Broadway has given us some legendary tunes that have transcended their original shows. Join us as we explore iconic songs that became cultural phenomena, from "You'll Never Walk Alone" to "Anything You Can Do," proving that sometimes the music is bigger than the musical itself!
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00:00Don't tell me not to live, just sit and putter, life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter.
00:07Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the show tunes you definitely
00:13know, even if you had no idea they originated on the stage.
00:16That's your bottom dollar that... when?
00:21Tomorrow.
00:23Number 10.
00:24You'll Never Walk Alone – Carousel
00:26If you're a soccer fan, especially a Liverpool FC supporter, a Marcus Mumford stan, or familiar
00:44with Captain Tom Moore's efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, you've likely heard
00:49this song.
00:50Did you know it started in Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical Carousel?
01:13It's performed twice, first after Julie Jordan loses her husband in a failed robbery, and
01:18later at their daughter's graduation.
01:20In between, Billie, her late husband, is given a chance to help their daughter, who's become
01:25a social outcast and earn his place in heaven.
01:28Over the years, the song has become a powerful anthem of resilience and hope, inspiring people
01:33everywhere to find strength, even in the hardest times.
01:57Number 9.
01:58The Lady is a Tramp – Babes in Arms
02:15This song has become such a musical benchmark that it's almost easy to forget it debuted
02:19in Rodgers and Hart's 1937 musical Babes in Arms.
02:23In the show, Val, a woman helping Long Island youths put on a show, sings about living life
02:29her own way, even if it goes against the grain.
02:31Since then, it's been reimagined by legends like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy
02:36Davis Jr., and, of course, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga.
02:45Fun fact, it supposedly inspired the title of Disney's Lady and the Tramp.
02:49And it's not the only Babes in Arms tune to break free from its Broadway roots, either.
02:53People thank us when Valentine's Day rolls around.
03:04Number 8.
03:05I Got Rhythm – Girl Crazy
03:07If the Gershwins made their mark anywhere, it's with I Got Rhythm.
03:19Although originally written for the 1928 musical Treasure Girl, it officially debuted
03:24in the 1930 show Girl Crazy.
03:26This showstopper didn't end there.
03:28It found new life in the 1951 movie An American in Paris and the 1992 musical Crazy for You.
03:43Since its release, it's become a jazz standard.
03:47Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and more.
03:51And why not?
03:52With its irresistible up-tempo melody, it's a guaranteed toe-tapper.
03:56Whether you know it from Broadway, the silver screen, or jazz recordings, I Got Rhythm is
04:01pure joy.
04:02And really, who could ask for anything more?
04:12Number 7.
04:13Summertime – Porgy and Bess
04:15Composed by George Gershwin for Porgy and Bess, it quickly became an iconic piece of
04:20music, far outshining the opera in fame.
04:23It blends jazz, African-American folk rhythms, and a hauntingly simple melody that will move
04:28anyone who hears it.
04:42The song has inspired countless recordings by icons like Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong,
04:47and Janis Joplin.
04:48Its influence goes far beyond the musical, connecting with musicians and listeners across
04:53genres.
05:02While Porgy and Bess is often considered a landmark in opera history, Summertime is the
05:06real breakout star, often ranked among the greatest American songs.
05:10You've probably heard it in movies, TV, and other live shows.
05:15Even if you don't know the opera, you'll know this classic.
05:27Number 6.
05:28If I Were a Rich Man – Fiddler on the Roof
05:31This show has produced several standout tracks, from Matchmaker Matchmaker to Sunrise Sunset,
05:36which are well-known beyond the musical world.
05:39But dreaming about what you'd do with more money isn't just for musical theater fans.
05:56Even non-musical lovers can't help but raise their arms, give a little shimmy, and join
06:00in on that cantor-like chanting.
06:03You can thank the original Broadway tevye, Zero Mostel, for that.
06:06He supposedly reworked Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bok's Biddy Biddy Bum to better fit
06:10his character's culture.
06:18In the show, Tevye the milkman sings about how different his life would be.
06:21Well, it's right there in the title.
06:23Like the other songs here, it's been covered many times, and was notably sampled in Gwen
06:28Stefani's Rich Girl featuring Eve.
06:365.
06:37Tomorrow – Annie
06:38Tomorrow is one of those iconic songs from musical theater that everyone seems to know,
06:43even if they've never seen Annie.
