00:00Don't tell me not to live, just sit and putter, life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter.
00:07Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the show tunes you definitely
00:13know, even if you had no idea they originated on the stage.
00:16That's your bottom dollar that... when?
00:21Tomorrow.
00:23Number 10.
00:24You'll Never Walk Alone – Carousel
00:26If you're a soccer fan, especially a Liverpool FC supporter, a Marcus Mumford stan, or familiar
00:44with Captain Tom Moore's efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, you've likely heard
00:49this song.
00:50Did you know it started in Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical Carousel?
01:13It's performed twice, first after Julie Jordan loses her husband in a failed robbery, and
01:18later at their daughter's graduation.
01:20In between, Billie, her late husband, is given a chance to help their daughter, who's become
01:25a social outcast and earn his place in heaven.
01:28Over the years, the song has become a powerful anthem of resilience and hope, inspiring people
01:33everywhere to find strength, even in the hardest times.
01:57Number 9.
01:58The Lady is a Tramp – Babes in Arms
02:15This song has become such a musical benchmark that it's almost easy to forget it debuted
02:19in Rodgers and Hart's 1937 musical Babes in Arms.
02:23In the show, Val, a woman helping Long Island youths put on a show, sings about living life
02:29her own way, even if it goes against the grain.
02:31Since then, it's been reimagined by legends like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy
02:36Davis Jr., and, of course, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga.
02:45Fun fact, it supposedly inspired the title of Disney's Lady and the Tramp.
02:49And it's not the only Babes in Arms tune to break free from its Broadway roots, either.
02:53People thank us when Valentine's Day rolls around.
03:04Number 8.
03:05I Got Rhythm – Girl Crazy
03:07If the Gershwins made their mark anywhere, it's with I Got Rhythm.
03:19Although originally written for the 1928 musical Treasure Girl, it officially debuted
03:24in the 1930 show Girl Crazy.
03:26This showstopper didn't end there.
03:28It found new life in the 1951 movie An American in Paris and the 1992 musical Crazy for You.
03:43Since its release, it's become a jazz standard.
03:47Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and more.
03:51And why not?
03:52With its irresistible up-tempo melody, it's a guaranteed toe-tapper.
03:56Whether you know it from Broadway, the silver screen, or jazz recordings, I Got Rhythm is
04:01pure joy.
04:02And really, who could ask for anything more?
04:12Number 7.
04:13Summertime – Porgy and Bess
04:15Composed by George Gershwin for Porgy and Bess, it quickly became an iconic piece of
04:20music, far outshining the opera in fame.
04:23It blends jazz, African-American folk rhythms, and a hauntingly simple melody that will move
04:28anyone who hears it.
04:42The song has inspired countless recordings by icons like Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong,
04:47and Janis Joplin.
04:48Its influence goes far beyond the musical, connecting with musicians and listeners across
04:53genres.
05:02While Porgy and Bess is often considered a landmark in opera history, Summertime is the
05:06real breakout star, often ranked among the greatest American songs.
05:10You've probably heard it in movies, TV, and other live shows.
05:15Even if you don't know the opera, you'll know this classic.
05:27Number 6.
05:28If I Were a Rich Man – Fiddler on the Roof
05:31This show has produced several standout tracks, from Matchmaker Matchmaker to Sunrise Sunset,
05:36which are well-known beyond the musical world.
05:39But dreaming about what you'd do with more money isn't just for musical theater fans.
05:56Even non-musical lovers can't help but raise their arms, give a little shimmy, and join
06:00in on that cantor-like chanting.
06:03You can thank the original Broadway tevye, Zero Mostel, for that.
06:06He supposedly reworked Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bok's Biddy Biddy Bum to better fit
06:10his character's culture.
06:18In the show, Tevye the milkman sings about how different his life would be.
06:21Well, it's right there in the title.
06:23Like the other songs here, it's been covered many times, and was notably sampled in Gwen
06:28Stefani's Rich Girl featuring Eve.
06:365.
06:37Tomorrow – Annie
06:38Tomorrow is one of those iconic songs from musical theater that everyone seems to know,
06:43even if they've never seen Annie.
06:55Its optimistic lyrics and catchy melody have made it a cultural touchstone for all ages.
