Hello everyone! As I previously mentioned in this post, Broadway hasn’t exactly been kind to sopranos and mezzos who don’t belt much in recent years. The Great White Way seems to get louder and more belt-driven every year. However, there have still been many wonderful musical theatre songs written for head-y, treble voice singers over the past few decades. Below, I’ve compiled a list of one hundred age-appropriate pieces for head-y soprano and mezzo singer-actors in their 20s through early 30s. All of these songs are from the past 25ish years. If you need more song suggestions, I have many more available in my professional repertoire guides in the MTR store. Happy singing!
P.S. Although most pieces below don’t require much full-out belting, you’ll still hear plenty of speech-driven mix singing in these recordings (and some occasional belting). The human voice is amazingly versatile, and most soprano + mezzo singers can develop at least a decent belt and mix with the right voice teacher and training.
1. “In My Dreams” from Anastasia (2017)
Music by Stephen Flaherty; Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad/Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
2. “Alyssa Greene” from The Prom (2018)
Music by Matthew Sklar; Lyrics by Chad Beguelin| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
3. “What Only Love Can See” from Chaplin (2006)
Music & Lyrics by Christopher Curtis | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
4. “True Love” from Frozen (2018)
Music & Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
5. “Pretty Funny” from Dogfight (2012)
Music & Lyrics by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
6. “I Couldn’t Know Someone Less” from Daddy Long Legs (2015)
Music & Lyrics by Paul Gordon | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
7. “The World Above” from The Little Mermaid (2008)
Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Glenn Slater | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
8. “I Believe My Heart” from The Woman in White (2005)
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics by David Zippel | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Duet, but could be made into a solo song or cut]
9. “A Stranger” from Giant (2012)
Music & Lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character’s age varies throughout the show. Kate Baldwin was in her mid-30s when she played the role.]
10. “Follow Your Heart” from Urinetown (2001)
Music by Mark Hollman; Lyrics by Mark Hollman & Greg Kotis | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
11. “Cute Boys with Short Haircuts” from Vanities (2009)
Music & Lyrics by David Kirshenbaum | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo| Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character’s age varies throughout the show]
12. “Crossing a Bridge” from Anastasia (2017)
Music by Stephen Flaherty; Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
13. “Sweet Liberty” from Jane Eyre (2000)
Music by Paul Gordon; Lyrics by Paul Gordon & John Caird | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
14. “I Still Believe” from Amazing Grace (2015)
Music & Lyrics by Christopher Smith | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
15. “Beyond My Wildest Dreams” from The Little Mermaid (2008)
Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Glenn Slater | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
16. “Some Things Are Meant to Be” from Little Women (2005)
Music by Jason Howland; Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Duet, but a solo arrangement is available in The Singer’s Musical Theatre Anthology]
17. “Always Better” from The Bridges of Madison County (2016)
Music & Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad |Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character is bit older, but still within reason for a a performer closer to their early 30s. Kelli O’Hara was in her mid-30s when she played the role.]
18. “Perfect For You” from Calvin Berger (2006)
Music & Lyrics by Barry Wyner | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: PayHip
19. “My Friend, The Dictionary” from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2005)
Music & Lyrics by William Finn | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
20. “Tell Me Why” from Amazing Grace (2015)
Music & Lyrics by Christopher Smith | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
21. “One Perfect Moment” from Bring It On (2012)
Music by Tom Kitt; Lyrics by Amanda Green & Lin-Manuel Miranda | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
22. “I Remember” from What I Wanna Be When I Grow Up (album; 2010)
Music & Lyrics by Scott Alan | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
23. “With You'” from Ghost (2012)
Music & Lyrics by Glenn Ballard, David Allan Stewart & Bruce Joel Rubin | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
23. “Inside Out” from A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (2013)
Music by Steven Lutvak; Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman & Steven Lutvak | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
24. “Forgiveness” from Jane Eyre (2000)
Music by Paul Gordon; Lyrics by Paul Gordon & John Caird | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
25. “Somebody” from Amour (2002)
Music by Michael Legrand; Lyrics by Jeremy Sams | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: see full score
26. “How Will I Know?” from Death Takes a Holiday (2011)
Music & Lyrics by Maury Yeston | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
27. “When the Music Played” from Doctor Zhivago (2015)
Music by Lucy Simon; Lyrics by Michael Korie & Amy Powers | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad/Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
28. “The Beauty Is” from The Light in the Piazza (2005)
Music & Lyrics by Adam Guettel | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
29. “Migratory V” from Myths and Hymns (1998)
Music & Lyrics by Adam Guettel | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: SheetMusicDirect
30. “What If?” from Sweet Smell of Success (2002)
Music by Marvin Hamlisch; Lyrics by Craig Carnelia | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: see full score
31. “I Could Never Be the One” from An American Victory (2015)
Music by Louis R. Bucalo | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: see full score
32. “Once Upon a Dream” from Jekyll & Hyde (1997)
Music by Frank Wildhorn; Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
33. “Never Again” from King David (1997)
Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Tim Rice | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
34. “Is It Too Late?” from My Life with Albertine (2003)
Music by Ricky Ian Gordon; Lyrics by Ricky Ian Gordon & Richard Nelson | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: Vocal Selections
37. “Heaven Knows” from Far From Heaven (2013)
Music by Scott Frankel; Lyrics by Michael Korie | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character is bit older, but still within reason for a a performer closer to their early 30s. Kelli O’Hara was in her mid-30s when she played the role.]
