A Complete Guide to the Songs in RENT

Posted on 8 Jul 2026

**Johnathan Larson**’s rock musical [*RENT*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/rent-tickets) returns to the West End, starring [**Gaten Matarazzo**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/stranger-things-star-gaten-matarazzo-to-make-west-end-debut-in-rent-plus-dates-and-venue-just-confirmed) (*Stranger Things*) as Mark. Inspired by **Puccini**’s [*La Bohème*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/opera/la-boheme-london-tickets), the story follows a group of young struggling artists living in New York’s East Village during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis. This complete song guide of *RENT* the musical has you covered, with the story being told through song there are some spoilers ahead so proceed with caution Bohemians… ## **Tune Up #1** An introduction to the characters of *RENT* and their daily struggles of trying to make it as an artist living in New York. Mark, a film maker with no script or inspiration shoots from his camera aimlessly. Roger tuning his guitar that he hasn’t played in a year, now trying to write one great song. ## **RENT** The characters Mark and Roger have been living in squalor, with no heating, no stable income and no inspiration. But, their old friend Benny allowed them to live in his building for free, but now wants them to pay last year’s rent to continue stay living there. ## **One Song Glory** The gut wrenching rock ballad sung by Roger, telling his story about his battle with HIV which he contracted from his last girlfriend, who upon hearing the news committed suicide. Roger hopes to write one last song to be remembered by, before he dies. ## **Light My Candle** We’re introduced to Mimi, Roger and Mark’s neighbour looking for warmth and some light after Benny cuts off the building’s power in protest. Mimi flirts with Roger who is hesitant to return any affection due to his diagnosis. ## **Today 4 U** After being missing for a few days, Collins finally reaches Mark and Roger’s apartment with his new friend and lover, Angel, who saved him after being jumped in the streets. Angel in full drag and a festive outfit, shares the money she earned in a rather unconventional way. ## **Tango: Maureen** A highly comical dance number in *RENT the Musical*. Mark catches news his ex-girlfriend Maureen needs assistance at the protest she has arranged against Benny’s plan to evict the homeless. Mark meets Maureen’s new lover, Joanne. The two find an unexpected rhythm together, bonding over Maureen’s bad habits of gaslighting and cheating. ## **Out Tonight** Mimi’s catchy rock solo, she attempts again to seduce Roger, tempting him to come out and party with her. The song shows her wild side, which Roger disdains recognising the pattern of addiction he once fell into, which leads into the next track… ## **Another Day** Roger reacts abrasively to Mimi’s suggestion to go out, frustrated by her distraction from his song and his inner battle whether to tell Mimi of his diagnosis and his addict past. Singing back to Roger, Mimi encourages him to seize the day with Johnathan Larson’s famous lyrics ‘no day but today.’ ## **Santa Fe** Sick of New York, Collins and Angel dream of opening a restaurant in Santa Fe; a simpler easygoing life, away from the draining nature of the all-work, no-play and low pay city. Can we come too? ## **Over The Moon** The infamous Maureen is finally introduced to the story, performing her performance-art protest song against Benny’s wishes to evict homeless people from the building he owns. The song based on ‘Hey Diddle Diddle’ pokes fun at Benny, criticising capitalism, gentrification of New York and corporate greed. ## **La Vie Boheme** Benny confronts his old friends after the protest, claiming he’s trying to make a better community and home for them. The song title translates to ‘The Bohemian Life,’ which references a lifestyle rejecting societal norms and conventions with the priority to live freely and creatively. The self proclaimed bohemians toast to their lives that they are perfectly happy with, throwing Benny’s offer of a ‘better life’ back in his face. ## **I Should Tell You** A duet with Mimi and Roger finally facing the conversation they had both been facing, with their battle with addiction and their HIV diagnoses. From this honest conversation, they realise they can be together without risking the others' health.

## **Seasons of Love** The most famous song of *RENT*, opens the second act. The song is an affirmation to measure one's life in love, rather than the material things or even time itself. Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes is the exact number of minutes in a year, which is all insignificant without choosing to surround yourself with love. ## **Take Me Or Leave Me** Another **Johnathan Larson** stroke of genius, with the battling duet between Maureen and Joanne. Injected full of passion yet a growing hate, the couple give each other the ultimatum to change themselves or leave; which of course would not be the case with this unlikely couple. If there’s one song to add from *RENT* to your playlist, this one is it. ## **Without You** A duet between Roger and Mimi as they face struggle in their relationship, particularly with Mimi’s increasing substance abuse. ## **Goodbye Love** On the day of Angel’s funeral, the couples argue amongst themselves. Roger wishes to head to Santa Fe, Maureen and Joanne bicker about commitment. Collins shames the couples for the futility of their arguments in the face of life and death. Mimi overhearing Roger’s conversation about the concern for her health then agrees to let Benny pay for her to go to rehab. ## **Finale A** Many months later, Mimi is missing, Roger returns to New York, and Mark has made his film inspired by Angel. Maureen and Joanne find Mimi on the streets on the verge of death. ## **Your Eyes** As Mimi fades away, Roger plays his final song for her, revealing his true feelings for her. ## **Finale B** Mimi abruptly awakens, claiming to have been visited by Angel who told her to stay with Roger. The friends sing the final song together, with one message ‘no day but today.’ There’s no day but today to book your tickets to see the much-anticipated West End transfer of **Johnathan Larson**’s [*RENT*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/rent-tickets) coming to the [Duke of Yorks Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/duke-of-yorks-theatre-london). Tickets guarantee to go faster than you can say five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. ### **What are the most famous songs in RENT the Musical?** Some of the best-known songs include S*easons of Love, La Vie Bohème, Take Me or Leave Me, Light My Candle* and *One Song Glory*. ### **Who wrote the songs for RENT?** The music and lyrics for *RENT* were written by **Jonathan Larson**. Larson is also famous for writing *Tick, Tick… Boom!* Both musicals were inspired by his life as an artist living in New York and the friends he surrounded himself by. Larson workshopped *RENT* for years, and the day before the off-Broadway first performance **Johnathan Larson** died unexpectedly from an aortic dissection. ### **What is the opening song in RENT?** The show opens with Tune Up #1 a duet from Mark and Roger, before introducing the main characters and story. ### **Is Seasons of Love in the first act?** No. Seasons of Love opens the second act and has become the show's signature song. This is a common misconception due to the film that came out in 2005, starring Rosario Dawson, Tracie Thoms and some of the original Broadway 1996 cast including Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp. ### **Can I hear the RENT songs live in London?** Yes. You can hear the iconic score performed live when you book tickets to see RENT in London.