30 Best Songs for Solo Performances: A Killer Setlist

Stepping onto a stage, spotlight in your eyes, and a single instrument in hand – the pressure's on! For aspiring musicians and seasoned performers alike, choosing the best songs for solo performance can be the difference between a captivating show and a quiet night. Finding the perfect solo piece requires a delicate balance of musicality, technical proficiency, and audience engagement. Whether you're a guitar virtuoso seeking a show-stopping ballad, a pianist yearning for a technically challenging masterpiece, or a vocalist looking for a song that showcases your emotional range, the right song can elevate your performance and leave a lasting impression. This list dives deep into diverse genres and skill levels, offering insightful considerations for selecting the perfect solo piece to highlight your talent and connect with your audience. From classic crowd-pleasers to lesser-known gems, we've curated a selection of songs guaranteed to inspire and impress. So, let's find the perfect melody to launch your solo career to new heights!

30 Best Songs for Solo Performances: A Killer Setlist
SongArtistAlbumListens
1. Thinking out Loud Ed Sheeran x (Deluxe Edition) 4B+
2. Blank Space Taylor Swift 1989 (Taylor's Version) 3B+
3. Believer Imagine Dragons Evolve 3B+
4. Dance Monkey Tones And I 2B+
5. Love Yourself Justin Bieber Purpose (Deluxe) 2B+
6. Firework Katy Perry 1B+
7. bad guy Billie Eilish WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? 1B+

1. Thinking out Loud (Ed Sheeran - 2025)

Vocal Range and Delivery: Ed Sheeran's emotive vocals in "Thinking Out Loud" are incredibly versatile, showcasing a dynamic range perfect for showcasing vocal control during a solo performance.

Lyrical Simplicity and Emotional Depth: The song's heartfelt lyrics are easy to connect with, making it relatable and engaging for an audience, even without complex instrumentation.

Accompaniment Options: "Thinking Out Loud" lends itself well to various solo accompaniment options, from simple fingerpicking on an acoustic guitar to more intricate arrangements with a loop pedal – offering flexibility for different skill levels.

Thinking out Loud - Ed Sheeran

2. Blank Space (Taylor Swift)

Vocal Range & Delivery: Taylor Swift's powerful vocals and dynamic delivery in "Blank Space" provide ample opportunity to showcase vocal control and expression, making it ideal for a solo performance.

Strong Narrative & Theatricality: The song's dramatic narrative and playful lyrics allow for engaging stage presence and character portrayal, adding a captivating element for solo performance.

Relatable Catchiness: Its catchy melody and memorable chorus are easy for audiences to connect with, ensuring a strong, interactive performance.

Blank Space - Taylor Swift

3. Believer (2017)

Powerful Vocals: Imagine Dragons' signature powerful vocals are perfectly suited for a solo performance, allowing for a dynamic and engaging presentation.

Anthemic Quality: "Believer" possesses a naturally anthemic quality that translates well to a solo setting, easily captivating an audience.

Relatable Lyrics: The song's themes of perseverance and overcoming adversity resonate deeply, providing a strong emotional connection for both the performer and the listener during a solo performance.

Believer - Imagine Dragons

4. Dance Monkey - 2025

Catchy Hook: Dance Monkey's instantly memorable melody and rhythm make it incredibly easy for a solo performer to engage an audience, requiring minimal additional instrumentation to be effective.

Vocal Range & Performance: Tones And I's dynamic vocal performance, ranging from breathy whispers to powerful belts, provides ample opportunity to showcase vocal dexterity and stage presence during a solo act.

Adaptability: The song's structure lends itself well to various solo interpretations; from stripped-down acoustic versions to more elaborate arrangements incorporating looping or percussion, allowing for creative freedom and personalization.

Dance Monkey - Tones And I

5. Love Yourself (Justin Bieber)

Vocal Performance: Justin Bieber's emotive vocals in "Love Yourself" are perfectly suited for a solo performance, allowing for nuanced expression and emotional connection with the audience.

Melodic Simplicity: The song's memorable melody is relatively easy to learn and perform, making it accessible for solo artists of varying skill levels. This simplicity enhances the focus on the emotional delivery.

Emotional Resonance: The universal theme of self-love and acceptance provides a powerful emotional core, making it a compelling piece for a solo performance that can resonate deeply with listeners.

Love Yourself - Justin Bieber

6. Firework (Katy Perry - 2025)

Vocal Range: Katy Perry's powerful vocals in "Firework" showcase impressive range and control, making it ideal for showcasing vocal dexterity during a solo performance.

Anthemic Quality: The song's uplifting and empowering message resonates deeply with audiences, creating a strong connection that enhances the solo performance experience.

