The Best Audition Songs for The Who’s Tommy – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for The Who’s Tommy? 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 The Who’s Tommy, broken down by character.
Since The Who’s Tommy is a 1990s musical, the following songs are from musicals between the 1960s through the early 2000s. In addition, there are lots of classic rock 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 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 read through the synopsis while listening to the Tommy cast album➝.
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, decide which character you’d like to audition for. And finally, choose a suitable song from the list below!
Captain Walker
“Is Nothing Sacred” – Meat Loaf [90s rock/non-musical theatre]
“Real Life” – Tick, Tick…Boom!
“Shoes Upon the Table” – Blood Brothers
“You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth” – Meat Loaf [70s rock/non-theatre]
Cousin Kevin
“Dream On” – Aerosmith [70s rock/non-musical theatre]
“Heaven on Their Minds” – Jesus Christ Superstar
“The Man Who Sold the World” – David Bowie [70s rock/non-theatre]
“Where I Want to Be” – Chess
Mrs. Walker
“Heaven Help My Heart” – Chess
“Keys” – Passing Strange [first half]
“Shadows of the Night” – Pat Benatar [80s rock/non-theatre]
“Tell Me It’s Not True” – Blood Brothers
Tommy
“Home Sweet Home” – Mötley Crüe [80s rock/non-musical theatre]
“Pity the Child” – Chess
“Rolling Stock” – Starlight Express
“Work the Wound” – Passing Strange
The Gypsy
“Cherry Pie” – Warrant [90s glam rock/non-theatre]
“School’s Out” – Alice Cooper [70s rock/non-musical theatre]
“Sugar Daddy” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
“The Origin of Love” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Uncle Ernie
“Amsterdam” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
“Going Down” – Hair
“Manchester, England” – Hair
“The Bulls” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
Ensemble (Altos)
“Angelo” – Brotherhood of Man [70s pop/non-musical theatre]
“Eternal Flame” – The Bangles [80s soft rock/non-theatre]
“Nobody’s Side” – Chess
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Anthem” – Chess
“That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore” – The Smiths [80s rock/non-musical theatre]
“Unsettled Scores” – Whistle Down the Wind
Ensemble (Basses)
“Alone” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
“Pilate’s Dream” – Jesus Christ Superstar
“Wicked Little Town” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Ensemble (Contras)
“30/90” – Tick, Tick…BOOM!
“Someone Else’s Story” – Chess
“Wig in a Box” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Barracuda” – Heart [70s rock/non-musical theatre]
“Call Me” – Blondie [80s rock/non-musical theatre]
“The Break” – Next to Normal
Ensemble (Tenors)
“I’m Going Home” – The Rocky Horror Show
“Save the People” – Godspell
“Strange Brew” – Cream [60s rock/non-musical theatre]
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for The Who’s Tommy:
• “Fun House Mirror” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “MacKenzie #1” in Audition Arsenal for Men in Their 20s➝
• “Office Hour” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “The Dead Deportee” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “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!
The Who’s Tommy Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in The Who’s Tommy, 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:
“Captain Walker” – Ensemble
“It’s a Boy” / “We’ve Won” – Mrs. Walker, Captain Walker, Ensemble
“Twenty-One” – Mrs. Walker, Captain Walker, Boyfriend
“Amazing Journey” – Tommy
“Amazing Journey (Reprise)” – Tommy
“Christmas; See Me, Feel Me” – Captain Walker, Mrs. Walker, Tommy, Ensemble
“Do You Think It’s Alright?” – Captain Walker, Mrs. Walker
“Fiddle About” – Uncle Ernie, Ensemble
“See Me, Feel Me (Reprise)” – Tommy
“Cousin Kevin” – Cousin Kevin, Ensemble
“Sensation” – Tommy, Ensemble
“Eyesight to the Blind” – Hawker, Ensemble
“Acid Queen” – The Gypsy
“Pinball Wizard” – Cousin Kevin, Ensemble
Act 2:
“It’s a Boy (Reprise)” / “There’s a Doctor” – Captain Walker, Mrs. Walker
“Go to the Mirror!” / “Listening to You” – Captain Walker, Mrs. Walker, Tommy, Young Tommy, Ensemble
“Tommy, Can You Hear Me?” – Ensemble
“I Believe My Own Eyes” – Captain Walker, Mrs. Walker
“Smash the Mirror” – Mrs. Walker
“I’m Free” – Tommy
“Sensation (Reprise)” – Tommy, Ensemble
“I’m Free (Reprise)” / “Pinball Wizard (Reprise)” – Tommy, Company
“Tommy’s Holiday Camp” – Uncle Ernie
“Sally Simpson” – Ensemble
“Welcome” – Tommy, Ensemble
“Sally Simpson’s Question” – Sally Simpson, Tommy
“We’re Not Gonna Take It” – Tommy, Ensemble
“See Me, Feel Me (Reprise)” / “Listening to You (Reprise)” – Tommy, Company
Which of these audition songs for The Who’s Tommy 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.