The right music is the soul of lyrical dance. It sets the emotional tone, inspires movement, and tells a story without words. Curating the perfect playlist is an art form. Here are five contemporary and timeless tracks that belong in every lyrical dancer's repertoire, guaranteed to evoke powerful emotion and breathtaking movement.
Breathe Me
Sia
A modern classic that needs no introduction. Sia's raw, vulnerable plea is a masterclass in building emotional intensity. The song starts as a fragile whisper and swells into a powerful, cathartic climax.
Why It Works
Perfect for practicing dynamic control and emotional projection. Dancers can explore the contrast between small, internalized movement in the verses and large, expansive, reaching movements in the choruses. It teaches how to physically manifest feelings of vulnerability, hope, and desperation.
Turning Page
Sleeping At Last
This song is pure, undiluted tenderness. The gentle piano melody and soft, earnest vocals create an atmosphere of delicate love and quiet introspection. It feels like a heartfelt promise set to music.
Why It Works
Ideal for teaching fluidity and sustained movement. It challenges dancers to maintain seamless connectivity through their entire body without relying on loud musical cues. Focus on port de bras, controlled développés, and soft lunges. It’s excellent for teaching performers to convey subtle, intimate emotion without being overtly dramatic.
She Used To Be Mine
Sara Bareilles
A storytelling powerhouse from the musical Waitress. This song is a journey of reflection, regret, and self-recognition. Bareilles’s lyrical genius paints a detailed portrait of a life, making it ripe for narrative interpretation.
Why It Works
Superb for narrative-driven choreography. Dancers can learn to act through movement, telling a specific story as the song progresses. The structure allows for shifts in energy—from nostalgic and soft to powerful and anguished—teaching dancers how to transition cleanly between contrasting emotions.
Gravity
Sara Bareilles
Another stunning entry from Bareilles, "Gravity" is a haunting ballad about an inescapable pull. Its repetitive, circling piano motif and yearning vocals create a hypnotic and deeply emotional soundscape.
Why It Works
Fantastic for exploring the concepts of weight, resistance, and fall and recovery—key components of lyrical and modern dance. The repetitive nature of the music allows for the development of motifs. Dancers can work on using their center of gravity, executing falls with control, and embodying the feeling of being pulled by an external force.
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Steeped in reverb and wistful nostalgia, this track is a haunting echo of a memory. The driving yet subdued rhythm provides a steady pulse beneath the aching vocals, creating a sense of moving relentlessly forward while looking painfully back.
Why It Works
Excellent for practicing musicality with a steady, driving beat. The constant rhythm helps younger dancers keep time, while the melancholic mood encourages deep emotional expression. It's great for choreography that utilizes canon, repetition, and group work that feels interconnected yet isolated, mirroring the song's theme of longing and loss.
Pro Tip: Remember, the best playlists have variety. Mix these powerful ballads with different tempos and moods to create a well-rounded class that challenges your dancers technically and artistically. Now, press play and let the movement begin.
