Sam Barber’s haunting rendition of “Dancing in the Sky” has racked up millions of streams and become one of the most emotional moments of his live shows — so it’s no surprise fans assume it’s his original song. But did Sam Barber actually write “Dancing in the Sky”? The short answer: no. It’s a cover, and the real story behind the song is even more touching than you might expect.
Who Actually Wrote “Dancing in the Sky”?
“Dancing in the Sky” was written and originally released by the Canadian sister duo Dani and Lizzy — twins Danielle and Elizabeth Nelson — along with co-writer Jason Traub. The sisters first put the song out back in 2015.
And it wasn’t written as a pop single. The Nelson sisters penned “Dancing in the Sky” as a heartfelt tribute to a loved one they lost, pouring their grief into a song that imagines a departed soul finding peace, joy, and music in the afterlife. That raw, universal ache is exactly why the song has resonated with so many people coping with loss — long before Sam Barber ever recorded it.
Sam Barber’s Cover Came Years Later
Sam Barber released his version of “Dancing in the Sky” on June 1, 2023, openly crediting it as a cover of Dani and Lizzy’s original. He first teased it on TikTok, telling fans it was his take on the sisters’ song — and the response was immediate and overwhelming.
Barber’s rendition strips the song down to its emotional core: his distinctive, mahogany-rich voice over a slow, guitar-led acoustic arrangement. That raw simplicity gave the song a new life and introduced it to a massive new audience, many of whom were hearing it for the first time. It’s since become a signature piece of his live set — you’ll find it on his tour setlists, where it routinely silences entire rooms. (See our breakdown of the Sam Barber 2026 setlist.)
Why Do So Many People Think It’s His Song?
The confusion is completely understandable. For a huge chunk of listeners, Barber’s viral cover was their introduction to “Dancing in the Sky” — so his name is the one they associate with it. His version blew up on TikTok and streaming, and his soulful delivery feels so personal that it’s easy to assume he wrote every word himself.
But as with many of the best covers, Barber’s gift was interpretation, not authorship. He took an already-moving song and made it feel brand new — an homage that honors the original rather than replacing it.
What the Song Is Really About
At its heart, “Dancing in the Sky” is about grief and hope. The lyrics take the form of gentle questions to someone who has passed away — wondering what heaven is like, whether they’re at peace, whether they’re happy — while holding onto the comforting image of that loved one dancing, singing, and finally free.
It’s a song about missing someone terribly while choosing to believe they’ve found somewhere beautiful. That’s what makes it so devastating in Barber’s hands, and so meaningful to the Nelson sisters who wrote it from a place of real loss.
So, did Sam Barber write “Dancing in the Sky”? No — the song was written by Canadian duo Dani and Lizzy (with Jason Traub) and released in 2015 as a tribute to a lost loved one. Sam Barber’s beloved 2023 cover reintroduced it to the world, but the credit for the original belongs to the Nelson sisters.
If anything, that makes Barber’s version a beautiful full-circle moment: a grief anthem, passed from one artist to another, comforting even more people along the way.
