24 Best Mezzo-Soprano Songs [Musical Theatre and Pop]

Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

A female voice range between soprano and contralto refers to mezzo-soprano. If you have this type of voice, there are many great mezzo-soprano songs to choose from.

In this article, we’ll look at 24 of the best mezzo-soprano songs, including 12 mezzo-soprano musical theatre songs and 12 mezzo-soprano pop songs.

Read on to learn more about these songs and the stories behind them.

12 Mezzo-Soprano Musical Theater Songs

1. Bewitched from the Musical Pal Joey

Bewitched is a popular song from 1940 musical by Rodgers and Hart, Pal Joey. Moreover, Vivienne Segal popularized this song when she performed on December 25, 1940, on Broadway; ever since different versions of the song exist by other mezzo-soprano singers.

Here is the original version.

2. If I Loved You from the Musical Carousel

“If I Loved You” is a show tune from 1940 musical by Rodgers and Hart, Carousel. It is one of the most famous mezzo-soprano songs. John Raitt and Jan Clayton first sang it on Broadway. Later on, Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones performed this in the film version, which came out in 1965.

Here is the original version of this song.

3. Climb Ev’ry Mountain from the Musical Sound of Music

Next on our list of mezzo-soprano musical theatre songs is Climb Ev’ry Mountain. This song was from the musical Sound of music by Rodgers and Hammerstein in 1959.

Patricia Neway and Constance Shacklack performed this song. Moreover, Climb Ev’ry Mountain has been sung globally by female voices trained in opera.

4. Hello, Young Lovers from the Musical The King and I

Hello, Young Lovers is a song from the musical the King and I by Rodgers and Hammerstein in 1959. Valerie Hobson performed this on Broadway and Valerie Hobson in London in the West End production.

It has since then been recorded by many other artists, including Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, and Ella Fitzgerald.

5. I Could Have Danced All Night from the Musical My Fair Lady

“I Could Have Danced All Night” is from the musical My Fair Lady in 1956. Alan J. Lerner wrote this song while the music is by Frederick Loewe. Julie Andrews performed and popularized this song on Broadway.

Marni Nixon dubbed the song for the character played by Audrey Hepburn in the film based on this musical.

6. I Have Dreamed from the Musical The King and I

I Have Dreamed is a song from the musical The King and I in 1959. Doretta Morrow and Larry Douglas sang this song. Moreover, other artists like Julie Andrews, Doris Day, and Betty Johnson recorded this song.

I Have Dreamed is one of the best mezzo-soprano audition songs to showcase your voice.

7. Send in the Clowns from the Musical A Little Night Music

Send in the Clowns is a song from the 1973 musical A Little Night Music, written by Stephen Sondheim. Sondheim wrote this song, especially for Glynis Johns, who performed in the play as the lead character.

Send in the Clowns gained much popularity after Frank Sinatra recorded a version of it in 1973 also. It is one of the best mezzo-soprano songs for auditions.

Here is the original version.

8. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes from the Musical Roberta

Next on our list of the best mezzo-soprano broadway songs is Smoke Gets in Your Eyes. This is a song from the 1933 musical Roberta. Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach wrote this song.

Tamara Drasin sang Smoke Gets In Your Eyes on Broadway. Gertrude Niesen first recorded the song in 1933, working with Ray Sinatra, Frank Sinatra’s second cousin. Nat “King” Cole and The Platters also recorded versions of this song.

9. Somewhere from the Musical West Side Story

Somewhere (or Somewhere (There’s a Place for Us)) is a song from the 1957 musical West Side Story. Its music is by Leonard Bernstein, and its music is by Stephen Sondheim. Reri Grist sang this on Broadway. P.J Proby and The Supremes performed other renditions.

10. The Sound of Music from the Musical Sound of Music

The Sound of Music is the title song of the same title play in 1959. Richard Rodgers composed the song and lyrics written by Oscar Hammerstein II. Pattie Page sang the song on Broadway, but she did a recording for Mercury Records before that. Lastly, Julie Andrews sang the song in the film in 1965.

Here is the original version of this mezzo-soprano song.

Here is the karaoke version of this song.

11. Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again from the Musical Phantom of the Opera

“Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,” a song from the 1986 musical Phantom of the Opera. Andrew Lloyd Webber composed this music while the lyrics are by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe.

Sarah Brightman on Broadway first performed it. There are many renditions of the song, including ones by Laurie Beechman and Hayley Westenra.

Indeed, Wishing You Were Somewhere Here Again, is included in the songs for mezzo-soprano singers you should consider.

12. Vanilla Ice Cream from the Musical She Loves Me

Next on our list of good songs for mezzo-sopranos to sing is Vanilla Ice Cream. The song Vanilla Ice Cream is from the 1963 musical, She Loves Me. Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock wrote this song while Lauran Benanti performed this on Broadway.

