Ranking all of the songs from the Bridgerton Musical
Barlow & Bear’s musical album, based on Netflix’s Bridgerton television show, is finally here and we are burning for it. It’s time to take on the impossible task of ranking all of the songs!
The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical had its start on TikTok when pop songwriter Abigail Barlow and award-winning composer Emily Bear began writing songs based on their new favorite TV show, Bridgerton.
Now they’ve released an official album, which hit #1 on the iTunes U.S. Pop Albums chart within an hour and a half of release. You can listen to the album here and then check out how we rank all fifteen songs of the Bridgerton Musical.
15. “Worker Bee”
Every single song on the album is fantastic, but something has to come in last place. “Worker Bee,” one of the shortest songs, is a quick bit in which Eloise reflects upon her mission given to her by the queen. It naturally pales in comparison to her big solo.
14. “Lady Whistledown”
This ensemble number is also on the shorter side, but serves as a great introduction to the presence of Lady Whistledown. I’m sure I’m not the only person who can imagine how this might be staged while listening to it.
13. “Friend Turned Foe”
This song charts the action immediately before Anthony and Simon’s duel as both of them prepare for it and Daphne persuades Colin to help her stop it. It’s great to hear some from Anthony who is, understandably, a lesser presence in this musical.
12. “Burned Me Instead”
This mini reprise of “Burn for You” when Daphne is upset about Simon is absolutely haunting. I love anytime that a musical is able to bring back a melody, but with a different emotion for the character. I also love that it continues to play with the fire imagery.
11. “Entertain Me”
One of the best things that this musical does is give a real insight to some of the characters who are on the sidelines of the show. “Entertain Me” shows us what the Queen is going through emotionally, while also giving us a fun diva number.
10. “Alone Together”
All of Daphne and Simon’s duets are fantastic and “Alone Together” taps into their feelings as they’re starting to fall for each other. It might not reach the heights that “Burn for You” does, but it’s very sweet.
9. “The Ruse”
I love the idea of Simon and Daphne coming up with their fake courting arrangement through a duet. One of the best things this song does is show how in sync the pair are from the earliest part of their relationship. It also has a very dreamy quality to it.
8. “Every Inch”
Abigail Barlow does an excellent job voicing each of the characters and this song really showcases how she is able to change her voice to suit each role. This song that Daphne and Simon sing about their newfound love is absolutely stunning.
7. “Balancing The Scales”
Violet, the matriarch of the large Bridgerton brood, certainly deserves her own solo. In this introspective and touching song, she sings about trying to help each of her children while also mourning her own love. Some of the music is reminiscent of a lullaby, which is a very clever approach.
6. “Tis The Season”
“Tis the Season” is a great opening number to begin the musical. It’s reminiscent of the opening to shows like Ragtime in which the main families are introduced to set the stage for the rest of the show. It’s also one of the most humorous songs of the musical and does a great job at using lines directly from the television show.
5. “Fool for You”
“Fool for You” might be one of the shortest songs on the album, but it’s very easy to get it stuck in your head. Siena is an opera singer so she definitely had to have her own solo in the musical and this sultry song is perfect for her character. (I also haven’t recovered from Samantha Barks singing it on TikTok.)
4. “If I Were A Man”
Eloise’s big solo will certainly be at the top of some people’s ranking for its perfect combination of humor and character work. This bouncy song is difficult not to bop along to, as Eloise laments the restrictions that are placed upon her because she’s a girl. This is another one for which you can easily imagine a dance number onstage.
3. “Ocean Away”
One of the songs that went viral on TikTok, “Ocean Away” is a gorgeous duet between Daphne and Simon that serves as the last number of the show. It perfectly captures their regret and the longing that they’re both feeling for each other.
2. “Burn for You”
The most popular song on TikTok is probably “Burn for You,” the gorgeous duet that Barlow & Bear wrote for the moment when Daphne and Simon confess their feelings for each other. It has everything that a musical theatre love song could hope for: it moves the plot along while advancing the characters and also being simply beautiful.
1. “Penelope Featherington”
My personal favorite of all the songs on the album is Penelope Featherington’s big solo. It’s sure to resonate with any girl who’s ever considered herself a wallflower or wished that a friend would see her in a different light. Or any of my fellow musical theatre girls who wore out singing “On My Own” and “I’m Not That Girl” in high school. Penelope is such an interesting character and I love to see her get her moment in the spotlight.