It can be tough being a teenager, and there have certainly been many musicals written about that subject over the past few decades (i.e. Spring Awakening, Dear Evan Hansen, Heathers, and many more). If you are on the hunt for contemporary musical theatre songs written for male-identifying characters between the ages of 13-18ish, check out the one-hundred options I compiled below! This list is in no way exhaustive, and if you need more song ideas, there are over 500 teen + young adult tenor & baritone songs in my contemporary musical theatre repertoire guide here. The songs below are just a sampling from that far more wide-reaching guide. Please consider purchasing the guide if you find this list useful!
P.S. Although these songs were written for teenage characters, not all will be vocally and/or emotionally appropriate for every young singer. It’s worth noting a number of these roles were played by actors in their 20s+ on Broadway and elsewhere. I would also never discourage any performer across the gender spectrum from singing these songs. As always, I recommend consulting voice and acting teachers if you are a teenager/young adult looking for appropriate songs!
1. “Enjoy the Trip” from Bring It On (2012)
Music by Tom Kitt; Lyrics by Amanda Green | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
2. “A Dreamer in Disguise” from Carrie (Revival; 2012)
Music by Michael Gore; Lyrics by Dean Pitchford | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
3. “It Just Wasn’t Meant to Happen” from Calvin Berger (2006)
Music & Lyrics by Barry Wyner | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad |Sheet Music: MusicNotes
4. “Girl, Can I Kiss You With Tongue?” from Cry-Baby (2008)
Music by Adam Shlesinger; Lyrics by David Javerbaum | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Ballad | Sheet Music: see full score
5. “Twirler Girl” from Band Geeks (2010)
Music by Gaby Alter | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
6. “Get Me What I Need” from 13: The Musical (2008)
Music & Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
7. “Michael in the Bathroom” from Be More Chill (2019)
Music & Lyrics by Joe Iconis | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
8. “Goodbye” from Catch Me If You Can (2011)
Music by Marc Shaiman; Lyrics by Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Note: Character’s age ranges from 16-21 throughout the show]
9. “I‘m Alive“ from Next to Normal (2009)
Music by Tom Kitt; Lyrics by Brian Yorkey | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
10. “Come Back” from Dogfight (2012)
Music & Lyrics by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
11. “Women and Sandwiches” from Freaky Friday (2016)
Music by Tom Kitt; Lyrics by Brian Yorkey | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
12. “Good Kid” from The Lightning Thief (2019)
Music & Lyrics by Rob Rokicki | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
13. “Stroke By Stroke” from Jasper in Deadland (2015)
Music & Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: NewMusicalTheatre
14. “Perfect” from Jagged Little Pill (2019)
Music by Alanis Morissette & Glenn Ballard; Lyrics by Alanis Morissette | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: Music Notes
15. “Good Kid” from Kimberly Akimbo (2022)
Music by Jeanine Tesori; Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: TBA
16. “When She Smiles” from Lysistrata Jones (2011)
Music & Lyrics by Lewis Finn | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
17. “Rock City” from See Rocky City and Other Destinations (2010)
Music by Brad Alexander; Lyrics by Adam Mathias | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: Repertwa
18. “I Could Write Books” from Zanna, Don’t! (2003)
Music by Tim Acito; Lyrics by Tim Acito & Alexander Dinelaris | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: SheetMusicGiant
19. “Stop” from Mean Girls (2018)
Music by Jeff Richmond; Lyrics by Nell Benjamin | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
20. “Role of a Lifetime” from Bare (2004)
Music by Damon Intrabartolo; Lyrics by Jon Hartmere | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
21. “Run and Tell That!” from Hairspray (2002)
Music by Marc Shaiman; Lyrics by Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
22. “I Sing for You” from Camp (2003)
Music by Michael Gore; Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
23. “All That’s Known” from Spring Awakening (2006)
Music by Duncan Sheik; Lyrics by Steven Sater | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
24. “My Three Best Friends” from Glory Days (2008)
Music & Lyrics by Nick Blaemire | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: NewMusicalTheatre
25. “Waving Through a Window” from Dear Evan Hansen (2016)
Music & Lyrics by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
26. “Freeze Your Brain” from Heathers (2014)
Music & Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe & Kevin Murphy | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
27. “I Can’t Stand Still” from Footloose (1998)
Music by Tom Snow; Lyrics by Dean Pitchford| Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
28. “Rise Above” from Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark (2010)
Music & Lyrics by Bono & The Edge | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
29. “Let Me Walk Among You” from Bat Boy (2001)
Music & Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: see full score
30. “Words Fail” from Dear Evan Hansen (2016)
Music & Lyrics by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
31. “Her Voice” from The Little Mermaid (2008)
Music Alan Menken; Lyrics by Glenn Slater| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
