Have you ever been to a competition and witnessed the same song being used by multiple groups? Did you think to yourself, "That must be the song of the year, everyone is doing it?"
Well in this article we went down some deep rabbit holes to find the actual songs that dominated recent show choir seasons.
Unofficial Official "Songs of the Years" (2010-22)
*All research was done through Showchoir.com . They are a website that does a fantastic job of keeping up-to-date archives on show choir. They only put information on the site that they know, or someone provided them with. So with that being said there are a lot of songs and groups unaccounted for, that's what makes this list "unofficial". If you have any information regarding show choir history and would like it to be accounted for, please share it to them.
2010
"Brand New You" - 13 (The Musical), & "Don't Stop Believin'" - Journey
(7 groups)
These are two songs that peaked in 2010, but are still used by groups today!
Here is an example of "Brand New You" in 2010 by O'Gorman "Ovation!"
And here 2007 John Burroughs "Powerhouse" performing their rendition of "Don't Stop Believin' along with "Any Way You Want It."
2011
"I Gotta Feeling" - Black Eyed Peas
(6 groups)
There was not a lot of competition for this top hit in 2011, as it dominated the season.
Here is Buffalo Grove doing a quick "I Gotta Feeling" a year before the song took off.
2012
"The Edge of Glory" - Lady Gaga
(5 groups)
Lady Gaga stormed on the show choir scene like no ones business in 2012, being apart of some very iconic shows.
Here is the 2012 Mt. Zion Swingsations performing "The Edge of Glory," at FAME Nationals.
2013
"Some Nights" - fun.
(9 groups)
The "fun." era is one that will never be forgotten. The group made so many timeless classics, and this 2012 summer release was only bound to end up in show choir's repertoires.
Here is Horizon (AZ) "Step on Stage," performing their "Some Nights" opener at the FAME National Finals.
2014
"Wings" - Little Mix
(15 groups)
Little Mix had all of us saying, "Mama told me not to waste my life, She said, "Spread your wings, my little butterfly." This is an all-time favorite girl's number.
Here is a prime example with 2014 ETC "All-Americans" girls rocking the stage with some Little Mix.
2015
"Love Runs Out" - OneRepublic
(9 groups)
Over the course of 3 years, "Love Runs Out" would be used by a total of 24 groups... 2015 was just the beginning.
This is Edgewood "Music Warehouse" performing "Love Runs Out."
2016
"Shut Up and Dance" - WALK THE MOON, & "Love Runs Out" - OneRepublic
(7 groups)
For seasonal shows, concerts, and competitions many groups no matter how big or small have performed this rather catchy song; "Shut Up and Dance."
Glenwood "Titan Fever" did this number at Show Choir Nationals in 2015 where they received Grand Champion honors.
"Love Runs Out" was back in full force in 2016, and didn't seemed to be leaving anytime soon. If you want to watch another rendition of the song we got you.
Here is 2015 John Burroughs performing this OneRupublic hit.
2017
"Sing" - Pentatonix
(12 groups)
According to Showchoir.com this song has been used over 40 times in competition over a 12 year span. Making this one of the most used songs of all-time, and in 2017 it reached its peak.
Here is the Twinsburg "Great Expectations" performing "Sing" for their 2016 closer.
*sidenote: "Love Runs Out" was tied for 2nd most used in 2017 with 8 groups using it. It was tied with "Better When I'm Dancing" by Meghan Trainor.
2018
"Rise" - Katy Perry
(21 groups)
2018 had two songs that were used the most by multiple groups in a single year. "Rise" by Katy Perry led the way with 21 total groups using her song, and "You Will Be Found," written and used in the hit broadway show "Dear Evan Hansen", was used by 20 groups in 2018.
Here is Linn-Mar "10th Street Edition" performing "Rise"
Although it received 2nd in 2018, here is Decatur "Elite Energy" performing their beautiful rendition of "You Will Be Found."
2019
"A Million Dreams" & "This is Me" - The Greatest Showman
(14 groups)
2019 was the year of "The Greatest Showman," as it had a grasp on the show choir community. "The Greatest Showman," had the top four songs of the year, with the two already mentioned and the others being "Come Alive" and "The Greatest Show" who both had 12 groups each.
Here is Center Grove "Sound System" performing multiple songs listed. "A Million Dreams" along with "The Greatest Show" in their opening sequence.
And here is Wheaton North "Flight" performing "This is Me" in 2018.
2020
"High Hopes" - Panic! at the Disco
(16 groups)
"High Hopes" by Panic! at the Disco ruled the radio and the stage as 16 groups put it into their competition repertoire in 2020.
Here is Beavercreek "Friends" performing the song in 2019 at Anderson (IN).
2021
"Come Alive" - The Greatest Showman
(7 groups)
Although, "Come Alive" was used less than it was in 2019 and 2020, it was the most used song by groups in 2021. It beat out "Chasing the Sun" by The Wanted and "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga, they both were used by 6 groups.
Here is De Pere (WIS) "Jam Session" performing "Come Alive" in 2019.
2022
"Speechless" - Naomi Scott (Aladdin)
(8 groups)
The "Aladdin" live action movie created some massive influence on the show choir community and "Speechless" was its best seller.
Here is Grove City "Class Act" performing "Speechless."
2023
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What do you think the 2023 Show Choir Song of the Year will be? Comment down below!
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