No wedding reception is complete without a packed dance floor full of smiling faces and enthusiastic movers, celebrating love, friendship, and good times with drinks and fun music to dance to. Whether your guests are swaying to the soulful sounds of Motown or rocking out to classic anthems, the right music can transform a good party into an unforgettable celebration, creating lasting memories for the couple and their guests.
To help you curate the perfect playlist for a spring or summer wedding full of good weather vibes, we’ve compiled a list of 50 fun and popular wedding dance songs that span generations and genres, guaranteed to get everyone out of their seats and onto the dance floor. And don’t forget to check our Spotify Playlist at the end of the article!
Classics That Never Go Out of Style:
1. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) – Whitney Houston (1987)
This upbeat anthem of love and celebration is the perfect song to kick off the party. Fun Fact: This song earned Whitney Houston her first Grammy Award!
2. September – Earth, Wind & Fire (1978)
This feel-good disco classic will surely get everyone grooving with its infectious energy and irresistible horns. Fun Fact: The song’s title has nothing to do with September; it was inspired by a random “ba-dee-ya” vocalization during a recording session.
3. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey (1981)
This powerful rock anthem of hope and perseverance is a crowd-pleasing singalong that never fails to unite wedding guests. Fun Fact: This song has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity thanks to its use in TV shows like “Glee” and “The Sopranos.”
4. Celebration – Kool & The Gang (1980)
This joyous funk anthem is synonymous with celebration and is a must-have for any wedding playlist. Fun Fact: It was originally written to celebrate Muhammad Ali’s release from prison.
5. Footloose – Kenny Loggins (1984)
Get ready to kick off your Sunday shoes with this rebellious rock song about letting loose and having fun. Fun Fact: The movie “Footloose” was inspired by a real-life town in Oklahoma that banned dancing until 1980.
6. Uptown Girl – Billy Joel (1983)
This charming and upbeat love song is perfect for a lighthearted dance moment. Fun Fact: Billy Joel wrote this song about Christie Brinkley, who later became his wife.
7. Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi (1986)
This powerful rock ballad with soaring vocals and an anthemic chorus will surely get everyone singing along. Fun Fact: The song’s iconic talk box intro was inspired by Peter Frampton’s use of devices.
8. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond (1969)
This heartwarming sing-along classic evokes nostalgia and good vibes, making it a perfect choice for a group dance. Fun Fact: Neil Diamond has said that the song was inspired by a photo of Caroline Kennedy as a child.
9. Dancing Queen – ABBA (1976)
This timeless disco anthem is guaranteed to fill the dance floor with its catchy melody and infectious energy. Fun Fact: This song was originally written as a tribute to Queen Silvia of Sweden.
10. I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor (1978)
An empowering disco anthem about resilience and overcoming adversity, this song is a powerful choice for a celebration of love. Fun Fact: This song was initially a B-side track but quickly became a massive hit and a gay anthem.
Hits from the 80s and 90s:
11. Jump (For My Love) – The Pointer Sisters (1984)
An energetic pop song with a catchy chorus and a playful vibe. This song was the Pointer Sisters’ biggest hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
12. You Give Love a Bad Name – Bon Jovi (1986)
A classic rock anthem with a powerful message and a catchy melody. This was Bon Jovi’s first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
13. Love Shack – The B-52’s (1989)
A quirky and fun new wave song with a playful melody and a catchy chorus. The music video for this song was filmed in an abandoned house in Athens, Georgia.
14. Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves (1985)
An upbeat pop song with a cheerful melody and a positive message, perfect for injecting energy into the dance floor. This song was originally recorded by a different band in 1983 but became a hit when re-recorded by Katrina and the Waves in 1985.
15. Wannabe – Spice Girls (1996)
It’s a girl power anthem with a catchy chorus and a fun dance beat, perfect for getting all the ladies on the dance floor. This song was the Spice Girls’ debut single and became a global phenomenon.
16. Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix) – Los Del Rio (1995)
A fun and festive Latin dance song with a simple but addictive choreography, perfect for getting everyone involved. This song is the longest-running number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, staying at the top for 14 weeks.
17. This Is How We Do It – Montell Jordan (1995)
It’s a nostalgic 90s R&B party anthem with a smooth groove and a catchy chorus. This song samples Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story,” giving it a familiar yet fresh sound.
18. Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex (1994)
A high-energy country dance song with a fiddle-driven melody and a catchy chorus. This song is based on a traditional American folk song, originating from the 19th century.
19. MmmBop – Hanson (1997)
A catchy pop song with youthful energy and a singalong chorus. The Hanson brothers wrote this song when they were just teenagers.
20. Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) – Backstreet Boys (1997)
A high-energy pop song with a catchy chorus and a synchronized dance routine. This song’s music video is a playful homage to classic monster movies.
Hits from the 2000s and 2010s:
21. Crazy in Love – Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z (2003)
A powerful and seductive R&B anthem with a catchy horn riff and Beyoncé’s iconic vocals. This song marked Beyoncé’s debut as a solo artist and catapulted her to superstardom.
22. Yeah! – Usher feat. Lil Jon & Ludacris (2004)
It’s a high-energy crunk&B anthem with a catchy chorus and a danceable beat. This song was Usher’s most successful single, topping the charts in multiple countries.