32. “Take a Chance On Me” from Little Women (2005)
Music by Jason Howland; Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
33. “Santa Fe” from Newsies (2012)
Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Jack Feldman | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
34. “Proud of Your Boy” from Aladdin (2014)
Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Howard Ashman | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
35. “How Can I Say Good-bye?” from Zombie Prom (1996)
Music by Dana Rowe; Lyrics by John Dempsey | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
36. “The Ride” from Writing Kevin Taylor (2013)
Music by Will Van Dyke; Lyrics by Josh Halloway| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: Songwriter Website
37. “Top of the World” from Tuck Everlasting (2016)
Music by Chris Miller; Lyrics by Nathan Tysen | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
38. “My Petersburg” from Anastasia (2017)
Music by Stephen Flaherty; Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
39. “Man I Never Knew” from The Burnt Part Boys (2010)
Music by Chris Miller; Lyrics by Nathan Tysen | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
40. “What I Wouldn’t Do for You” from Mrs. Sharp (2009)
Music & Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: Songwriter Website
41. “Edwina” from Dear Edwina (2008)
Music by Zina Goldrich; Lyrics by Marcy Heisler | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
42. “I Think I Like Her” from Summer of ’42 (2001)
Music by & Lyrics by David Kirshenbaum | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
43. “Everything That I Am” from Tarzan (2006)
Music & Lyrics by Phil Collins | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
44. “It’s Only a Matter of Time” from Back to the Future (2023)
Music by Alan Silvestri; Lyrics by Glenn Ballard | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: TBA
45. “The Tree on the Hill” from The Lightning Thief (2019)
Music & Lyrics by Rob Rokicki| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
46. “It Takes Two” from Hairspray (2002)
Music by Marc Shaiman; Lyrics by Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
47. “No Friends” from Almost Famous (2022)
Music by Tom Kitt; Lyrics by Cameron Crowe & Tom Kitt | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: TBA
48. “Me and Mr. Popularity” from In Pieces (2021)
Music & Lyrics by Joey Contreras | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: Songwriter Website
49. “Loser Geek Whatever” from Be More Chill (2019)
Music & Lyrics by Joe Iconis | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
50. “Ugly In This Ugly World” from Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (2017)
Music by Dan Gillespie; Lyrics by Tom MacRae | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: Concord Theatricals
51. “Once Upon a Time” from Bare (2004)
Music by Damon Intrabartolo; Lyrics by Jon Hartmere | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MuseScore
52. “You Shine” from Carrie (Revival; 2012)
Music by Michael Gore; Lyrics by Dean Pitchford | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Duet, but could be made into a solo cut/excerpt]
53. “Graduation Day” from Calvin Berger (2006)
Music & Lyrics by Barry Wyner | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: see full score
[Duet, but could be made into a solo fairly easily]
54. “Nobody Gets Me” from Cry-Baby (2008)
Music by Adam Shlesinger; Lyrics by David Javerbaum | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: see full score
55. “I’m Not That Smart” from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2005)
Music & Lyrics by William Finn | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
56. “Here I Come” from 13: The Musical (2008)
Music & Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
57. “Everything to Win” from Anastasia (2017)
Music by Stephen Flaherty; Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
58. “Someone Else’s Skin” from Catch Me If You Can (2011)
Music by Marc Shaiman; Lyrics by Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Note: Character’s age ranges from 16-21 throughout the show]
59. “There’s a World“ from Next to Normal (2009)
Music by Tom Kitt; Lyrics by Brian Yorkey | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
60. “Go the Distance” from Hercules (1997/2023)
Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by David Zippel | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
61. “Go” from Freaky Friday (2016)
Music by Tom Kitt; Lyrics by Brian Yorkey | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
62. “The Killing” from Jasper in Deadland (2017)
Music & Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
63. “Passeggiata” from The Light in the Piazza (2005)
Music & Lyrics by Adam Guettel | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character is a tad older, but within reason]
64. “Some Girls” from Once On This Island (1990)
Music by Stephen Flaherty; Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character is a tad older, but within reason]
65. “The Brownie Song” from Reefer Madness (2001)
Music by Dan Studney; Lyrics by Kevin Murphy | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: see full score
66. “Tell My Father” from The Civil War (1999)
Music by Frank Wildhorn; Lyrics by Jack Murphy| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character is a tad older, but within reason]
67. “Caralee” from 35MM (2012)
Music & Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
68. “Someday You Might Love Me” from Zanna, Don’t! (2003)
Music by Tim Acito; Lyrics by Tim Acito & Alexander Dinelaris | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: see full score
