The Best Musical Theatre Patter Songs – by Vocal Type
Looking for a musical theatre patter song for an upcoming audition or project? Well, if it’s for an audition, you should check out our giant database of audition songs for specific musicals. But if your show hasn’t yet been covered by us, you can go through the following patter songs, sorted by vocal type.
But first things first – what is a musical theatre patter song? A patter song is a very fast song with quickly sung lyrics that are more staccato in nature. You’ll find them sprinkled into musicals from every time period!
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Altos
“Getting Married Today” – Company
“The Worst Pies in London” – Sweeney Todd
“What’s Gonna Happen” – Tootsie
“Words, Words, Words” – The Witches of Eastwick
Baritones
“Hand for the Hog” – Big River
“Museum Song” – Barnum
“The Prince of Humbug” – Barnum
“There Is a Sucker Born Ev’ry Minute” – Barnum
Basses
“Everybody Loves the Windmill” – Mrs Henderson Presents
“Everybody Says Don’t” – Anyone Can Whistle
“The Elements” – Tomfoolery
“Ya Got Trouble” – The Music Man
Contras
“Calm” – Ordinary Days
“Erbie Fitch’s Twitch” – Redhead
“If You Hadn’t But You Did” – Two on the Aisle
“Just One Step” – Songs for a New World
“Model Behavior” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Mezzo-Sopranos
“Another Hundred People” – Company
“I’m the First Girl in the Second Row” – Look Ma, I’m Dancin’!
“The Speed Test” – Thoroughly Modern Millie
“Watch What Happens” – Newsies
Sopranos
“Carousel” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
“Crossword Puzzle” – Starting Here, Starting Now
“Shimmy Like They Do in Paree” – Death Takes a Holiday
“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” – Mary Poppins
Tenors
“All Hail the Brain” – 13
“Buddy’s Blues” – Follies
“Sennett Song” – Chaplin
“That’s What He Said” – Parade
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Which of these patter songs are your favorite?
And what are you currently working on/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.
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 holds a BA in theatre, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.