Searching for talent show songs for 10-year-olds for that big performance?

We know what’s running through your mind. Will the song be too hard? Too easy? Will it make your child feel like a star?

Take a deep breath – we’ve got your back! Our team watched hundreds of young performers light up stages, and we know exactly what works.

From tiny dancers who found their rhythm to shy singers who became classroom stars, these 40 songs have turned nervous first-timers into confident performers.

The magic happens when kids connect with their perfect song, and that’s where this list comes in.

No more stressing over song choices – we’ve done the homework for you. Ready to make your child’s talent show dream come true?

Why does Song Choice Matter?

It’s like putting on their favorite outfit – it just fits perfectly!

Think about what makes your child special. Do they love being funny? Are they sweet and gentle?

The right song shows off these qualities. Good song choices also keep the audience interested.

When kids perform songs they truly understand and feel, people can’t help but watch.

The best performances happen when children connect with their music – they smile more, move naturally, and forget about being nervous.

This is what catches the judges’ attention and makes the show special.

Top Song Choices for 10-Year-Olds

Upbeat Pop Songs

1. “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift

Release Year: 2014

Song Theme: This song promotes shaking off criticism and negativity, encouraging listeners to have fun and live without the burden of others’ judgments.

Music Video: The video shows Taylor Swift trying different dance moves and outfits, not quite matching with any group. This supports the song’s message about being yourself and being okay with not always fitting in.

2. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

Release Year: 2013

Song Theme: “Happy” is about feeling content and joyful, with lyrics promoting positivity and cheerfulness.

Music Video: The video is notable for its 24-hour format featuring various people dancing around Los Angeles, including cameos by celebrities, all expressing happiness.

3. “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake

Release Year: 2016

Song Theme: This song captures the infectious joy of dancing to the music and feeling unstoppable happiness.

Music Video: The video shows regular people dancing happily in various places, with Justin Timberlake joining in throughout.

4. “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

Release Year: 2014

Song Theme: A fun and energetic track that throws back to the funk music era, celebrating dance and musical style.

Music Video: The video shows Bruno Mars and his team dancing in bright suits in a city backdrop, highlighting the classic feel and lively spirit of the song.

5. “Roar” by Katy Perry

Release Year: 2013

Song Theme: “Roar” is an empowerment anthem about finding one’s voice and strength after a setback.

Music Video: Katy Perry starts in a jungle after her plane goes down, and she changes from someone who needs help to someone who runs the jungle with strength.

6. “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors

Release Year: 2013

Song Theme: This song is about making the most of today and feeling positive about life’s good moments.

Music Video:The video tells a story about a dog who gets away from a lab and finds happiness exploring the city.

7. “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen

Release Year: 2011

Song Theme: A light-hearted pop tune about the excitement and nervousness of meeting someone new and falling in love.

Music Video: The video depicts Carly Rae Jepsen trying to get the attention of her attractive neighbor, which ends with a humorous twist.

8. “Dance Monkey” by Tones and I

Release Year: 2019

Song Theme: The song examines how performers feel stressed when trying to make audiences happy, setting these feelings to bright, memorable music.

Music Video: A performer wearing makeup to look like an older man (played by Tones and I) dances and celebrates like he did when he was young, matching the song’s fun spirit.

9. “Firework” by Katy Perry

Release Year: 2010

Song Theme: An inspirational song encouraging people to show their true colors and believe in themselves like a firework.

Music Video: The video features various people, including a cancer patient and an overweight woman, overcoming their insecurities and shining brightly, symbolizing fireworks.

10. “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor

Release Year: 2014

Song Theme: The song supports loving yourself and your body, while speaking against what society says people should look like.

Music Video: The video uses bright, pastel colors and choreography to create a playful, retro vibe that complements the song’s message of confidence and self-love.

Classic Hits

11. “Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles

Release Year: 1966

Song Theme: A cheerful song that shows friends traveling together in a yellow submarine, representing unity and friendship.

Music Video: The song was part of an animated film of the same name, featuring the colorful adventures of The Beatles as they explore underwater in a yellow submarine.

12. “ABC” by The Jackson 5

Release Year: 1970

Song Theme: This song is a lively and catchy tune that likens learning about love to learning the basics of the alphabet.

Music Video: While there’s no traditional music video, performances of “ABC” on TV shows captured the youthful energy and dance skills of the Jackson 5.

13. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles

Release Year: 1963

Song Theme: A straightforward and upbeat song about young love and the desire to be close to someone.

Music Video: The Beatles’ performances on various TV shows and live concerts served as the promotional visuals for this hit.

