Optimistic Showtunes

I am putting together a playlist for a friend moving to NYC of showtunes dripping of optimism. I thought I would ask, you, the experts what are some of your favorites. The more obscure the better.

Right now the ones I could think of are:

"Now's The Time" from Hallelujah, Baby!

"The World Must Be Bigger Than an Avenue" from Irene

"A Cockeyed Optimist" from South Pacific

"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" from Spamalot



Thank you!

maybe this time cabaret

my shot hamilton

watch what happens newsies

Step one kinky boots

Our time merrily we roll along

A whole new world alladin

you cant stop the beat hairspray

dont stop beleivin rock of ages

we're gonna be allright do i hear a waltz

Here right now ghost

to Life! Fiddler on the roof

raise your voice Sister act

King of new york Newsies

Updated On: 6/28/17 at 07:30 PM

Maybe more inspirational and optimistic, but some of my favorites:

"Finale B" - Rent
"Tomorrow is a Latter Day" - The Book of Mormon
"This is the Moment" - Jekyll & Hyde
"Leap of Faith" - Leap of Faith
"Seeing You" Groundhog Day

"Tap Your Troubles Away from "Mack and Mabel"

Updated On: 6/28/17 at 08:54 PM

It's a bit iffier within the context of the show itself, but "You Will Be Found" from DEAR EVAN HANSEN is definitely quite optimistic.

"I'm Here" from THE COLOR PURPLE, as does "Raise You Up/Just Be" from KINKY BOOTS (Hell, that show is a plethora of feel-good songs)

"The Money Song" from AVENUE Q also definitely is a good example, along with "Purpose" and "Fantasies Come True".

EDIT: And how could I forget "Morning Glow" from PIPPIN? Obviously the hope isn't sustained through Act 2, but taken by itself it's almost ridiculously optimistic.

Updated On: 6/28/17 at 09:33 PM

"It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish" from Seesaw.

I would start by looking at the entire Jerry Herman songbook. Mame, Dear World, The Grand Tour, Mack & Mabel, La Cage aux Folles are chock full of Herman optimism.

Updated On: 6/29/17 at 10:53 PM

"Here's My Plan" from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Too late to suggest Put On Your Sunday Clothes?

I would definitely say "Good Morning, Baltimore" is a tune oozing optimism but I don't know if it fits the narrative of moving to NY since it's about a different city, but hey! It's the first song that popped in my head when I saw the thread title.

hork said: ""I'm the Greatest Star" - Funny Girl"

You don't get more optimistic than that.

For another Jule Styne song, this time of deranged optimism, how about "Everything's coming Up Roses".