The Best Audition Songs for Rocky – By Character
When considering audition songs for Rocky, it’s fitting to choose a pop/rock song from contemporary 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 Rocky premiered in 2012, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 2000s 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 comedic, 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 Rocky.
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 Rocky
🎶 Need more audition song ideas? Build your audition book with a DIY Rep Book for your voice type: 200+ songs with ranges, tempos, and listening links. Or explore thousands of songs, monologues, and the Character Studio in the Theatre Trip Repertoire Studio→
Adrian Pennino
“Another Life” – The Bridges of Madison County
“On Monday” – 35mm: A Musical Exhibition
“This Is My Life” – Pretty Woman
“You Can’t Be Everything You Want” – Next Thing You Know
Apollo Creed
“Gotta Start Somewhere” – Back to the Future
“I Could Be That Guy” – Sister Act
“My Problem Right There” – Hands on a Hardbody
“When I Find My Baby” – Sister Act
Mickey Goldmill
“A Little Luck” – Honeymoon in Vegas
“Nicky Machiavelli” – A Bronx Tale
“One of the Great Ones” – A Bronx Tale
“Out of the Sun” – Honeymoon in Vegas
Rocky Balboa
“Dead Man’s Boots” – The Last Ship
“Raise a Little Hell” – Bonnie & Clyde
“Something About Her” – Pretty Woman
“The Night the Pugilist Learned How To Dance” – The Last Ship
🎭 Are you never quite sure which roles to audition for? Take our free Casting Archetype Quiz to see if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or a type that’s even more unique!
Ensemble (Altos)
“One Day” – Groundhog Day
“I Won’t Let You Down” – Tootsie
“Nothing Stops Another Day” – Ghost
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Seeing You” – Groundhog Day
“Wondering” – The Bridges of Madison County
“You Will Still Be Mine” – Waitress
Ensemble (Basses)
“Everything About You” – Groundhog Day
“Night Will Come” –Groundhog Day
“What Would You Do?” – If/Then
Ensemble (Contras)
“I Dreamed a Dance” – Next to Normal
“Playing Nancy” – Groundhog Day
“There Was John” – Tootsie
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Anywhere But Here” – Honeymoon in Vegas
“I’m Outta Here” – Ghost
“Rodeo Drive” – Pretty Woman
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Freedom” – Pretty Woman
“The Seraph” – 35mm: A Musical Exhibition
“Unstoppable” – Tootsie
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Rocky:
• “Car Crash” from Misery
• “Less Air to Breathe” from Almost, Maine
• “Looking Back” from Footloose
• “Standing Somewhere” from The Real Thing
• “The Song That We Sing” from Footloose
Step 5: Get Your Free Audition Prep Tools
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.
Get Theatre Trip’s free audition prep resources, including:
☑ Your Audition Prep Checklist
☑ Printable Audition Stamp Cards
☑ Updates when new audition tools are added
Grab your free resources on Patreon→
Rocky Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Rocky, 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 I:
“Ain’t Down Yet” – Ensemble
“My Nose Ain’t Broken” – Rocky
“Raining” – Adrian
“Patriotic” – Apollo Creed, Ensemble
“My Nose Ain’t Broken (Reprise)” – Rocky
“The Flip Side” – Rocky, Adrian
“Adrian” – Rocky
“Wanna Know Why” – Rocky, Ensemble
“Fight From the Heart” – Rocky
“One of Us” – Company
Act II:
“In the Ring” – Mickey
“Training Montage #2” – Ensemble
“Happiness” – Rocky, Adrian
“I’m Done” – Adrian
“Southside Celebrity” – Apollo, Ensemble
“Undefeated Man”- Apollo, Ensemble
“Keep On Standing” – Rocky
“The Fight” – 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.
