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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, we check out a study that into the UK’s favourite musical theatre songs. Is your top choice included?
The magic of live theatre, the power of a soaring melody, and the unforgettable stories that unfold onstage – there’s a reason why musical theatre continues to captivate audiences. But which show tunes truly resonate with the UK?
A recent study by theatre ticket site SeatPlan, using search volume data from Google Keyword Planner to identify the most searched-for songs from musicals, has revealed the nation’s listening habits and uncovered the most popular musical theatre songs.
So, grab your imaginary playbill and prepare to belt out some classic lyrics! Will your all-time favourite make the cut? Let’s raise the curtain and discover the UK’s most beloved musical theatre anthems!
The final song, ‘SIX’, from the famous British musical of the same name was revealed as the most searched song on Google; on average, it was revealed that avid music fans search for the song 23K times a month per 100,000 residents. On Spotify, the song ‘SIX’ has been played over 55 million times since its release.
SIX is a toe-tapping musical that reimagines the stories of Henry VIII’s six wives as a fierce pop concert. Each queen – Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr – takes center stage to tell their side of the story, vying for the title of the one who suffered the most.
Forget dusty textbooks! This modern retelling uses catchy pop music, witty lyrics, and electrifying dance routines to bring these iconic women to life. Expect bold costumes, empowering anthems, and a healthy dose of girl power as the wives reclaim their voices and rewrite their narratives. So, ditch the beheadings and prepare to be entertained in this history lesson with a modern twist!
The study also revealed that the famous song ‘Popular’ from Stephen Schwartz’s musical Wicked was the second most popular song; on average, Brits search 11K times a month for the song per 100,000 residents.
Wicked takes you on a thrilling journey before Dorothy ever lands in Oz. This captivating musical reimagines the story from the perspective of Elphaba, a brilliant young woman with emerald-green skin.
Elphaba’s path collides with that of the bubbly blonde Glinda, and an unlikely friendship blossoms. But as their lives unfold, their destinies diverge, leading Elphaba down a path labeled “wicked” by the powerful Wizard who controls Oz. Is Elphaba truly evil, or is there a deeper truth hidden behind the green facade?
Wicked explores themes of friendship, prejudice, and the power of standing up for what’s right. With dazzling sets, powerful vocals, and unforgettable songs like “Defying Gravity,” this musical will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about good and evil in the magical Land of Oz.
‘Defying Gravity,’ another song from Wicked, was revealed as the nation’s third most popular musical song. Fans of the musical search for the song 8.2K times a month on average per 100,000 residents. The research revealed that the song “Popular” has been played 71 million times on Spotify however, ‘Defying Gravity’ is far more popular, with over 141 million streams on the platform.
Surprisingly, the fourth most popular musical song was revealed as ‘Say My Name’ from ‘BEETLEJUICE,’ a musical that still hasn’t reached the West End. Originally, BEETLEJUICE was meant to open in the West End in 2020, but due to the pandemic, the show was cancelled. However, this hasn’t stopped the fans of the show from searching for the song on average 7K a month per 100,000 residents.
the Maitlands, a recently deceased couple, find themselves trapped as ghosts in their beloved home. Their peaceful afterlife is shattered by the arrival of the obnoxious and mischievous bio-exorcist, Beetlejuice. This chaotic demon, with his signature striped suit and flamboyant personality, promises to rid the house of the new, obnoxious Deetz family who have moved in.
Lydia Deetz, the gloomy and eccentric daughter of the Deetzes, becomes Beetlejuice’s unlikely ally. She’s fascinated by the paranormal and longs for some excitement in her life. Together, they unleash Beetlejuice’s brand of wacky mayhem on the unsuspecting Deetzes, creating a hilarious and spooky adventure.
The study revealed that the fifth most searched song is “One Last Time” from the hit musical Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda. On average, fans search 1.3k times per month per 100,000 residents. The study revealed that 40% of the top ten most popular musical songs were featured in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash hit Hamilton. Therefore, showcasing the fans unwavering love of the musical almost ten years after its Broadway release in April 2015.
‘One Last Time’ has been played over 100 million times on Spotify staggeringly, the total plays for all the songs in the Hamilton musical are over 6.2 billion.
This electrifying production bursts onto the stage with a vibrant mix of hip-hop, R&B, and traditional Broadway show tunes. It tells the captivating story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s Founding Fathers.
The musical charts Hamilton’s journey – from his orphaned childhood in the Caribbean to his rise as a Revolutionary War hero and influential figure in shaping the young U.S. economy. Along the way, we encounter legendary figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Aaron Burr, their historic encounters reimagined through a modern musical lens.
Hamilton doesn’t shy away from the complexities of history. It explores themes of ambition, legacy, and the fierce rivalries that shaped a nation. But amidst the political battles and personal struggles, the musical celebrates the power of ideas, the fight for a better tomorrow, and the enduring spirit of those who dared to dream of a new America. So, prepare to be captivated by the story of a man who rose from obscurity to leave an indelible mark on the world.
| Rank | Musical | Song | Average number of searches per 100,000 residents |
| 1 | SIX | SIX | 23,022 |
| 2 | Wicked | Popular | 11,022 |
| 3 | Wicked | Defying Gravity | 8,288 |
| 4 | BEETLEJUICE | Say My Name | 7,045 |
| 5 | Hamilton | One Last Time | 1,300 |
| 6 | Hamilton | Alexander Hamilton | 1,288 |
| 7 | SIX | Heart of Stone | 1,058 |
| 8 | SIX | No Way | 777 |
| 9 | Hamilton | My Shot | 742 |
| 10 | Hamilton | Burn | 732 |
Those who are looking for a musical playlist to enjoy should consider these popular musical songs, as they clearly strike a chord with feel-good fans.
This list clearly shows the nation’s three favourite musicals are SIX, Wicked and Hamilton. However, with the release of the Wicked film set to hit the UK cinemas later this year, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, it will be interesting to see if more Wicked songs creep their way into the top ten.
-A spokesperson from SeatPlan
Google Keyword Planner was used to determine the average nationwide monthly search volume for popular musical songs. The popular songs were decided from the most used songs in musical playlists on Spotify.
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