69. “Where Do You Belong?” from Mean Girls (2018)
Music by Jeff Richmond; Lyrics by Nell Benjamin | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
70. “Queen Mab” from Bare (2004)
Music by Damon Intrabartolo; Lyrics by Jon Hartmere | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: see full score
71. “Ladies’ Choice” from Hairspray (film; 2007)
Music by Marc Shaiman; Lyrics by Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
72. “Bright Star” from Bright Star (2003)
Music by Steve Martin & Edie Brickell; Lyrics by Edie Brickell | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character is a tad older, but within reason]
73. “And Then There Were None” from Spring Awakening (2006)
Music by Duncan Sheik; Lyrics by Steven Sater | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
74. “After All” from Glory Days (2008)
Music & Lyrics by Nick Blaemire | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: NewMusicalTheatre
75. “For Forever” from Dear Evan Hansen (2016)
Music & Lyrics by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
76. “Meant to Be Yours” from Heathers (2014)
Music & Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe & Kevin Murphy | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
77. “When I Drive” from Bonnie & Clyde (2011)
Music by Frank Wildhorn; Lyrics by Don Black | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: see full score
[Character is a tad older, but within reason]
78. “Aftershocks“ from Next to Normal (2009)
Music by Tom Kitt; Lyrics by Brian Yorkey | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
79. “Apology to a Cow” from Bat Boy (2001)
Music & Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: see full score
80. “A Little Closer” from Dear Evan Hansen (film; 2021)
Music & Lyrics by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Written for the film adaptation]
81. “When the Booth Goes Bright” from Amélie (2017)
Music by Daniel Messé; Lyrics by Daniel Messé & Nathan Tysen| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character is a tad older, but within reason]
82. “One Step Closer” from The Little Mermaid (2008)
Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Glenn Slater | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
83. “Run Away with Me” from The Mad Ones (2017)
Music & Lyrics by Kait Kerrigan & Bree Lowdermilk | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Show as formerly titled The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown]
84. “Last Time I Came to Memphis” from Violet (1997/2014)
Music by Jeanine Tesori; Lyrics by Brian Crawley| Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Song added to the 2014 revival. Character is a tad older, but within reason]
85. “Blast from the Past” from Zombie Prom (1996)
Music by Dana Rowe; Lyrics by John Dempsey | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: see full score
86. “Perfect Man for the Job” from Writing Kevin Taylor (2013)
Music by Will Van Dyke; Lyrics by Josh Halloway| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: Songwriter Website
87. “Time” from Tuck Everlasting (2016)
Music by Chris Miller; Lyrics by Nathan Tysen | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character is technically much older but appears as a young man physically– see the plot!]
88. “Wrestling” from But I’m a Cheerleader (2022)
Music by Andrew Abrams; Lyrics by Bill Augustin | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: TBA
89. “What It Feels Like to Belong” from Gay Card (2017)
Music & Lyrics by Ryan Korrell & Jonathan Keebler | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: Repertwa
90. “I Believe” from The Book of Mormon (2011)
Music & Lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez & Matt Stone | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character is 19– as he proclaims in the equally amusing “You and Me (But Mostly Me)”]
91. “Love to Me” from The Light in the Piazza (2005)
Music & Lyrics by Adam Guettel | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character is a tad older, but within reason]
92. “Second Nature” from Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (2010)
Music & Lyrics by Michael Friedman | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character is a tad older, but within reason]
93. “Strangers Like Me” from Tarzan (1999/2006)
Music & Lyrics by Phil Collins | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
94. “Iris” from Cruel Intentions (2017)
Music & Lyrics by John Rzeznik| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes (Original Goo Goo Dolls Version)
95. “Lost Boy” from Darling (2011)
Music & Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
96. “Lisa” from The Black Suits (2013)
Music & Lyrics by Joe Iconis | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
97. “Beethoven Day” from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Revival; 1999)
Music & Lyrics by Andrew Lippa | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Written for the 1999 Broadway revival]
98. “My Unfortunate Erection (Chip’s Lament)” from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2005)
Music & Lyrics by William Finn | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
99. “Left Behind” from Spring Awakening (2006)
Music by Duncan Sheik; Lyrics by Steven Sater | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
100. “Wall In My Head” from Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (2017)
Music by Dan Gillespie; Lyrics by Tom MacRae | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: Concord Theatricals
Need more musical theatre song suggestions? Check out my professional repertoire guides here.