The Best Audition Songs for Hair – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Hair? 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 Hair, broken down by character.
Since Hair is a post-golden age musical that’s set in the 1960s, most of the songs below are from the 1960s-1970s as well. In addition, many of the following have either a rock or free-spirited vibe to them in order to match the style of the show.
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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 upbeat, 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 Hair 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 (rather than a specific character), there’s always a chance of being cast in a leading or 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.
Berger
“Alas for You” – Godspell
“Bachelor’s Dance” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
“She’s a Rainbow” – The Rolling Stones [1960s/non-theatre]
“Sunshine of Your Love” – Cream [1960s/non-theatre]
Claude
“I’d Love to Change the World” – Ten Years After [1970s/non-theatre]
“Let’s Live for Today” – The Grass Roots [1960s/non-theatre]
“Save the People” – Godspell
“We Beseech Thee” – Godspell
Crissy
“Knowing When to Leave” – Promises, Promises
“Timid Frieda” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
“What a Nice Idea” – Two Gentlemen of Verona
“Woodstock” – Joni Mitchell [1970s/non-theatre]
Jeanie
“Goin’ Back” – Dusty Springfield [1960s/non-theatre]
“I Still Believe in Love” – They’re Playing Our Song
“Learn Your Lessons Well” – Godspell
“What Have They Done to My Song, Ma?” – Melanie [1970s/non-theatre]
Sheila
“Child of Mine” – Carole King [1970s/non-theatre]
“Day by Day” – Godspell
“Dream Babies” – The Me Nobody Knows
“River” – Joni Mitchell [1970s/non-theatre]
Woof
“Amsterdam” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
“All Good Gifts” – Godspell
“Green Tambourine” – The Lemon Pipers [1960s/non-theatre]
“I Am a Child” – Buffalo Springfield [1960s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Altos)
“By My Side” – Godspell
“The Look of Love” – Dusty Springfield [1960s/non-theatre]
“Whoever You Are, I Love You” – Promises, Promises
Ensemble (Baritones)
“The Bulls” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
“The Mason” – Working
“The Sound of Silence” – Simon & Garfunkel [1960s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Basses)
“Alone” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
“Funeral Tango” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
“The Old Laughing Lady” – Neil Young [1960s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Contras)
“I’ve Got What You Want” – The Apple Tree
“I Wish It Would Rain” – Ain’t Too Proud/The Temptations
“White Rabbit” – Jefferson Airplane [1960s/non-theatre]
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“I Loved” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
“Old Folks” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
“What Makes Me Love Him?” – The Apple Tree
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Brand New Key” – Melanie [1970s/non-theatre]
“Carousel” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
“Desperate Ones” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
Ensemble (Tenors)
“I’m Into Something Good” – Herman’s Hermits [1960s/non-theatre]
“Morning Glow” – Pippin
“On the Willows” – Godspell
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Hair:
• “Album” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “It’s Best➝” from Elsewhere➝
• “Sky Lines #1” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “That’s All I Got➝” from Other Desert Cities (Trip)
• “Wormhole➝” from Ohio (Zach)
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!
Hair Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Hair, along with which characters sing in each of them. 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 character 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:
“Aquarius” – Tribe, Ronny
“Donna” – Berger, Tribe
“Hashish” – Tribe
“Sodomy” – Woof, Tribe
“Colored Spade” – Hud, Woof, Berger, Claude, Tribe
“Manchester, England” – Claude, Tribe
“I’m Black” – Hud, Woof, Berger, Claude, Tribe
“Ain’t Got No” – Woof, Hud, Dionne, Tribe
“I Believe in Love” – Sheila, Tribe
“Air” – Jeanie, Crissy, Dionne
“Initials” – Tribe
“I Got Life” – Claude, Tribe
“Going Down” – Berger, Tribe
“Hair” – Claude, Berger, Tribe
“My Conviction” – Margaret Mead
“Easy to Be Hard” – Sheila
“Don’t Put It Down” – Berger, Woof, Ensemble
“Frank Mills” – Crissy
“Be-In” – Tribe
“Where Do I Go?” – Claude, Tribe
Act 2:
“Electric Blues” – Tribe
“Black Boys” – Tribe
“White Boys” – Tribe
“Walking in Space” – Dionne, Jeanie, Sheila, Tribe
“Abie Baby” – Tribe
“Three-Five-Zero-Zero” – Tribe
“What a Piece of Work Is Man” – Tribe
“Good Morning Starshine” – Sheila, Tribe
“The Bed” – Tribe
“The Flesh Failures (Let the Sun Shine In)” – Claude, Sheila, Dionne, Tribe
Which of these audition songs for Hair 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 holds a BA in theatre, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.