Mezzo-soprano is the second-highest female voice. Some well-known mezzo-soprano singers are:

Maria Callas,
Janet Baker,
Whitney Houston,
Cecilia Bartoli,
Aretha Franklin,
Barbra Streisand,
Joan Sutherland,
Alanis Morissette,
Ann Murray,
Enya, and
Adele.

See below for 12 of the best pop mezzo-soprano songs.

12 Mezzo-Soprano Pop Songs

1. Don’t You Remember by Adele

Adele released this song in 2011. Along with Dan Wilson, they wrote this song. The song is in her second album, titled 21. Adele wrote the song following her break up from her ex-boyfriend and spoke of her emotions at that time.

2. Skyscraper by Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato sang this song in 2011. Toby Gad, Lindy Robbins, and Kerli wrote this song.

Skyscraper is part of her third album, Unbroken. After having completed the treatment for bipolar disorder, she sang this song. The song is about being strong, overcoming obstacles, and believing in oneself all the time.

3. One and Only by Adele

Next, on our list of the best mezzo-soprano pop songs is One and Only. The song is from Adele’s album, titled 21. Dan Wilson and Greg Wells wrote this song. Moreover, the songs in the album pertain to Adele’s ex.

However, One and Only is the only song that is not about Adele’s ex-lover.

4. Grand Piano by Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj released Grand Piano in 2014. She wrote this song with Kane Beatz’s help, who also wrote the song Super Bass for her. The song is part of her album Pinkprint. Grand Piano is a heartbreaking ballad that talks about a lover who plays with her emotions.

5. Because of You by Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson recorded this song in 2004. It was part of her album Breakaway. Clarkson, together with David Hodges and Ben Moody, wrote Because of You.

Clarkson wrote the song much earlier, when she was 16, following the divorce of her parents. They polished it to be included in the album.

6. Flashlight by Jessie J

Jessie J recorded Flashlight in 2015. The film Pitch Perfect 2 used this as a soundtrack. Sia, Christian Guzman, Sky Montique, Jason Moore, and Sam Smith wrote this song. The Flashlight is one of the best mezzo-soprano audition songs to highlight your voice.

Here is the karaoke version of this song.

7. Nightingale by Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato recorded this song in 2013. It’s part of her fourth album, Demi. Lovato with the help of Anne Preven, Matt Rad, and Felicia Barton, wrote this song. She wrote this song in remembrance of a friend who passed away when she was 13.

8. Hold my Hand by Jess Glynne

Jess Glynne recorded this song in 2015. Glynne, Jack Patterson, Janee Benett, and Ina Wroldsen put together this song. And Glynne released the song as her third solo single.

Moreover, the song is part of Bridget Jones’ Baby film and a Coca-Cola ad. Lastly, Glynne performed this on The Voice UK’s semi-finals.

9. What About Us by Pink

Pink recorded “What About Us” in 2017. Pink, Johnny McDaid, and Steve Mac wrote this song. The song is part of Pink’s seventh album, Beautiful Trauma, after a 4-year hiatus.

10. Make You Feel My Love by Adele

Bob Dylan wrote this song as part of his 1997 album, Time Out Of Mind. It was Billy Joel who popularized the song in 1997. Later on, Adele recorded the song in 2008 for her album, 19. This is the only song in Adele’s 19 album that she did not write or co-write.

11. Thunder by Jesse J

Jesse J recorded this song in 2013. Jesse J herself, together with Claude Kelly, Benjamin Levin, Tor Erik Hermansen, and Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, put together this song as part of her album, Alive. She wrote this song for God, coming from her strong religious beliefs.

12. Unless It’s With You by Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera recorded this song in 2018. It is part of her album, Liberation. Aguilera and Teddy Geiger wrote this song.

Aguilera wrote the song after her divorce from her ex-husband, Jordan Bratman. The ballad speaks of hopes and fears that accompany the start of a new relationship. Aguilera also dedicated the song to her husband-to-be.

Mezzo-Soprano Categories

Mezzo-sopranos sit between sopranos and contraltos. They have flexible voices and can sing male voices. If you’re a mezzo-soprano looking for song pieces to sing, here are a few good suggestions.

The mezzo-soprano voice has three categories:

Lyric,
Dramatic, and
Coloratura.

1. Lyric Mezzo-Sopranos

Lyric mezzo-sopranos have a voice that is smooth, sensitive, and sometimes almost poignant quality. They are best to sing male voices (or trouser roles) when a female needs to sing male voices.

2. Dramatic Mezzo-Sopranos

Dramatic mezzo-sopranos have a bold medium register and a warm high register. They tend to be broader and more powerful than the other two kinds of mezzos.

3. Coloratura Mezzo-Sopranos

Coloratura Mezzo-sopranos has a warm lower register and a sprightly high register. The songs they sing usually require the use of the low register.

Microphones for Mezzo-Soprano Singers

It is important to always work with good equipment to showcase your voice.

One of the most important pieces of equipment you need is a good microphone. The Aston Portable Microphone is incredibly light work with a good filter system: