200 Great Pantomime Songs

One of the wonderful things about pantomime is that it brings all generations together. Here is a mix of great songs that will keep everyone in your audience happy!

Great panto songs need great pantomime scripts. So, make sure you check out Ben Crocker's hilarious, family-friendly scripts, which were performed by more than 250 amateur and professional companies last year.

Panto Songs Content

• Opening Songs

• Celebration Songs

• Dame / Ugly Sister Songs

• Buddy Songs

• Love Songs

• Baddie Songs

• Songs for Special Situations

• Cumulative Songs

• Songsheet / Audience Participation Songs

  
  

Opening Panto Songs

Opening songs set the tone for the entire performance. Here are some fantastic options:

• I Gotta Feelin’ by the Black Eyed Peas. Change ‘night’ to ‘day’ for a fantastic opening number.

• Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves. This song has a great chorus for opening a panto!

• Comedy Tonight from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. This is an excellent opportunity for a comic character to lead the company.

• Reach by S Club 7. Any song with the lyric “That’s when all your dreams will come true” is perfect for panto!

• Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO. Very contemporary and great if you have good dancers.

• Domino by Jesse J. A great opening number with slight lyric adjustments.

• Good Day by New Hope Club. A catchy feel-good song from the film Early Man.

• Good Morning Baltimore from Hairspray. Great for changing the location easily!

• Let Me Entertain You by Robbie Williams. Perfect if your opening is led by your principal comic.

• Bring Me Sunshine by Sylvia Dee and Arthur Kent. A gentle opening song with happy memories.

• Good Morning by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed. Bright and cheerful, written for Babes in Arms.

• Tubthumping by Chumbawamba. Great for opening a second half after overcoming adversity.

• Wake Up Boo! by The Boo Radleys. “Wake up, it’s a beautiful morning!”

• Who Will Buy? from Oliver!. Perfect for any panto that opens on market day!

  
  

Celebration Songs

Celebration songs are essential for ending the show on a high note. Here are some excellent choices:

• Celebration by Kool and the Gang. A wonderful song that does exactly what it says!

• Can’t Stop the Beat from Hairspray. One of the great celebratory end-of-show numbers.

• Everybody (Needs Somebody) from The Blues Brothers. Brilliant for the happy ending.

• Flash Bang Wallop from Half a Sixpence. A splendid celebratory song for the full company.

• Footloose by Kenny Loggins. Guaranteed to have your audience asking for more!

• Live While We’re Young by One Direction. An excellent contemporary song for celebration.

• Holiday by Madonna. Very appropriate lyrics for a festive occasion.

• Happy by Pharrell Williams. Everybody loves this song!

• Celebrate by Pitbull. A funky celebratory song that gets everyone moving.

• Dancing on the Ceiling by Lionel Richie. A classic party song that never fails.

• Good to be Alive by Andy Grammer. A lovely feel-good song.

• Cinderella by Langhorne Slim. Perfect for celebrating the union of Cinders and her prince.

• Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake. A super catchy song from Trolls.

• Everything is Awesome from The Lego Movie. Great fun and very silly!

• Shake a Tail Feather from The Blues Brothers. Introduce with “…Let’s dance!” for a brilliant celebration.

• D.I.S.C.O. by Ottawan. Another great celebratory song that can be introduced with “…Let’s dance!”

• One More Time by Daft Punk. A fantastic song to keep the energy high.

• Colour My World from Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Joyful lyrics and a wonderful song.

• Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon. Involve the whole company and the audience.

• My Way by Frank Sinatra. A classic that builds to a magnificent crescendo.

• Just Can’t Get Enough by Depeche Mode. A perennial favourite with a great hook.

• Let’s Go Crazy by Prince. Cut in after a minute or so for maximum impact.

• Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen. One of Queen’s biggest hits and a brilliant song.

• Thank You Very Much from Scrooge. Works wonderfully for the walkdown at the end.

  
  

Dame / Ugly Sister Songs

Dame and Ugly Sister songs add a fun twist to any panto. Here are some great options:

• I’m a Woman by Peggy Lee. A splendidly sassy number for the Dame.