07:00The message of resilience and hope resonates universally, and is often quoted even outside
07:05the show.
07:23It's a favorite to cover, whether by famous performers or talent show contestants.
07:27This song has been with many of us since childhood and holds a special place, no matter how we
07:32first heard it.
07:33Then there's the flip side, it's the hard knock life, which inevitably springs to mind
07:37when faced with chores we really don't want to do.
07:484.
07:53Big Spender – Sweet Charity
07:55When you hear this song, you might think of Dame Shirley Bassey.
07:58It's basically one of her signature tunes.
08:00Or perhaps you're more familiar with Peggy Lee's version.
08:03But theater fans know it actually comes from Cy Coleman's 1966 musical Sweet Charity.
08:22It's performed by the taxi dancers of the Fandango Ballroom quite early on in the show,
08:26as we see them strut their stuff for their customers.
08:29Since then it's been covered and parodied endlessly, popping up in The Simpsons, SNL,
08:34and Schmigadoon.
08:35Even Queen performed it.
08:45If you haven't seen it in its original context, it's worth a watch.
08:48The performance isn't just vocally stunning, Bob Fosse's choreography takes it to another
08:54level.
09:143.
09:15Aquarius – Let the Sunshine In – Hair
09:30This rock musical about a young, free-spirited tribe focused on peace, love, and freedom
09:34became a cultural sensation in the late 60s.
09:37You probably know its opening and closing songs.
09:40Aquarius introduces the tribe, while Let the Sunshine In calls on the audience to help
09:44make the world a brighter place.
09:46A medley was famously recorded by the Fifth Dimension after Serendipity intervened.
09:51Someone found lead singer Billy Davis Jr.'s wallet in a cab and invited the group to see
09:55the show.
10:03Their version topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks, won Grammys, and earned a place
10:09in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
10:10It's no surprise these songs outgrew the show, as the age of Aquarius still feels like
10:15a pipe dream.
10:202.
10:22Don't Rain On My Parade – Funny Girl
10:38You've probably heard this song everywhere, from Glee to Mrs. Doubtfire, and in countless
10:43covers and parodies.
10:44But it all started in the 1964 musical Funny Girl, a loose take on Fanny Bryce's life,
10:50with music by Julie Stein and lyrics by Bob Merrill.
10:53In the show, Fanny decides to pursue the man she loves despite all the red flags.
11:02Since then, the song has become so much more than that.
11:12It's a battle cry to chase your dreams, ignore the doubters, and push forward with confidence.
11:17While the song is forever tied to Barbra Streisand, it's also been sung by Bobby Darin, Shirley
11:23Bassey, Diana Ross, Donna Summer, and even Adele during the final ever Carpool Karaoke.
11:36Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
11:401.
11:41Don't Cry For Me Argentina – Evita The song performed exceptionally well on the
11:44UK charts, even becoming certified gold.
11:532.
11:54Luck Be A Lady – Guys and Dolls Perhaps best associated with Frank Sinatra,
11:58this song has popped up in films, TV shows, and been covered by other artists.
12:09Put On A Happy Face – Bye Bye Birdie Putting a smile on people's faces long after
12:14this musical was released.
12:30My Favorite Things – The Sound of Music This has been one of many artists' favorite
12:34things to cover or use in Christmassy commercials.
12:50Old Man River – Showboat Singer Paul Robeson's rendition sits in
12:54the Grammy Hall of Fame and in AFI's 2004 100 Years 100 Songs list.
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13:311.
13:33Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better – Annie Get Your Gun
13:54In Annie Get Your Gun, this song is a witty battle of egos and gender politics between
13:58Annie Oakley and Frank Butler, but its catchy, competitive theme has long since outgrown
14:03the show, becoming a pop culture staple.
14:17You've probably heard it in TV shows, movies, commercials, and parodies.
14:21It's been in Gatorade ads, The Crown, The Nanny, and The Tonys, not to mention covered
14:26by Ethel Merman, Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand with Melissa McCarthy, and more.
14:31Plus, it's been parodied by legends like Groucho Marx and Miss Piggy.
14:35It's been done so often that you half expect every artist to hear someone else's version
14:39and think, anything you can do, well, you get the idea.
14:51Are there any tunes you didn't know came from a show?
14:53Let us know in the comments.
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