Music just makes you move, doesn't it?
Considering that the composers were the same ones who wrote music for the Academy Award winning La La Land and nominated The Greatest Showman, this entire page was guaranteed to be made.
Musical
- "Waving Through a Window"
is the show's most famous song for a reason. It's simply beautiful, and a great showcase for Evan's actor Ben Platt's vocal range. Special mention to Owl City's excellent cover, especially since the song practically sounded like an Owl City song to begin with. - "For Forever", a song about Evan's fake friendship with Connor. The instrumentation and vocals really add emotional weight to the story Evan is making up, to the point where it almost seems like Evan wishes that his imagined version of his friendship with Connor had been real.
- "Sincerely, Me", from its actors' comedic timing (especially from Will Roland) and vocals to its catchy rock tune. And of course, Will Roland, Ben Platt and Mike Faist dancing to its tune. In short, the three performers' energy truly makes the song.
- "If I Could Tell Her", with its guitar and lyrics that let the listener know exactly how Evan feels about Zoe.
- "You Will Be Found" gets its message across very quickly: that no matter how alone or broken one feels, there will always be someone to help. The two slow violin chords, as well as the sudden rush of strings at the end, are a highlight.
- "Good For You". A good representation of Evan's guilt beginning to bubble to the forefront. These lyrics sung by Evan, combined with the rock melody, in particular:All I need is some time to think
But the boat is about to sink
Can't erase what I wrote in ink
Tell me, how can I change the story?
All the words that I can't take back
Like a train comin' off the track
As the rails and the bolts all crack
I gotta find a way to stop it, stop it, just let me out! - "Words Fail", one of the saddest songs in the whole show. A BSoD Song sung by Evan, the combination of his crying and singing sell the grim tone throughout the song, which all builds up to a tearjerking reprise of "Waving Through a Window".
- "So Big / So Small", where Rachel Bay Jones combines not only the grief that Heidi feels for her husband leaving her, but also the desperation and determination to support her son Evan. There's not a dry eye in the house when this one comes on.
- "Finale", a reprise of "For Forever", containing one last changed line that is a great summation of Evan's Character Development:All I see is sky, for forever...
Film
- "The Anonymous Ones", performed by Alana and co-written by her actor, is a ballad about using a façade to hide one's own insecurities. In this case, Alana throws herself into extracurriculars to prevent anyone from discovering she's a Stepford Smiler.
- "A Little Closer", Connor's song in the film, sounds absolutely lovely with Colton Ryan's voice, acoustic guitar, and some lyrics that manage to be both heartwarming and heartwrenching at the same time.
Meta
- The official webpage for the musical, and its official Twitter account, put together a virtual choir from fans from around the world (31 countries, to be precise). The editing, the harmony, the diversity shown, it's all simply stunning and moving as can be, truly encapsulating the theme of You Are Not Alone: "You Will Be Found".
