When The Greatest Showman hit theaters in late 2017, the critics were, to put it mildly, not impressed. They called it shallow. They complained about the historical whitewashing of P.T. Barnum. Some even called the music "pandering." But then something weird happened. While the "serious" reviewers were busy being miserable, the rest of the world was busy hitting the repeat button.
The songs of The Greatest Showman didn't just support the movie; they basically became the movie.
By 2018, the soundtrack had become the best-selling album in the world, beating out superstars like BTS and Lady Gaga. It stayed at the top of the UK charts for 28 non-consecutive weeks, a feat only ever topped by Adele’s 21. Honestly, if you haven’t had "This Is Me" or "A Million Dreams" stuck in your head at least once, you probably haven't been near a radio in years.
The Pop-Infused DNA of Pasek and Paul
Most musicals try to sound like, well, musicals. They use orchestral sweeps or period-accurate instruments. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the duo behind the music, threw that rulebook out the window. They were relatively unknown when they started this project—this was actually their first film gig before La La Land made them household names.
Director Michael Gracey was very specific about the vibe. He didn't want 19th-century folk tunes. He told the guys he wanted it to sound like a Queen song had a baby with a Kanye West beat. That’s why you get that stomping, stadium-rock percussion in "The Greatest Show." It’s meant to feel like a modern pop concert, even though everyone is wearing top hats and corsets.
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Breaking Down the Big Hits
You've got 11 tracks on the original soundtrack, and almost all of them serve a very specific emotional purpose.
- The Greatest Show: This is the hook. It sets the stakes. Hugh Jackman’s voice has that gravelly Broadway belt that just works for a ringmaster.
- A Million Dreams: This is the "I want" song. It’s the engine of the story. Ziv Zaifman, the young singer who provides the vocals for the child Barnum, has a clarity that makes the transition to Jackman's adult voice feel earned.
- The Other Side: If you want to see pure chemistry, watch the bar scene between Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron. It's a rhythmic, fast-paced negotiation set to a shot-glass beat.
- Rewrite the Stars: This is the one that every TikToker and YouTuber has tried to cover. Zac Efron and Zendaya’s duet is high-concept, literally—they spent days on ropes and trapezes to get that "aerial dance" right. It's a classic star-crossed lovers anthem, but the production makes it feel like a Top 40 radio hit.
The "This Is Me" Phenomenon
If there’s a heart to the songs of The Greatest Showman, it’s "This Is Me." But here’s a fun fact: it almost didn't happen. Originally, the song in that slot was meant for a different character and had a completely different vibe. Director Michael Gracey pushed Pasek and Paul for something more anthemic for the "Oddities."
Enter Keala Settle.
She was a Broadway veteran but a total newcomer to big-budget Hollywood movies. During the workshop phase—the "rehearsal" for the studio executives—Keala was so nervous she hid behind a music stand. When she finally stepped out and started belting, the room fell apart. People were literally crying. You can find the footage on YouTube; it’s basically the moment she "booked" the movie for everyone involved.
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The song went on to win a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar. More importantly, it became a literal lifeline. Keala has talked about receiving messages from people around the world—one story involved a young man who said hearing the song made him put down a gun. That’s not just "movie music." That’s a cultural shift.
The Never Enough Controversy
A lot of people are surprised to find out that Rebecca Ferguson, who plays the "Swedish Nightingale" Jenny Lind, isn't actually singing. While Ferguson is a trained actress and did a lot of work to prepare, the powerhouse vocals for "Never Enough" actually belong to Loren Allred.
Loren was a contestant on The Voice, and her performance is arguably the most technically difficult on the whole album. The song is a massive power ballad that requires a huge range. Ferguson lip-synched to Allred’s track during filming, and honestly, the blend is so seamless most people never even noticed. It’s sorta become a trivia staple for the film.
Why the Soundtrack Outlived the Movie
Critics often look for subtext and nuance. The Greatest Showman doesn't do nuance. It does loud, bright, and unashamedly emotional. The songs are designed to take you from "I'm bored" to "I can conquer the world" in about three minutes and forty seconds.
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The soundtrack's success also says a lot about the power of the "Sing-Along." Disney later released a special Sing-A-Long edition because fans were already doing it in theaters anyway. It’s basically the modern Rocky Horror Picture Show, but for families and theater nerds.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you've already burnt out your copy of the original soundtrack, here is what you should do next:
- Listen to The Greatest Showman: Reimagined: This album features covers by artists like Kelly Clarkson, P!nk, and Panic! At The Disco. It’s a great way to hear the pop DNA of the songs fully realized.
- Watch the "This Is Me" Workshop Footage: It’s on YouTube and provides a raw, behind-the-scenes look at Keala Settle's first performance.
- Look for the 2026 Stage Adaptation: A stage musical is currently in development (slated for a Bristol premiere in 2026), with Pasek and Paul writing even more new songs for it.
- Check out Loren Allred's Solo Work: If you loved "Never Enough," she has plenty of other performances that showcase that same incredible range.
The songs of The Greatest Showman proved that you don't need a perfect script if you have the right melody. People didn't go to the theater for a history lesson on P.T. Barnum; they went to feel something big. And several billion streams later, they're clearly still feeling it.