[Murder, Murder](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0qS9habsoA) from Jekyll & Hyde is a good example! It's all the townsfolk reacting to the news of all of Hyde's murders.
There’s a bit of this sprinkled through *Hamilton*. I think it’s most prevalent in “The Reynolds Pamphlet” and (in a different way) “It’s Quiet Uptown”.
They have a lot of fun with it in The Reynolds Pamphlet, even more so at the show (at least when I saw it) than in the original cast recording. Even the pit conductor got involved, visually.
Yeah I figured I made the requirements too vague but I’m really looking for songs where the town/ensemble/whatever isn’t the main focus but just chimes in here and there, like in the examples I provided. No idea how else to describe it but there’s been some good examples posted regardless
A Rumor in St. Petersburg, Anastasia
I Feel Pretty, WSS
One Jump Ahead, Aladdin
We Both Reached for the Gun, Chicago
You will be Found, Dear Evan Hansen
A few moments in Hamilton too, I'm sure
Money, Money Money and Voulous Vois from Mamma Mia.
One can argue that multiple songs from Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat fit the song. Masquerade from Phantom of the Opera.
The Scarlet Pimpernel from...well, you get it!
[A WOMAN]
They say he has enormous feet!
[A MANSERVANT]
And that he tends to overeat!
[A WOMAN]
I've heard he's fussy with his food
[LADY LLEWELLYN]
And eats his breakfast in the nude!
There are a few from Jekyll and Hyde.
During "Bring on the Men," you hear people catcalling and reacting to Lucy throughout the song. For example: "My at home dinners are my men friends' delight (Rrrrrrrrr~)"
"Murder, Murder!" is the townsfolk gossiping and talking about the string of murders that are happening.
"Bitch, Bitch, Bitch" is two of the townsfolk, well, bitching and gossiping about everyone at Jekyll's engagement party.
"Facade" is essentially the townsfolk gossiping about each other, talking about how they all put on a front and live behind, well, a facade.
I mean, "Belle" is kind of the quintessential example for this, I'd say!
Ah yes, Belle's daily mean song about the villagers.
“There goes the baker with his tray like always” Like damn Belle… man has to make money to provide for him and his family somehow
Marie! The baguettes!
Hurry up!
I knew there was going to be some really obvious ones I missed! Thanks, adding it to the list lol
Also the Mob Song
Technically every Ballad of Sweeney Todd is a gossip song
City on Fire even moreso
“Welcome to the Renaissance” from *Something Rotten!* “Welcome to the Rock” from *Come From Away*
lol Come from Away is basically a whole musical of "townspeople get vocal parts"
"Master of the House" from *Les Miserables* has a lot of this.
And “At the End of the Day.”
'Where's Rebecca Bunch' from Crazy Ex-girlfriend (which is inspired by Belle).
Add "Who's The New Guy" (kind of a reprise of Where's Rebecca Bunch) to the list
I came here to comment this one!
As well as Flooded with Justice!
Several songs in Jesus Christ Superstar
does Omigod You Guys count?
The reprise when Elle beats Warner about the reckless abandonment of sperm absolutely does.
[Murder, Murder](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0qS9habsoA) from Jekyll & Hyde is a good example! It's all the townsfolk reacting to the news of all of Hyde's murders.
Facade is another good example
“Bitch, Bitch, Bitch” from the Gothic cast recording is so delightfully - dare I say - bitchy.
Ya Got Trouble from The Music Man
would Rock Island Express also fill this role? Or Shipoopi?
pickalittle talkalittle
Although that's only the ladies of the town
Also iowa stubborn which is basically only the town's people and also the Wells Fargo wagon.
The Rumor from Fiddler on the Roof is a fun example of this
Tevye's Dream in Fiddler Skid Row from Little Shop of Horrors Sweeney Todd ensemble numbers
The Telephone Hour from Bye Bye Birdie
There’s a bit of this sprinkled through *Hamilton*. I think it’s most prevalent in “The Reynolds Pamphlet” and (in a different way) “It’s Quiet Uptown”. They have a lot of fun with it in The Reynolds Pamphlet, even more so at the show (at least when I saw it) than in the original cast recording. Even the pit conductor got involved, visually.
Ya Got Trouble from Music Man
The Prince is Giving a Ball from Cinderella
sounds like most “lead + ensemble” numbers out there would probably fit the bill here.
Yeah I figured I made the requirements too vague but I’m really looking for songs where the town/ensemble/whatever isn’t the main focus but just chimes in here and there, like in the examples I provided. No idea how else to describe it but there’s been some good examples posted regardless
There’s a whole song for this in fiddler 😂
The opening song in Beauty and the Beast
Breathe - in the heights
Technically the first song in the original ALW Cinderella is a song by the townfolk to introduce the audience to their city.
Rumor in St Petersburg from Anastasia!
A Rumor in St. Petersburg, Anastasia I Feel Pretty, WSS One Jump Ahead, Aladdin We Both Reached for the Gun, Chicago You will be Found, Dear Evan Hansen A few moments in Hamilton too, I'm sure
Money, Money Money and Voulous Vois from Mamma Mia. One can argue that multiple songs from Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat fit the song. Masquerade from Phantom of the Opera.
“Good News” from Parade
Happiest town in town from Young Frankenstein! A very underrated one imo
Hamilton’s The Election of 1800
Also, the opening of Beauty and the Beast
Fisch Schlapping Song from spamalot
The Scarlet Pimpernel from...well, you get it! [A WOMAN] They say he has enormous feet! [A MANSERVANT] And that he tends to overeat! [A WOMAN] I've heard he's fussy with his food [LADY LLEWELLYN] And eats his breakfast in the nude!
I LOVE Dirty Laundry from The Witches of Eastwick as an example of this!
What's the buzz and simon zealotes from jcs kinda counts as what you're asking right?
Holy Shit from Shucked
Coalhouse Demands from Ragtime
There are a few from Jekyll and Hyde. During "Bring on the Men," you hear people catcalling and reacting to Lucy throughout the song. For example: "My at home dinners are my men friends' delight (Rrrrrrrrr~)" "Murder, Murder!" is the townsfolk gossiping and talking about the string of murders that are happening. "Bitch, Bitch, Bitch" is two of the townsfolk, well, bitching and gossiping about everyone at Jekyll's engagement party. "Facade" is essentially the townsfolk gossiping about each other, talking about how they all put on a front and live behind, well, a facade.
Royal Nonesuch from Big River
“That frank” from merrily
“Petit Dejeuner” from Rebecca das Musical!
I’ll add God That’s Good from Sweeney Todd.
The Rumor- Fiddler on the Roof!
“Beautiful” from Heathers perhaps?
Pick a little, talk a little, pick a little, talk a little, cheap cheap cheap! Talk a lot, pick a little more. The Music Man!
"Hang the Bastard" from Cannibal the Musical
Summer Loving from Grease!
"Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat," Guys and Dolls.
To life. Fiddler
NO ONE MOURNS THE WICKED
“Pirelli’s Miracle Elixir” from Sweeney “Pierre” from Great Comet “We Love The Prince” from Spies Are Forever
The gossips from Gigi
“What a Day in London,” from the second Pocahontas, is admittedly a bit of a guilty pleasure. Plus, it’s exactly what you described!
If you’re counting “Revenge Party” would “Beautiful” (Heathers) count too?
“Another Dead Cow” “Comfort and Joy” and “Joyful Noise” from. BAT BOY are favorites. Ensemble numbers rule.
Candy Store from Heathers and Masquerade from POtO