It is hard to believe it’s been nearly a decade since Ben Platt first stepped onto the Music Box Theatre stage in a polo shirt and an arm cast. Back then, the Dear Evan Hansen tracks weren't just songs. They were a cultural explosion. You couldn't walk through a theater department or scroll through social media without hearing the soaring, pop-infused hooks written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
People still argue about the show's ethics. Honestly, the debate over Evan’s choices hasn’t slowed down one bit. But even the harshest critics usually admit one thing: the music is undeniably catchy. It’s got that specific Pasek and Paul "brand"—anthemic, emotional, and polished to a mirror shine.
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The Core List of Dear Evan Hansen Tracks
If you’re looking for the original Broadway cast recording—the one that won the Grammy and debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200—here is the breakdown of what you're hearing.
"Anybody Have a Map?" kicks things off. It’s a dual-mother anthem featuring Heidi Hansen and Cynthia Murphy. It perfectly captures that "I have no idea what I'm doing as a parent" vibe.
Then comes the big one. "Waving Through a Window." It’s the quintessential "I’m an outsider" song. It’s the track that made Ben Platt a household name and earned a Platinum certification from the RIAA. The pulsing synth and those high notes? Total earworm material.
The Lies Begin
- "For Forever": This is where the fiction starts. Evan describes a perfect day that never happened. It's beautiful, but knowing it's a lie makes it kinda haunting.
- "Sincerely, Me": This is the comedic relief. It’s upbeat, fun, and features the "ghost" of Connor Murphy. It’s also one of the most streamed tracks on the whole album.
- "Requiem": A rare moment where the show lets the Murphy family express their complicated grief without Evan’s interference.
- "If I Could Tell Her": This is Evan's "confession" to Zoe, disguised as Connor's thoughts. It’s sweet, but also... super awkward if you think about it for more than five seconds.
Why "You Will Be Found" Became a Global Anthem
You've heard it. Even if you haven't seen the show, you've heard this song. "You Will Be Found" is the Act 1 finale and the emotional center of the Dear Evan Hansen tracks. It’s the moment where Evan’s lie goes viral and starts helping people he never met.
The irony is thick here. Pasek and Paul have talked about how the song was originally intended to show the power (and danger) of social media. It was meant to be a critique of how we perform grief online. Instead, it became a genuine anthem for mental health awareness. It's played at graduations, funerals, and charity events.
It’s a bit of a "Rorschach test" song. If you’re a fan, it’s a hopeful message. If you’re a skeptic, it’s a manipulative piece of emotional engineering. Either way, it works. The build-up of the ensemble voices at the end is designed to give you chills, and it usually succeeds.
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The Darker Second Act
The second half of the soundtrack is much heavier. "Good For You" is a standout because it's the only time we really see the other characters call Evan out on his BS. It’s got a rock edge that the rest of the show lacks.
Then you have "Words Fail." This is the emotional climax. It’s not a "pretty" song. When Ben Platt performed it, he was usually a mess of tears and snot. It’s a raw, painful confession of why he did what he did. It doesn't really excuse him, but it explains the crushing loneliness that drove him there.
The show ends with "So Big/So Small." This is Heidi Hansen’s solo, and if you’re a parent, it’s basically a guaranteed cry-fest. It’s a simple, acoustic-driven song about her promise to always be there for Evan, even when she’s failing.
The Deluxe Edition and Movie Additions
If you’ve only listened to the standard 14 tracks, you’re missing out on some deep cuts. The Deluxe Album released in 2018 added some gems:
- "Obvious": A cut song performed by Taylor Trensch.
- "Hiding In Your Hands": A beautiful solo for Zoe (Mallory Bechtel).
- "Part of Me": An early version of the Act 1 finale.
- "In the Bedroom Down the Hall": A heartbreaking demo of a song for the two moms that was ultimately cut.
The 2021 film adaptation also introduced new material. "The Anonymous Ones," performed by Amandla Stenberg, gave the character of Alana more depth. It explores the idea that even the "perfect" kids are struggling behind the scenes. There's also "A Little Closer," a gentle track sung by Connor (Colton Ryan) that provides a bit of closure that the stage show lacks.
Getting the Most Out of the Soundtrack
Don't just shuffle it. If you want the full experience, listen to the tracks in order. The way the musical themes (or "leitmotifs") repeat is actually pretty clever. You’ll hear bits of "Waving Through a Window" tucked inside other songs, representing Evan’s anxiety constantly buzzing in the background.
Also, check out the covers. The "Reimagined" tracks featuring artists like Katy Perry, Sam Smith, and SZA are interesting, though they definitely lose that theatrical storytelling edge.
Ultimately, the Dear Evan Hansen tracks endure because they tap into a very specific, very universal feeling of wanting to be seen. Whether you love the show or find the plot problematic, the music has a way of sticking to your ribs. It’s a masterclass in modern musical theater songwriting—polished, emotive, and built for the digital age.
If you’re diving back in, start with the Original Broadway Cast Recording first. The chemistry between Ben Platt, Rachel Bay Jones, and Mike Faist is what built the "DEH" phenomenon in the first place. Once you’ve felt the weight of "Words Fail," you’ll understand why this show, for all its controversy, isn't going anywhere.
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Actionable Insight: For the best listening experience, use high-quality headphones to catch the intricate layering in Alex Lacamoire's orchestrations, particularly the subtle "pinging" sounds that mimic social media notifications throughout the score.