▶︎ TGWDLM || Songs Ranked By Vocal Difficulty

please remember that all art is subjective - everyones voices will have different strengths and weaknesses and it's okay to have a different opinion on what you struggle with the most!
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if you haven't already figured it out it's going from easiest to hardest :)

[@nonthreateninglizard8659]

uh the hardest was definitely the beginning of moana ok

[@amberphillips3421]

consider the co co nut HO HO consider the trEEs

[@yeeyeeyeeyee1270]

The circle of liiifee

[@itamarolmert3549]

Make way make way

[@River_Katerina]

Agreed Can't believe it wasn't number one!

[@whatalovelybreadstick2449]

Please. You’re forgetting about “IVE BEEN BREWING UP YOUR COFFEEE”

[@annagrace6361]

me who’s never done musical theatre and doesn’t sing reading the text on the screen: *mm* *yes* *i* *get* *it* *pretty* *voice* *hard* *to* *make*

[@wrxbev]

why is this honestly so relatable even though i'm trained in singing and musical theory LMAOOOOOO

[@theimplications635]

@@wrxbev same tbh

[@caspotato6525]

I do musical theatre. And that's still exsactly how I think about these things lol

[@internalscreaming7566]

[·Vintxge Vibez·] “That’s a note and that’s a note and that one was _three_ notes! Wow, oh yeah riff, mhm, pretty voice, blending? Sorry?”

[@wonderpotter2674]

SAME! I have never been in a musical in my life, and have know idea how to sing properly 😂

[@banana_mango_milk]

Me: *doesn't know anything about musical theory and the like* Also me: Yes I agree. Indeed you are right.

[@isabellan7200]

i hate how much i relate to this

[@ashleyrio2023]

meeeee

[@tonimenard9013]

Meeeeee

[@hsfhanaa]

Literally was just about to comment this. Glad I'm not alone

[@genesis5927]

thats me

[@calliope9978]

I think the most difficult song is The Beginning of Moana?? -Polytextual lyrics -unconventional rhythms -4 part harmony

[@maze1391]

-requires good breath support 😂

[@Quidington]

Polyregister Extensive manipulation of tone for characters

[@shawnmulligan2894]

Cup Of Roasted Coffee requires soft blend .... I see what you did there

[@Ray-hk1zm]

La Dee Dah Dah Day: "Manipulation of tone for characters" Me: Me: Me: cUZIMAYNOTHAVEAHOOOME-

[@sully2932]

Honestly Joey’s character makes that number for me

[@idontevenknowwhy3655]

I know I'm going to do that

[@kerollaynemoreira7536]

BUTTHATSWAYOKAY

[@maddisonx4843]

Kerollayne Moreira BECAUSE IM FREE TO ROAM

[@HB-vy5mr]

@@maddisonx4843 THE STREETS ALL DAYAY

[@katerinaromero9879]

The only Lauren Manion video where Show Stoppin’ Number isn’t first

[@greenhay6237]

i'm truly honored to be the 1000th like on this because it's so true

[@dolfinthesecond]

Tbh I think Show Stoppin' Number is overrated and Show me your hands/america is great again are underrated. Idk why but I love those two songs, especially show me your hands.

[@BramLastname]

@@dolfinthesecond I agree, All the songs in this musical are bangers, But Show Stopping Number gets a disproportionate amount of praise.

[@dolfinthesecond]

@@BramLastname I've seen people rank it higher than going back to Hogwarts and songs from twisted like dream a little harder and happy ending that are so much better and im just like... whyyyyy

[@TropicTyrant]

Well thanks you for this honestly but I think I'll stick to screaming *WHAT DO YOU WANT PAUL?!?!*

[@calculuswastough3140]

Same or CRAAAAAPHOLE YEAH THAT'S ME I'M 7 AND I'M MAAAALE

[@iprobablydontlikeyou7416]

love your pfp

[@SarahBarah]

>is tone-deaf >knows nothing about pitches >can barely read half the words on the screen >took like half a year of choir >cannot sing Me: wow, how accurate, I agree with everything

[@blockblock376]

Me not knowing what any of those words mean: that must be hard to do cause it’s a long word.

[@internalscreaming7566]

Mix is one of the shortest and for some people that’s like REALLY hard Mine currently isn’t that strong

[@BramLastname]

I mean I know what vocal fry is, Because every time someone reviews a song with it they have to tell me that it's a difficult thing to do right, But it sounds really cool.

