Top 10 Opening Songs from Musicals That Give Us Chills
From the opening song, we had chills. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the show tunes that have us gripped to our seats with awe as the curtain rises.
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00:00Welcome to Ms. Mojo and today we're counting down our picks for the show tunes that have us
00:09gripped to our seats with awe as the curtain rises. However, we're not including overtures
00:14because they deserve a standing ovation of their own.
00:1710. Just Another Day, Next to Normal
00:28In its opening notes, this tune draws us into a world that feels instantly recognizable,
00:33like slipping on a familiar mask to hide the struggles within.
00:36It's seemingly mundane lyrics clash with a desperate plea to keep the grip from slipping,
00:49creating a subtle tension beneath the surface. It almost feels like a calm facade,
00:54barely containing a brewing storm, just waiting to break free.
01:07The melody starts relatively calm and gradually builds with heavier chords and more intensity,
01:12mirroring the mounting anxiety. Also, Diana falls out of rhythm toward the end as the mask
01:18begins to slip. If that doesn't send shivers down your spine, we don't know what will.
01:239. Maybe, Annie
01:36Annie wastes no time hitting us in the feels with a song where the titular orphan sings
01:40about parents she hopes to reunite with one day. Beginning softly,
01:52the song reflects Annie's profound sense of loneliness. Yet as she sings of hope and
01:57reunion, the music gradually swells, echoing her growing desires. The melody's pretty simple,
02:13leaving plenty of room for the heartfelt lyrics to shine. With its childlike innocence and optimism,
02:18Annie's yearning will hit you right in the gut. By the time the last note fades away,
02:23it almost feels like her feelings have seeped into our own, stirring up something deep inside us.
02:408. Tradition, Fiddler on the Roof
02:43From the first note, this song bursts with a vibrant energy, underscoring the importance
02:48of tradition to Tevye and his community. It's happy and festive, but if you listen closely,
03:04you'll hear hints of their struggles, too. Still, when everything comes together,
03:09the strong beat, the booming music, those surprising harmonies, and the passionate singing,
03:14it's just awe-inspiring. It's almost like a big celebration of everything that unites
03:30the Jewish community of Anatevka. Any time everyone joins together for a triumphant
03:35chorus of tradition, we just want to join Tevye for a lively dance. As the melody crescendos,
03:41we start to feel as shaky as a fiddler on the roof in anticipation of what's to come.
04:007. No One Mourns the Wicked, Wicked
04:04Any song that starts with,
04:15is sure to send chills down our spines. Right from the start, this song grabs you and then
04:20dives into introducing our two leading ladies, albeit in very different ways,
04:25and makes us question everything we thought we knew about them.
04:35The song shows how easily people can get swept up in sensational language,
04:43and in this case, a catchy tune. The harmonies between Glinda and the mob are absolutely
04:48breathtaking. Even though we might not realize it yet, Glinda's sweetness against the harshness
05:03of the mob tells us there's a lot more to this story than meets the eye, and it already has us
05:08hooked. 6. Welcome to the Rock,
05:21Come From Away If you ask anyone old enough to remember
05:25what they were doing on September 11, 2001, they could probably tell you without missing a beat.
05:34And I turn on the radio. You are here at the start of a moment.
05:42Indeed, that's where this song finds us. The residents of Gander, Newfoundland,
05:47sing about getting on with their daily routines, totally unaware that the world as they know it
05:51is about to change. As news of the tragedy spreads, the music shifts, reflecting the
05:57resilience and unity of the community. When the sun is coming up and the world
06:01has come ashore, if you're hoping for a harbor, then you'll find an open door.
06:05Their stirring harmonies capture their solidarity and humanity's capacity for strength and compassion
06:11in the face of adversity. It's a really moving tribute to the extraordinary acts of kindness
06:15and courage that emerged from the darkest of times. We want to visit the way to the
06:20rock. 5. Deliver Us, The Prince of Egypt
06:32If the version from DreamWorks' animated movie gave you chills, just wait until you see it
06:37performed live. The music itself is incredibly moving, with its haunting melody and powerful
06:43vocals. Meanwhile, the lyrics tell an emotional tale of oppression and the hope for freedom that
06:59grips your heart and soul. Hearing the Hebrews crying out for deliverance live on stage especially
07:05strikes a chord. Every cast member pours their heart into the number, making sure nobody is
07:14left unmoved. If you ever get the chance to see it live, the performance from the whole company
07:19is absolutely stunning. It's one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful things you'll ever
07:24witness on stage. 4. Mama Who Bore Me
07:35Spring Awakening Before teenage angst puts the rock in this rock musical,
07:39Vendla sings this contemporary ballad about the complexities of mother-daughter relationships.
