> Lyrical > Top 5 Songs to Choreograph a Show-Stopping Lyrical Routine. Discover the perfect tracks that will inspire powerful emotion and breathtaking dance this season.

Top 5 Songs to Choreograph a Show-Stopping Lyrical Routine. Discover the perfect tracks that will inspire powerful emotion and breathtaking dance this season.

Top 5 Songs to Choreograph a Show-Stopping Lyrical Routine

The right music is the soul of lyrical dance. It’s the invisible partner that guides every extension, every fall, and every recovery. This season, dive into these five powerful tracks that promise to unlock profound emotion and inspire breathtaking movement.

1. "Gravity"

Sara Bareilles

A modern classic in the lyrical world, "Gravity" is a masterclass in building tension and release. Sara Bareilles's raw, piano-driven ballad about being pulled back into a love you can't escape is a gift for choreographers. The song's slow, haunting build allows for sustained, weighted movement that speaks of struggle and surrender.

Choreographer's Tip: Use the repetition in the chorus to build a movement motif. Each time "gravity" is sung, develop the gesture further—perhaps starting with a hand pulling the dancer down, evolving into a full body collapse, and finally, a resistant push against the floor.

2. "Turning Page"

Sleeping At Last

Epic, cinematic, and swelling with pure emotion, this track feels like the soundtrack to a life-changing moment. The delicate piano intro offers a chance for soft, intimate storytelling, while the soaring strings and powerful crescendo create a natural climax perfect for big, expansive leaps and turns.

Choreographer's Tip: Choreograph the instrumental build. Let the dancer's energy grow with the cello and string section, using progressive turns and traveling movements across the stage to visually represent the song's emotional ascent.

3. "Elastic Heart"

Sia (Piano Version)

While the original is more percussive, the piano version strips the song down to its emotional core. It’s a complex narrative of resilience, pain, and the fight to not break. This track is exceptional for a solo or a powerful duet that explores the push-and-pull dynamics of a relationship or an internal battle.

Choreographer's Tip: Play with contrasting textures. juxtapose sharp, contracted movements on lyrics like "I'm like a rubber band" with fluid, resilient recoveries to embody the theme of bouncing back.

4. "Hallelujah"

Pentatonix (Cover)

This iconic song has been covered countless times, but the Pentatonix a cappella arrangement brings a new, ethereal layer of depth. The human voice becomes the orchestra, creating an intimate and spiritually charged atmosphere. The layered harmonies provide a rich tapestry for complex, intertwining group work.

Choreographer's Tip: For a group piece, assign different vocal lines to different dancers. As the harmonies build and overlap, have dancers echo or support each other's movements, creating a visual representation of the complex vocals.

5. "The Night We Met"

Lord Huron

Steeped in nostalgia and heartache, this song is a wistful journey into memory and regret. Its steady, driving rhythm provides a solid foundation for continuous, flowing movement, while the melancholic lyrics invite a performance focused on facial expression and subtle, internalized emotion.

Choreographer's Tip: Focus on intention and gaze. The power of this routine will come from the dancer's connection to a specific point or memory. Use sustained developpés and slow, deliberate reaches to convey a sense of longing for something just out of reach.

The key to a unforgettable lyrical routine lies in the marriage of movement and music. Let these songs not just be your soundtrack, but your muse. Listen to them on repeat, find the story within them that speaks to you, and let that story flow through every port de bras and tendu. Now go create something breathtaking.

What songs are on your lyrical playlist this season? Share your favorites with our community on social using #LyricalInspired.

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