- In |
- On June 17, 2025
Love musical theatre songs? Us too! That’s why we’ve compiled our list of some of the most unforgettable musical numbers! Also, they are all from shows that are currently playing on the West End.
10 – The Lion King – The Circle Of Life
Even if you haven’t seen this musical you’re probably already familiar with this song. Imagine seeing this is real life? Phoenomonal! The Circle Of Life is the opening number of this popular Disney musical. This beautiful song written by Elton John, welcomes the arrival of lion cub Simba. It sets the warmth of welcoming a new day and new life. This opening number immerses you with the use of puppetry which comes down the aisles of the theatre. The song already has an emotional attachment for many people, that combined with the power of life singing and full orchestra makes this an easy addition to our list of unforgettable musical theatre songs which you can currently catch in the West End.
9 – Clueless – Reasonable Doubt
Overall, this musical is slept on! This movie musical is based on the beloved 90’s film. With original musical theatre songs written by KT Tunstall, the music echoes genres of the 90’s. This particular song, Reasonable Doubt echoes both a grungy, angsty teenager and also NSYNC, boyband vibes. The song is the second number in the second act. It is sung by Josh, Cher’s ex-step brother who doesn’t like the guy she’s decided to start seeing. It is so cleverly written and has the audience chuckling along at the familiar sound and cheesey dance number.
8 – Hadestown – Wait For Me (Reprise)
Wait For Me (Reprise) comes as the penultimate number in the show. The original time this song is sung is in the show’s first act, where Orpheus decides to follow Eurydice into the underworld. The reprsie of this song seems to hit harder. Perhaps it’s because we have already heard the main theme once already and it is built on from there. Or, it could also be as the stakes are much higher as the doomed lovers try to leave the underworld. Either way, the song is fuller with more voices and harmonies added making this a goosebump inducing song.
7 – Titanique – Taking Chances
I had never heard of this Celine Dion song until I watched Titanique on TV at the Big Night At The Musicals. Taking Chances is the first big company number in the musical. Titanique is a retelling of the film Titanic from the point of view of Celine Dion. Naturally, the musical features all of Celine Dion’s music. This song elevates the original song as the music swells and pack a full punch of the company singing all together. It is another goosebump worthy song, therefore giving it a solid spot on our list of unforgettable musical theatre songs today.
6 – The Book Of Mormon – Turn It Off
This song simply had to make our list of unforgettable musical theatre songs. The song is in the first act by Elder McKinley who is the lead Mormon missionary in Uganda. In this song, McKinley is teaching his fellow Mormon missionaries how to deal with upsetting, “inappropriate” or even traumatising things. It’s easy! You simply have to supress the emotions and “Turn It Off”. Not only is this song hilarious in it’s lyrics due to being written by the creator of South Park, it is also a showstopper! Once he has all the Mormons on side, they break out in to a full on dance number with what might be one of the West End‘s fastest quick changes. Turn It Off is a super fun song and has the audiences side splitting with laughter.
5 – Hamilton – Burn
This song is a female belty, emotional ballad. Unlike the majority of our musical theatre songs however, this one takes place in Act 2 of Hamilton. Burn is a fiery song by Eliza. It is sung when she is betrayed and humiliated by the titular character. Lin Manuel Miranda is the song writing force behind this song. Hamilton is the show that really put him on the song writing map before Disney picked him up to write the score for Moana and Encanto which we all know and love. Going through a break up? Maybe they cheated? Then listen to this song full blast and scream along if you know the words!
4 – Wicked – No One Mourns The Wicked
Not only does this song make the list of the most unforgettable Musical Theatre Songs but it is also Wicked‘s opening number. This beautiful score by Stephen Schwartz uses a full orchestration and discordant harmonies and chords to hit the audience with sound from the opening number. This song becomes a recurring theme throughout the musical.
No One Mourns The Wicked is another full ensemble number with Glinda the good witch taking a beautiful lead soprano line. It sets the world that we are in and gives you the necessary information to follow the whole story. Wicked is the untold story of the Witches of Oz, AKA, the original villain origin story. The lyrics, punchy chords and full vocal power from the ensemble tells you that they are united in celebrating the Wicked Witch’s death. However, the chords, clashing harmonies and dramatic drums gives you the feeling that something isn’t quite right.
3 – Oliver! – Consider Yourself
This song’s a banger and also, it’s five minutes long and still leaves you wanting more. This song is a good ol’ cockney knees up. Consider Yourself comes halfway through Act 1 of Oliver! When Oliver meets pick pocket Dodger. Dodger welcomes Oliver into the found family of young vagrants who commit petty crimes in order to survive in the Victorian East End. This is one of the musical theatre songs on our list today which includes a dance number. The current production of Oliver! is choreographed by Matthew Bourne and saw them recieve an Olivier Award Nomination for best choreography. In our opinion, this song will always live in the shadow of Nancy’s belter As Long As He needs me and here at LSBO we want to give this song the recognition it deserves.
2 – Cabaret – Maybe This Time
Honestly, just thinking about this musical theatre song, gives me goosebumps! Maybe This Time is a female, solo belty ballad written in this iconic Kander and Ebb Musical. This song is sometimes in the shadow of the title song of the show, Cabaret. Cabaret is already a powerful story. It is set in a Cabaret Club in the twilight age of Jazz, set amongst the Nazis rise to power.
Maybe This Time is sung in the first act of the show by lead character Sally Bowles. She is singing after discovering that she is pregnant and doesn’t know who the father is. She is reflecting on her possible choices in life and is famously, a song of hope and desperation. It is a song about hope for a better future which echoes her personal feelings and the feelings against a political and historical backdrop which as an audience member, we know is ill-fated. This adds to the turmoil and desperation of this powerful, knock-your-socks-off song making it truly one of the most memorable musical theatre songs.
1 – Les Miserables – One Day More
This is one of the best musical theatre songs of all time in my opinion. However, it will forever live in the shadow of the shows song I Dreamed A Dream, made popular by Susan Boyle in Britain’s Got Talent. One Day More comes at the end of the first act. It is the turning point of the show where all of the characters are making decisions that will change their lives. It is centered around them starting the French Revolution and see’s most of the characters before joining the barricades. The song is a punchy full ensemble number. With all of the characters lyrics overlapping and harmonising beautifully. It build until the full company is singing in dramatic and operatic harmony. This song never fails to impress no matter how many times you hear it.