14. “Dancing Queen” by ABBA

Release Year: 1976

Song Theme: An anthem celebrating youth, dance, and the joy of feeling alive in the moment.

Music Video: The video features ABBA performing at a glamorous party, highlighting the disco era’s fashion and dance styles.

15. “We Will Rock You” by Queen

Release Year: 1977

Song Theme: This bold rock song, with its strong drumbeat and uplifting words, helps people feel confident and powerful.

Music Video: The video captures a live performance, showcasing the band’s energy and the crowd’s enthusiastic participation.

16. “Surfin’ USA” by The Beach Boys

Release Year: 1963

Song Theme: A vibrant song about the surfing craze in California, celebrating the fun and excitement of surfing culture.

Music Video: There was no official music video, but various TV performances and beach-themed footage were used to promote the song.

17. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

Release Year: 1967

Song Theme: The song shows deep love and commitment, stating that nothing can stop someone from supporting the person they care about.

Music Video: As with many songs from this era, the promotional clips were mostly from live performances and TV appearances.

18. “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves

Release Year: 1983

Song Theme: An upbeat track that radiates positivity and joy, perfect for celebrating good times and sunny days.

Music Video: The video captures the band performing and enjoying a sunny day, fitting the song’s cheerful vibe.

19. “Respect” by Aretha Franklin

Release Year: 1967

Song Theme: Originally written by Otis Redding, Aretha’s version is a powerful call for respect and recognition, especially from a woman’s perspective.

Music Video: Aretha Franklin’s powerful performances on various shows served as the visual promotion for the song.

20. “Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees

Release Year: 1977

Song Theme: An iconic disco track that speaks to persevering through hard times with its memorable beat and lyrics.

Music Video: The music video features scenes from the movie “Saturday Night Fever,” starring John Travolta, dancing through the streets of New York, which perfectly captures the essence of the disco era.

Movie Soundtracks

21. “Let It Go” from Frozen

Release Year: 2013

Song Theme: The song tells people it’s good to be themselves and let go of what scares them or holds them back.

Music Video: In the cartoon movie ‘Frozen,’ during this song, Queen Elsa uses her ice magic to build a palace. This moment shows how she feels free to be herself.

22. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story

Release Year: 1995

Song Theme: A heartwarming song about friendship and loyalty, perfectly capturing the relationship between toys and their owners.

Music Video: Used in the opening sequence of “Toy Story,” showcasing the bond between Woody and his owner, Andy.

23. “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King

Release Year: 1994

Song Theme: A catchy tune that teaches about living life without worries. Its Swahili phrase, “Hakuna Matata,” means “no troubles.”

Music Video: Part of “The Lion King” film features Timon and Pumbaa introducing Simba to a carefree lifestyle.

24. “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid

Release Year: 1989

Song Theme: A vibrant and rhythmic song that celebrates the wonders of the underwater world, encouraging Ariel to appreciate her ocean home.

Music Video:In ‘The Little Mermaid,’ Sebastian the crab leads other sea creatures in a big, cheerful musical performance under the sea.

25. “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana

Release Year: 2016

Song Theme: The song shows how Moana wants to go beyond her island’s waters, as she feels pulled by the sea and what she is meant to do.

Music Video: Featured in “Moana,” showcasing her decision to leave the island to save her people, highlighting her journey across the ocean.

26. “I See the Light” from Tangled

Release Year: 2010

Song Theme: A heartfelt duet where Rapunzel and Flynn Rider share a moment of understanding together. 

Music Video: In “Tangled,” during the lantern release scene, this song underscores the emotional and visual beauty of the moment.

27. “Remember Me” from Coco

Release Year: 2017

Song Theme: A touching song about remembering loved ones even when they are no longer with you, integral to the movie’s themes of memory and family.

Music Video: This meaningful song appears in different moments throughout “Coco,” each time adding richness to the family’s story and their bonds across generations.

28. “Circle of Life” from The Lion King

Release Year: 1994

Song Theme: An iconic song that introduces the themes of life’s cycles and the balance of nature, setting the stage for the story of Simba.

Music Video: The opening scene of “The Lion King,” featuring the presentation of Simba to the animal kingdom at Pride Rock.

29. “A Whole New World” from Aladdin

Release Year: 1992

Song Theme: A tender duet that shows how two hearts find meaning as they share their feelings and see their world anew.

Music Video: The scene shows Aladdin and Jasmine flying through the sky together on the carpet, taking in the views from above.