[@brettmedley2366]

Ok as a male singer I just have to say that y’all don’t even understand how difficult You Tied Up My Heart is. Like even high tenors are gonna be worn out within the first few minutes of the song, and then the goddamn ending. I know people complain that Jeff writes too many songs for himself that don’t sound very good live but I have to hand it to the guy. For as hard as the songs are, he still pulls them off pretty well.

[@Rude_i_Wredne]

Yeah, same goes for the title number. Main riff murders you on your bridge over and over again. And Jeff did it great. Man knows how to mix...

[@raeisgay426]

hes a truly gifted man

[@sedentaryscorpion]

For real. He sings like a mezzo-soprano or a counter-tenor. But you can tell that with Black Friday he’s really refined and improved his higher voice. It sounds a LOT better

[@mads9966]

Isabella Drakos he writes songs and also performs in the shows

[@leeblock9573]

@Isabella Drakos he wrote all the songs for tgwdlm (and also black friday, nightmare time, and trail to oregon)

[@sorio99]

Ah, but SSN is even more difficult because during the “5 o’clock” segment you have to repeatedly jump three feet in the air.

[@scriibles]

sorio99 That’s not how it works. Well yes, but it’s vocal difficulty

[@theclodofclods]

Only based on vocal difficulty pal. But yes it would be harder, most songs are harder with choreography, because you not only sing but dance as well, it makes sure that you must have proper breath support. For difficult dancing slow choreography breathing isn't a challenge.

[@ОлегБелый-ы6н]

All the people in replies acting like you aren't required by law to do the jumps when singing SSN

[@scriibles]

Олег Белый Dude I’m hiding my phone in the middle of class and you expect me to get up in the middle of it and start doing kicks in the middle of class? No, I’m sorry but I can get away with my phone. NOT WITH KICKS!!!

[@trueaidooo]

@@scriibles I'm sorry but its the law so its either jump or jail

[@dualwinchesters]

I feel like "Can not laugh mid phrase" needs to be added to 99.9% of these.

[@mollywhiteman8956]

Kae Klith especially what do you want paul i would be laughing so much

[@zubeida.x]

I want you to choke me...🤪

[@icelinlavity903]

Great video, but you forgot the hardest song in the whole show... Let him come. A true masterpiece

[@calculuswastough3140]

Did ya hear the word?

[@nicolemurphy349]

What’s the word?

[@calculuswastough3140]

@@nicolemurphy349 he's a comin

[@amandaparente4495]

Calculus Was Tough!! Who’s a coming? Love your name btw

[@eeopp9205]

Paul’s a comin’

[@ophiedrowning]

Me: *majoring in musical theory/composition* bro singing this shouldn't be that hard Also me: how make voice do noise sing

[@internalscreaming7566]

This is ridiculously underrated

[@BramLastname]

I can't sing, But that has the benefit that I think I sound pretty decent.

[@heyitsblinded]

The audience realizing “America is Great Again” and it’s meaning never fails to entertain me

[@maithegay]

it’s the 3 second delayed reaction then laughter that gets me everytime

[@d.lan3y]

And Jeff's smug little grin

[@BramLastname]

Honestly the lyrics to that song are so good, I think it deserves a bit more praise than it gets.

[@randomm928]

I thought so too, but the audience reaction is prolly bc of the phrase 'america is great again'

[@saranotsarah]

well that explains why I’m pretty okay at singing “show me your hands”

[@a-wild-goose]

PLEASE I'm. Same. 😔

[@ren576]

Cup of roasted/poisoned coffee: -Requires a soft blend *Well that was a delightful little coincidence*

[@purpleapron4603]

Woah that intro cover though 👀👀

[@youruethedaycarlyshay]

Classifying13 who’s singing it

[@annsmalley9039]

C its the version in Twisted’s album of bonus materials and studio recordings. the whole thing is just that amazing

[@soldiaz7261]

i love how most of these are hard just because tgwdlm has such a unique and energetic score lmao

[@georgia4779]

Is it just me or does anyone else ever play a starkid playlist and then just skip to your favourite song and play that on repeat

[@maggieeverman9913]

All the time.

[@pamesy-jatterson7352]

Yeah not just you

[@thebananaowenslippedon7095]

I feel called out

[@uploxy5341]

*cough cough* show stopping number *cough cough*

[@georgia4779]

@@uploxy5341 *cough cough* same *cough cough*

[@kayleejohnson477]

I feel like part of the reason Jeff has so many leading parts in TGWDLM is because he made the songs so difficult to perform that he didn’t want to force anyone to have too many vocal challenges.

