80+ Songs for Baritones to Sing and Highlight Vocal Richness
If you’re a baritone singer, you’re in great company. The baritone range is the most common male voice type, sitting comfortably between tenor and bass. It carries a warmth, depth, and flexibility that works beautifully across many styles of music. Choosing the right songs for baritones to sing is important because it allows you to showcase your natural richness without straining for high notes or forcing an unnatural sound. From timeless standards to modern ballads, there are countless pieces that highlight the unique qualities of a baritone voice.
Classic Standards and Crooner Favorites
Classic standards are a natural fit for baritones, as many were originally performed by legendary singers like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Bing Crosby, all of whom were baritones. These songs emphasize smooth phrasing, emotional delivery, and a steady middle range. Singing crooner favorites allows you to focus on expression, charm, and storytelling while staying within a comfortable vocal zone.
Examples:
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Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
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My Way – Frank Sinatra
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Strangers in the Night – Frank Sinatra
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Beyond the Sea – Bobby Darin
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Mack the Knife – Bobby Darin
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Unforgettable – Nat King Cole
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L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole
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Stardust – Nat King Cole
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The Way You Look Tonight – Fred Astaire
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That’s Amore – Dean Martin
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Sway – Dean Martin
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Volare – Dean Martin
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White Christmas – Bing Crosby
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Pennies from Heaven – Bing Crosby
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I’ve Got the World on a String – Frank Sinatra
Pop Songs Perfect for Baritones
Many pop songs are written with a lower male register in mind, making them ideal for baritones. These songs balance lyrical depth with memorable melodies and allow you to highlight both vocal power and vulnerability. Baritones excel at pop ballads that need warmth and intimacy, as well as upbeat tracks that call for relaxed confidence.
Examples:
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Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
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Perfect – Ed Sheeran
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Photograph – Ed Sheeran
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Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur
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Impossible – James Arthur
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Ordinary People – John Legend
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Love Me Now – John Legend
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Apologize – OneRepublic
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Counting Stars – OneRepublic
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Let Her Go – Passenger
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Somewhere Only We Know – Keane
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Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
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You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
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She Will Be Loved – Maroon 5
Rock Anthems with Baritone Strength
Baritones often thrive in rock because the genre allows them to use grit, depth, and power instead of straining for the higher tenor notes. Many iconic rock singers, such as Johnny Cash and Jim Morrison, brought a baritone edge that gave their songs weight and authority. Choosing the right rock songs helps a baritone singer stand out with intensity and resonance.
Examples:
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Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash
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Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash
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Hurt – Johnny Cash (Nine Inch Nails cover)
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Riders on the Storm – The Doors
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Light My Fire – The Doors
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People Are Strange – The Doors
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Come As You Are – Nirvana
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The Man Who Sold the World – Nirvana (David Bowie cover)
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Should I Stay or Should I Go – The Clash
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London Calling – The Clash
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Paint It Black – The Rolling Stones
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Sympathy for the Devil – The Rolling Stones
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Knocking on Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan
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Like a Rolling Stone – Bob Dylan
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Lay Lady Lay – Bob Dylan
Broadway and Musical Theater Pieces
Musical theater is a goldmine for baritones, with countless roles written specifically for their range. These songs let baritones display both vocal strength and dramatic expression. Whether it’s the commanding presence of a villain, the vulnerability of a romantic lead, or the wisdom of a narrator, baritone roles are among the richest in theater.
Examples:
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Stars – Les Misérables
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Empty Chairs at Empty Tables – Les Misérables
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If I Can’t Love Her – Beauty and the Beast
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Some Enchanted Evening – South Pacific
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Younger Than Springtime – South Pacific
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This Nearly Was Mine – South Pacific
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Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’ – Oklahoma!
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The Surrey with the Fringe on Top – Oklahoma!
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Edelweiss – The Sound of Music
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Climb Ev’ry Mountain – The Sound of Music
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You’ll Be Back – Hamilton
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Music of the Night – The Phantom of the Opera
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All I Ask of You – The Phantom of the Opera
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If Ever I Would Leave You – Camelot
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How to Handle a Woman – Camelot
Soul, R&B, and Blues Selections
Baritones excel in soul, R&B, and blues because these styles emphasize emotion, warmth, and resonance rather than high notes. These genres often demand sincerity and passion, giving baritones the perfect chance to pour themselves into the music. Many of the greatest soul legends were baritones, and their songs remain favorites for showcasing this voice type.
Examples:
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Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
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Tired of Being Alone – Al Green
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A Change Is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke
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Bring It On Home to Me – Sam Cooke
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You Send Me – Sam Cooke
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Stand by Me – Ben E. King
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Spanish Harlem – Ben E. King
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In the Midnight Hour – Wilson Pickett
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Mustang Sally – Wilson Pickett
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Try a Little Tenderness – Otis Redding
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(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
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That’s How Strong My Love Is – Otis Redding
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Georgia on My Mind – Ray Charles
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Hit the Road Jack – Ray Charles
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What’d I Say – Ray Charles
Contemporary Ballads and Modern Choices
Modern ballads are an excellent match for baritones because they typically favor warmth and emotional storytelling over vocal acrobatics. Many popular male artists today are baritones, which means there are plenty of contemporary songs perfectly suited to this range. These choices allow baritone singers to stay current while still performing in their comfort zone.
Examples:
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All of Me – John Legend
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Jealous – Labrinth
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Beneath Your Beautiful – Labrinth & Emeli Sandé
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Mirrors – Justin Timberlake
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Cry Me a River – Justin Timberlake
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Can’t Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake
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Stay with Me – Sam Smith
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Too Good at Goodbyes – Sam Smith
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I’m Not the Only One – Sam Smith
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Lay Me Down – Sam Smith
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Say Something – A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera
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Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars
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Grenade – Bruno Mars
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When I Was Your Man – Bruno Mars