Top Modern Waltz Songs To Dance At Your Wedding
Waltz songs are incorporated into many of today’s weddings.
A typical song is about 3-4 minutes in length. Therefore, plan for a minimum of 12 hours of practice to perfect your dance. If you choose to make your first dance a waltz, contact your local dance studio and they will help with a choreographed routine.
If you are the wedding couple dancing the waltz for your first dance, be sure to practice with the bride wearing her wedding dress (even if it is in private without the groom). This way you can test the length of the dress and the weight so all the turns can be performed as expected.
If you would like to see a waltz danced, view past shows of Dancing With The Stars and So You Think You Can Dance. Some of the songs listed below were danced to in past episodes. For your convenience, we also listed the music genre and release date of each song.
If you select your wedding reception’s first dance like a waltz, it is also commonly known as the Bridal Waltz.
Modern Waltz Wedding Songs List
Please keep the song tempo in mind when selecting your song. Listen to the song and picture your steps to the beat of the music. A slower tempo is recommended for those not too sure about your dance feet.
Teach Me To Dance – Taylor Hicks
Released in 2023 as a single
The song speaks of wanting to dance with another!
Loveable Lyrics:
Teach me to dance
Please, let me try
With you I could do it, with you I could fly
Tennessee Waltz – Watkins Family Hour
Released in 2022 on the album Vol. II, Genre: Singer-Songwriter
The song describes losing your lover to someone who interrupted your waltz dance. However, it can be used to start with a dance with your father and your new spouse interrupts the dance.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I remember the night and the Tennessee Waltz
Now I know just how much I have lost
Yes, I lost my little darling on the night they were playing
Danced All Night Long – William Beckmann
Released in 2022 on the album Danced All Night Long, Genre: Country
A song about seeing a beautiful woman and asking her to dance. During the dance, she steals your heart away.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
So we danced
We danced all night long
We romanced song after song
Feel like dancing even more? See a list of modern Cha Cha songs.
Montana Waltz – Corb Lund
Released in 2022 on the album Songs My Friends Wrote, Genre: Country
A song about the life of a cowboy and his wife and how they ride off into the sunset together.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Well she knew the deep snow
Would soon bring him down
She’s long gone with her cowboy
All for the love of a cowboy
Glory of True Love – Wade Bowen
Released in 2021 on the album Glory of True Love, Genre: Folk
The song is about how true love grows stronger over time and how once you love someone you will do so forever.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Touch the moon and stars above
But old faithful’s just a fountain
Compared to the glory of true love
I’ve Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You – Bob Dylan
Released in 2020 on the album Rough and Rowdy Ways, Genre: Folk
A song announcing that you will devote your life to the one you love.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
No one ever told me, it’s just something I knew
I’ve made up my mind to give myself to you
If you love to waltz, also see our list of Country songs to dance the waltz to.
Waltz in the Dark – Matt Nakoa
Released in 2019 on the album Casting Shadows, Genre: Pop
A song about how someone just wants to dance the waltz with their lover and nothing else would make them happier.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
And I want you so
But let’s take it slow
‘Cause there’s nothing I’d rather do
Than waltz in the dark with you
Rockin’ Years – Porter Union
Released in 2018 on the album Rockin’ Years, Genre: Country
A song about standing by each other’s side and supporting each other. If you do then you will sit on the porch side by side in your rocking chairs when older.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
And if you’ll hold me tight when you love me
That’s all I’ll ask of you
And I’ll stand by you through our rockin’ years
Heart Like A Wheel – Eric Church
Released in 2018 on the album Desperate Man, Genre: Country
The song describes a love relationship of opposites attracting and they want to start their forever together.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I got a heart like a wheel, baby, let’s go
Get in this heart like a wheel and baby, let’s roll
(See a list of slow dance songs no matter your dance experience)
Moon River – Frank Ocean
Released in 2018 on the album Moon River, Genre: R&B
The song is a metaphor for the twists and turns a river takes and how lovers are willing to float the river of life wherever it may go.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Moon river wider than a mile
Crossin’ in style someday
My dream maker
Heartbreaker
Wherever you’re going I’m going the same
You Are The Reason – Calum Scott
(Also as a duet with Leona Lewis)
Released in 2017 on the album Only Human, Genre: Pop
A love song about needing someone and that you will do anything to be with them.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I’d climb every mountain
And swim every ocean
Just to be with you
If you are going to a cowboy bar, practice with good songs to dance the cowboy cha cha to!
