# Dancing With the Stars Season 33 Premiere Playlist Promises Nostalgic, High-Energy Performances
The Dancing With the Stars creative team has selected the opening night songs for season 33, and the choices land squarely in the nostalgia-driven, feel-good sweet spot that keeps audiences tuning in year after year. Among the confirmed tracks is Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone," a cultural reset moment that guarantees both an emotionally charged performance and maximum social media engagement from viewers who grew up with the song.
This song selection strategy reflects a deliberate approach to premiere programming. Production teams understand that opening night sets the tone for viewer investment and emotional connection to contestants. By pairing celebrity dancers with instantly recognizable anthems, the show creates immediate momentum and gives performers a built-in advantage. A great song doesn't carry a bad dancer, but it provides scaffolding that helps audiences root for contestants from night one.
The confirmed tracks suggest a mix of era-spanning hits rather than current chart dominators. This approach works because it balances familiarity with accessibility. Viewers across age groups recognize "Since U Been Gone," whether they first heard it on Idol in 2004 or rediscovered it during a recent viral TikTok moment. For dancers, these songs typically sit in the sweet spot of having clear rhythm structures that fit choreography without requiring technical vocal precision.
Beauty and entertainment intersect significantly on Dancing With the Stars, where styling, makeup, and costuming become part of each performance's narrative. Premiere night especially demands high-impact looks. Contestants work with hair and makeup teams to craft versions of themselves that feel both familiar to audiences and elevated for television. The song choices influence these decisions. A Kelly Clarkson power ballad might call for different makeup intensity than an upbeat pop banger would.
The show's costume and styling philosophy mirrors broader beauty trends. Glitter, bold lip colors, and dramatic eye makeup remain staples for evening wear performances, even as everyday makeup trends shift toward minimalism. Dancers typically wear stage makeup several shades heavier than what they'd wear casually, with emphasis on definition under studio lighting. Spray tans, hair extensions, and contouring receive heavy use during competition season.
For contestants less experienced in performance, song selection matters psychologically too. A beloved, recognizable track can calm nerves by giving dancers a familiar anchor point while they manage complex choreography and live television pressure. The production team's curation suggests they're thinking about competitor psychology as much as viewer entertainment.
Industry observers note that Dancing With the Stars continues influencing beauty and fashion trends, particularly among viewers aged 18 to 54. Each season sparks upticks in searches for specific makeup techniques and hairstyles featured during notable performances. The premiere night selections typically drive conversation about styling choices for weeks afterward.
Season 33's song roster hasn't been fully disclosed, but the confirmation of "Since U Been Gone" signals the creative direction. Expect more hits that dominated streaming platforms and radio during recognizable cultural moments. The strategy remains consistent: pair recognizable music with compelling personalities and professional dancers, then let the drama and athleticism unfold.