30. “Life is a Highway” from Cars

Release Year: 2006 (cover version for the movie)

Song Theme: A song about two people who see each other clearly and learn to grow together, matching the story’s path of change and new views.

Music Video: This scene shows Lightning McQueen and the residents working together to fix the town’s road. Their shared effort helps make Radiator Springs better and builds bonds between them.

Inspirational Songs

31. “Brave” by Sara Bareilles

Release Year: 2013

Song Theme: A song that celebrates being yourself openly and speaking your mind, showing the strength it takes to stand up and be honest.

Music Video: The video features people in various public settings breaking into dance as they overcome their fears and decide to be ‘brave.’

32. “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten

Release Year: 2015

Song Theme: This track is a powerful declaration of self-empowerment and resilience, inspiring listeners to fight through their challenges.

Music Video: Shows Rachel Platten finding inner power in quiet outdoor settings, highlighting personal strength and moving forward.

33. “Try Everything” by Shakira

Release Year: 2016

Song Theme: Featured in the movie Zootopia, this song is about embracing mistakes as part of the journey and not being afraid to keep trying.

Music Video:Shows moments from Zootopia where Judy faces difficulties but keeps pushing ahead, showing her determination to do well despite problems.

34. “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera

Release Year: 2002

Song Theme: A moving song about self-worth and accepting yourself, showing how people are special no matter what others say.

Music Video: The video presents brief moments showing people working through their self-doubts and others’ criticisms.

35. “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus

Release Year: 2009

Song Theme: A song about staying strong through hard times and making it through challenges, looking at each step taken instead of just the end goal.

Music Video: Miley Cyrus is shown walking up a mountain, symbolizing the ‘climb’ through challenges towards her goals.

36. “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor

Release Year: 1982

Song Theme: This song, known for being part of the movie Rocky III, sends a message about meeting challenges and staying determined when facing difficulties.

Music Video: The video shows the band performing, mixed with clips from Rocky III, making the song’s themes of strength and determination even stronger.

37. “Wings” by Little Mix

Release Year: 2012

Song Theme: A song about not letting anyone pull you down and finding strength in your individuality.

Music Video: The video features the group performing energetic dance moves, showing how working together and believing in yourself can help you feel free and strong.

38. “Hall of Fame” by The Script feat. will.i.am

Release Year: 2012

Song Theme: The song pushes listeners to set high goals and shows them they can do remarkable things that others will remember.

Music Video: Shows different people getting past their challenges, such as a dancer who can’t hear and a boxer facing hard times, as they find their way to success.

39. “High Hopes” by Panic! At The Disco

Release Year: 2018

Song Theme: The song tells people to keep going after big dreams, showing how aiming for more can help them do great things.

Music Video: The video follows the lead singer as he moves past different difficulties to reach a rooftop where he performs, showing what it means to turn big hopes into real success.

40. “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman

Release Year: 2017

Song Theme: A strong song about accepting yourself and feeling good about who you are, used in a film that shows the value of different identities and staying strong through hard times.

Music Video: The video contains movie scenes where the characters proudly show who they are, even when others don’t accept them.

Tips for Picking the Right Song

Start by watching your child sing along to their favorite songs at home.

Notice which notes are easy for them to reach and when most comfortable.

Try songs at different speeds – some kids do better with slower songs, while others shine with upbeat tunes.

Listen to the words together. Can your child understand and tell the story?

Make sure they feel good about what they’re singing. Test a few songs by recording short videos at home.

Watch them back together – you’ll quickly see which makes your child feel most confident.

Remember: the best song is one they can practice happily for weeks without getting tired.

Preparation Tips for the Big Day

• Practice 15 minutes daily – short and fun sessions work best
• Record practice on your phone – watching helps your child improve
• Use a pretend microphone at home – it builds stage comfort
• Try on show clothes before the big day – no surprises
• Pack water and a small snack – keep the energy up
• Come early to the show – being rushed causes stress
• Take three deep breaths – helps calm show day nerves

Conclusion 

A great performance starts with picking the right song and ends with a child who feels proud of what they’ve done.

We’ve shared the best ways to practice, how to handle show day nerves, and tips to make the experience fun.

Whether your child brings the audience to their feet or conquers their fears by performing, they learn valuable life skills.

Each talent show is a stepping stone to greater confidence. So help them pick their song, cheer them on, and watch them shine.

That’s what turns a simple performance into a precious memory.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Should my child do hand movements or dance while singing?

Simple movements help children feel less nervous and make performances more fun to watch.

What if my child forgets the words during the show?

Teach them to keep going with a smile. They can hum along or jump to the next part they remember. Most audiences won’t even notice.