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Alysa Liu is arguably figure skating's most interesting talent. From her hair to her fashion choice, Liu attracts attention whenever she leaps and lunges across the ice.
That has served her well so far. The American figure skating standout already has one Olympic gold medal, shining en route to a title in team event. She'll look to add ornament to her collection during the women's singles event.
Liu will be looking to showcase her creativity in the event's final contest, the free skate program. It's a routine Liu knows better than most; she used a dizzying free skate routine to capture gold at the 2025 World Championships.
That effort was backed by a enticing tune: Donna Summer's "MacArthur Park Suite." One year on, Liu is going back to the song in the hopes of climbing atop the Olympic podium one more time.
With that, here's what you need to know about Liu's song selection for her free skate program, "MacArthur Park Suite."
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Why Alysa Liu uses Donna Summer's "MacArthur Park Suite" for free skate routine
Summer's disco anthem -- a cover of Richard Harris' 1968 track of the same name -- predates Liu by nearly 30 years. That hasn't prevented her from whirling across the rink as it spills from stadium speakers, however.
The tune was the brainchild of coach Phillip DiGuglielmo and choreographer Massimo Scali. Ahead of the 2024-25 competitive season, DiGuglielmo and Scali attempted to find a free skate program befitting of Liu's acrobatics. They settled on "MacArthur Park", a groovy number replete with synths, horns and funk.
Liu wasn't familiar with the track -- most people at her age aren't. But after listening to a 16-minute version of it ("MacArthur Park Suite") Liu was sold. She twirled and whirled to the ditty for the remained of the season, using the program to skate to gold in the 2025 World Championships.
Ahead of the 2025-26 season, Liu wanted to make a change. Liu was desperate to try her luck with a medley of Lady Gaga songs. But they were ill-fitting and hadn't quite enchanted audiences. After months of deliberations between coach, choreographer and skater, they settled on "MacArthur Park Suite."
"I always wanted to do MacArthur Park for the individual free skate event," Liu told Olympics.com.
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"MacArthur Park Suite" lyrics
Spring was never waiting for us dear MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark I recall the yellow cotton dress MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark
It ran one step ahead
As we followed in the dance
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again
Oh, nooooo
Foaming like a wave
On the ground beneath your knees
The birds like tender babies in your hands
And the old men playing chinese checkers by the trees
All the sweet green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'Cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again
Oh, nooooo
All the sweet green icing flowing down
Someone left my cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'Cause it took so long to make it
And I'll never have that recipe again
Oh, nooooo
English (US)