• Working Nine to Five by Dolly Parton. Dames usually have lots to do!

• Big Spender from Sweet Charity. Made famous by Shirley Bassey, perfect for a Dame.

• I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred. Change to “We’re Too Sexy” for the Ugly Sisters.

• Nobody Does it Like Me by Dorothy Fields and Cy Coleman. A great number for the Dame!

• Kiss my (uh oh) by Little Mix and Anne Marie.

• It’s Raining Men by the Weather Girls. Perfect for Ugly Sisters!

• I’m Just a Girl Who Can’t Say No from Oklahoma.

• Man Wanted from Copacabana.

• Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) by Beyonce. A great Dame spoof number.

• Sisters Are Doin’ it for Themselves by the Eurythmics. Perfect for a pair of Ugly Sisters who can sing!

• Find Out What They Like from Ain’t Misbehavin’. Very good for the sexually voracious dame!

• Man! I Feel Like A Woman by Shania Twain. A brilliant Dame’s song.

• I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady. A little tongue-in-cheek.

• I’m Not Wearing Underwear Today from Avenue Q. Very short and funny!

• Happiness by Ken Dodd. A warm-hearted song for the Dame.

• The Showgirl Must Go On by Bette Midler. A sassy Dame’s number.

• Gorgeous from The Apple Tree. Over the top and ludicrously fun!

• What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. A warm song that resonates.

• Don’t Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin. A light-hearted Dame song.

• I Can Cook Too from On the Town.

• Big, Blond and Beautiful from Hairspray. Another excellent song.

• Timber by Pitbull. Strong hook, maybe change to Tinder for the Dame.

• ME! by Taylor Swift. A contemporary love song that can be subverted by the Dame.

  
  

Buddy Songs

Buddy songs are perfect for comedic duos. Here are some excellent choices:

• Count on Me by Bruno Mars. Excellent for a comedy duo.

• You Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman. Made famous in Toy Story.

• Busy Doin’ Nothing from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. A great buddies song.

• Together Wherever We Go from Gypsy. A great song for friends.

• Friendship by Cole Porter. Another classic from the masters.

• Me and my Shadow by Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.

• You and Me (But Mostly Me) from The Book of Mormon. Great for a comic pair.

• I’ll Be There For You by The Rembrandts. Upbeat and fun.

• I Can Help by Billy Swan. The second half is romantic, but the first half is great for buddies.

  
  

Love Songs

Love songs often work best as duets. Here are some beautiful options:

• Without You by David Guetta. A sensational power love ballad.

• A Kiss from a Rose by Seal. Perfect for Beauty & the Beast.

• All of Me by John Legend. A fabulous contemporary love song.

• It Must Be Love by Labi Siffre. An enduringly beautiful love song.

• What Do I Do Now? from A Slice of Saturday Night. A gorgeous melody for new lovers.

• The Best Song Ever by One Direction. Upbeat and perfect for lovers.

• Grow Old With Me by Tom Odell. A fantastic song for couples.

• Stuck Like Glue by Sugarland. An upbeat duet that keeps things lively.

• She’s the One by Robbie Williams. A fantastic love song that can easily be turned into a duet.

• Hey Baby by DJ Otsi. Fun and engaging for the audience.

• If I Loved You from Carousel. A classic love ballad.

• I’m a Believer by The Monkees. Great for a gospel treatment.

• Everything I Do, I Do It For You by Bryan Adams. A classic soft rock power ballad.

• Wedding Day by Hot Buttered Rum. An enjoyable, upbeat Blue Grass song.

• I Would Walk Five Hundred Miles by the Proclaimers. Great for a male-led, upbeat love song.

• Tonight (We Live Forever) by Union J. Perfect for an upbeat love song.

• I’m Yours by Jason Mraz. A lovely contemporary love song.

• If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks. Excellent for a principal character separated from their love.

• Love Someone by Lukas Graham. A simply lovely song.

• Accidentally in Love by Counting Crows. Great for lovers surprised by their feelings.

• Best Years of Our Lives by Baha Men. Another great song for involving the Chorus.

