35+ Beautiful and Unique Lyrical Dance Songs

Are you looking for the perfect lyrical dance song for your next dance routine? Well good news! I’m here to help you find it in this post all about the best lyrical dance songs.

It’s dance season and choreography time again, which means you’re probably looking for the perfect dance routine song ideas for your routines this season. I feel like sometimes the hardest songs to find tend to be lyrical dance songs, which is why I created this post of over 35 different unique lyrical dance song ideas for your next dance routine.

Whether you’re looking for lyrical songs for a dance competition, a class combination, or an upcoming performance, I’m sure you’ll find the song you’re looking for on this list.

You’ll also learn how to find your own lyrical dance routine song ideas beyond this list!

This post is all about the best lyrical dance songs

Beyond the Beat: Understanding What Makes a Song Lyrical Dance Song

First of all, what makes a song perfect for a lyrical dance routine? This is something every dance teacher, dancer, and choreographer should know. In this section you’ll learn all about what makes a song a lyrical dance song.

Emotional Depth

Most lyrical dance songs have a lot of emotion in them. That doesn’t necessarily have to be sad or really dramatic, it can also be happy or inspirational.

Storytelling Potential

Usually, lyrical dances try to convey a story through the lyrics of the song. Finding a song that has the potential to help you do this is instrumental to creating a great lyrical dance routine.

Pacing 

Lyrical dance songs are often at a slower to medium tempo, allowing for sustained movement and transitions. Some will vary and build in dynamics as the song goes on. However, feel free to defy this recommendation because your lyrical dance routine doesn’t have to be exactly like someone else’s!

Recommended: 50+ Upbeat Jazz Dance Songs for Dancers this Year

The Ultimate List of the Best Lyrical Dance Songs

Now this part of the post is probably what you came for. Here you’ll find a great selection of lyrical dance songs you can use for a group dance, solo, or just in class.

Iconic Lyrical Dance Songs

This section is full of iconic and timeless songs with some unique flare. If you think this section will only have overdone songs, guess again. I’ve included some great covers of classic songs to help you spice up your lyrical dance playlist this year.

1. True Colors by Josh Radin

This simple take on this classic song is so beautiful with incredible instrumentals and vocal harmonies. It would be perfect for a group number.

2. The Winner Takes it All – Acoustic by Jae Hall

If you love Abba or Mamma Mia but want a more unique take on a classic song this is such a beautiful and powerful cover. This would be great for a lyrical solo!

3. Fix You (Cover) by Kacey Musgraves

This classic and emotional song is such a great song for a lyrical dance routine. And this cover by Kacey Musgraves makes it even better.

4. Firework by Karen Olivo

This version of Katy Perry’s Firework from Moulin Rouge the Musical is full of raw emotion with a familiar tune. This would be perfect for a lyrical dance class or routine this year!

5. Vienna by Ben Platt

If you love Billy Joel’s Vienna this cover by Ben Platt is just as incredible as the original. I think this song would be great for a senior dancer lyrical solo!

6. Shut Up and Dance by Kina Grannis

While this song might not typically seem like a lyrical dance song this beautiful cover would be perfect for a lyrical dance routine!

7. Landslide by Alex Blue and Sleeping at Last

I’m sure we’ve all seen an emotional lyrical dance routine to Landslide but this cover gives it a perfect unique twist!

8. She Used to Be Mine by Addison Agen

Don’t get me wrong She Used to be Mine from Waitress is a lyrical dance classic but this cover is also great for a more unique lyrical dance.

9. Bridge Over Troubled Water by Josh Groban

Josh Groban has an incredible voice and trust me when I say you have got to hear his cover of this classic lyrical song!

10. Dancing Queen by Eliott

Share your love for dance and that you are in fact a dancing queen by using this cover of the Abba classic that is perfect for a lyrical solo or dance routine.

You Might Also Like: How to Prepare for a Dance Competition

Emotional Lyrical Dance Songs

It wouldn’t be a lyrical dance song playlist without some good emotional songs! This section has all of the best emotion filled song ideas for your next lyrical dance routine.

11. Stayed Strangers by Abigail Barlow and Ariza

This song about people breaking up (can work both romantically or in friendship) is something a lot of people can relate to. Be prepared to put all the emotion into this lyrical song.

12. Memory Lane by Haley Joelle

Go back to your memories for this song that would be a great senior solo or goodbye dance or just to express the feeling of loss and moving on while looking back at the memories.

13. I Can’t Let Go by SMASH Cast and Jennifer Hudson

This is another lyrical song that would be perfect for a senior lyrical solo and Jennifer Hudson’s voice is so full of emotion, making this song that much better!

14. Everything I Did to Get to You by Ben Platt

This song by Ben Platt brings both the emotion and the power a lot of dancers look for in a lyrical dance song idea.

15. Without You by Leslie Odom Jr.

This song definitely builds in power as it goes on, making it a great emotional lyrical dance song.

16. But Not for Me by Sarah Dooley

The piano and soulful, jazzy feel in this song is so beautiful. I really think you could show off a lot of your dance technique with every part of this song.

17. May I Have This Dance by Meadowlark

This song I can just picture a really beautiful duet or small group dancing to it!

18. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Jill Andrews

So many lyrical dance songs are about heartbreak, and this one is no different. This song is so soft and beautiful and perfect for your lyrical dance routine.

19. We Can Do Hard Things by Tish Melton

This song is both an emotional and uplifting lyrical dance song. If you like doing some songs in the country or folk-like genre the guitar in this song is perfect for you to use in a lyrical dance routine.

20. Look to the Sky by Imie Taala

This song would be perfect for a duet or small group of friends, especially around graduation season.

