The Best Audition Songs for Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
Do you have an upcoming audition for Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story? Well unless you have specifically been asked to sing a song from the show that you’re auditioning for, it’s generally best not to. That said, you should still show off similar vocals and personality. So here’s our list of audition songs for Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, broken down by character.
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is a contemporary musical that’s set in the 1950s. Because of that, all of the songs below have a 1950s rock vibe to them. There are also a few non-musical theatre 1950s/60s songs below in case your audition specifically calls for that.
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Step 1: Read your audition details
Please read your audition details carefully, as they sometimes specify the type of song they’d like to hear (a ballad, something uptempo, etc.). Make sure to select a song that’s appropriate for your specific casting call.
Step 2: Get to know the show
In casting calls, they often ask for you to be “familiar with the show”. And even if it’s not requested, it’s generally assumed. One way to do this is to listen to the Buddy Holly Story cast album➝ while reading through the synopsis.
Step 3: Pick an audition song
Next, based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether you’d like to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Just keep in mind that if you audition for a specific character, you still might not be chosen for that particular role.
There’s usually a spot on the audition form asking if you are open to being in the ensemble or accepting a different role. I would suggest ticking that box and taking whatever you are offered. Every role is important, and you will earn valuable experience in a show.
And on that same note, even if you audition for the ensemble (and not a specific character), there’s always a chance you might get chosen for a leading/supporting role!
To summarize, keep an open mind and try not to take the process too seriously. And when you’re ready, choose the song that you feel most comfortable with from the list below.
Buddy Holly
*It’s generally preferable if you can also play the guitar*
“Baby Don’t Go” – The Cher Show
“Crackin’ Up” – Bo Diddley [1950s/non-theatre]
“Magic Moments” – Perry Como [1950s/non-theatre]
“Pills” – Bo Diddley [1950s/non-theatre]
“Rhythm of the Rain” – The Cascades [1960s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Altos)
“Be Anything” – Connie Francis [1950s/non-theatre]
“I Only Want to Be With You” – Dusty Springfield [1960s/non-theatre]
“It’s Raining on Prom Night” – Grease
“Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee (Reprise)” – Grease
“Screw Loose” – Cry Baby
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Honestly Sincere” – Bye Bye Birdie
“I’m a Man” – Bo Diddley [1950s/non-theatre]
“Love Me Tender” – All Shook Up/Elvis Presley
“Lucille” – Jerry Lee Lewis [1950s/non-theatre]
“Multiplication” – Bobby Darin [1960s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Basses)
“Don’t Be Cruel” – All Shook Up
“Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer” – The Four Lads [1950s/non-theatre]
“Mona Lisa” – Nat King Cole [1940s/non-theatre]
“One Last Kiss” – Bye Bye Birdie
“Three Steps to Heaven” – Eddie Cochran [1960s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Contras)
“All I Need is an Angel” – Grease Live!
“Don’t Make Me Over” – Dionne Warwick [1960s/non-theatre]
“Earth Angel” – The Penguins [1950s/non-theatre]
“Goin’ Back” – Dusty Springfield [1960s/non-theatre]
“Mama Said” – The Shirelles [1960s/non-theatre]
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Downtown” – Petula Clark [1960s/non-theatre]
“Fools Fall in Love” – All Shook Up
“Freddy My Love” – Grease
“Maybe” – The Chantels [1950s/non-theatre]
“One Night With You” – All Shook Up
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Beauty School Dropout” – Grease
“I Don’t Want To” – All Shook Up
“It Hurts Me” – All Shook Up
“Memphis Lives in Me” – Memphis
“Mooning” – Grease
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for The Buddy Holly Story:
• “Harvey and I➝” from Harvey➝ (Elwood)
• “Green Pepper➝” from Cocktails at Pam’s (Estelle)
• “In a Minute” from The Anniversary➝ (Tatiana)
• “Johnny Talks Kids➝” from Frankie and Johnny… (Johnny)
• “Well Done, Junior Disaster Committee!➝” from Cry-Baby (Baldwin)
Final Step: Prepare for your audition
After collecting your materials and getting familiar with the show, it’s time to move forward with the actual preparation. If you’re in need of some guidance on this step, you can always go through this FREE audition prep checklist!
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Unless you have been asked to, do not choose from the below songs for your audition! The following is more intended to be used for research purposes.
* That said, if you’ve specifically been asked to sing a song from the show, you can find the sheet music for the best possible audition songs below.
Act 1:
“Rose of Texas”
“Ready Teady”
“Changing All Those Changes”
“That’ll Be The Day”
“Blue Days, Black Nights”
“Rock Around With Ollie Vee”
“Everyday”
“Shout”
“Not Fade Away”
“Peggy Sue”
“Words Of Love”
“Oh Boy”
Act 2:
“Listen to Me’
“Well Alright”
“It’s So Easy”
“Think It Over”
“Why Do Fools Fall in Love”
“Chantilly Lace”
“Maybe Baby”
“Peggy Sue Got Married”
“La Bamba”
“Raining in My Heart”
“Rave On”
“Johnny B. Goode”
“Oh, Boy (Encore)”
Which of these audition songs for The Buddy Holly Story did you choose?
And what role are you auditioning for? We would love to hear all about it in the comments! And in the meantime, you can check out our database of best audition songs for other musicals.
Need extra help? Just go through this free audition prep checklist!
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. She has a TESOL drama certificate, a BA in theatre, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.