Lyrical Solo Song for an 8-9 year old - Very emotional dancer

Question

This is my daughter's 2nd year as a solo dancer and has taken 1st place in all the competitions she participated in. She is very dramatic, very emotional and her technique is beyond her years. We are heading into her second year and are searching for the perfect song! Last year she danced to "In my daughter's eyes" and it was perfect, this year we would like to see her do something "different" -

not about mom and dad but equally as emotional or "story-like". We prefer not to use "overused" or newer songs that are heard thousands of times by judges or songs that are too mature for her - for example, death, love, etc. We have picked a few to present to her lyrcial teacher/choreographer and she will come up with some to but I thought I would put this out there ans ee what others are thinking.

I have seen many post saying that lyrical shouldn't be done by girls under 12 and if you think they aren't capable, perhaps you aren't looking at the right girls doing the right choreography - although I agree it's not for everyone, there are younger kids that can knock your socks off!

Answer 1

Look into some songs by Hayley Westenra. "Prayer" might be a good one for lyrical dancing.

Answer 2

She sounds like a mini-me!!!! I've been into lyrical dancing since I was six, and I've been dramatic & emotional since birth. And I definitely agree that you shouldn't be underestimated because of your age!

Nehoo:

My recs are:

Let the River Run - danced to this when I was 9. It's DEF. dramatic

The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson

Dance with myself - Nouvelle Vague

Say It's Possible - Terra Naomi

Sea of Love - Cat Power

Feeling Good - Nina Simone (I PROMISE this is an awesome song to dance to)

Blackbird - Evan Rachel Wood

If you need more ideas, just shoot me an email. I've been dancing since I was three, and I totally appreciate the importance of the song.

: )

Answer 3

I have been dancing since i was 2 , i disaggree that dancers shouldn't dance a lyrical if they are under the age of 12. It is more difficult for younger dancers to grasp the emotion in mature lyricals, but if you find the right song and the dancer is willing to work hard then it is an amazing experience!

some songs you could use are:

let me lie-Hayley Westenra

the water is wide-Hayley Westenra

sittin' on the dock of the bay-not sure of artist

airplane-not sure of artist

fire and rain-James Taylor

angel-not sure of artist

borrowed time-not sure of artist

morning has broken-not sure of artist

dust in the wind-not sure of the artist

fairy tales and castles-lifehouse

i hope-not sure of artist

if i could-not sure of artist

lullaby-Emmy Rossum

a prayer- not sure of artist

starry,starry night-not sure of artist

this years love-David Gray

you have been loved-not sure of artist