40 Overdone Audition Songs to Avoid – by Vocal Type

Are you wondering what types of songs you should avoid when auditioning for a musical or college program? In my opinion, the following songs are overused and oversung and should in most cases be avoided.

HOWEVER, I am a big believer that there are always exceptions to every rule. I’m not going to tell you that the following songs should never be sung. But these overdone audition songs should definitely be chosen less often.

That said, you will stumble upon many of these songs in our audition posts for specific musicals. That’s because I do recommend them for very specific characters in very specific musicals. Also, if you know that you can rock one of these, sing it!

But if you’re looking for a general go-to song for a general audition, I would recommend giving the following overdone audition songs a pass!


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Altos

As Long As He Needs Me” – Oliver!

Funny Honey” – Chicago

I Dreamed a Dream” – Les Misérables

Live Out Loud” – A Little Princess

Popular” – Wicked


Baritones

Extraordinary” – Pippin

Mister Cellophane” – Chicago

More I Cannot Wish You” – Guys and Dolls

Santa Fe” – Newsies

This is the Moment” – Jekyll & Hyde


Basses/Bass-Baritones

Nice Work If You Can Get It” – Nice Work If You Can Get It

Put on a Happy Face” – Bye Bye Birdie

Some Enchanted Evening” – South Pacific

Stars” – Les Misérables

The Impossible Dream” – Man of La Mancha


Contras

A Change in Me” – Beauty and the Beast

God Help The Outcasts” – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Last Midnight” – Into the Woods

Small World” – Gypsy

Some People” – Gypsy


Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!


Mezzo-Sopranos

Everything’s Coming Up Roses” – Gypsy

Hopelessly Devoted to You” – Grease

I Cain’t Say No” – Oklahoma!

My Favorite Things” – The Sound of Music

Watch What Happens” – Newsies


Sopranos

Many a New Day” – Oklahoma!

Part of Your World” – The Little Mermaid

Pulled” – The Addams Family

Think of Me” – The Phantom of the Opera

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” – The Phantom of the Opera


Tenors

All I Need is the Girl” – Gypsy

Bring Him Home” – Les Misérables

Corner of the Sky” – Pippin

Freeze Your Brain” – Heathers

Words Fail” – Dear Evan Hansen


Trebles/Kids

Castle on a Cloud” – Les Misérables

Good Girl Winnie Foster” – Tuck Everlasting

My New Philosophy” – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Tomorrow” – Annie

Where is Love?” – Oliver!


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Have you ever chosen one of these overused audition songs?

And how was your experience with it? 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 specific musicals.


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Stacy Karyn, author of overdone audition songs.
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.


 

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