Musical theatre has always been one of my favorite things. I grew up on musicals like The Sound of Music, The King and I, Les Miserables and Cats. While I was growing up, singing power ballads was something we did on Tuesday afternoons. While these musicals have influenced my life, there has been a recent surge of musical theatre songs that have the power to be enjoyed by almost everyone. Musical theatre is such a powerful platform of art because I truly believe it can get a crowd of people feeling the same emotions at the exact same time. It brings the beauty of expression to life and I love seeing that. Especially when it brings music to life as well. These songs are all songs that have impacted me in some emotional way. If you think you can relate, talk to me! I'd love to have more friends I can geek out over musicals with!

1. Only Us-Dear Evan Hansen

This song cannot be only listened to once. Every time I play it, I have to listen to it at least a dozen more times. If you don't fall in love with Dear Evan Hansen after this song, then I don't think you have a heart. It's so good. And this song flows exactly how a conversation should flow. I think there's something beautiful in the lyrics of this song and it makes it such a powerful duet. This is on my list of dream duets for sure.

Best line: "What if it's us, and only us? And what came before won't count anymore or matter? Can we try that? What if it's you, and what if it's me? And what if that's all that we need it to be? And the rest of the world falls away? What do you say?"

2. Seventeen-Heathers

Heathers is already an emotional rollercoaster as a movie, but seeing it come to life on stage made it much more emotional. Hearing Veronica and JD sing this song together is one of the more emotional scenes within the show. I think this song shows the true intentions for Veronica and JD, and it helps change the tension in the show. All of the music is amazing in this musical, but this one is definitely one of the best.

Best line: "I'll stay if I'm what you choose."

3. Burn-Hamilton

This song breaks my heart! Phillipa Soo does such a great job portraying Eliza's pain. This song also has so many parallels to Eliza and Alexander's relationship. I'll warn you, don't listen to this song and then "Helpless" right after. The tears will be flowing.

Best line: "I'm erasing myself from the narrative. Let future historians wonder how Eliza reacted after you broke her heart."

4. A Part of That- The Last Five Years

The Last Five Years is already an emotional musical, but this song makes me feel for Cathy. Jamie is off being an acclaimed author, and she has to watch him schmooze people, and she attends all of the press parties like a supportive wife should. And while she is getting frustrated with it, she still manages to see how happy it makes Jamie and she tries to be as supportive as she can.

Best line: "Then he smiles and where else can I go? I didn't know the rules do not apply. Then he smiles and nothing else makes sense. While he invents a world that's passing by."

5. When He Sees Me-Waitress

The best thing about the musical, Waitress, is that it can be heartwarming and clever at the same time. Kimiko Glenn does an amazing job portraying the neurotic tendencies that Dawn tends to have as a character. The way she uses logic to make her decisions about her relationships makes the song comical, but the underlying insecurities that Dawn has makes the song have a deeper turn. Also, this song is just a jam to sing in the shower. I'll be getting my Tony soon enough, I'm sure.

Best line: "He could be colorblind! How untrustworthy is that? Or he could be less than kind. Or even worse, he could be very nice, have lovely eyes and make me laugh, come out of hiding. What do I do with that?"

6. Run Away With Me-The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown

To be honest, I think every guy interested in musical theatre should be required to sing this song. Not only does it have beautiful notes, but the acting that needs to be used to sell it really helps develop character. I love Jeremy Jordan's take on this song, and what he brings to this character. This song is so cute, I could listen to it a million times and not get over it.

Best line: "Texas in the summer is cool. We'll be on the road like Jack Kerouac, looking back, getting ready, let's go anywhere. Get the car packed and throw me the key, run away with me."

7. One Day More-Les Miserables

Okay, this song is probably one of the best chorus numbers I have ever heard. I love Alphie Boe as Jean Valjean, and hearing the mixing of all of the cast makes this song so powerful. I am in love with the 25th Anniversary Edition of this, and if you keep your eyes open, you may see Nick Jonas as Marius. This song is absolutely amazing, and it never fails to give me chills.

Best line: "There's a new world to be won, do you hear the people sing?"

