The Best Audition Songs for Hands on a Hardbody – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Hands on a Hardbody? 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 Hands on a Hardbody, by character.
Since Hands on a Hardbody is a contemporary musical, the following songs are from musicals between 1990-2020. In addition, there are lots of country and pop vibes below 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 Hands on a Hardbody 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.
Benny Perkins
“Heartbreaker” – Bright Star
“It All Fades Away” – The Bridges of Madison County
“That’s What I Could Do” – Violet
Chris Alvaro
“Build a Wall” – Shrek
“Virginia” – The Civil War
“Wondering” – The Bridges of Madison County
Greg Wilhote
“Be the Hero” – Big Fish
“How It Ends” – Big Fish
“Disappear” – The Burnt Part Boys
Heather Stovall
“Backwoods Barbie” – 9 to 5
“Change It” – 9 to 5
“Oklahoma?” – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Janis Curtis
“Every Day of the Week is a Saturday” – Nunsense Jamboree
“I Could’ve Gone to Nashville” – Nunsense
“Play a Country Enut” – Nunsense Jamboree
JD Drew
“Look Around” – The Will Rogers Follies
“Never Met a Man I Didn’t Like” – The Will Rogers Follies
“Something From a Dream” – The Bridges of Madison County
Jesus Pena
“Go With the Flow” – Wonderland
“Madrid is My Mama” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
“Time” – Tuck Everlasting
Kelli Mangrum
“Asheville” – Bright Star
“Before It’s Over” – Dogfight
“If You Knew My Story” – Bright Star
Mike Ferris
“Bright Star” – Bright Star
“Music of My Soul” – Memphis
“Radio” – Memphis
Norma Valverde
“Are You a Believer?” – Ghost
“Someday” – Memphis
“You Can’t Get to Heaven” – The Life
Ronald McCowan
“Don’t Let Me Go” – Shrek
“I Could Be That Guy” – Sister Act
“She’s My Sister” – Memphis
Virginia Drew
“Another Life” – The Bridges of Madison County
“Everything Changes” – Waitress
“Lay Down Your Head” – Violet
Ensemble (Altos)
“At Long Last” – Bright Star
“It’s a Woman’s World” – The Full Monty
“That’s What You Call a Dream” – Bonnie & Clyde
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Fight the Dragons” – Big Fish
“Here for You” – 9 to 5
“Tell My Father” – The Civil War
Ensemble (Basses)
“I’ll Never Pass This Way Again” – The Civil War
“Sleeping” – Once
“Temporarily Lost” – The Bridges of Madison County
Ensemble (Contras)
“I’m Not Falling for That” – We Aren’t Kids Anymore
“Mr. Hopalong Heartbreak” – Urban Cowboy
“When I Go” – We Aren’t Kids Anymore
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos)
“How Bout a Dance?” – Bonnie & Clyde
“On My Way” – Violet
“Way Back in the Day” – Bright Star
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Ain’t Nothin’ But a Kiss” – Memphis
“Another Round” – Bright Star
“Two Men in My Life” – Big Fish
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Big Love” – Memphis
“Breeze Off the River” – The Full Monty
“Last Time I Came to Memphis” – Violet
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Hands on a Hardbody:
• “At the Table” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Jugger’s Rain #1” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “Jugger’s Rain #2” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “Lone Star Grace” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “Skid Marks” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
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!
Hands on a Hardbody Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Hands on a Hardbody 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:
“Human Drama Kind of Thing” – Benny, Contestants
“If I Had This Truck” – Company
“If She Don’t Sleep” – Don, Janis
“My Problem Right There” – Ronald, Ensemble
“Alone With Me” – Virginia, JD
“Burn That Bridge” – Heather, Mike, Ensemble
“I’m Gone” – Kelli, Greg
“Joy of the Lord” – Norma, Ensemble
“Stronger” – Chris, Ensemble
“Hunt with the Big Dogs” – Benny, Company
Act 2:
“Hands on a Hardbody” – Mike, Frank
“Born in Laredo” – Jesus
“Alone With Me (Reprise)” – JD
“It’s a Fix” – Janis, Don
“Used to Be” – JD, Norma, Benny
“It’s a Fix (Reprise)” – Heather
“God Answered My Prayers” – Benny
“Joy of the Lord (Reprise)” – Ronald, Chris
“Keep Your Hands on It” – Company
Which of these audition songs for Hands on a Hardbody 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.