38. “A Little Bit Less Than” from It Shoulda Been You (2015)
Music by Barbara Anselmi; Lyrics by Brian Hargrove | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
39. “Princess” from A Man of No Importance (2002)
Music by Stephen Flaherty; Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
40. “Christmas Lullaby” from Songs For a New World (1995)
Music & Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
41. “My House” from Matilda (2013)
Music & Lyrics by Tim Minchin | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
42. “Far Too Late” from Bad Cinderella (2023)
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics by David Zippel | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
43. “Love Never Dies” from Love Never Dies (2010)
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics by David Zippel | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
51. “The Dance” from Keys (album; 2008)
Music & Lyrics by Scott Alan | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
52. “Who Is This Man?” from Death Takes a Holiday (2011)
Music & Lyrics by Maury Yeston | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
53. “He’s There” from Doctor Zhivago (2015)
Music by Lucy Simon; Lyrics by Michael Korie & Amy Powers | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
54. “Poor Monty” from A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (2013)
Music by Steven Lutvak; Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman & Steven Lutvak | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
55. “Raining” from Rocky (2012)
Music by Stephen Flaherty; Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
56. “The Secret of Happiness” from Daddy Long Legs (2015)
Music & Lyrics by Paul Gordon | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
57. “The Mist” from Dracula (2004)
Music by Frank Wildhorn; Lyrics by Don Black & Christopher Hampton | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: SheetMusicDirect
58. “Through the Mountain” from Floyd Collins (1996)
Music & Lyrics by Adam Guettel | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
59. “I Never Knew His Name” from The Civil War (1999)
Music by Frank Wildhorn; Lyrics by Jack Murphy | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
60. “When in Love” from King David (1997)
Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Tim Rice | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: see full score
61. “If It Is True” from My Life with Albertine (2003)
Music by Ricky Ian Gordon; Lyrics by Ricky Ian Gordon & Richard Nelson | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: Vocal Selections
62. “Spring” from Poems & Moon Songs (2012)
Music & Lyrics by Will Reynolds | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
63. “Voices of the Angels” from Amazing Grace (2015)
Music & Lyrics by Christopher Smith | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
64. “God Is There” from Dream True (1999)
Music & Lyrics by Ricky Ian Gordon | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: see full score
65. “You’ll Never Be Alone” from A Tale of Two Cities (2009)
Music & Lyrics by Jill Santoriello | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
66. “The View from Here” from Darling (2011)
Music & Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
67. “I Speak Six Languages” from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2005)
Music & Lyrics by William Finn | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
68. “Mama Who Bore Me” from Spring Awakening (2006)
Music by Duncan Sheik; Lyrics by Steven Sater| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
62. “Another Life” from The Bridges of Madison County (2014)
Music & Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
63. “Once You See” from Carrie (revival; 2012)
Music by Michael Gore; Lyrics by Dean Pitchford | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
64. “Like Other Girls” from Daddy Long Legs (2015)
Music & Lyrics by Paul Gordon | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
65. “Just Not Now” from I Love You Because (2006)
Music by Joshua Salzman; Lyrics by Ryan Cunningham| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
66. “I Will Be Loved Tonight” from I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (1996)
Music by Jimmy Roberts & Joe DiPietro | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: Vocal Selections
67. “The Finer Things” from Jane Eyre (2000)
Music & Lyrics by Paul Gordon | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
68. “No One Else” from Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (2012)
Music & Lyrics by Dave Malloy | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad/Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
69. “Morning Person” from Shrek (2008)
Music by Jeanine Tesori; Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
70. “Not a Love Story” from Tales from the Bad Years (2008)
Music & Lyrics Bree Lowdermilk & Kait Kerrigan | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
71. “Perfect Summer” from This Ordinary Thursday (album; 2007)
Music by Sam Davis; Lyrics by Georgia Stitt | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
72. “Meet Me on the Moon” from Poems & Moon Songs (2012)
Music & Lyrics by Will Reynolds | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad/Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
73. “Everything Changes” from Waitress (2016)
Music & Lyrics by Sara Bareilles| Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
74. “Come Out of the Dumpster” from The Wedding Singer (2006)
Music by Matthew Sklar; Lyrics by Chard Beguelin | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
75. “How Many Tears?” from Martin Guerre (1996)
Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg; Lyrics by Alain Boublil & Stephen Clark | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