23. Mr. Brightside – The Killers (2004)
An anthemic rock song with a soaring chorus and a melancholic undertone. This song is a staple of alternative rock radio and has been covered by numerous artists.
24. Hey Ya! – Outkast (2003)
A genre-bending funk/pop/hip-hop song with a playful energy and a catchy chorus. This song won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 2004.
25. I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas (2009)
An upbeat dance-pop anthem with a positive message and a catchy chorus. This song was among the best-selling singles ever, topping the charts in over 15 countries.
26. Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) – Beyoncé (2008)
An empowering pop song with a fierce beat and an iconic dance routine. This song’s music video, featuring Beyoncé and two backup dancers in black leotards, became a cultural phenomenon.
27. Can’t Stop the Feeling! – Justin Timberlake (2016)
A feel-good pop song with a catchy melody and a positive message. This song was written for the animated movie “Trolls” and became a massive hit.
28. Happy – Pharrell Williams (2013)
An infectious and uplifting pop song with a simple yet powerful message. This song was the lead single from the “Despicable Me 2” soundtrack and became a global phenomenon.
29. Shake It Off – Taylor Swift (2014)
It’s a catchy pop song with a playful attitude and a danceable beat. This song marked Taylor Swift’s official transition from country to pop music.
30. Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars (2014)
A retro-inspired funk-pop song with a catchy melody and a smooth groove. This song won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 2016.
For Rock Lovers:
31. You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC (1980)
A classic rock anthem with a driving beat and a memorable guitar riff. This song is a staple of AC/DC’s live shows and a crowd favorite.
32. Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses (1987)
It’s a powerful rock ballad with a soaring guitar solo and heartfelt lyrics. Slash improvised the song’s iconic intro riff during a jam session.
33. Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen (1978)
An energetic rock anthem with a playful melody and a powerful vocal performance by Freddie Mercury. This song has been used in numerous films and TV shows, including “Shaun of the Dead” and “American Idol.”
34. Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams (1984)
This nostalgic rock song has a catchy melody and a heartfelt message. Despite the title, the song is not about the summer of 1969 but a metaphor for youthful passion and nostalgia.
35. Pour Some Sugar on Me – Def Leppard (1987)
It’s a hard rock anthem with a driving beat and a catchy chorus. Although the lyrics are often misinterpreted as about sex, they are actually about the band’s desire for success.
More Romantic Options:
36. At Last – Etta James (1960)
A timeless ballad with a soulful vocal performance and a romantic melody. Fun fact: This song has been covered by numerous artists and is a popular choice for first dances at weddings.
37. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley (1961)
A classic love song with a simple melody and heartfelt lyrics. Fun fact: This song was originally written for the film “Blue Hawaii” and has become one of Elvis’s most beloved songs.
38. A Thousand Years – Christina Perri (2011)
A romantic ballad with a soaring melody and heartfelt lyrics, perfect for a first dance. Fun fact: This song was written for the film “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” and became a massive hit.
39. All of Me – John Legend (2013)
A soulful ballad with a beautiful melody and heartfelt lyrics, perfect for a slow dance. Fun fact: John Legend wrote this song as a tribute to his wife, Chrissy Teigen.
40. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran (2014)
A romantic acoustic ballad with heartfelt lyrics and a sweet melody. Fun fact: This song won the Grammy Song of the Year Award in 2016.
Fun and Unexpected Songs to Finish:
41. Cupid Shuffle – Cupid (2007)
It’s a fun line dance with simple steps and a catchy beat. Fun fact: This song is popular for weddings and parties, thanks to its easy-to-follow choreography.
42. Cha Cha Slide – Mr. C The Slide Man (1996)
A classic party song with a fun and interactive dance routine. Fun fact: This song has been a staple of wedding receptions and family gatherings for years.
43. Wobble – V.I.C. (2008)
A Southern hip-hop dance song with a catchy beat and a simple dance routine. Fun fact: This song is a popular choice for parties and weddings and will surely get everyone on the dance floor.
44. Gangnam Style – PSY (2012)
A global phenomenon with an iconic dance routine and a catchy beat. Fun fact: This song broke numerous records and is one of the most-viewed videos on YouTube.
45. The Twist – Chubby Checker (1960)
A classic rock and roll dance song with a simple and fun dance move. Fun fact: This song sparked a dance craze in the 1960s and remains a popular party song today.
46. Shout – The Isley Brothers (1959)
A high-energy call-and-response song that is a classic wedding reception staple. Fun fact: This song has been covered by numerous artists and is known for its iconic build-up and release.
47. Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton (2011)
A high-energy hip-hop song with an infectious beat and an inspiring message. Fun fact: This song won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Song in 2014.
48. Marry You – Bruno Mars (2010)
A romantic and upbeat pop song with a catchy melody and lyrics about spontaneous love and marriage. Fun fact: This song was inspired by Bruno Mars’s friends who married on a whim in Las Vegas.
49. Shut Up and Dance – WALK THE MOON (2014)
An indie rock song with a catchy chorus and a driving beat, perfect for an energetic dance party. Fun fact: This song was inspired by a real-life experience of the band’s lead singer at a Los Angeles nightclub.
50. Can’t Stop the Music – Village People (1978)
A disco classic with an infectious beat and a celebratory vibe. Fun fact: This song was part of the soundtrack for the movie “Can’t Stop the Music,” which starred the Village People and was a box office flop. Despite this, the song became a massive hit.
