I never thought I’d say this, but I am tired of Adele!

Hey guys!  It’s a turning table!

It’s mid-way through competition season for us and Adele has already won “most overplayed artist at competition” by a landslide.  I have seen Turning Tables Turning Tables as a solo, a duet, a small group, a large group, with a table, with twelve tables, with no tables (and my studio is guilty of using it too).  “Set Fire to the RainSet Fire To The Rain“, “Rumour Has ItRumour Has It” and “Someone Like YouSomeone Like You” have also been well represented.

So if you’re like me and want a change of pace, here are a few current songs I’ve been using in contemporary and jazz class lately that are not Adele. All links open in iTunes

Paradise – Coldplay (LINK) – I love the build-up in the beginning. My senior class really get into this one when the bass comes in around 0:34.  I used it for across the floor and center combos with improv.

Night Drop – Act of Valor (Night Drop – Act of Valor) – The whole soundtrack is great for improv work and working on emotions – I especially like this track.

Keep Your Head Up – Ben Howard Keep Your Head Up – Ben Howard – I like this for warm-ups that start slowly and end up in big movements and small jumps (song picks up around 1:13).  Somehow the refrain of “keep your head up, keep your heart strong” keeps me going 🙂

Black Sheep – Gin Wigmore – couldn’t find this one on iTunes – here it is on YouTube. Love this for a sassy jazz combo.  **Warning it does use the word “h-e-double-hockey-sticks word” (h*ll) in the bridge, so may not be appropriate for your classes.

Holy Moses – Washington Holy Moses – Washington – This is a fun one for warm-ups.  I have been using this song in tap class too.

Riverside – Agnes Obel Riverside – Agnes Obel – I love this haunting song – would work nicely for a small group. And it’s in 6/8 time… bonus!