More" - Les Miserables
3) When you’re feeling beaten down:
"Wig in a Box" - Hedwig and the Angry Inch
4) When your friends make plans without you:
"On My Own" - Les Miserables
5) When you’re (nauseatingly) in love:
"Seven Wonders" - Catch Me If You Can
6) When your mind starts traveling down paths you don’t want it to:
"Turn if Off" - Book of Mormon
7) When you think about who you’d like to be if things were different:
"Who I'd Be" - Shrek the Musical
8) When the patriarchy has pushed you over the edge:
"Cell Block Tango" - Chicago
9) When you long for someone unobtainable:
"You Don't Need To Love Me" - If/Then
10) When you decide to throw caution to the wind and refuse to let how others see you dictate your life:
"Defying Gravity" - Wicked
11) When the bigots show their faces at your doorstep yet again:
"La Vie Boheme" - RENT
12) When you’re feeling sexy:
"You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want (When You're Making Love)" - Avenue Q
13) When you’re experiencing a bitter breakup:
"We Do Not Belong Together" - Sunday in the Park with George
14) When you have to say one final goodbye:
"You'll Be in My Heart" - Tarzan
15) When you return from vacation/winter break:
"What'd I Miss" - Hamilton
16) When you’re proud of your freakiness:
"Freak Flag" - Shrek the Musical
17) When you’re on a winning streak:
"Non-Stop" - Hamilton
18) When you’re ready to leave the old you behind:
"Goodbye" - Catch Me If You Can
19) When you think about everyone who helped make you who you are today:
"They Live in You" - The Lion King
And finally,
20) When you just want to be a diva:
"Diva's Lament" - Spamalot
