Top 10 Opening Songs in Musicals (May 2025)

Musicals are a fantastic art form and watching one often makes you feel excited. However, to fully engage you in the show, it is essential that the opening number hits you (metaphorically). Here are an example of 10 shows were the opening sells you on the experience

10: ‘Omigod You Guys’ from Legally Blonde

Legally Blonde starts of with the Delta new squad discussing Ella’s upcoming proposal (which has no evidence of happening). They help to establish the world we are entering. We then move onto Ella where we see future elements of her law career. The song also allows for fun and snappy choreography: showing the high energy of the characters and the show as a whole!

Listen to on ‘Omigod You Guys’ on Spotify

9: ‘It Roars’ from Mean Girls

For a show about being kind, the opening number has a funky, African beat. This sound follows forward in other songs such as ‘Apex Predator’. The song tells the desires of Cady to belong with peers. She does forward her eventual take over as head plastic through the metaphors of lions. Overall it’s a good beat and always hypes you up for the show!

Listen to ‘It Roars’ on Spotify

8: ‘Circle of Life’ from The Lion King

A classic opening but well done. The opening sequence is beyond Disney magic and is made even greater with this song. The song encapsulates the African theme of the show. When I saw the show, they stopped this song half way through so I got the privilege of watching the opening 1 1/2 times! It really is magical and the surroundings is fantastic! I would say it is probably my favourite part of the show which is not necessarily a good thing but either way, it does work very well!

Listen to ‘The Circle of Life’ on Spotify

7: ‘Busy Woman’ from Made in Dagenham

An underrated show with an underrated soundtrack. This opening tune introduces the core family and foreshadows the main issues that Rita faces as the show continues. It has many different parts with combine together to make a great opening tune. The music is akin to the rest of the soundtrack: showing the parallels later in the soundtrack. I do wonder if ‘Busy Woman’ could have been revisited later on in the show to add new, emotional depth but alas, how it currently works: it’s fantastic!

Listen to ‘Busy Woman’ on Spotify

6: ‘Eastwick Knows’ from The Witches of Eastwick

For a show in the 70s, the opening number encapsulates the feeling of a small town (with lots of gossiping neighbours). The song boasts a grande feeling as you meet different members of Eastwick and start to understand their perspectives. It all comes together with the town reminding you they care for your concerns and the welfare of their town. This is fantastic followed up with other numbers discussing the town such as ‘I love this little town’ and ‘Dirty Laundry’. It’s a smashing opening number with potential for great choreography!

Listen to ‘Eastwick Knows’ on Spotify

5: ‘Ex-Wives’ from Six

The hit Edinburgh Fringe made show starts with a fabulous introduction. During the song, we learn about each of the queens with subtle hints as to the future of the show. The song establishes the idea of Six being a commentary on ‘his-story’ rather than telling ‘her-story’. Moreover, the tune delivers a solid stage adaptation with fun, challenging choreography and unique vocals.

Listen to ‘Ex-Wives’ on Spotify

4: ‘Welcome to the Rock’ from Come From Away

Come From Away is a show I deeply love for many reasons: one of them being the soundtrack. Each song has such a purpose and really endears the thespian into the characters/stories. ‘Welcome to the Rock’ introduces the townsfolk of Newfoundland on the day of 9/11. For a show which has an underlying sad historic event, they show the greatness in human nature. This song starts this journey and establishes the welcoming, neighbourly attitudes of the Newfoundlanders. Moreover, the choreography and vocals are ridiculous fantastic: really lending to a great opener!

Listen to ‘Welcome to the Rock’ on Spotify

3: ‘Prologue’ from Little Shop of Horrors

A classic show with a fantastic opening tune. The song foreshadows the problems that will come to be contrived on Skid Row with an upbeat sound: contrasting the idea being sung. Originally I had ‘Skid Row’ as the opening song before reflecting on which song opens the show. ‘Skid Row’ is an honourable mention as it does everything an opening song should do, but unfortunately comes second to the ‘prologue’. The songs continue to be smashing during the rest of the show!

Listen to ‘Prologue’ on Spotify

2: ‘Good Morning Baltimore’ from Hairspray

Hairspray is such a special show to me: not being one of my favourites but with very fond memories. ‘Good Morning Baltimore’ introduces us to Tracy, an overly optimistic teenager who sees every part of her town as magical. Everyone could do with the optimism Tracy offers throughout the show but specifically during this song. With amazing choreography, this song nails all the key points an opening number needs.

Listen to ‘Good Morning Baltimore’ on Spotify

1: ‘Belle’ from Beauty and the Beast

My favourite Disney show and the best example of an opening song: ‘Belle’ from Beauty and the Beast. ‘Belle’ introduces us to the character of the same name and her small town. Throughout we find her passions and desires in life. Moreover, we find out about Gaston: an overly optimistic, at times narcissistic, man. The song works so well to show and not tell. Similarly, the choreography can be so clean and fun: leading to the best opening number in my opinion.

Listen to ‘Belle’ on Spotify