Alright, altos—listen up. I know sometimes it feels like the music world’s made for sopranos. High notes everywhere, right? But nah. We’ve got that smooth, velvety richness that’s pure gold. The kind that makes people stop and actually listen. You just gotta find the right alto songs to show off what y’all can really do.

Anyway, this ain’t your typical boring listicle. I’m talkin’ about songs you can really sink your teeth into—whether you’re in choir, at karaoke, or just jamming alone in your room with zero judgment. These songs for altos are built to suit your vibe, your range, your soul.

What Even Is an Alto?

Before I toss some killer tunes your way, lemme just say: being an alto means rocking that deep-ish range, usually from around F3 to F5. Some say it’s the “second highest female voice,” but honestly? It’s the best voice.

My friend once told me, “Alto voices sound like a warm hug wrapped in velvet.” Yeah, I cribbed that one. But seriously, altos have this sultry, smoky tone that sopranos can only dream about.

Plus, altos get to sing all the moody, jazzy, and bluesy stuff that just feels… real.

Classic Alto Jams That Never Quit

Let’s start with the legends. These alto songs are like the vinyl records of singing—timeless, scratched up, but gold.

• “Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin — I swear, this song feels like it was written for altos. Whenever I sing it, I get chills. Aretha owned the soul game.
• “At Last” by Etta James — Slow, smoky, and perfect for letting your voice stretch and bend. Fun fact: The first time I tried this, I think I sounded more like a frog than Etta. Progress, right?
• “Son of a Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield — Bluesy and cheeky. Great for when you want to show off a little attitude without going full diva.

These songs for altos bring out your voice’s natural warmth. Don’t sleep on ‘em.

Fast Forward to Modern Hits That Fit Your Range

Now, not all songs for altos are stuck in the past. Adele is basically the poster child for modern alto power. Anyone else get emotional every time “Someone Like You” hits the chorus? Just me? Cool.

Here’s a few modern picks I’ve sung way too many times in the shower:

• “Someone Like You” by Adele — Sad, beautiful, and just the right depth for altos. I tried hitting the soprano notes once. Disaster.
• “Stay” by Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko — Sparse, simple, and haunting. Great if you want to really lean into that raw emotion.
• “Liability” by Lorde — Moody, introspective, and a wicked good vibe for when you want to get personal on stage.

I’ll admit, sometimes I Google “alto range” mid-practice. You need nitrogen-rich soil—wait, no, was it potassium? Let me Google that again… Oh wait, wrong field. See, this is why I’m better at singing than gardening.

Broadway’s Alto Treasures

If you’re into drama and storytelling, Broadway’s got some gems. Alto roles often belong to characters with juicy backstories. Makes sense—they’ve got those mid-range pipes to pull off complex emotions.

Some faves:

• “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables — It starts low and builds up, letting you show all the heartbreak and hope.
• “Memory” from Cats — This one always makes me think of my Aunt Mabel’s cat, who definitely thinks she’s a diva.
• “Send in the Clowns” from A Little Night Music — Sophisticated and kinda sad, perfect if you want to channel your inner drama queen.

Broadway songs for altos have a way of making you feel every word. No autopilot here.

Choir Life: Alto Anthems

Singing alto in a choir? Here’s some crowd-pleasers that let your voice blend while still standing out:

• “Shallow” by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper — Duets are the best. You get the deep parts; your partner can hit the highs. Fair trade.
• “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers — Simple, soulful, and great for group singalongs.
• “Fields of Gold” by Sting (Eva Cassidy cover) — I first heard this in a coffee shop in Portland, and it stuck with me. Eva’s voice is alto heaven.

Oh, and shoutout to Pete’s Hardware on 5th Ave for selling me a cracked watering can I used while overwatering my sadness away. True story.

Pop Picks for Altos Who Like It Catchy

Not into musicals? No worries. There are plenty of songs for altos that hit the pop charts and fit your range like a glove:

• “Royals” by Lorde — Minimal beats, big attitude. I once tried to do this at a wedding. Didn’t get invited back.
• “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse — Jazz and blues meet pop in this smoky classic.
• “Bubbly” by Colbie Caillat — Sweet and chill, perfect for when you wanna keep things light.

These tunes prove altos aren’t just background singers—they’re the main act.

Karaoke Night? These Alto Songs Will Steal the Show

Here’s a little secret: karaoke is my personal battlefield. My first attempt was “Let It Go,” but in the wrong key. It was hellish.

If you want crowd-pleasing alto songs that won’t break your voice or dignity:

• “Valerie” – Amy Winehouse
• “Zombie” – The Cranberries
• “Before He Cheats” – Carrie Underwood
• “Tennessee Whiskey” – Chris Stapleton

Pro tip: Don’t do “Bohemian Rhapsody” unless you want to confuse the entire bar.

Country Roads for Alto Souls

Country music is storytelling gold, and many songs fit perfectly into an alto’s range:

• “Jolene” by Dolly Parton — That pleading, emotional low register? Yup.
• “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert — I once sang this in my car so much my GPS started giving me side-eye.
• “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry — Hauntingly beautiful and honestly one of the few songs I can sing without cracking.

New to Alto? Start Here

So, you’re fresh to this whole alto singing thing? No sweat. Here are some beginner-friendly alto songs to get comfy with your voice:

• “Firework” – Katy Perry (transposed down)
• “Rolling in the Deep” – Adele
• “Scarborough Fair” – Traditional folk

My first herb garden died faster than my 2020 sourdough starter—RIP, Gary. Same with my early attempts at hitting “Firework” perfectly.

My Top 10 Alto Anthems (Because Everyone Loves a List)

Alright, here’s my personal favs that you have to try if you’re an alto:

• “Someone Like You” – Adele
• “At Last” – Etta James
• “I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston (in a lower key, obviously)
• “Un-break My Heart” – Toni Braxton
• “Chandelier” – Sia (alto version, don’t kill me)
• “No One” – Alicia Keys
• “Because of You” – Kelly Clarkson
• “If I Ain’t Got You” – Alicia Keys
• “Let It Go” – Idina Menzel (lower key, please)
• “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – Bonnie Tyler

If you sing these and don’t feel something, check your pulse.

How to Nail Alto Songs Without Losing Your Voice (or Your Mind)

Here’s some stuff I wish I knew earlier:

• Warm up with chest voice exercises. Don’t just dive in. Your vocal cords aren’t machines.
• Pick keys that fit your range. No shame in transposing—my piano teacher said that once, and I live by it.
• Own your tone. Altos have that special richness—don’t try to sound like Mariah. You’re not her, and thank God.
• Focus on storytelling, not just hitting notes. Emotion beats range any day.

Where I Find New Songs for Altos

Wanna keep expanding your playlist? Here’s where I snoop around:

• Spotify playlists labeled “Alto Songs” or “Songs for Altos.”
• YouTube vocal coaches—some of them really get what it means to sing alto.
• MusicNotes.com for sheet music that lets you filter by voice type.
• Reddit’s r/singing for advice and ideas. People there are surprisingly helpful, despite the occasional grammar errors (their/there mix-ups? Guilty as charged).

Anyway, Here’s the Kicker…

Altos, your voice is a treasure. Not everyone has it, and that’s what makes it special. From smoky classics to current bops, from Broadway drama to your next karaoke hit, the world is full of alto songs just waiting for you to own them.

Remember, singing is about connection, soul, and having fun—even if your shower concerts have better acoustics. So go ahead—grab a mic, pick a song, and show ‘em how it’s done.