by Emilia Clarke has captivated audiences worldwide with her portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones. Her powerful performance as the Mother of Dragons has cemented her status as one of the most talented actresses of her generation. However, behind the scenes, Clarke has revealed that she draws inspiration from an unlikely source – the 1990s Eurodance song “Rhythm is a Dancer” by SNAP!
In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Clarke shared that one particular lyric from the dance pop hit has had an outsized influence on her outlook and motivates her to keep pursuing her passions. That lyric: “Rhythm is a dancer”.
“It’s my inspiration,” Clarke remarked. “That song reminds me of the joy of music and dance – it takes me back to my childhood when I was a happy kid twirling around without a care in the world.”
For the British actress, “Rhythm is a Dancer” encapsulates the feeling of living life to the fullest and chasing your dreams no matter what obstacles you face along the way. The upbeat melody and lyrics extolling the power of music have proven to be the perfect pick-me-up throughout Clarke’s rise to stardom.
“Whenever I’m feeling down or discouraged, I listen to ‘Rhythm is a Dancer’ and it lifts my spirits,” she said. “The song is about dancing through life – keeping moving forward joyfully no matter what. That philosophy has fueled me through tough times.”
From Eurodance Hit to Surprise Inspiration
“Rhythm is a Dancer” was released in 1992 as the lead single from German group SNAP!’s second studio album, The Madman’s Return. With its insanely catchy hook, funky beats and distinctive rapping, the song became an instant smash internationally. It went to number one in over 20 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Australia. In the United States, it peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1993.
The lyrics, performed by frontman Turbo B., are about using music and dancing to overcome life’s troubles: “You’ve got to feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, get on up, it’s party time.” The massively popular song has become a dance pop standard over the past three decades and is considered one of the definitive hits of the Eurodance genre.
Given its ubiquity throughout the 90s, it may seem surprising that “Rhythm is a Dancer” holds such a special meaning for Emilia Clarke. But she says the song’s carefree vibe and rallying cry to push forward no matter what resonate with her on a deeply personal level.
“I know it might sound silly, but that song has been a genuine inspiration for me since I was a little girl dancing around in my room,” Clarke shared earnestly. “It will always be my jam.”
Childhood Memories
In the Sunday Times interview, Clarke touched on childhood memories associated with the Eurodance smash. Growing up in Berkshire, England, she recalls “Rhythm is a Dancer” being constantly played at school dances and on the radio. The song’s positivity made a big impression on young Emilia.
“I must’ve been seven or eight when it came out, and I was obsessed,” she said. “Whenever it played at school dances, I’d be in the middle of the dance circle belting out the lyrics and doing my best 90s kid dance moves.”
She continued, “My mum also loved that song, so we would play it full blast at home and just dance around the living room being silly.”
Clarke credits those moments dancing carefreely to “Rhythm is a Dancer” with instilling in her a lifelong love of music.
“Thanks to that song, I’ve never been shy about dancing,” Clarke said with a laugh. “No matter how bad my day is going, if I hear those opening beats I’m immediately transported to the dance floor ready to bust a move.”
Pushing Through Adversity
In recent years, Clarke has drawn inspiration from “Rhythm is a Dancer” during challenging times in her personal life and career.
In 2019, after the Game of Thrones series finale, Clarke penned a moving personal essay revealing that she had suffered two life-threatening aneurysms during the early seasons of the show. The first aneurysm required emergency surgery at age 24. Against the odds, Clarke recovered and was able to film Game of Thrones while dealing with the after-effects of her brain injuries.
Clarke credited her mom with helping spur her recovery by playing uplifting music for her in the hospital, including “Rhythm is a Dancer.”
“Hearing that song again in the ICU, knowing my mum was there playing my favorite tunes, gave me the strength to keep fighting through the pain and uncertainty,” Clarke shared. “The lyrics about dancing no matter what really resonated with me.”
She went on, “Whenever my energy was lagging after surgery, I would play ‘Rhythm is a Dancer’ and let it serve as a reminder to keep smiling and moving forward step-by-step to heal.”
Beyond her health issues, Clarke also leaned on the inspirational hit during the meteoric rise – and criticisms – that came with Game of Thrones’ success.
“With the worldwide popularity of the show, it hasn’t always been easy dealing with the media scrutiny and online negativity,” she admitted. “But that song has been my way of blocking out the noise and pressure.”
Instead of getting bogged down by internet trolls or clickbait headlines, Clarke said she chooses to “channel the ‘Rhythm is a Dancer’ vibe and tune it all out. I put my headphones on, listen to that song, and keep focused on what’s important to me – my work, my family, my happiness.”
Eurovision Dreams
These days, Emilia Clarke’s acting career continues its upwards trajectory with acclaimed performances in films like Above Suspicion and Last Christmas. But the artistically minded actress has not forgotten her musical roots.
In the Sunday Times interview, Clarke revealed she has aspirations of one day representing the United Kingdom at the legendary Eurovision Song Contest. And her song of choice for the competition?
“Well if I’m ever lucky enough to go to Eurovision, I’d have to perform ‘Rhythm is a Dancer,'” Clarke proclaimed. “It’s the perfect Eurovision dance track and would be my way of channeling the song’s magical energy to bring home the win for the UK.”
Though Clarke was likely joking about a Eurovision appearance, her passion for the song is clearly no laughing matter. “Rhythm is a Dancer” provides comfort, motivation and happy memories when she needs it most.
“That song is always there for me through thick and thin,” Clarke reflected. “It fills me with joy and courage, and the message to keep moving forward no matter what resonates with me so deeply.”
“I truly believe the reason I was able to overcome those brain surgeries and the emotional toll of GoT’s success is because ‘Rhythm is a Dancer’ kept me dancing through life, no matter what.”
Clarke concluded, “So while it may seem crazy to some, I have SNAP! and ‘Rhythm is a Dancer’ to thank for inspiring me through my lowest and highest moments. That song is my forever muse – it’s part of who I am.”
Though Emilia Clarke is reticent to reveal too much about her private inspirations, she was willing to share her surprising secret muse – the iconic 90s hit “Rhythm is a Dancer” by SNAP! For the acclaimed actress, one lyric from the upbeat dance pop song encapsulates her outlook on life – to keep moving joyfully no matter what challenges you face. This surprising pop culture nugget offers rare insight into what drives and motivates the incredibly talented, yet exceptionally grounded, star. And it is clear “Rhythm is a Dancer” will continue inspiring Emilia Clarke’s passions and creativity for years to come.
