How many times have you found yourself struggling to make it through one more sentence of your APUSH textbook? Have your eyelids ever started to become droopy the split second you get your Ticonderoga pencil out to write a free response essay for English class? High school has the undesirable talent of giving teenagers the skewed belief that it is completely normal to get four hours of sleep a night and nap for three hours the next afternoon. This sickening stigma of snoozing needs to end as fast as your eyes can close to escape to a dream world where sleeping does not exist. Before you start to fall asleep reading this article, I am here to provide you with 10 eye-opening show tunes that will keep your heart pounding, your pages turning, and your pencils writing. (Disclaimer: Not all show tunes include operatic belting, so please give them a chance before you un-pause your Drake Pandora Radio station.)
1. “Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)"
It is no surprise that the first jam comes from the new and blossoming musical, “Hamilton.” "Hamilton" is a show written by the Puerto Rican genius, Lin-Manuel Miranda. This musical focuses on the life of Alexander Hamilton, which may seem quite ordinary on paper; however, this song turns the bygone Battle of Yorktown into a full out rap beat where Hercules Mulligan informs his men that “when you knock me down, I get the f*** back up again.”
2. “Out Tonight”
Ladies, this one is for you. This song from “Rent” will have you slipping on your black heels and mini skirt before even hearing the chorus. This upbeat tune is all about having an entertaining and carefree night, and speaking from experience, I am sure every high schooler needs a night like this from time to time.
3. “Run and Tell That”
In this bop, the characters in “Hairspray” truly teach us that skin colors do not have the power to keep someone from loving another. This song is impossible to hear without tapping a toe or bobbing a head. The hair product hairspray may keep our hair in place, but the musical “Hairspray” also holds a special place in the hearts of Broadway (and music) lovers.
4. “Sex is in the Heel”
Any song from “Kinky Boots” could appear on this list. Broadway standout Billy Porter belts out an electro-pop jam that makes you question how you ever even got tired in the first place. If somehow the songs on this list are not achieving their goal, I recommend listening to the entire "Kinky Boots" soundtrack, and I will singlehandedly promise you that you will be able to stay up at least an hour later.
5. “So Much Better”
“Legally Blonde” is a classic movie and musical where blondes, like myself, get to celebrate beauty and brains. Elle Woods is an iconic idol for girl teenagers everywhere, and in this song, she discovers that she has just been admitted to Harvard Law School. This song is a powerful “blonde moment” for Elle because she realizes that she is capable of pursuing big things without the help of a man. Girl power!
6. “Footloose/On any Sunday”
The title of the show is enough to make any ordinary person realize that every song from this show is going to get your feet moving. Dancing is the main focus in this musical; however, after hearing this song, the characters in the show will not be the only ones who can’t stand still. From the first exhilarating note in the song, the late night coffee will be needed no more.
7. “The Rum Tum Tugger”
This song celebrates the fickle people of the world. This sexy show tune is an upbeat dance number from “Cats.” Simply hearing this song is not enough. The dancing in this show is phenomenal, and YouTube videos from this show are almost addicting. Once you have watched one, you find yourself jamming out to all of the others as well (even the well-known ballad, “Memory.”)
8. “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile”
Most everyone knows this classic tune from the musical “Annie.” Just by listening to a short clip of this song while I write, I am finding myself smiling and typing a little faster. Who doesn’t love a group of young, talented, and smiling orphan girls? The tattered singers in this tune will win your heart over as soon as they give the first line. Don’t worry about planning your outfit for tomorrow because your smile makes up for any expensive shirt that may be missing from the ensemble.
9. “All-American Prophet”
“The Book of Mormon” is the comedic standout of the decade. It hilariously tells the story of the Mormon faith while simultaneously following the life of Elder Price and Elder Cunningham. In this song, Elder Price sings about the “blonde-haired, blue-eyed voice of God." If that line alone is not enough to spark your interest in this droll display, I recommend skipping to number 10.
10. “Friend Like Me”
How else would I end an article than with a Disney reference? Disney always gets the last word. This jazzy jam from “Aladdin” articulates the epitome of Disney, even making singing references to two other Disney musicals. This number escalates from zero to 100 in a matter of six seconds. The magic of Disney is enough to have you dancing in your room at half past midnight.
I hope this list of stimulating show tunes expands your knowledge of Broadway while simultaneously keeping you awake to finish whatever it is that you’re faced with completing late at night. The next time you find your eyelids sneakily trying to close, turn on some of these action-packed songs, and maybe you will even find yourself listening to some belted Broadway ballads as well.
