First Dance Songs: Romantic Hits & Timeless Favorites

Updated on October 26, 2023 | Written by Matthew Campbell (Editor of My Wedding Songs and wedding DJ)

When picking out the song to dance your first dance as a married couple, you must consider the following 3 factors:

  1. Does the song have a special meaning to both of you?
  2. What is the tempo of the song (fast or slow) to determine the style of dance that fits best?
  3. Does the song’s genre and meaning match your music tastes and relationship?

Read on to learn more about each one.

first dance song playing couple dancing
Photo Credit: M Place Productions @mplacepro

New First Dance Songs

Recently released romantic songs you can select for your first dance.

  1. “Last Love” by Jon Mullins (Pop – 2022)
  2. “Love You Anyway” by Luke Combs (Country – 2023)
  3. “This Is” by Ella Mai (R&B – 2023)
  4. “‘Never Til Now” by Ashley Cooke, Brett Young (Country – 2022)
  5. “Baby Will You Love Me” by MAJOR. (R&B – 2023)
  6. “Better Part of Me” by SYML, Sara Watkins (Indie – 2022)
  7. “First Date (Acoustic)” by Taylor Acorn (Rock – 2022)
  8. “Who I Am With You” by Tucker Beathard (Country – 2023)
  9. “Our Time” by Roo Panes (Folk – 2023)
  10. “Pointless” by Lewis Capaldi (Pop – 2022)
  1. “Ain’t Met Us Yet” by Matt Cooper (Country – 2021)
  2. “Always Been You” by Kylie Morgan (Country – 2022)
  3. “Before You” by Benson Boone (Pop – 2022)
  4. “Biblical” by Calum Scott (Pop – 2021)
  5. “Conversations in the Dark” by John Legend (R&B – 2020)
  6. “DO 4 LOVE” by Snoh Aalegra (R&B – 2021)
  7. “Forever and Ever and Always” by Ryan Mack (Pop – 2022)
  8. “Glimpse Of Us” by Joji (Pop – 2022)
  9. “Golden Hour” by JVKE (Pop – 2022)
  10. “I Didn’t Know” by Sofia Carson (Vocal/Pop – 2022)
  11. “It’s Always Been You” by Phil Wickman (Christian – 2021)
  12. “On My Way (Marry Me)” by Jennifer Lopez (Pop – 2021)
  13. “Someone” by Aaron Lewis (Country – 2022)
  14. “still into you (first dance cover)” by Isabella Kensington (Pop – 2022)
  15. “Take My Hand” by Parmalee (Country – 2021)
  16. “Thank God” by Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown (Country – 2022)
  17. “Tough Ones” by Cooper Alan (Country – 2021)
  18. “Twin Flame” by Machine Gun Kelly (Alternative – 2022)
  19. “World Before You” by Lauren Duski (Country – 2022)
  20. “You” by Dan + Shay (Country – 2021)

Tip

The best advice is to select a first dance song that is something meaningful for you as a couple.

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Pop First Dance Songs

  1. Last Love – Jon Mullins
  2. Heaven – Calum Scott
  3. The Joker And The Queen – Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift
  4. Amazing – Teddy Swims
  5. Lifetime – Justin Bieber
  6. FOREVER IS – Norman Kerner
  7. Butterflies – MAX, Ali Gatie
  8. Imagine (Acoustic) – Ben Platt
  9. Our Song (Acoustic) – Ron Pope
  10. Love Songs Ain’t for Us – Amy Shark, Keith Urban
  11. Luckiest Man – Clark Beckham
  12. If You Love Her – Forest Blakk feat. Meghan Trainor
  13. I Am Yours – Andy Grammer
  14. Falling like the Stars – James Arthur
  15. Lover (First Dance Remix) – Taylor Swift
  16. You Are The Reason – Calum Scott & Leona Lewis
  17. Moon River – Frank Ocean
  18. Love Someone – Lukas Graham
  19. Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur
  20. How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
 

Tip

Already selected your first dance song? Next, select a father-daughter dance song for the bride and her dad.

