From school to work to all of the other stressors in between, there often seem to be a million things taking up our time and weighing us down. Thankfully, no matter what it is you might be feeling badly about, musical theatre is something of a universal cure. Believe me, Broadway has you covered when you need some words of wisdom, a change in perspective, or a lyrical kick in the butt to keep you going. Revisit these 20 timeless lyrics from Broadway musicals whenever you need a reminder that you'll make it through tough times stronger than you were before -- or just when you need a smile on your face.
1. "Do not throw away your shot."
- Hamilton
2. "The elevated train by my window doesn't faze me anymore. The rattling screams don't disrupt my dreams; it's a lullaby in its way."
- In the Heights
3. "It's a big, bright, beautiful world with possibilities everywhere."
- Shrek the Musical
4. "There's a light in the darkness."
- Hairspray
5. "There's a million things I haven't done, but just you wait. Just you wait."
- Hamilton
6. "It's gonna be hard and it's gonna take time, but if we stay on our grind, the world is gonna watch us shine."
- Bring It On the Musical
7. "When you find your way again, you’re gonna change the world, and then, we’re all gonna brag and say we knew her when this was your home."
- In the Heights
8. "Show me your face clean as the morning. I know things were bad, but now, they're okay."
- Little Shop of Horrors
9. "Unlimited. My future is unlimited, and I've just had a vision almost like a prophecy. I know, it sounds truly crazy, and true, the vision's hazy, but I swear, someday there'll be a celebration throughout Oz that's all to do with me."
- Wicked
10. "Nothing will stop your ascent to the top."
- A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
11. "There's a chip on my shoulder, and it's big as a boulder. With the chance I've been given, I'm gonna be driven as hell."
- Legally Blonde the Musical
12. "I am the one thing in life I can control. I am inimitable, I am an original."
- Hamilton
13. "Everything in life is only for now."
- Avenue Q
14. "There’s only us, there’s only this. Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other road, no other way. No day but today."
- Rent
15. "Show a little initiative, boy, work up some guts, and you’ll get it."
- Little Shop of Horrors
16. "I'm through accepting limits 'cause someone says they're so. Some things I cannot change, but till I try I'll never know!"
- Wicked
17. "Even the darkest night will end and the Sun will rise!"
- Les Misérables
18. "Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now!"
- Hamilton
19. "No one is alone. Truly. No one is alone."
- Into the Woods
20. "Just breathe."
- In the Heights
In conclusion...
Struggling is part of the expansive breadth of human experience that art forms like musical theatre are made to reflect. Thankfully, when it's hard to see a resolution for ourselves in the near future, we at least know that Broadway shows always have one. The difference is that, for ourselves, we're in charge of making that perfect chord or writing those brilliant words that the characters in musicals already have. Luckily, you have the lyrics in this list (and so many more) to help you along when life gets tough so that you can reach a resolution of your own.