[@nuhuhitsgreywater]

I have no knowledge of music on this level so... Yes I agree

[@babs6244]

We all already knew what was gonna be first but we all watched anyways

[@valentine8409]

I knew you'd find a way to incorporate The Hips.

[@emotionalmess1286]

I really like America is great again just cause, for me, it shows a turning point in the mood and gets me really emotional plus the harmonies give me chills with the minor key :)

[@albartolina6950]

I understand that the words used were english but I still didn't understand about 70% about the explanations given

[@SketchUT]

Me: understands counter and melody separately Also me: the fricc does countermelody mean Me 2 seconds later: wait a second-

[@citlalliperez5207]

Moral of the story: Jeff writes very difficult songs to sing

[@eye7360]

Why is no one talking about the perfect cut at 0:23 ????

[@boelleboble1388]

that is so cool and i didn’t know because it was so flawlessly done

[@albieemery2828]

That’s what I thought!!

[@belleanndm]

everyone: i dOnT liKe jEFfs vOiCe iT sOuNdS bAd me: but... he... sings hard song???

[@mollywhiteman8956]

i think i’m the only person who loves jeffs voice... you tied up my heart is such a good song and show me your hands is in my top 3

[@Jo-sv9io]

Jeff does reach out of his range a lot but I think he pulls off the notes well, especially considering some of the high notes he hits. I like to imagine that he’s just sitting in his house frantically writing songs and just forgets that vocal range is a thing that exists sometimes. Either way he’s great and I love all of the songs he’s in :)

[@tuttiman55]

As someone who sings a lot of Jeff’s solos (personal favourites are tied up my heart and the grind), they are so fun if you have a falsetto but I can’t imagine liking them if I couldn’t sing them myself

[@luzbecerra8280]

I knew I loved Join Us And Die for some reason but I didn't know it was because of the musical theory aspect of it

[@Ozloz]

Some people really don’t understand how exhausting a musical TGWDLM is. I don’t even have an experience to talk on (as in I haven’t worked on TGWDLM specifically) But seeing the songs, choreo, and characters… Jesus the most exhausting thing but so obviously the most fun as well. I mean just look at everyone during Inevitable, they are FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES.

[@fart2351]

I hate the fact that I know enough about musical theory to only just understand what this is talking about but not enough to pick these things out on my own.

[@jpsings4229]

I’m glad someone finally saw the beauty of “What do you want, Paul?”

[@themickeysquad5121]

It is tyme. TO DAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEE. (6 second C#5 belt like wtf go Jaime)

[@ariellelyons]

Ok but the countermelody in america is great again is SO HARD

[@mar-rv2qb]

i know jeff loves his falsetto and writes it into all his songs but tbh he sounds so much better in his natural lower range imo

[@heatherrockwell9012]

In fairness his falsetto (and other really high notes) sounds pretty good on the soundtrack, but yeah it is a little sketchy in the videos

[@coleharalson1917]

I just don’t like Jeff’s singing at all tbh. I think he’s talented but I’d prefer most other people in Starkid over him to sing a song.

[@mar-rv2qb]

@@coleharalson1917 I feel ya but also hearing him sing like,, when the world's at stake (reprise) or america is great again I'm like damn he does have a good voice when he isn't pushing it

[@QueenRedRosemary]

I don’t care for it much either. There are some really great examples of him doing it well, like in the opening number, but there are so many times where the note falls flat.

[@ThatGirlAtTheConcert]

@@coleharalson1917 I love his voice, but I'm a big fan of rock and metal and I think that's what his voice reminds me of more so than the typical musical theatre like the others.

[@claremackay836]

this just further proves how talented this cast is (specifically jaime!!)

[@tjshapiro2677]

In conclusion, Starkid actors are talented as hell (but we all knew that already)

[@tsukikumoon2890]

I'm so glad that you're doing a series like this. It's educational and we get to see what the hardest song is to sing if we attempt to try and sing them. XD

[@catbanana110]

PLEASE do one for Trail to Oregon!! i'm playing the mother in an upcoming production and me and my director would love to see your thoughts on this :)

[@mariajosefinasaporito5189]

Lauren m. Good luck at playing the mother!

[@ichigoeater]

...not that I have any ideas about the science of it, but that mother's solo (When the World's at Stake) seems pretty hard. I think the hardest would be the opening song, though.

[@crm1301]

Whoa, you're in a company that does Starkid productions? I thought they didn't license their musicals thats so cool!

[@catbanana110]

@@crm1301 starkid does sell rights to a select few of their shows, and trail to oregon was one of them! i'm very excited for the show :)

[@crm1301]

@@catbanana110 oh thats awesome gl!!