Country First Dance Tracks

  1. That’s Why – Troy Cartwright
  2. Always Been You – Kylie Morgan
  3. That’s What Love Is – Alexandra Kay
  4. Dance Of A Lifetime – Drake Milligan
  5. You (Acoustic) – Dan + Shay
  6. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Kacey Musgraves
  7. Growing Old With You (First Dance Version) – Restless Road
  8. Never Til Now – Ashley Cooke, Brett Young
  9. I Choose You – Amanda Jordan
  10. Forever After All – Luke Combs
  11. My Person (Wedding Version) – Spencer Crandall
  12. Always Gonna Love You (First Dance Version) – Alana Springsteen
  13. Joy of My Life – Chris Stapleton
  14. Nobody But You – Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani
  15. Prayed For You – Matt Stell
  16. Speechless – Dan + Shay
  17. Butterflies – Kacey Musgraves
  18. Beautiful Crazy – Luke Combs
  19. Heaven – Kane Brown
  20. The Rest of Our Life – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
  21. In Case You Didn’t Know – Brett Young
  22. Promise to Love Her – Blane Howard
  23. From the Ground Up – Dan + Shay
  24. Grow Old – Florida Georgia Line
  25. Yours – Russell Dickerson
 

Tip

Grooms – Don’t forget about your mom! Pick a Mother-Son dance song for a Mom and Groom dance.

grooms dancing first dance
Photo Credit: M Place Productions @mplacepro

Indie First Dance Tunes

  1. Sweet Symphony – Joy Oladokun, Chris Stapleton
  2. One Day Less – Anson Seabra
  3. I GUESS I’M IN LOVE – Clinton Kane
  4. Made to Love You – Drew Angus
  5. You – Louyah
  6. Amen – John Adams
  7. Evermore – Hollow Coves
  8. I Get to Love You – Ruelle
  9. I’m With You – Vance Joy
  10. I Choose You – Ryann Darling
  11. The One – Kodaline
  12. Never Stop (Wedding Version) – SafetySuit
 

Tip

This list is for the first dance. Pick songs for the wedding couple to dance at the end of the night too. Maybe for a private last dance?

bride and groom's first dance
Photo Credit: M Place Productions @mplacepro

Folk First Dance Hits

  1. If I Didn’t Love You – Ben Abraham
  2. You’re the One (Acoustic) – Luca Fogale
  3. Forever From Now – Sheffield
  4. I Will Spend My Whole Life Loving You – Imaginary Future & Kina Grannis
  5. Touching Heaven – Johnnyswim
  6. You Are The Best Thing – Ray Lamontagne
 

Tip

Have fun at your reception. See a list of party songs to sing your heart out!

wedding couple first dance dip

R&B First Dance Songs

  1. Luckiest Man – Chris Brown
  2. Love of My Life – Sentury
  3. Incomplete – Jay Sean
  4. Anything For You (The Duet) – Ledisi & PJ Morton
  5. 17 – Pink Sweat$
  6. Collide – Tiana Major9 & EARTHGANG
  7. Sent From Heaven – Rahsaan Patterson
  8. Find Someone Like You – Snoh Aalegra
  9. Today I Do – Tamia
  10. Beyond – Leon Bridges
  11. Best Part – H.E.R. feat. Daniel Caesar
  12. Why I Love You – MAJOR.
  13. Like I’m Gonna Lose You – Meghan Trainor feat. John Legend
  14. All Of Me – John Legend
  15. Everything – Mary J. Blige
 

Tip

You can play slow dance songs so that relatives and couples can have a special dance.

Rock First Dance Tracks

  1. First Date (Acoustic) – Taylor Acorn
  2. All Because of You – O.A.R.
  3. Perfect – Ed Sheeran
  4. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
  5. Marry Me – Train
  6. Better Together – Jack Johnson
  7. Fade Into You – Mazzy Star
 

Tip

Celebrate the longest-married couple with a dance!

Misc First Dance Tunes

  1. Love Music – Lil Yachty
  2. When I Say I Do – Matthew West
  3. Everything – Michael Buble

If you need more ideas, see a list of the best wedding music.

 

FAQs

The first dance is the first dance as a married couple by the wedding couple. This could be between the bride and groom, the groom and groom, or the bride and bride.

The first dance depends on who is getting married!

The most popular first dance song of all time is “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley. There are many popular covers of the song to also include in the song’s popularity including Kina Grannis, Hailey Reinhardt, and Music Travel Love.

Pick out your first dance song well in advance so you can practice that specific tune and your dance moves.

The most important thing is to choose something memorable from the catalog of wedding songs. First dance songs are a symbol of your love and commitment, so take your time in choosing.

Also, if you use the recorded version of the song, then practice that version. If the band or musician will play it live, try to get a recording of their version ahead of time.

This is important for practice. Again, talk about coordinating the first dance with your wedding planner.

The wedding’s first dance is the first dance between newlyweds as a married couple. This should be the first dance at the wedding reception immediately following the grand entrance introduction.

The first dance can also start the formal dances following the meal.

The first dance is commonly followed by the father-daughter dance and mother-son dance.

The end of the ceremonial dances is marked by the entire wedding party dancing. The wedding party invites others to join. (See a playlist for the wedding party to dance to)

It’s your wedding party. The timing of the wedding couple’s dance at the reception is based on your preferences.

