The Best Audition Songs for Hands on a Hardbody
When considering audition songs for Hands on a Hardbody, it’s fitting to choose a soul or country song from musical theatre repertoire that aligns with the tone of the show and suits your vocal type. Always refer to the audition notice for specific guidelines.
Because Hands on a Hardbody premiered in 2012, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1990s and 2020s. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed to ensure it matches the show’s style.
Step 1: Review Audition Info
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: Study the Show
Before auditioning, you should get familiar with the show, and listening to the cast album is a great way to do that. Here’s where you can learn more about Hands on a Hardbody.
Step 3: Pick an Audition Song
Before choosing a song, find your voice type and range using the Vocal Guide.
Based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Whatever you choose, try to stay open to other casting possibilities.
When you’re ready, choose a song from below that best fits your voice and style.
Audition Songs for Hands on a Hardbody
✨ Want audition material that gets you noticed? Explore monologues, songs, and guidance on finding your casting lane inside The Theatre Trip Archive on Patreon!
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
“Patriotic” – Rocky
Virginia Drew
“Another Life” – The Bridges of Madison County
“Everything Changes” – Waitress
“Lay Down Your Head” – Violet
❓ Curious which character type suits your personality? Take our free Character Archetype Quiz to find out if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or something even more unique!
Ensemble (Altos)
“It’s a Woman’s World” – The Full Monty
“Maybe Love” – Shucked
“Way Back in the Day” – Bright Star
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Here for You” – 9 to 5
“Seeing You” – Groundhog Day
“Tell My Father” – The Civil War
Ensemble (Basses)
“Adrian” – Rocky
“I’ll Be Here” – The Wild Party
“Sleeping” – Once
Ensemble (Contras)
“Big Love” – Memphis
“Come Down Now” – Passing Strange
“Somebody Will” – Shucked
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“How Bout a Dance?” – Bonnie & Clyde
“I Just Might” – 9 to 5
“On My Way” – Violet
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Ain’t Nothin’ But a Kiss” – Memphis
“Another Round” – Bright Star
“Two Men in My Life” – Big Fish
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Breeze Off the River” – The Full Monty
“Fight the Dragons” – Big Fish
“Getting There” – Fugitive Songs
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Hands on a Hardbody:
• “Between Things” from Middletown
• “Like Anywhere Else” from Almost, Maine
• “Just People” from Lewiston/Clarkston
• “Lonely Billions” from Middletown
• “Northern Lights” from Almost, Maine
Step 5: Audition Prep
Choosing the right song is just the beginning! Strong preparation helps you walk into the room with confidence and ready to show what you can do.
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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! This 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, Ensemble
“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
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.