• Crazier by Taylor Swift. Makes a fantastic duet.

• Shape of You, Perfect, and Thinking Out Loud. Three brilliant love songs by Ed Sheeran.

• Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys. A timeless, upbeat love song.

• Shout by the Isley Brothers. Another rocking love song from way back.

• It’s a Lovely Day Today by Irving Berlin. A classic that still sparkles.

  
  

Baddie Songs

Baddie songs often work best with the involvement of the Chorus. Here are some great options:

• Bad to the Bone by George Thorogood. A classic baddie song!

• Bad Romance by Lady Gaga. Very contemporary and great for a female villain.

• Thriller by Michael Jackson. Works brilliantly with the Chorus as zombies!

• Monster Mash by Bobbie “Boris” Pickett. Gentler than Thriller, but great fun.

• Bad by Michael Jackson. Another great baddie song.

• Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones. Excellent with attitude.

• Bad Guys from Bugsy Malone. Perfect for a baddie and sidekick.

• Trouble by Leiber and Stoller. Made famous by Elvis Presley.

• Should I Stay or Should I Go? by the Clash. Fun punk number for a baddie.

• Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin. Great for a baddie with vocal chops.

• No More Mr Nice Guy by Alice Cooper. Very appropriate for a baddie.

• I’m Reviewing the Situation from Oliver. Good for a baddie needing to reflect.

• Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Show. Great for the villain to lead!

• I Hate People from Scrooge. An excellent villain’s number.

• Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival. A classic baddie song.

• I Want it All by Queen. For the acquisitive baddie.

• Another One Bites the Dust by Queen. Great for the villain.

• Killer Queen by Queen. Another brilliant song!

• My Name from Oliver!. Written for Bill Sykes, a nasty baddie song.

• Poisoning Pigeons in the Park by Tom Lehrer. Witty and fun for the Wicked Baroness.

• Bad Reputation by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. For the punk baddie!

• It Feels So Good to Be Bad from All Dogs Go to Heaven. Excellent for the villain with a sidekick.

  
  

Songs For Special Situations

Special situation songs can enhance specific scenes. Here are some fantastic options:

• Ballroom Blitz by the Sweet. A fantastic glam rock number for the ballroom scene.

• Prince Charming by Adam Ant. Another glam rock classic.

• Greatest Day by Take That. Great for the Principal Boy and Girl to lead.

• Wannabe by the Spice Girls. A great girl power number.

• Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper. Perfect for girl power or Ugly Sisters.

• Like a Girl by the Haschak Sisters. Great for the WI members in Treasure Island.

• Swords of a Thousand Men by Tenpole Tudor. Excellent for medieval pantos.

• Magic to Do from Pippin. A cracking song for a magical moment.

• It’s a Kind of Magic by Queen. Another “magic” song.

• Defying Gravity from Wicked. Fantastic for ending the first half.

• I’m on my Way by the Proclaimers. Great for setting off on a journey.

• Be Back Soon from Oliver!. Excellent for major departures.

• We Are Family by Sister Sledge. A brilliant singable song for families.

• On the Road by Keane. A rousing song for adventures.

• Oom, Pah, Pah! from Oliver!. Perfect for a tavern setting.

• Master of the House from Les Miserables. Great for a tavern of ill repute.

• A Real Dead Ringer for Love by Jim Steinman. Funny for misplaced lovers.

• Our House by Madness. Change “middle of the street” to “middle of the wood”.

• One More Angel in Heaven from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Great for grief-stricken dwarfs.

• Every Day I Love You Less and Less by the Kaiser Chiefs. Hilarious duet for a Baddie and Principal Girl.

• Stray Cat Strut by the Stray Cats. Great for any panto with cats!

• Cross the Line by John Legend. Lovely for Cinderella and the Prince.

• Mr Cellophane from Chicago. Poignant for anyone feeling rejected.

• Castle on a Cloud from Les Miserables. Excellent for a Principal Girl awaiting rescue.

• Tomorrow, Tomorrow from Annie. Perfect for similar situations.

• Dance With Me Tonight by Olly Murs. Great for the ballroom scene.