[@izzyliberty8720]

Like, Show Stoppin' Number is in the middle, vocally, I agree, but also let us remember that Robert sang that thing while dancing like a maniac and I think that just brings the comprehensive difficulty somewhere *checks notes* off the scale.

[@britten6199]

mariah makes lah dee dah dah day sound like a cakewalk. then i tried to sing it one day and realized there is a reason mariah is on broadway and im not LOL

[@ephraim_]

I know Paul's actor isn't the strongest singer but I really like his singing voice. It just has that unique feel to it that I enjoy so much.

[@FGoMT]

I feel his vocals shine better on the album then the live show. He has such a lovely voice.

[@Lucy-mb8ux]

Wasn’t expecting what do you want Paul to be up near the top 😂

[@meganelizabeth4224]

I don’t know anything about music complexity, all i know is “what do you want paul” is going to be high on the list. it’s basically 📈📉📈📉📈📉📈

[@kammyethain4591]

This is the only list that Join Us and Die is number one on and honestly I'm living for it

[@sarahkinsey5434]

Jon has said that he is an actor first who can sing, and yet he nails the two songs he's in! That held falsetto at the end of Let it Out is fantastic! My favorite part of Inevitable is his part during the kickline section! Edit: I can't believe I forgot about that NOTE Lauren sang during La Dee Dah Dah Day! I LIVE for that Note!

[@wrxbev]

honestly my musical theory trained ass is still quaking

[@_veronica_r]

Most of these songs: require good breath support These actors: *breathe every two seconds and probably don't do warmups*

[@sapphire3215]

First of all how dare you

[@_veronica_r]

@@sapphire3215 Maybe I'm just used to the classical style of singing (I'm in choir) while they seem to sing in a more "Broadway"/theatrical style. I honestly don't know why but for some reason it bothered me lol

[@tq7013]

me: * plays in band * * does not sing * * has no idea what these big words mean * so, in conclusion, when I watch this this is all I think: “yes, it sound good, it hard. breathing, high notes, harmony *yes* “

[@olive.shmolive]

jeff blim works hard but lauren manion works H A R D E R

[@nataliebushman1049]

And they make it sound easy. Insane

[@theverysmallfrog]

As a theater kid, this just gives me even more appreciation for TGWD-*coughs* Show Stoppin Number.

[@summer_the_rae]

Me: I am a singer so I know stuff about singing Lauren: *yeets a video at us analyzing stuff* Me: and i oop-

[@doodars9357]

I’m would have thought all the jumping around makes show stoppin’ number 10x harder, I’d be out of breath just from the dance 😂😂

[@martiniquejunebug2284]

This is my favorite video you've made- you should do more of their musicals with this! Like Twisted and Starship

[@ryangarner7721]

Have you seen her vocal analysis of some starkid members yet? It is very similar

[@isabellaramos8225]

Please do Twisted! But maybe its too obvious which ones are the hardest from that musical

[@stephanierose3286]

Finally some Mr. Davidson RECOGNITION

[@thething2723]

Me: know nothing about music theory Also me: enjoys every second of this

[@lydiamaddox9325]

This is awesome!!! Please do Firebringer next!!!

[@veronicaelders4823]

Strong use of legato in SSN me: ah yes,,, he does use his legs quite a lot.

[@daniellevanrhijn1822]

This is so interesting! I feel like I legitimately learnt something, how come you know so much about music?

[@chloecollins7513]

m

[@albieemery2828]

O

[@dragonsaregreat1948]

this video is going to be like a bible for directors now that tgwdlm is up for licensing

[@dragonsaregreat1948]

other than the script + stage managers script ofc

[@raeisgay426]

then imagine dancing while doing all of these. makes already difficult songs way harder (i say as im making an attempt to learn this whole musical despite being a single person)

[@patuljastislon]

I feel like the only one in the Comment Section who understands the text

[@rine6740]

satan on a diet Don't worry, you're not alone. I understand most of it

[@jildavison]

1:13 perfect seamless edit, i loved that, thank you!!!

[@cass8167]

Lol, all the ones I considered harder were at the bottom of the list. Also I love how you give me more reason to love Jaime Lyn Beatty. I would love to see one of these for Starship! Great video :)

[@stormwhite3612]

I know literally nothing about musical theory but I still really enjoyed the video 😂

[@orangemelk9012]

Jeff's "oh fuck i'm fading fast" will be put to good use if i am ever in for anesthesia

[@cynicalsheep]

I came as soon as I heard

[@emotionalmess1286]

Angelica? (All the way from London, DAMN!)

