Best Audition Songs for Basses – By Time Period
Last Updated: January, 2026
This page features a curated selection of musical theatre audition songs for basses, featuring a range of show styles and character types. The bass vocal range in musical theatre typically spans from E2 to E4. For more information on vocal ranges, see the vocal types guide.
Golden Age Songs for Basses (1940-1959)
“Don’t Cry” – The Most Happy Fella
“Edelweiss” – The Sound of Music
“I Still See Elisa” – Paint Your Wagon
“I’m an Ordinary Man” – My Fair Lady
“I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” – My Fair Lady
“Lost in the Stars” – Lost in the Stars
“Thousands of Miles” – Lost in the Stars
“Wan’drin’ Star” – Paint Your Wagon
Post-Golden Age Songs for Basses (1960s)
“Alone” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
“Everybody Says Don’t” – Anyone Can Whistle
“I Don’t Remember You” – The Happy Time
“Night Song” – Golden Boy
“Not Mine” – Hallelujah, Baby!
“Once Upon a Time” – All American
“Try to Remember” – The Fantasticks
“Who Can I Turn To” – The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd
1970s Songs for Basses
“Fallin’” – They’re Playing Our Song
“Fear No More” – The Frogs
“If I Have to Live Alone” – The Baker’s Wife
“In My Own Lifetime” – The Rothschilds
“I Wanna Make the World Laugh” – Mack & Mabel
“Pilate’s Dream” – Jesus Christ Superstar
“She Is a Diamond” – Evita
“You’re a Lovable Lunatic” – Seesaw
1980s Songs for Basses
“Father to Son” – Falsettos
“Funny” – City of Angels
“I Am What I Am” – La Cage aux Folles
“Marry Me” – The Rink
“See You in the Funny Papers” – Woman of the Year
“Song on the Sand” – La Cage aux Folles
“The Colors of My Life” – Barnum
“There’s Always One You Can’t Forget” – Dance a Little Closer
1990s Songs for Basses
“As Good As You” – Jane Eyre
“Does the Moment Ever Come?” – Just So
“Heaven Help Me” – Footloose
“How Long Must This Go On?” – Beauty and the Beast
“If the World Were Like the Movies” – My Favorite Year
“I’ll Be Here” – The Wild Party
“Lost in the Darkness” – Jekyll & Hyde
“Where’s the Girl?” – The Scarlet Pimpernel
2000s Songs for Basses
“Aftershocks” – Next to Normal
“Coffee Shop Nights” – Curtains
“Deep Into the Ground” – Billy Elliot
“Like Zis / Like Zat” – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
“Love Sneaks In” – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
“Mrs. Remington” – The Story of My Life
“Welcome to the World” – A Man of No Importance
“Who’s the Man” – The Witches of Eastwick
2010s Songs for Basses
“Everything About You” – Groundhog Day
“In the Ring” – Rocky
“Night Will Come” – Groundhog Day
“Now Is Not the Time” – Mrs Henderson Presents
“The Great Comet of 1812” – The Great Comet
“This Is Not An Exit” – American Psycho
“We Look to You” – The Prom
“What Would You Do?” – If/Then
Character/Comedic Audition Songs for Basses
“Be Prepared” – The Lion King
“Daisy Hill” – Snoopy!!!
“I Wanna Be a Producer” – The Producers
“My Name” – Oliver!
“Please Send Me Someone” – Young Frankenstein
“Reindeers Are Better Than People” – Frozen
“So Long Mom” – Tomfoolery
“Suppertime” – Little Shop of Horrors
DIY Rep Book for Basses
Included Inside:
✅ Step-by-step creation guide
✅ Regularly updated Google folder
✅ 230+ song ideas for basses with time periods, tempos, and exact vocal ranges
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip and the author of The Thespian’s Bucket List. She is also the creator of The Cast Album List. Her background includes a BA in Theatre, a TESOL Drama certificate, and professional experience in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
