[2025] Let's Sing at the Chorus Contest! Recommended Western Songs Summary

What Was I Made ForBillie Eilish

What Was I Made For — The Cool Kids Cantorum (Billie Eilish, Choir Cover)

Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For? (Official Music Video)

Softly voicing the loneliness and solitary emotions of the smartphone generation, American artist Billie Eilish has drawn attention as an icon of Gen Z.

Written specifically for the film Barbie, this piece is a heartwarming slow number, with a lightly lingering piano arrangement that leaves a distinct impression.

Co-produced with her brother Finneas, the track features an exceptionally gentle melodic line unlike anything she has done before.

The lyrics question one’s sense of self and the meaning of life, seamlessly intertwining the inner worlds of the doll Barbie and Eilish herself, resonating deeply with many listeners.

Released in July 2023, the song achieved both commercial and critical success, including winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

The emotions woven together with her crystalline vocals also make it an ideal choice for choral arrangements.

Time After TimeCyndi Lauper

Choir! Choir! Choir! sings Cyndi Lauper “Time After Time”

Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time (Official HD Video)

A beautiful ballad released in January 1984 by American songstress Cyndi Lauper, who took the world by storm with her four-octave voice and unconventional fashion.

Born from heartbreak, this song conveys a timeless bond of love with simple yet profound lyrics, spending two consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Set against synthesizers and a gentle drum beat, her tender, resonant vocals deliver a warm emotion that sinks deep into the heart.

Beloved across generations, this classic has been featured in the Netflix series Stranger Things and has been covered by numerous artists, including Miles Davis and P!nk.

It will surely be performed on her farewell tour in Japan in April 2025.

When singing it as a chorus, uniting your hearts and expressing it with care will create a performance that truly moves the audience.

Golden HourJVKE

Golden Hour (JVKE) | One Voice Children’s Choir kids music cover in Shanghai, China

JVKE – golden hour (official music video)

This song is striking for its inventive soundscape, where the delicate beauty of chamber pop intertwines with sweeping strings.

Jake (JVKE), a singer-songwriter from Rhode Island, grew up immersed in music under the guidance of his mother, a music teacher, and his father, a pastor.

Featured on the album “this is what ____ feels like (Vol.

1–4),” the track was created in collaboration with his brother, Zac Lawson, and released in July 2022.

Its lyrics fantastically depict blissful moments with a lover, harmonizing beautifully with a grand, piano-centered arrangement.

While the piece demands powerful vocals and expressive delivery, its structure also shines as a choral work, allowing the beauty of the harmonies to stand out.

Good Luck, Babe!Chappell Roan

“Good Luck, Babe!” – Gaia Music Collective (One-Day Choir)

Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe! (Official Lyric Video)

This song features an emotionally stirring melody about secret love and regret.

It’s an ambitious work unveiled in April 2024 by Chapel Roan, a U.

S.

-born singer-songwriter born in 1998.

She weaves an earnest longing for a woman into meticulously crafted soundscapes, delivered with a soulful voice.

After earning high praise for her album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” Roan once again teams up with producer Dan Nigro here, seamlessly fusing powerful vocals with refined musicality.

It’s a track that showcases the true essence of an artist whose work has been nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

Roan is steadily building her career—she even served as a supporting act on Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour.

It’s a superb song that we highly recommend as a choral piece for teens as well.

All I Want For Christmas Is YouMariah Carey

All I Want For Christmas Is You (Mariah Carey) | One Voice Children’s Choir Holiday Cover

Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You (Official Video)

This song powerfully sung by American diva Mariah Carey captures a pure wish to spend Christmas with a special someone.

Released in November 1994, it was included on the holiday album “Merry Christmas” that came out the same year and gained attention in Japan as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Christmas at 29.” With its refreshing bell tones and Mariah’s signature soaring vocals, the song conveys a universal message: valuing time with loved ones over material gifts.

With a Japan tour set for 2025, this signature work of Mariah’s is drawing even more attention.

It’s also a wonderful choice for choir competitions, where creating beautiful harmonies together can unite everyone’s hearts.

Cruel SummerTaylor Swift

Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer”, Choired! | You Have to See This!

Taylor Swift – Cruel Summer (Official Audio)

This song vividly portrays the rush of passionate love and the hidden anguish within it.

Released by American artist Taylor Swift in August 2019 from her album Lover, it features a synth-pop sound marked by distinctive synthesizer tones and a swaying beat, conveying the urgency and addictive feelings of a summer romance.

Reissued as a single in June 2023, it reached No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won multiple awards, including iHeartRadio Music Awards’ TikTok Bop of the Year.

With lyrics that depict longing for a partner and the emotional turbulence of a secret romance, it’s perfect as a sing-along summer love song—and an ideal choice for students who want to share powerful emotions.

MemoriesMaroon 5

Maroon 5 – Memories | One Voice Children’s Choir | Kids Cover (Official Music Video)

Maroon 5 – Memories (Official Video)

“Memories” is a warm-toned ballad released by Maroon 5, a song for remembering loved ones we’ve lost.

With its soothing melody, the lyrics resonate by evoking a connection to the past.

Choosing this piece for a choir competition will convey something more than just a performance to both participants and the audience.

Its simple structure makes it easy to learn, and it’s accessible for singers of all vocal ranges.

It creates a moving moment and supports a dynamic performance that will become a lasting memory of the choir competition.