Top 10 Hauntingly Beautiful Songs in Musicals

These musicals prove that a song can be equally haunting and beautiful. For this list, we’ll be looking at soulful ballads, epic chorus numbers, as well as eerie and beautiful melodies. Our countdown includes "West Side Story," "Rent," "Hamilton," and more! Which musical song haunts YOU? Let us know in the comments!

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[deenadallas]

I can never talk about "It's Quiet Uptown" without crying. It shows me that sometimes I have to get through the grief, but not alone. I've lost my godparents and I'm still a mess, but that song has actually HELPED me. It's probably the most important song in "Hamilton" because it actually has such a powerful message. Lin Manuel Miranda's lyrics never fail to hit me so hard. I'm still very emotional about it.

[jakedaniels]

I haven’t seen anyone say this but “All you wanna do” from Six the Musical gives me chills every time I hear it, especially with Sam Pauly’s version live. The combination of the dark and heartbreaking lyrics, the insane vocals, and the sheer emotion and power Sam puts into it, it’s a true masterpiece

[maryloubondi]

This in no way is a legitimate list without "Bring Him Home." One of the most hauntingly beautiful songs ever written or sung.

[paigewatts]

How did "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables not make this list?! I fully expected it to be number one. And "I Dreamed a Dream" for that matter.

[SConArt]

Lin’s face when Eliza forgives Hamilton breaks my heart everytime.

[philyra]

Michael Crawford’s original rendition of “The Music of the Night” still gives me chills after all these years. That sustained note at the end… just wow.

[mrs.thomas-usmcwife]

"Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" makes me want to cry each time I hear it. It's heartbreaking. The entire opera is fabulous! I really enjoy these lists that still show love to old movies/musicals.

[kimberlymichelle]

The song it's quiet uptown actually gave words to feelings that I've tried to voice for years. I lost my mom back in 2013 and we are never the same after losing a loved one and that song depicts that perfectly.

[sNuGgLeBuNny]

"The Music of the Night" made me OBSESSED with Phantom. Still does. The words, the music and the intention is mesmerizing.

[emiliemanes]

“It’s Quiet Uptown” gets me emotional every damn time.

[missusdr]

A list of the “most hauntingly beautiful songs” from musicals has got to be longer than 10…I would really love to see at least a Part 2 to this, as so many of my favorites (ahem, Les Mis [the whole thing], misc from Spring Awakening, and others) weren’t even mentioned. Those on the list were definitely beautiful - except I favor Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again over Music of the Night for this particular category - but I’d just love to see more.

[Tarabara]

I waited the whole list to see Empty Chairs At Empty Tables, and after the honorable mentions I thought, "It's gonna be Memory, isn't it?" And it's Music of the Night?! As much as I like that song, Michael Ball's version of Empty Chairs in the Les Miserables 10th anniversary concert is my top favorite. His voice, the music, the acoustics... I get chills every single time I hear it. That would definitely be my number one pick.

[trinaq]

"Somewhere" never fails to make me ugly cry, since it's full of hope that the senseless gang war will eventually end, and Tony and Maria can live in harmony, despite knowing that it can never be. Rita Moreno's powerful version in the remake was also very emotional, and gave me plenty of goosebumps! 😭💔

[frederickseltzerjr]

Being HIV+ for almost 19 years, the reprise of "I'll Cover You" always feels like a punch in the heart as Tom & Angel's relationship in the play/movie is the one that made me smile but when Angel dies and Tom sings this at the funeral, just at that first note, tears always start to stream down my face.

[arlow]

The fact that "What I Did For Love" from a Chorus Line isn't even mentioned is criminal

[sarahneuren]

I cannot listen to "It's Quite Uptown" from Hamilton without absolutely losing it.

[suzannecooke]

"If Ever I Would Leave You" from Camelot never fails to make me cry

[marysuesagor]

I made the mistake of having "You'll Never Walk Alone" sung at my mother's funeral in 1966. I cannot hear it without crying. Even this very short clip of it brought tears to my eyes.

[a.c.watkins]

Add "I Don't Know how to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstore...greatest female aria in musicals of 20th century.

[jenannekearns]

Lily's Eyes from Secret Garden, always gives me chills.