Best Songs for Altos, According To Vocal Coaches

As an alto singer, finding the perfect song to showcase your vocal range can be a challenge. However, fear not! We’ve done the research and consulted with vocal coaches to compile a list of the best songs for altos.

From Lady Gaga’s powerful chorus in “Bad Romance” to timeless classics like “Summertime” by Ella Fitzgerald, this essay will provide you with a diverse selection of songs that are sure to impress any audience.

Get ready to add some new songs to your repertoire and take your alto vocals to the next level.

Lady Gaga – Bad Romance

This track from her third studio album is a super popular tune because it’s got that wonderfully easy-to-recognize hook.

It’s great to sing along to and has a really powerful chorus. Amateur singers say that it’s the sort of number that makes it easy to wow an audience.

Give it a listen here.

Brian Yorkey, Tom Kitt – No More Fear

This is one of the most famous songs from The Freaky Friday Musical.

It is, of course, sung as Katherine Blake who is an adult trapped in her child’s body and who is finally starting to see her as a separate person for the first time.

Give it a listen here.

Amy Winehouse – Rehab

This great song comes from the Back to Black album and it speaks of the challenges that Amy faced in dealing with the drug and alcohol addiction that finally took her life.

The song criticizes the rehab system and it’s one of the best pop songs of the century so far.

You need some real power in your lungs as an alto to make this work.

Give it a listen here.

William Finn – Something Better Happen

Another Broadway hit! This time from the show Little Miss Sunshine.

You need an expert voice to take on the 32-bar cuts in this number.

It’s the perfect karaoke song for the ambitious alto voice.

Give it a listen here.

Lana Del Rey – Video Games

This came from the debut album, Born to Die, and Lana’s sultry vocals inspired a generation of altos to take on this baroque pop ballad.

It did really well in the charts and it’s an anthemic song for those who feel like they’re trapped in a relationship where their partner doesn’t really see them.

Give it a listen here.

Crowded House – Don’t Dream It’s Over

If there was a “top song” for altos, this might be the song. It’s very simple to sing and very well-known which means your audience has already bought in when they hear the opening bars.

The hit quality of this is obvious when done well as a cover song and the strong, memorable chorus helps to lift it out of the background and ensure that the alto who tackles this will be remember well by all who hear it.

Give it a listen here.

Faith Hill – This Kiss

This is no synth-pop song but rather a solid country number that finally saw Faith Hill top both North American charts and saw her nominated for a pair of Grammy awards!

It’s very upbeat and her voice absolutely carries this number which speaks about how amazing it is to fall in love.

Give it a listen here.

Katy Perry – Firework

This popular audition song was no one-hit wonder.

It comes from Kay’s fourth studio album and it’s one of the best-selling digital songs of all time too.

The strong belt line makes it very easy to do a good job of this famous song and it’s why it’s one of the best alto songs for auditions.

Give it a listen here.

Etta James – At Last

Good songs don’t fade over time and this absolute classic which was recorded back in 1960, still sounds amazing today.

Both Beyonce and Celine Dion have covered it but this is Etta’s signature song and deservedly so.

Go to alto auditions with this under your belt and you’ve got the perfect song to impress the judges with.

Give it a listen here.

Cher – Believe

It’s hard to believe, excuse the pun, but this song wasn’t from Cher’s first or fifth album, but rather her 22nd!

Of course, there’s quite a lot of vocal modulation going on here but it’s still a super song for an alto seeking to make their mark.

Give it a listen here.

Aretha Franklin – Chain Of Fools

Believe it or not, this was meant to be sung by Otis Redding until a producer at Atlantic Records stepped in and said, “no, it’s Aretha’s”.

Good call, Atlantic Records, Jerry Wexler, good call.

Give it a listen here.

Fleetwood Mac – Dreams

The power of this song ensures it’s still the best know of all this band’s songs and they’ve got some amazing other songs.

It’s Christine McVie’s alto that made this song famous and which ensures that it stays that way too.

Give it a listen here.

Altos have great vocal range and these awesome songs can really help you work out your vocal cords and land the job at that audition or wow your friends in karaoke!