Flashdance...What A Feeling: Lead Sheet / Fake Book

This lead sheet captures one of the most recognizable pop songs of the 1980s in a format that lets pianists and vocalists interpret it their own way. The melody sits naturally in the voice and translates beautifully to keyboard, making it equally valuable for jazz ensembles working through pop standards or contemporary programs that need a song audiences actually want to hear.

Determined and introspective, with an undercurrent of hope pushing toward something bigger. The song moves between intimate verses where every word matters and a soaring chorus that asks for complete emotional commitment, creating a satisfying arc that rewards honest playing.

Pianists and keyboardists looking to expand into pop and film music repertoire, vocalists building contemporary standards into their performance library, and ensemble directors programming accessible crossover material for pop, jazz, or musical theater contexts.

• Shape the opening phrase with restraint; let the intensity build gradually rather than announcing the emotional peak from measure one.
• Anchor the left hand rhythm to create forward momentum without overwhelming the vocal line, especially in the verse sections.
• Mark the dynamic shift heading into the chorus and commit to it fully; this song lives in its contrast between vulnerability and triumph.
• Check the chord voicings against a recording to ensure the harmonic color matches the production sound your ensemble will recognize.

Slot this into a "Songs from Film" concert alongside other movie soundtrack selections, or pair it with similar 1980s pop standards for a contemporary music set that connects with audiences across age groups. It also works well as a solo feature or duet within a larger revue celebrating iconic vocalists.

• Interpreting pop vocal phrasing from a lead sheet
• Balancing accompaniment support with melodic clarity
• Understanding harmonic structure in contemporary pop songs
• Building emotional arc and dynamic contrast across a song form
• Adapting recorded arrangements into live ensemble versions