49 “I Want” Songs To Bring Out Your Inner Dreamer
Usually the second or third number in a show, the “I Want” song helps establish a character’s dreams, goals, or desires. And often times, it hints at the plot to come. These “I Want” songs are usually sung by the protagonist, but sometimes they are sung by supporting character, and sometimes they’re even sung by the antagonist. Here’s a list of our favorites!
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase through one of the following links, we may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. See our disclosure for more info.
“I Want” Songs for Altos
“Disneyland” – Smile
“Funny” – My Favorite Year
“Lion Tamer” – The Magic Show
“Live Out Loud” – A Little Princess
“One Perfect Moment” – Bring It On
“Someday” – The Hunchback of Notre Dame
“Superhero Girl” – Starmites
“I Want” Songs for Baritones
“Dust and Ashes” – The Great Comet
“Grow for Me” – Little Shop of Horrors
“Guido’s Song” – Nine
“I Want to Make Magic” – Fame
“Purpose” – Avenue Q
“Where I Want to Be” – Chess
“Who I’d Be” – Shrek
“I Want” Songs for Basses/Bass-Baritones
“Be Prepared” – The Lion King
“Falcon in the Dive” – The Scarlet Pimpernel
“Half As Big As Life” – Promises, Promises
“I Want to Go Home” – Big
“If I Were a Rich Man” – Fiddler on the Roof
“In My Own Lifetime” – The Rothschilds
“Waitin’ For The Light to Shine” – Big River
“I Want” Songs for Contras
“Before I Kiss the World Goodbye” – Jennie
“Buenos Aires” – Evita
“I Want the Good Times Back” – The Little Mermaid
“I Want to Go to Hollywood” – Grand Hotel
“It’s Not About Me” – The Prom
“King of the World” – Songs for a New World
“Woman” – The Pirate Queen
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
“I Want” Songs for Mezzo-Sopranos
“Don’t Rain on My Parade” – Funny Girl
“Ireland” – Legally Blonde
“No One Else” – Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
“Out Tonight” – Rent
“The Life I Never Led” – Sister Act
“The Movie in My Mind” – Miss Saigon
“Waiting for Life” – Once on This Island
“I Want” Songs for Sopranos
“Colored Woman” – Memphis
“Green Finch and Linnet Bird” – Sweeney Todd
“In My Own Little Corner” – Cinderella
“Love, Don’t Turn Away” – 110 in the Shade
“Part of Your World” – The Little Mermaid
“Waitin’ for My Dearie” – Brigadoon
“Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” – My Fair Lady
“I Want” Songs for Tenors
“Bright Star” – Bright Star
“Corner of the Sky” – Pippin
“Johanna” – Sweeney Todd
“One Song Glory” – Rent
“Someone Is Waiting” – Company
“The Wall in My Head” – Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
“Why God Why?” – Miss Saigon
“I Want” Songs for Trebles/Children
“Castle on a Cloud” – Les Misérables
“I Want It Now” – Willy Wonka
“I Want to Know” – Big
“Maybe” – Annie
“One Pal” – Polka Dots: The Cool Kids Musical
“When I Get My Name in Lights” – The Boy from Oz
“Where is Love?” – Oliver!
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Do you know of any other great “I Want” songs?
And which of the above “I Want” songs are your favorite? We would love to hear all about it in the comments below!
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.
One “I Want” song that is glaringly omitted is “Somewhere That’s Green” from Little Shop of Horrors.
True!! That is also a wonderful example of an “I Want” song. Thanks for sharing!
I think that you could put Valjean’s soliloquy from Les Mis on the list for tenors as well as On top of the world from Disney’s The hunchback och Notre Dame. They really tell the purposes of the actions taken by the characters.
Hi Kristian!! Thanks for the suggestions. I especially love that you pointed out Valjean’s Soliloquy. What a powerful example of an “I Want” Song!!