• Ghostbusters. Perfect for a ghost routine.

• Follow the Leader by the Soca Boys. Excellent for pursuing characters.

• Bonkers by Dizzy Rascal. A zany comedy number.

• School’s Out by Alice Cooper. Great for a school room scene.

• Baggy Trousers by Madness. Kids love this song for school scenes.

• I Like to Move It from Madagascar. Funky and suitable for physical activity.

• Mr Sandman. A ludicrous lullaby for the Nurse.

• Getting to Know You by Rogers and Hammerstein. Perfect for dancing tree routines.

• Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler. Fabulous for heroic moments.

• Win by Brian McKnight. Great for facing adversity.

• The Climb by Miley Cyrus. Another great song for overcoming challenges.

• The Impossible Dream from Man of la Mancha. For heroic quests.

• Happy Birthday by Stevie Wonder. Perfect for birthday celebrations.

• Money from Cabaret. Excellent for sudden wealth.

• Bills by LunchMoney Lewis. Great for characters lacking money.

• Cocktails for Two. A novelty song with crazy sound effects.

• Up Where We Belong by Joe Cocker. Perfect for Aladdin’s flying carpet.

• Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. Great for ballroom scenes!

• Always Look on the Bright Side from Monty Python. A classic panto song!

• Do You Hear the People Sing? from Les Miserables. Brilliant for defiance.

• Feed Me from Little Shop of Horrors. Great for growing beanstalk routines.

• Dream a Little Dream of Me by the Mamas and the Papas. Perfect for magical moments.

• Smile by Charlie Chaplin. Pulls at the heartstrings.

• Mysterious Girl by Peter Andre. Good for Cinderella’s arrival at the Ball.

• Shotgun by George Ezra. Always a crowd-pleaser.

• The Song That Goes like This from Spamalot. Witty and great for subversion.

• All Star by Smash Mouth. Catchy for when things improve.

• With a Hey and a Hi and a Ho Ho Ho by Louis Prima. Great for Snow White.

• In the Navy by the Village People. Perfect for nautical-themed pantos.

• Go West by the Village People. Funny if the cast realizes they need to pivot directions.

• (Is This The Way to) Amarillo by Neil Sedaka. A catchy song with a fun twist.

• Anything You Can Do from Annie Get Your Gun. Great for Goodie vs. Baddie.

• Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey. A superb anthemic song.

• In My Own Little Corner by Rogers and Hammerstein. Perfect for Cinderella.

• Don’t Stop by Fleetwood Mac. A great song anticipating better times ahead.

  
  

Cumulative Songs

Cumulative songs are fantastic for audience participation. They are easy to sing and choreograph.

• If I Were Not Upon the Stage is probably the best known.

• Eric Gilder, who collaborated with my father, John Crocker, wrote several excellent cumulative numbers. Three of the best are:

- We Wish We Hadn’t Gone to Sea from the Crocker/Gilder Dick Whittington.

- Hurrah For the Military from the Crocker/Gilder Puss in Boots.

- Jolly Good Feed from the Crocker/Gilder Cinderella.

All the above three cumulative numbers can be obtained separately from Samuel French.

Songsheet / Audience Participation Songs

Audience participation songs are great for involving young children on stage. Here are some fun options:

• I am the Music Man. Perfect for engaging young children.

• Old MacDonald. Another good song for kids.

• Chick Chick Chicken. Great for involving young children.

• Twelve Days of Christmas. Very funny when it gets out of control.

• One Smart Fellow He Felt Smart. Hilarious when kids get it wrong.

• The Witch Doctor Song. Great for singing with the audience.

• Moo Moo Moo! from Jack and the Beanstalk.

• Panda Puzzle from Aladdin.

• There’s a Worm at the Bottom of the Garden. A popular choice!

• Wishy Washy Washerwoman by The Learning Station. Great for the end of Aladdin.

• The Pirate Song. Perfect for nautical themes.

• I Like the Flowers by Beat Boppers. Easy chorus for audience involvement.

  
  

AND LASTLY…

The Song of the Moment… If a song has gone viral, it’s definitely worth including – the audience will love it!