Lyrical dance thrives on emotional storytelling, where movement becomes poetry and music transforms into physical narrative. These 10 contemporary and classic tracks offer rich lyrical content perfect for creating breathtaking performances that linger in the audience's memory.
Runaway
by AURORAA haunting exploration of self-discovery and breaking free from constraints, AURORA's ethereal vocals create a dreamscape perfect for fluid, emotional movement. The song builds from vulnerability to powerful liberation.
All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
by Taylor SwiftSwift's magnum opus of heartbreak unfolds like a novel, with vivid imagery of lost love and nostalgic details. The extended version offers even more narrative depth for choreographic storytelling.
Wings
by BirdyA soaring anthem about finding strength to leave comfort zones, Birdy's piano-driven ballad builds to a cathartic climax that begs for expansive movement.
River
by Leon BridgesThis soulful ballad about love and redemption uses water as a central metaphor, with Bridges' velvety vocals creating a slow, sensual flow ideal for grounded contemporary movement.
Turning Page
by Sleeping At LastA delicate love song that builds like a storybook coming to life, with orchestral swells that mirror the emotional journey of commitment and vulnerability.
Breathe Me
by SiaBefore her upbeat anthems, Sia created this raw masterpiece about fragility and needing support. The sparse instrumentation puts focus on the emotional vocals.
The Night We Met
by Lord HuronA nostalgic reflection on lost love with haunting harmonies that create a wistful, cinematic quality perfect for duets or solo pieces about memory.
Skinny Love
by Birdy (or Bon Iver)Both versions of this heartbreaking song about a failing relationship offer rich emotional material, with Birdy's version being particularly suited to lyrical dance with its clear piano lines.
Say Something
by A Great Big World & Christina AguileraA devastating piano duet about the end of a relationship, with the interplay between male and female vocals creating natural dialogue for partner work or group pieces.
Gravity
by Sara BareillesA soul-baring piano ballad about the inescapable pull of love, with Bareilles' vocal runs providing natural accents for movement.
Each of these songs offers a world of stories waiting to be told through movement. Which will inspire your next lyrical masterpiece?