BEST OF THE DECADE: The Broadway Top 40 Countdown: # 10 - 1

Well, this is it! Over the past few weeks we've been counting down our 40 favorite songs from new Broadway musicals from the past decade! In case you missed it: #40-31 HERE, #30-21 HERE, and #20-11 HERE. 

Now, without further ado, our ten favorite Broadway songs from the past ten seasons!

THE BEST OF THE DECADE:

The Broadway Top 40 Countdown:

#10 - 1

10. "She Used to Be Mine" - Waitress

        MUSIC and LYRICS by Sara Bareilles

            SUNG by Jessie Mueller

We had some problems with the show itself, but a great song is a great song. It captured national attention with hundreds of people posting their own renditions on YouTube, and fans of the show debated who sang it best.

9. "Days and Days" - Fun Home

        MUSIC by Jeanine Tesori   LYRICS by Lisa Kron

            SUNG by Judy Kuhn

This heartbreaking song was beautifully rendered by Judy Kuhn, and was just as lovely when Rebecca Luker was in the show. 

8. "Wait For Me" - Hadestown

        MUSIC and LYRICS by Anaïs Mitchell

            SUNG by Reeve Carney, Andre De Shields, the Fates and the Workers

This is one beautiful song, enhanced by a visually stunning staging. The test of how wonderful this song really is, though, is that it has as much impact just listening to it.

7. "Selling Out" - American Psycho

        MUSIC and LYRICS by Duncan Sheik

            SUNG by Benjamin Walker and Company

It still galls me that a Broadway Cast Recording wasn't made for this show, one of my all-time favorites. Thank goodness this catchy, scary number (done on The Late Show) can still be seen on You Tube!

6. "Welcome to Nowhere" - The Band's Visit

        MUSIC and LYRICS by David Yazbek

            SUNG by Katrina Lenk, John Cariani and Etai Benson

Has any other song so perfectly captured the setting, characters and tone of a show all at once? Maybe. But this extremely catchy number has three great actors and superb musicians delivering the goods.

BONUS TRACK: "Smiling" - Jagged Little Pill

        MUSIC by Michael Farrell   LYRICS by Alanis Morissette

            SUNG by Elizabeth Stanley and Company

When we compiled this list, we didn't consider jukebox musicals, but this song was written specifically for the show. This haunting, troubled song is gorgeous all on its own and just amazing to watch as the cast performs it. Elizabeth Stanley has never been better.

5. "Why We Build The Wall" - Hadestown

        MUSIC and LYRICS by Anaïs Mitchell

            SUNG by Patrick Page and Company

Although this song was written well before the Trump era, its implications for today's nightmare are impossible to miss.

4. "Answer Me" - The Band's Visit

        MUSIC and LYRICS by David Yazbek

            SUNG by Adam Kantor and Company

This song is so beautiful and emotional it brings tears to my eyes at just the memory of it. And that wondrous moment when the entire company blends and their voices rise gives me goose bumps every single time I hear it.

3. "Omar Sharif" - The Band's Visit

        MUSIC and LYRICS by David Yazbek

            SUNG by Katrina Lenk

Her performance of this song cemented my Katrina Lenk fandom. This sensuous, evocative song carries us away like a warm jasmine scented breeze to another time and place.

2. "Ring of Keys" - Fun Home

        MUSIC by Jeanine Tesori   LYRICS by Lisa Kron

            SUNG by Sydney Lucas

What could we possibly add to the discourse of this masterpiece of a song? 

1. "When I Grow Up" - Matilda: The Musical

        MUSIC and LYRICS by Tim Minchin

            SUNG by the Company

This brilliant song gives us all the feels. Sure, the staging of this number is breathtaking, but the music and lyrics are just so innocent and meaningful. Tears flowed. It is so brilliant, they made a book out of it!

We can't wait to see what great music Broadway will produce in the next ten years!

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