Perfect – Ed Sheeran
Released in 2017 on the album Divide, Genre: Pop
A love song from a man to a woman divulging his devotion to her and loving her so much that he wants her to carry their children.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful
I don’t deserve this, darling, you look perfect tonight
From The Ground Up – Dan + Shay
Released in 2016 on the album Obsessed, Genre: Country
A song about how love is the foundation of any relationship and it will build a beautiful future together.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
And we’ll build this love from the ground up
For worse or for better
And I will be all you need
How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
Released in 2013 on the album Halcyon Days, Genre: Pop
A love song letting your lover know that you will love them forever and even longer than that.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
How long will I give to you
As long as I live through you
However long you say
I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz
Released in 2012 on the album Love Is a Four Letter Word, Genre: Pop
A love song letting your lover know that you will stand by them through life’s highs and lows no matter what.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I won’t give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I’m giving you all my love
I’m still looking up
The Only Exception – Paramore
Released in 2010 on the album Brand New Eyes, Genre: Indie
This is a song about losing all hope for love and feeling that love never lasts – until finding a true love who made them believe in love.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
And that was the day that I promised
I’d never sing of love if it does not exist
But, darling
You are the only exception
Any couple can move throughout the dance floor with our list of Country two-step dance songs.
You and Me – Lifehouse
Released in 2005 on the album Lifehouse, Genre: Rock
A song about finding another you find attractive and out of all of the people in the world you cannot keep your eyes off of only her.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
And it’s you and me and all of the people
And I don’t know why I can’t keep my eyes off of you
Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
Released in 2001 on the album Come Away with Me, Genre: Jazz
A song about finding someone and asking them to spend the rest of their life with you.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Come away with me and we’ll kiss
On a mountaintop
Come away with me
And I’ll never stop loving you
Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
Released in 1998 on the album Dizzy Up the Girl, Genre: Rock
The song is about falling in love and not wanting them to go anywhere but by your side.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
I’ll Be – Edwin McCain
Released in 1997 on the album Misguided Roses, Genre: Rock
Thi sis a love song letting a lover know that you will be there to support them until your dying days.
Lovable Lyrics:
I’ll be your cryin’ shoulder
I’ll be love suicide
I’ll be better when I’m older
I’ll be the greatest fan of your life
Kiss From A Rose – Seal
Released in 1994 on the album Seal, Genre: R&B
The song describes a love journey of dedicating yourself to another but also asking if it is a good thing to love someone so much.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels
Fade Into You – Mazzy Star
Released in 1993 on the album So Tonight That I Might See, Genre: Alternative/Indie
The song can be interpreted as loving someone so much that you would die for them but they don’t realize how much you love them.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
You put your hands into your head
And then its smiles cover your heart
Fade into you
Other Slow Waltz Songs To Check Out
- “Skyfall” by Adele
- “Lasso the Moon” by Art Garfunkel
- “If I Were a Painting” by Kenny Rogers
- “Rainbow Connection” by Karen Carpenter
- “Don’t Close Your Eyes” by Klaus Hallen
- “A Daisy in December” by Mick McCauley
- “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones
- “Apologize” by Orchestra Alec Medina
- “How Long Will I Love You” by Orchestra Alec Medina
- “Something in Red” by Tara Hutton
- “You Light Up My Life” by Westlife
FAQs
What is the waltz?
The Waltz is a ballroom dance in triple time with a strong accent on the first beat. (See ballroom dance song lists)
The waltz is primarily danced in the closed position. It is believed to have started in the 16th century.
Do you have a favorite waltz song, not on our list? Please share it below so that we can add it!
Quick lessons on how to dance the waltz!
So while these songs are nice, most are not actually waltzes. Waltzes have timing in sets of 3. Always. Often theses are in 4/4 times. Just an fyi……..
Hi April. Thanks for the feedback. Do you have a few favorite Waltz songs released in the past 10 years we could add to our list?
I was looking up Waltz songs, and came across your site.
You need to look carefully at some of these songs, as they’re NOT all waltzes. A Waltz is strictly in 3/4 tempo, which some of them indeed are, but others are 12/8 or 4/4 so definitely not suitable as a waltz!!!
Just thought I’d let you know, so you can research further!!!
Thanks Rick. I will review the list again. Do you have any favorites you would add?