Stage Presence: "Firework's" dramatic build-up and explosive chorus provide ample opportunities for dynamic stage presence and audience engagement, perfect for a solo artist to command attention.

Firework - Katy Perry

7. bad guy (WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?)

Vocal Range and Delivery: Billie Eilish's signature breathy vocals and unique phrasing in "bad guy" offer a captivating performance opportunity, allowing for dynamic vocal control and expression.

Rhythmic Complexity: The song's unconventional time signature and syncopated rhythm provide a compelling rhythmic challenge and create a memorable listening experience for the audience, making it stand out.

Stage Presence: Its darkly playful vibe lends itself well to a variety of stage personas, giving performers ample room for creative interpretation and character development during a solo performance.

bad guy - Billie Eilish

8. The Scientist (Coldplay - 2025)

Vocal Melody: Coldplay's signature melancholic yet soaring vocals in "The Scientist" are incredibly impactful and lend themselves well to a solo performance, allowing for nuanced emotional expression.

Piano-Driven Arrangement: The song's relatively simple yet beautiful piano melody is perfect for a solo act, providing a strong foundation for a captivating performance.

Emotional Resonance: The introspective lyrics and plaintive melody create an intimate atmosphere ideal for a solo setting, connecting deeply with the audience on an emotional level.

The Scientist - Coldplay

9. Yellow (Coldplay - 2025)

Vocal Melody: Yellow's soaring, emotive melody is perfectly suited for a solo performance, allowing the vocalist to showcase their range and emotional expression.

Instrumental Simplicity: The relatively sparse instrumentation provides ample space for the singer's voice to take center stage, making it easy to create a powerful and intimate performance.

Emotional Resonance: The song's heartfelt lyrics and melancholic tone connect deeply with audiences, creating a strong emotional impact ideal for a solo setting.

Yellow - Coldplay

10. Someone You Loved (Lewis Capaldi - 2025)

Vocal Performance: Lewis Capaldi's raw and emotive vocals are the heart of "Someone You Loved" making it incredibly impactful for a solo performance. The song's emotional vulnerability translates beautifully in an intimate setting.

Emotional Resonance: The universal theme of lost love resonates deeply with audiences, creating a powerful connection that enhances the solo performance experience. Its melancholic beauty is captivating.

Simplicity and Impact: Despite its emotional depth, the song's relatively simple structure makes it easy to perform solo, allowing the vocalist to focus on conveying the raw emotion of the lyrics.

Someone You Loved - Lewis Capaldi
  • Blinding Lights
    11

    Blinding Lights

    The Weeknd

    2019

    After Hours

  • drivers license
    12

    drivers license

    Olivia Rodrigo

    2021

    SOUR

  • Watermelon Sugar
    13

    Watermelon Sugar

    Harry Styles

    2020

    Fine Line

  • Happier Than Ever
    14

    Happier Than Ever

    Billie Eilish

    2021

    Happier Than Ever

  • Hallelujah
    15

    Hallelujah

    Leonard Cohen

    1984

    Various Positions

  • Here Comes The Sun
    16

    Here Comes The Sun

    The Beatles

    1969

    Abbey Road (Remastered)

  • Wonderful Tonight
    17

    Wonderful Tonight

    Eric Clapton

    1977

    Slowhand 35th Anniversary (Super Deluxe)

  • Space Oddity
    18

    Space Oddity

    David Bowie

    1969

    David Bowie (aka Space Oddity) [2015 Remaster]

  • Just Like Heaven
    19

    Just Like Heaven

    The Cure

    1987

    Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me

  • Rise Up
    20

    Rise Up

    Andra Day

    2015

    Cheers to the Fall

  • Love Song
    21

    Love Song

    Sara Bareilles

    2007

  • Blackbird
    22

    Blackbird

    The Beatles

    1968

    The Beatles (Remastered)

  • Across the Universe
    23

    Across the Universe

    The Beatles

    1969

  • Southern Cross
    24

    Southern Cross

    Crosby, Stills, Nash

    1981

  • Catch the Wind
    25

    Catch the Wind

    Donovan

    1965

  • Time in a Bottle
    26

    Time in a Bottle

    Jim Croce

    1974

    You Don't Mess Around With Jim

  • Fall At Your Feet
    27

    Fall At Your Feet

    Crowded House

    1991

  • All of Me
    28

    All of Me

    Hunter Hayes,John Legend,Jennifer Nettles

    2013

    Wild Blue, Part I

  • Solitary Man
    29

    Solitary Man

    Neil Diamond

    1966

  • Dancing Nancies
    30

    Dancing Nancies

    Dave Matthews Band

    1994

    The Central Park Concert (Live In Central Park)