Figure skating music list. We also introduce pieces that colored the masterpieces of pairs!

A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

Have you ever paid attention to the music when enjoying figure skating and ice dance performances more deeply?When skaters weave a story on the ice, it is ultimately the power of music that supports their worldbuilding.In pairs and ice dance, the music is often chosen so you can almost feel the two skaters’ breathing in sync, while in solo programs, a striking melody can instantly draw the entire arena in—the impression can change completely with a single piece.In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of music used in figure skating.As you picture the athletes performing, try savoring the music anew!

Figure skating program music list: Introducing pieces that colored memorable pair performances as well! (81–90)

Bolero IV New BreathOkamoto Tomotaka

Boléro IV -New Breath- M.81 (Arr. Masaru Yokoyama)

Bolero IV New BreathOkamoto Tomotaka

Soprano singer Tomotaka Okamoto is strongly associated, for figure skating fans, with “Boléro,” the theme song used in broadcast coverage.

In fact, this “Boléro” has been renewed four times in the past, and the version used as the broadcast theme is the fourth one, sometimes written as “Boléro IV ~ New Breath.” It’s also memorable that Shoma Uno used it at the Beijing Olympics.

Since it’s an uplifting song meant to encourage those who feel like they might give up, knowing the lyrics might make it sound different to you.

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To tomorrowMISIA

MISIA “To Tomorrow” (from Heisei Budokan LIFE IS GOING ON AND ON Live Ver.)

To tomorrowMISIA

The song provided to Yuma Kagiyama for his first appearance at the 2022 Beijing Olympics was MISIA’s “Ashita e” (To Tomorrow).

It’s a track from her 2011 album “SOUL QUEST,” written as a support message for recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

In April 2011, a live version of “Ashita e” was also released as a digital exclusive.

MISIA’s powerful, heartfelt vocals make it an exquisite ballad that truly resonates.

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Now We Are FreeLisa Gerrard

Now We Are Free

Now We Are FreeLisa Gerrard

A song that surely remains in the memories of many skating fans is “Now We Are Free.” That’s because Yuma Kagiyama used it at the 2022 World Figure Skating Championships, and Kaori Sakamoto used it at the Beijing Olympics.

The piece, performed by Lisa Gerrard, was used by these two star skaters.

It is also famous as the theme song for the film Gladiator, with lyrics about freedom.

Perhaps that very message was one of the reasons it was chosen.

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In conclusion

We presented, all at once, the songs that popular figure skaters actually used in their programs.

Many of you probably recalled each skater’s performances—short program, free skate, and exhibition.

Figure skating is always in the spotlight, so we can’t take our eyes off what wonderful performances they’ll show us next, and to what music!