The first dance can be done immediately following the reception entrance songs. You can be surrounded by your wedding party if you wish.

If being watched makes you uncomfortable, that’s okay, too. Talk to your wedding planner, coordinate with the DJ, and earn more by reading our suggestions on how to format your wedding reception.

The progression of the evening is up to you, the wedding couple. The most important thing is to have the couple agree on a song that is special to them.

To inspire you, we’ve curated the best 100 first dance songs out of thousands to choose from.

Making your first dance special is as simple as choosing a song that has meaning to you, the wedding couple.

Wedding first dance songs are remembered by the wedding couple for the rest of their lives. So, it’s important to pick a song that is significant to you.

Some couples choose a funny song or an instrumental song. Those can be just as memorable as a touching ballad.

When the couple chooses the first song for a reason, it’s more special. Don’t be tricked into choosing a song because it is popular or traditional.

Also, remember that though people are watching you, this dance is for you. Make eye contact. Chat with each other. Caress your partner. Enjoy the moment — it’s for you.

No. The first dance at your wedding reception does not have to be slow.

However, choosing slow dance songs sets the mood for the entire reception. If you don’t have a song, select a song where the lyrics mean something to you.

Why do you think that Sarah McLachlan’s song “Ice Cream” is on many first dance song lists? It’s because it has cool words like “your love is better than chocolate, better than anything else that I’ve tried.” Corny? Maybe. But who cares what everyone else thinks? Maybe you met me at an ice cream parlor. If that were the case, then, the song would be awesome as a first dance song.

It’s okay to be creative. Choose a song that has meaningful lyrics. You don’t have to be like everyone else and dance to the overplayed Celine Dion love songs (not that there’s anything wrong with a classic love song).

Not only does the song not have to be slow, but it doesn’t have to adhere to any musical genre.

Many wedding couples take dancing lessons to a jazz song, classical, or rock ballad. That way, wedding couples don’t look goofy dancing in a circle through the whole song (like we did).

Couples who take dance lessons have a deeper connection to the song. It will have significant meaning to them for the rest of their lives since they spent so long practicing it.

They will also have the memories of getting the lessons together — a great break from the stress of planning the wedding.

Why trust Matthew Campbell?

DJ, Editor, Music Lover

Matt Campbell

Matthew (Matt) Campbell is the founder/editor of My Wedding Songs from his experience as a wedding DJ. He is the author of two wedding planners: ‘Wedding Songs Planner’ and ‘The Wedding Music Toolkit’. Matt is the host of the ‘Wedding Songs Podcast’. He shares music inspiration in his weekly newsletter the ‘Wedding MusicLetter’. His articles have been published on Rolling Stone, DJ Life Magazine, and DJ Times. Matt resides in the wedding capital of the world – Las Vegas.

16 Comments

  1. One of the lists should include “Always” by Atlantic Starr:
    “Come with me my sweet
    Let’s go make a family
    And they will bring us joy, for always…”

    Reply

  2. I was so excited to see Leon Bridges on this list! We plan on dancing to his song Coming Home for our first dance.

    Reply

    1. Hi Michael. Thanks for your suggestion. Your suggestion is a very romantic love song. One that the generation of its time will cherish.

      Reply

  4. Two I would add to this list would include Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville’s duet ‘All My Life’ (it’s best known as the wedding song from ‘Baywatch’ but was a popular first dance song in the 90s) and Anne Murray’s classic ‘Could I have This Dance’ from the movie ‘Urban Cowboy’.

    Reply

    1. Thank you for the suggestions. Yes, the 2 songs you mentioned are great first dance songs. However, their popularity as first dance songs has diminished over time. We do have the songs mentioned on other playlists on the site.

      Reply

  6. This is an incredible list. Thank you so much. I will say though, my dream song since I was about 16 has been The Book of Love by Peter Gabriel.

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Victoria. I still see it on wedding lists. However, his most popular wedding song remains as “In Your Eyes” from the movie Say Anything.

      Reply

  7. While there’s thousands of good possibilities, another one that is worth mentioning is “You needed me” by Anne Murray.

    Reply

    1. Hi David. Thanks for your suggestion. Anne Murray is an all-time Country legend and this song would make for the perfect first dance song.

      Reply

  8. I’d add two songs
    1. Jessie Ware-Say you love me
    2. Kaliber-Call me out
    I’m so in love with them! ??

    Reply

    1. Thanks Juliet. Jessie Ware – Say You Love Me is a great song with a ton of emotion and even includes Ed Sheeran. However, the story of the song don’t make it perfect for a first dance song (in our opinion).

      Reply

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