8. The Next Ten Minutes-The Last Five Years

This is the one song in the whole musical where Jamie and Cathy sing together. It's a powerful moment that marks the middle of the musical and the happiest point of their relationship. Everything about this song is beautiful, the lyrics, the instrumentals, and the combination of Jeremy Jordan and Anna Kendrick's voices makes me smile. Yet another song I could listen to on a loop and not get tired of it.

Best line: "I don't know why people run. I don't know why things fall through. I don't know how anybody survives in this life without someone like you. I could protect and preserve, I could say no and goodbye, but why, Jamie, why?"

9. With You-Ghost the Musical

This song is an emotional whirlwind. If you've ever lost someone that you've loved, I think this song can truly express the emotions that happen during that time. Also, the vocals on this song are absolutely superb.

Best line: "Any place I want to be, I want to see you there."

10. Unchained Melody-Ghost the Musical

How cute is this song? If you've never seen the movie Ghost, then you may not know that "Unchained Melody" was one of the biggest songs in the movie. I love that instead of saying, "I love you", Sam decides to sing this song. It may not be as assuring as those three little words, but who doesn't like a good serenade?

Best line: "Time goes by, so slowly. And time can do so much. Are you still mine?"

12. Falling Slowly-Once

First of all, I love this song. Second, it's probably at the top of my dream duet list. The harmonies in this song give me chills every single time I listen to it. And the words are so poetic! Ugh, this musical is the best.

Best line: "Take this sinking boat and point it home. We've still got time."

13. She Used To Be Mine-Waitress

I was a bit torn on what version of this song I should use. Sara Bareilles has the emotion of the songwriter for this piece, but Jessie Mueller brings in so much raw emotion with her acting. I loved that this version brought the two versions together. I love all of the talent that is showcased through this performance.

Best line: "Then she'll get stuck, and be scared of the life that's inside her. Getting stronger each day until it finally reminds her to fight just a little, to bring back the fire in her eyes that's been gone but used to be mine. "

14. Waving Through A Window-Dear Evan Hansen

This performance of "Waving Through a Window" is so fun to watch. What the audience hears is a kid singing about being an outsider, but his voice is crystal clear, and it seems like he's begging to see if anyone feels the same way as he does. But once the scene cuts through, Evan is seen stuttering and stumbling through his conversation with Zoe. Once the conversation ends, Evan is back into his inner monologue and the lighting on stage completely changes, while Evan's demeanor changes as well. It's scenes like these that make theatre so interesting to me! Plus, this song is a bop.

Best line: "When you're falling in a forest and there's nobody around, do you ever really crash or even make a sound? Did I even make a sound? It's like I never made a sound. Will I ever make a sound?"

15. Those You've Known-Spring Awakening

This song is so sad! Actually, Spring Awakening is a sad musical in general, but this song is definitely one of the reasons why it's so sad. Also, can we talk about the harmonies on this song? It's so beautiful and so painful. I love this song.

Best line: "I believe there's still hope."

16. Dear Theodosia-Hamilton

This song is undoubtedly adorable. I think this song humanizes Burr in a beautiful way. I love the way he's talking to Theodosia, and how he truly wants what is best for his daughter. He wants to create a nation that can help her grow in a better world. When Alexander talks to Phillip, it makes me smile. This song is so loving.

Best line: "You'll come of age with our young nation, we'll bleed and fight for you. We'll make it right for you. If we lay a strong enough foundation, we'll pass it on to you. We'll give the world to you and you'll blow us all away."

17. If I Could Tell Her-Dear Evan Hansen

Okay, I promise I'm done with the Dear Evan Hansen songs. Still, this song is so catchy. I love the guitar in the beginning and how clever the lyrics are. Dear Evan Hansen follows a Cyrano De Bergerac kind of plot, and it is definitely uncovered in this song. I think this song is heartfelt from Evan's point of view, but it is a little manipulative towards Zoe. I like that this song is sweet in nature, but it's also a little strange. I still listen to it on repeat sometimes!

Best line: "But we're a million worlds apart. And I don't know how I would even start, if I could tell her."

And that wraps it all up. Musical theatre is such a beautiful thing. I love that I can watch a musical and relate to the characters on stage, even though their lives aren't necessarily like mine at all. The power of music is truly spectacular and I love seeing how it can positively influence other people. So if you like Hamilton or Les Miserables, let me know what you think about this list!