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The following is a list of overdone audition songs, compiled from a variety of sources. If you are struggling to find a song that isn't overdone, learn how to build a singer's musical theatre repertoire or search our audition song database.

If everyone who went to a musical theatre audition spent the time and effort choosing an audition song that best fit the audition, their vocal range and personality, the world would be a happier place. Unfortunately, there are many that still believe that a "good song" automatically makes a good audition piece, regardless of age or vocal range or the type of show you are auditioning for. But a "good song" isn't neccessarily a good song for you. As a result, there are some very excellent musical theatre songs that must be used with caution because too many people have used them, and many have used them badly.

However: Some people get so obsessed about overdone songs that they will pick an audition song simply because it is obscure. It's important to remember that the whole point of the audition is to show the audition panel that you are right for the show. This means choosing a song that shows off your voice to the best of your ability as well as embodies the style/theme of the show you are auditioning for.

If you are trying to decide between two pieces that both have the characteristics above, then by all means choose the one that is less overdone, but if you're only criteria is that the song "isn't overdone" then you are not doing yourself justice. Remember - it's you that is auditioning, not the song.

Have I missed an overdone audition song or show? Email me .

Individual Overdone Audition Songs from Musicals

• Good Morning Baltimore from Hairspray
• On My Own from Les Miserables
• Adelaide's Lament from Guys and Dolls (why are teenagers always singing this? the character has been engaged for 14 years!)
• Memory from Cats
• I Hate Men from Kiss Me Kate
• All That Jazz from Chicago
• Wash That Man... from South Pacific
• Can't Help Lovin'... from Show Boat
• Big Spender from Sweet Charity
• You Can Always... from City of Angels
• Shy from Once Upon a Mattress
• Tomorrow from Annie
• I Enjoy Being A Girl from Flower Drum Song
• Broadway Baby, Hard Hearted Hannah, Hit Me With a Hot Note from Follies
• Surrey With The Fringe On Top & I Can't Say No from Oklahoma
• They Call the Wind Mariah from Paint Your Wagon
• Corner of the Sky from Pippin
• Summertime from Porgy & Bess
• The Music of the Night from The Phantom of the Opera
• Hero & Let's Hear It For The Boy from Footloose
• Seasons of Love from Rent
• Big Spender from Sweet Charity
• Part Of Your World from The Little Mermaid
• In My Own Little Corner from Cinderella
• Popular from Wicked
• Anthem from Chess
• This Is The Moment from Jekyll & Hyde

 

Overdone Audition Songs Not Associated With A Specific Show

• I Get a Kick Out of You
• Miss Bird
• Embracable You
• New York, New York

Entire Overdone Shows That Directors Are Sick Of

• Any show that the company you are auditioning for has done in the last five years.
• Whatever the "Hot New Musical" is... right now it's Wicked
• The Sound of Music
• A Chorus Line
• Rent
• My Fair Lady
• Titanic
• Footloose
• Grease
• Jekyll & Hyde
• Little Shop of Horrors
• The Fantastiks
• Les Miserables
• Phantom of the Opera
• Evita
• Almost everything by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Watch Out For... Songs that are Problematic

(These songs may not necessarily be overdone, but have something that may make them inappropriate for auditions)

• Over The Rainbow fom The Wizard of Oz (this song belongs to Judy Garland)
• Any other "Signature Song"