Uplifting and Empowering Lyrical Dance Songs

Lyrical doesn’t just have to be sad and emotional. It can also be uplifting and even upbeat. This section has all of the best upbeat and empowering lyrical dance song ideas that you need.

21. The Art of Letting Go by Claire Kelly

Sometimes you just need to literally let go and this song is all about doing just that.

22. I Am by Natalie Weiss and Loren Allred

If you want to feel empowered as a dancer and in general this song is PERFECT for you to use in a lyrical dance this year.

23. Where it All Begins by Summer Kennedy

This powerful song has the potential to help you create an incredible dance routine this year. It’s all about new beginnings and getting started. I also think this song lends itself perfectly for leaps and turns!

24. Chasing the Sun by Sara Barellies

Of course this list wouldn’t be complete without a classic Sara Barellies song. And this one tells a beautiful story about chasing life and going for it.

25. Dream by Priscilla Ahn

This song is so beautiful and tells another great story. I also think this one would be great for a senior solo or even group number.

26. Build it Up by Ingrid Michaelson

This is one of the songs I talked about on TikTok and I think it would be great for a dance team routine or for a teen or senior group routine.

Unique Lyrical Song Ideas

27. Landslide/Everywhere (Acoustic Mashup) by Megan Davies, Jaclyn Davies

Have you ever heard a mashup used for a lyrical dance routine? This is such a unique idea for some classic lyrical songs that I know you’ll love and I think this one would be great for a duet.

28. I’ll Be There for You – Cover by Maisie Peters

Use this classic Friends song for an inspirational lyrical routine that no one will see coming at your next dance competition.

29. You Make My Dreams by Tim Halperin

Another classic song with a great cover that would be great for a lyrical dance routine. I especially love the piano in this song that could lend to some beautiful technique onstage.

30. Teach You- Acoustic by Emily King and Sara Bareilles

I don’t know what makes this song so unique but it just feels that way. It’s more subtle than most emotional songs for a lyrical routine but the guitar and instrumentals of this acoustic song are just so beautiful.

31. Going Going Gone by Maddie Poppe

I loved this song the instant I first heard it. It’s more upbeat but still perfect for a lyrical dance.

Powerful and Inspiring Lyrical Dance Songs

And of course this list would not be complete without some amazingly powerful lyrical dance songs because we all love an inspiring lyrical dance routine!

32. Brave Souls by Cozi Zuehlsdorff

This song gave me chills the first time I heard it which is definitely the sign that this would be great for a lyrical routine.

33. Strange Sight by KT Tunstall

This one comes from a Tinkerbell movie, do I need to say more? It is so powerful and would be great for a more upbeat lyrical jazz routine.

34. Wonderful Life by Zendaya

I don’t know why but I feel like some of the most powerful, inspiring songs come from animated movies and this one proves that.

35. Mystery of Me by Phillipa Son and MILCK

This one just screams lyrical or contemporary dance routine so well, I’d love to see more routines done to this song!

36. Never Surrender by Rose Cousins

This one might fit better in the emotional lyrical dance songs category but I think it has such a powerful message behind it to be subtly powerful for your dance routine this year.

How to Choose the Perfect Lyrical Dance Song

If you still haven’t found the right lyrical dance song idea for this dance season, I’ve also got some tips to help you find the perfect song that you didn’t know you needed.

Use the following tips to help you find the perfect song on your own along your search for the perfect lyrical routine song!

Listen Actively

Take the time to really listen to the song. What feeling is it conveying to you upon first listen? What story is it telling (more on that later)? How can it translate in movement?

Ask yourself some of these questions and really listen to this song multiple times. Will this song still be something you want to dance to or work with months into the dance season even when you’ve heard it 10,000 times?

Consider the Dancer

Match the song to the dancer’s strengths, age, and emotional maturity. If you are choreographing for a group of dancers, will this song work to showcase their strengths and needs as a group?

You should also try and distance yourself and your dancers from the piece of music at first. Ask yourself, if I saw a dancer I didn’t know performing to this piece of music would it make sense or look awkward.

Trust me, considering the dancer is one of the most important steps you can take in choosing music and content for a dance routine.

Think About the Story

What narrative do you want to tell? How do you want the audience to feel when watching the routine? We all know that song choice plays a huge part in that and should be a huge part in deciding what music to use for your lyrical dance routine.

Avoid Overused Songs

While we all constantly love certain popular songs and tend to use them for dance routines, I recommend finding something more unique. There are also a lot of great covers out there of these popular and overused lyrical dance songs to give your piece a more unique touch that no one else will have.

What I like to do to find a more underrated song is clicking on the popular song on Spotify and then going to that song radio to find more unique or related options.

Test the Movement

 Try moving to the song to see if it inspires choreography and what you come up with through improvising. I really recommend listening to the whole song for this because sometimes the beginning can be great for movement but then the ending is a little awkward.

More Lyrical & Contemporary Dance Songs

Be sure to check out some of the videos below for these songs and more that I’ve shared on my TikTok!

@thecharmingdancer

Replying to @xx_churchie_xx Hope you love these lyrical dance routine song ideas for all your lyrical dance needs! #lyricaldance #lyricaldancer #dancersoftiktok #dancesongs #dancesong #dancecomp #dancecompetition #danceroutine #songideas @apple

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Before You Go

I hope you were able to find the PERFECT song for your next lyrical dance routine. Now you’ll never run out of unique song ideas for your dance performances and competitions.

If you want even more dance routine song ideas, dance class tips, and overall amazing dance lifestyle content, be sure to subscribe to The Charming Dancer below and never miss out on a new post!

This post was all about unique lyrical dance song ideas