Want to enjoy the music of Broadway, but need some help brushing up on your musical theatre know how? Well, let's start at the very beginning... We've pulled together 75 songs that represent basic Broadway. Even the newest theatre fan is bound to recognize some of these most beloved songs from the Broadway canon.
Enjoy songs from musicals like: Hairspray, Rent, The Sound of Music, Les Miserables, Dreamgirls, The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Hamilton, and more!
Did we miss one of your favorites? Tell us which beginner level showtune you love the most!
Want more showtunes? Study up on Broadway history with music from the 1940s , 1950s , 1960s , 1970s , 1980s , 1990s , 2000s , 2010s and 2020s . Check out our favorite Overtures , Opening numbers , 'I Want' songs , Act 1 finales , Act 2 openers , 11 o'clock numbers , and Finales . Plus, get cookin' on Thanksgiving and kickstart the holiday season!
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Lighting Design - Top 3
1.
Jen Schriever, Michael Arden - The Lost Boys
31.9% of votes
2.
Kevin Adams - Chess
14.2% of votes
3.
Jack Knowles - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
6.9% of votes
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Articles by Team BWW are collaborative works written by our team of national, local, and international experts under the direction of BroadwayWorld's New York-based Editorial Team. BroadwayWo... (read more about this author)
