The SpongeBob Musical celebrates 10 years in 2026, and it holds up just as well now as it did in Chicago in 2016. We’ve covered why we think the musical is so timeless, and one of those is the music. The musical brings on board a variety of artists for the soundtrack, which gives the musical a lot of range. There’s truly a song for everyone. To celebrate 10 years, it feels like a perfect time to rank the songs from the musical!
The SpongeBob SquarePants Theme
This is included to end the show and is on the soundtrack. I won’t rank it though as it’s more a singalong for the audience. It was a great inclusion though, and it creates a party atmosphere to end the show!
15. Bikini Bottom Boogie
To begin the ranking, I don’t have a lot to say about this song as it’s designed to show off the music of The Electric Skates. It serves that purpose well, though it’s not so memorable. Also, we needed Boys Who Cry instead, which would have been a great reference to the show as a band Pearl likes.
14. Tomorrow Is
This song does a really good job setting up the melancholy feelings our characters are going through at the time, which then transitions to determination. It also sets the stakes for the second act well. But it isn’t quite impactful enough to close act 1, with the arrangement not feeling as powerful as it could. It serves its purpose to set up what’s to come but not quite going that extra step.
13. When the Going Gets Tough
Plankton gets his time to shine with this song. It’s a rap number designed to showcase Plankton’s plan, and he comes across suitably evil. Karen’s part of the song is fun too with the machine noises to set it up. There’s no real precedence in the TV show for Plankton to sing a rap song and it isn’t really something that gelled with me fully. I know in multiple productions I’ve seen though, this song has gone down very well with younger members of the audience which is great to see.
12. (I Guess I) Miss You
Coming at a time when SpongeBob and Patrick’s friendship is strained, this song serves as a reconsoliation of sorts for the pair. It’s a sweet melody overall, though the chorus felt a repetitive and jarring, with SpongeBob and Patrick harmonising on the “I” of “I guess I miss you”. The song works well within the musical though and moves the story along nicely, acting as a turning point in their friendship.
11. No Control
It’s little surprise David Bowie had some involvement in this musical, knowing he was such a fan of the TV show, and appeared in it! The cover for ‘No Control‘ in the musical works really well in setting up the chaos that ensues in Bikini Bottom as the threat of the volcano looms. I especially like the low voice of the reporter as he performs the song, creating the ominous atmosphere, and the pauses as the Bikini Bottomites scream. It’s not higher on this list as it feels more effective in the show than it is as a song in itself.
10. I’m Not a Loser
This is a really solid song. Squidward’s arc is waiting to get his moment in the spotlight, and this song truly delivers that in hilarious and showstopping ways. It definitely works better in the musical than on the soundtrack, with the staging adding a lot to the music, but the message is sweet and it is a very musical theatre song!
9. Super Sea Star Savior
This song isn’t like any other in the show, being like a gospel song as Patrick’s followers believe in him. The song requires really strong vocals and the arrangement works a treat, with Patrick joining in for parts of it. As with the previous entry, this works better on stage but is still a fun listen on the soundtrack!
8. Poor Pirates
I was surprised to place this song so highly, but as a big Patchy the Pirate fan, I’m really happy he gets a song in the musical. The sea chanty to open act 2 is really fun and energetic and the ensemble add a lot to it. You feel yourself swaying as you listen to the music and is one I always hit repeat on once or twice, being an easy listen.
7. BFF
A really sweet song, BFF sets up SpongeBob and Patrick’s friendship brilliantly. How the pair play off each other in the lyrics is just really genuine, and you can believe the pair have known each other for years. It’s playful and energetic and the choreography the musical uses elevates the song even more. I haven’t a lot more to say, beyond that the song is fantastic from start to finish!
6. Daddy Knows Best
Placing higher on this list than I expected, the song really gives Pearl her time to shine with some powerful vocals. It encapsulates how Pearl is feeling perfectly, feeling ignored by Mr Krabs when she needs him. When the pair sing over each other towards the end, it’s magnificent chaos with the melodies working really well together.
5. Best Day Ever
This is the only song from the TV show to make it into the musical (not counting the theme tune), and it’s a great choice. It’s an iconic pick from the franchise and is very feel-good. It’s reworked for the musical to feel a little bit slower and a touch melancholy, but also hopeful for the future of Bikini Bottom. I think it’s very cleverly reworked, but ultimately doesn’t have the same impact as the original. It doesn’t resonate as much, with the original being so upbeat, with a faster tempo, and being associated with the original movie. Maybe I haven’t placed this version of the song higher due to how iconic the original is, but that’s always a risk taken when reworking a classic song.
4. Chop to the Top
This song really encapsulates that sense of adventure in the musical, as Sandy and SpongeBob aim to conquer adversity and save Bikini Bottom. It’s impossible not to hum along to the music, and the chorus is incredibly catchy. It also does a great job of showing how Sandy inspires SpongeBob both in this musical and in the TV series.
3. Hero is my Middle Name
For all the memes of SpongeBob not being able to lift up cuddly teddy bear weights, he’s such a tenacious character, willing to put his body on the line for his friends. This song exemplifies that, and Sandy and Patrick joining in the song makes the group feel unified. The song is upbeat, but also determined as the trio are willing to be the heroes and risk lives for each other and Bikini Bottom.
2. Bikini Bottom Day / Reprise
What a perfect opener (and closer) for this show. The musical has a tough job, appealing to life long SpongeBob fans, to folks who have never seen the show before, and to folks who have never seen musical theatre before who like the show. It needs to set up the story efficiently and be a song to remember, and it does both with ease. We’re introduced to the key characters early on, effectively boiling them down for the audience right away, making them easy to root for. I love how the song ramps up as it goes, taking us through the characters, before becoming a massive ensemble number which sets up the show perfectly. Its reprise is also a sweet way to end the show, to highlight what they’ve all been fighting to save for the entire musical, and how there’s nothing like a Bikini Bottom day.
1. (Just a) Simple Sponge
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie sets up arguably one of the best arcs for SpongeBob. Grappling with being seen as a kid, what being a kid even means, and whether you should change who you are. This song builds on this theme, and I wish it had been around for the movie as it would’ve been a perfect fit. It’s a wonderful power ballad, really delving into SpongeBob’s desire to be given a chance. It’s not in a downbeat way though. Being the optimist, SpongeBob sees this moment to save Bikini Bottom as his big chance. A chance to be seen, to be the hero, and to prove Mr Krabs wrong. It’s about being yourself, and showing the world what you can do. The musical utilises neon effects brilliantly in the choreography, to make it a true showstopper. This is the best song in the show hands down, and is up there among the best songs in the franchise.
Chris
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