07:56Frustrated by her mom's silence on the facts of life, Vendla voices how unprepared she feels as
08:01she comes of age. The melody and arrangement evoke vulnerability and turmoil, complemented
08:06perfectly by Vendla's expressive vocals. She captures the confusion of being a teenager in
08:18a way that resonates with everyone, no matter how long it's been since 13 years. You can feel her
08:24conflict as she tries to figure everything out while feeling like nobody understands.
08:28That's why this song hits you right in the feels. It's just so honest and real.
08:433. Prologue Les Miserables
08:46The prologue wastes no time immersing the audience in a central theme of the show,
08:51social injustice and poverty. We meet Jean Valjean, a convict whose only crime was trying
09:08to feed his family, leading to a harsh 19-year sentence. Despite his freedom,
09:13Valjean remains haunted by his past. Only through encountering kindness does he find
09:17the resolve to break free from his history and become a force for good.
09:30Prologue pulls at every single heartstring with profound frustration, despair, and unfairness,
09:36all conveyed powerfully through the company's voices. Valjean's final note can set off a shock
09:41wave of chills. You almost expect the whole theater to start shaking with the power of it.
09:592. Circle of Life – The Lion King
10:02Remember the first time you watched Disney's The Lion King and how you stood to attention
10:06like a meerkat at the first notes of this song? Come on, that's core memory material.
10:16Now imagine experiencing that live. From that very first note, the cast has you in their grip,
10:22hanging on every word they sing. The harmonious blend of English lyrics and Zulu chants
10:36casts its magic over us, drawing audiences deeper into the story. The melody builds and builds,
10:42holding the audience in a trance-like state. Then, when baby Simba's introduced and the song
10:58hits its peak, well, the energy is electric enough to launch us right to the top of Pride Rock.
11:073. We Are What We Are – La Cage Aux Folles
11:15Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
11:19We Are What We Are – La Cage Aux Folles
11:21An opening message to embrace yourself unabashedly? Now that's a powerful start.
11:263. Alexander Hamilton – Hamilton
11:36There are almost no words to describe how we feel when the whole ensemble comes together.
11:414. Heaven On Their Minds – Jesus Christ Superstar
11:54Even in the heat of a scorching landscape, this song effortlessly sends chills down our spines.
11:595. The Sound Of Music – The Sound Of Music
12:10The way the music builds and fills the air is enough to make any grass on the Alps stand on end.
12:256. Requiem For Evita – Oh What A Circus – Evita
12:28The moment the ensemble starts to sing, it's like the music takes over and carries you away.
12:541. Prelude – The Ballad Of Sweeney Todd – Attend The Tale Of Sweeney Todd
13:04Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street
13:07Is there anything more hair-raising than a melody beckoning you into a tale shrouded in darkness?
13:12He shaved the faces of gentlemen who never thereafter would have again.
13:17He trod a path that few have trod. Did Sweeney Todd?
13:21The soundtrack is known for its intricate harmonies and eerie chords,
13:25which create this unsettling tension that perfectly mirrors the twisted story.
13:29Unlike typical upbeat show tunes, Sweeney Todd's melodies feel offbeat,
13:34constantly keeping you on your toes. Its vocal style often booms with operatic grandeur,
13:39with these powerful, soaring notes that add to the drama and intensity.
13:56Yet just as you settle into its rhythm, it swerves, plunging into moments of eerie calm
14:01that catch you off guard. The music itself becomes a character,
14:05intensifying the story's emotional heft.
14:10Which opening musical number gives you chills from the moment the curtains rise to the final bow?
14:24Let us know in the comments.
14:35Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo.
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