06:55Its optimistic lyrics and catchy melody have made it a cultural touchstone for all ages.
07:00The message of resilience and hope resonates universally, and is often quoted even outside
07:05the show.
07:23It's a favorite to cover, whether by famous performers or talent show contestants.
07:27This song has been with many of us since childhood and holds a special place, no matter how we
07:32first heard it.
07:33Then there's the flip side, it's the hard knock life, which inevitably springs to mind
07:37when faced with chores we really don't want to do.
07:484.
07:53Big Spender – Sweet Charity
07:55When you hear this song, you might think of Dame Shirley Bassey.
07:58It's basically one of her signature tunes.
08:00Or perhaps you're more familiar with Peggy Lee's version.
08:03But theater fans know it actually comes from Cy Coleman's 1966 musical Sweet Charity.
08:22It's performed by the taxi dancers of the Fandango Ballroom quite early on in the show,
08:26as we see them strut their stuff for their customers.
08:29Since then it's been covered and parodied endlessly, popping up in The Simpsons, SNL,
08:34and Schmigadoon.
08:35Even Queen performed it.
08:45If you haven't seen it in its original context, it's worth a watch.
08:48The performance isn't just vocally stunning, Bob Fosse's choreography takes it to another
08:54level.
09:143.
09:15Aquarius – Let the Sunshine In – Hair
09:30This rock musical about a young, free-spirited tribe focused on peace, love, and freedom
09:34became a cultural sensation in the late 60s.
09:37You probably know its opening and closing songs.
09:40Aquarius introduces the tribe, while Let the Sunshine In calls on the audience to help
09:44make the world a brighter place.
09:46A medley was famously recorded by the Fifth Dimension after Serendipity intervened.
09:51Someone found lead singer Billy Davis Jr.'s wallet in a cab and invited the group to see
09:55the show.
10:03Their version topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks, won Grammys, and earned a place
10:09in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
10:10It's no surprise these songs outgrew the show, as the age of Aquarius still feels like
10:15a pipe dream.
10:202.
10:22Don't Rain On My Parade – Funny Girl
10:38You've probably heard this song everywhere, from Glee to Mrs. Doubtfire, and in countless
10:43covers and parodies.
10:44But it all started in the 1964 musical Funny Girl, a loose take on Fanny Bryce's life,
10:50with music by Julie Stein and lyrics by Bob Merrill.
10:53In the show, Fanny decides to pursue the man she loves despite all the red flags.
11:02Since then, the song has become so much more than that.
11:12It's a battle cry to chase your dreams, ignore the doubters, and push forward with confidence.
11:17While the song is forever tied to Barbra Streisand, it's also been sung by Bobby Darin, Shirley
11:23Bassey, Diana Ross, Donna Summer, and even Adele during the final ever Carpool Karaoke.
11:36Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
11:401.
11:41Don't Cry For Me Argentina – Evita The song performed exceptionally well on the
11:44UK charts, even becoming certified gold.
11:532.
11:54Luck Be A Lady – Guys and Dolls Perhaps best associated with Frank Sinatra,
11:58this song has popped up in films, TV shows, and been covered by other artists.
12:09Put On A Happy Face – Bye Bye Birdie Putting a smile on people's faces long after
12:14this musical was released.
12:30My Favorite Things – The Sound of Music This has been one of many artists' favorite
12:34things to cover or use in Christmassy commercials.
12:50Old Man River – Showboat Singer Paul Robeson's rendition sits in
12:54the Grammy Hall of Fame and in AFI's 2004 100 Years 100 Songs list.
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13:311.
13:33Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better – Annie Get Your Gun
13:54In Annie Get Your Gun, this song is a witty battle of egos and gender politics between
13:58Annie Oakley and Frank Butler, but its catchy, competitive theme has long since outgrown
14:03the show, becoming a pop culture staple.
14:17You've probably heard it in TV shows, movies, commercials, and parodies.
14:21It's been in Gatorade ads, The Crown, The Nanny, and The Tonys, not to mention covered
14:26by Ethel Merman, Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand with Melissa McCarthy, and more.
14:31Plus, it's been parodied by legends like Groucho Marx and Miss Piggy.
14:35It's been done so often that you half expect every artist to hear someone else's version
14:39and think, anything you can do, well, you get the idea.
14:51Are there any tunes you didn't know came from a show?
14:53Let us know in the comments.