[@taylorhope984]

@@emotionalmess1286 Angelica thank god someone who understands what I'm struggling here to do

[@emotionalmess1286]

@@taylorhope984 I'm not here for you

[@emotionalmess1286]

@@taylorhope984 I know my sister like I know my own mind you will never find anyone as trusting or as kind, I love my sister more than anything in this life I will choose her happiness over mine every time

[@emotionalmess1286]

@@taylorhope984 put what we had aside, you will never be satisfied, God I hope you're satisfied

[@jackiecohen282]

Another thing with Join Us and Die that makes it so hard is how much stamina you need. To belt out that note and then keep singing at full force for the next two minutes

[@nattievoices]

Why is Jeff so good at playing crazy.

[@lucislibari]

As someone whose versed enough in music theory but can't sing for shit, I'm really impressed with the effort you put into this! The analysis is way more in depth than I see in musical fandom

[@lucislibari]

I should clarify- I'm an instrumentalist! I play flute, alto saxophone, and violin, so I know theory through that, and while it's different from singing, most of the theory and terms are identical!

[@adrienne960]

Yo what song was playing at the beginning of the video??

[@lydiamaddox9325]

It was a pop remix of the song Everything and More from Starkid's musical twisted

[@lydiamaddox9325]

Sean Ngo ohhh I recognized the song but I kinda guessed at the style haha. Thanks for letting me know!

[@borderlinenocturnal6195]

Me, a singer: **still not understanding half the terms used** Me: …

[@raeosunshine24]

i loveee this!! what exactly does “polytextual” mean though?? tryna absorb all your knowledge (and there is a LOT of it!)

[@renidere]

Caché Fille I think it must mean multiple people singing different things to create an interesting harmony? Or at least that's what I'm assuming from the clips shown

[@soldiaz7261]

multiple independent lyrics happening at once

[@renidere]

sol phoyu ah I was close

[@soldiaz7261]

IDoStuff yeah! i also might be a little bit off because i havent taken a singing class in a year but thats what i remember my teacher saying

[@hailieb5742]

I think it refers to like multiple vocal types and registers working together in order to create a thicker musical texture (??)

[@una_10bananas]

I can already tell I'm going to enjoy this from the fact you used Andrea Ross's "punk version" of Everything and More! I love it

[@ajspaniel3523]

This makes my music theory heart happy

[@unoriginal1562]

The soundtrack version of Tied up my heart is a little harder because the notes go higher in some areas, especially 🎵”I saw god and he told me to free up my Heart”🎶

[@kayseyjane]

That intro song really caught me off of guard omg

[@chloefernando-english4358]

I was not expecting such in depth reasoning from a starkid ranking video but I'm here for it

[@rebeccatoday]

I’m excited for the rest of this series! It would be awesome if after you rank each show individually you end with a video ranking the 20 hardest starkid songs across all the shows.

[@katief.2280]

dang, imagine being able to sing

[@geraldgreg5370]

This is definitely very close to my very own opinionated ranking.

[@naturalthemelodious]

I appreciate how much love and care went into analyzing the songs and the cast's vocal capabilities and I just want you to know your hard work was worth it ❤

[@kn1ght-788]

It’s so weird, Never taken a class on music theory, still knew exactly what was being said.

[@nicolemurphy349]

These kind of analyzing and technique videos are *MY SHIT*

[@nicolemurphy349]

Edit: thank you for not cutting out *the hips*

[@KeAishaReads]

Where the frick did that rock cover of Everything and More come from? I wanna watch it.

[@rocklobster340]

Me, skipping to the end to see if Join us Die was the hardest: Yes yes indeed

[@emilyjfreer2895]

7:32 don’t forget immense creepiness

[@morganmerry8907]

'Legato' I don't know what that means, but it made me laugh at 2:45 am and I have to assume that I had to do with Robert's legs

[@molecularalien]

Legato is similar to slurring lmao

[@ms.fukawa-hanamura3754]

*that moment when you can sing the most vocally difficult song with little to no struggle*

[@aaronemerson8049]

“He has a daughter!”

[@andrea7239]

this is the first time i’ve seen “what do you want paul” this high on a list

[@ellagraham560]

I think it would be pretty damn cool if you made this a series and did other musicals as well (like non-starkid even though I love them)

[@lucialockley7724]

why did you cut lauren's solo in the guy who didnt like musicals

[@grimgrinningghostie]

a version of this in layman's terms would be super helpful

[@the-amazing-karnak]

SSN: Strong use of legato Me, who knows nothing about factual stuff: L E G