76. “Listen to Your Heart” from Young Frankenstein (2007)
Music & Lyrics by Mel Brooks | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
77. “Whistle Down the Wind” from Whistle Down the Wind (1996)
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics by Jim Steinman | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
78. “How Glory Goes” from Floyd Collins (1996)
Music & Lyrics by Andrew Lippa | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: Audra McDonald Songbook
[Sung by a tenor/baritone character in the show but frequently performed by treble voices outside of show context]
79. “Tavern” from Poems & Moon Songs (2012)
Music & Lyrics by Will Reynolds | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
80. “A Sorta Love Song” from Sorta Love Songs (album; 2010)
Music & Lyrics by Scott Burkell & Paul Loesel | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: Songwriter Site
81. “Without a Word” from A Tale of Two Cities (2009)
Music & Lyrics by Jill Santoriello | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
82. “The Light in the Piazza” from The Light in the Piazza (2005)
Music & Lyrics by Adam Guettel | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad/Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
83. “I Don’t Know What I’d Do Without You” from A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (2013)
Music by Steven Lutvak; Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman & Steven Lutvak | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
84. “The Song That Goes Like This” from Spamalot (2005)
Music by John Du Prez; Lyrics by John DuPrez Eric Idle | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Duet, but a solo version is available in The Singer’s Musical Theatre Anthology]
85. “Times Are Hard for Dreamers” from Amélie (2017)
Music by Daniel Messé; Lyrics by Nathan Tysen & Daniel Messé | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
86. “Once Upon a December” from Anastasia (2017)
Music by Stephen Flaherty; Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad/Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
87. “I Remember” from Ever After (2015)
Music by Zina Goldrich; Lyrics by Marcy Heisler | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
88. “I Don’t Need a Roof” from Big Fish (2013)
Music & Lyrics & Lyrics by Andrew Lippa | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character’s age varies throughout the show. Kate Baldwin was in her mid-30s when she played the role.]
89. “Almost Real” from The Bridges of Madison County (2014)
Music & Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character is bit older, but still within reason for a a performer closer to their early 30s. Kelli O’Hara was in her mid-30s when she played the role.]
90. “Sylvia’s Lullaby” from Finding Neverland (2015)
Music & Lyrics by Gary Barlow & Eliot Kennedy | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character is bit older, but still within reason for a a performer closer to their early 30s. Laura Michelle Kelly was in her mid-30s at the time.]
91. “Tuesdays, Thursdays” from Far From Heaven (2013)
Music by Scott Frankel; Lyrics by Michael Korie | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character is bit older, but still within reason for a a performer closer to their early 30s. Kelli O’Hara was in her mid-30s when she played the role.]
93. “May I Have a Moment?” from Lend Me a Tenor (2011)
Music & Lyrics by Brad Carroll et al; Lyrics by Peter Sham et al | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: see full score
93. “Always” from Keys (album; 2008)
Music & Lyrics by Scott Alan | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
94. “Dancing in Pairs” from Island Song (2017)
Music by Derek Gregor; Lyrics by Sam Carner | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad | Sheet Music: NewMusicalTheatre
95. “What Do You Call a Man Like That?” from The Bridges of Madison County (2014)
Music & Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character is bit older, but still within reason for a a performer closer to their early 30s. Kelli O’Hara was in her mid-30s when she played the role.]
96. “Two Men in My Life” from Big Fish (2013)
Music & Lyrics & Lyrics by Andrew Lippa | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character’s age varies throughout the show. Kate Baldwin was in her mid-30s when she played the role.]
97. “Your Texas” from Giant (2012)
Music & Lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character’s age varies throughout the show. Kate Baldwin was in her mid-30s when she played the role.]
98. “Too Tired” from High Fidelity (2006)
Music by Tom Kitt; Lyrics by Amanda Green | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: Vocal Selections
[Cut song, but lovely! Character is bit older, but still within reason for a a performer closer to their early 30s. Jen Colella was in her early 30s at the time.]
99. “Nothing Stops Another Day'” from Ghost (2012)
Music & Lyrics by Glenn Ballard, David Allan Stewart & Bruce Joel Rubin | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Ballad/Uptempo | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
100. “Where Did the Rock Go?” from School of Rock (2015)
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics by Glenn Slater | Song Type/Tempo: Dramatic Power Ballad | Sheet Music: MusicNotes
[Character is bit older, but still within reason for a a performer closer to their early 30s. Sierra Boggess was in her early 30s at the time.]
BONUS: “They Don’t Let You in the Opera (If You’re a Country Star)” (2011)
Music & Lyrics by Dan Lipton & David Rossmer | Song Type/Tempo: Comedic Uptempo | Sheet Music: TrappedInAMusical
Need more musical theatre song suggestions? Check out my professional repertoire guides here.