What song should I play for my last dance? – Podcast E15

Matt talks about his favorite songs to play for the Last Dance at the wedding reception.

Important Links

• View the complete list of last dance and private last dance songs.
• See all Wedding Songs Podcast episodes.

Podcast Transcript

(00:18):
Hi everybody, I’m Matt Campbell, and welcome to the 15th episode of the Wedding Songs Podcast. Today I’m going to be talking about 85 songs you can play as your last dance at your wedding reception. But before I get started, I just wanted to first apologize because I never really talked about why we don’t play music on our podcast. That’s because we don’t have the copyrights to play that music on our podcast. In order to make that happen, we have to jump through so many hoops that it’s just not worth it. So we’re just offering more information and hopefully, you’re getting much benefit from our topics. So let’s go ahead and get started with our first song. Yeah, “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC was released in 1980. Definitely, a classic rock song that would bring such excitement and joy to any last dance and partying to your reception and a great way to end it. A more romantic song to play is “I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith released in 1998. If you may remember, this is from the movie Armageddon which features Bruce Willis and Ben Aflac.

(01:26)
The next song could describe your wedding day or hopefully it does. “The Best Day of My Life” by American Authors was released in 2013. A classic country waltz song, “Could I Have This Dance” by Anne Murray was released back in 1980, same as the AC/DC song, but this is a classic country song that everybody from the era will know and it’s a great song to end the night on – a ballroom waltz dance. A relatively current song by the Backstreet Boys’ “No Place” was released in 2019. One of the greatest bands of all time, the Beatles, and their song “All You Need is Love” love love was released in 1967. You could have everybody circling around the wedding couple to end the evening with this song. Would You Stand? “Stand By Me” was released in 1961 by Ben E. King. It is an R&B classic that’s still awesome today.

(02:24)
The song was even played at the Royal Wedding. Beyonce’s song “XO” (that’s kisses and hugs) was released in 2013. Now “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” was released in 1987 by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warrens. Yes, this is from Dirty Dancing. You Can’t Put Baby in a Corner. This song is a great way to end every wedding day and is actually very popular as a selection for the last dance. Unfortunately, Bill Withers passed on recently. His song “Just The Two of Us” was released in 1981 and it is an R&B classic that still is awesome today. I even remember the song being played in a Will Smith movie with his son. Can’t remember the name of it, but a great song to end the evening. If you’re on the East Coast in the New York area, Billy Joel’s song “Piano Man” will have everybody singing along.

(03:22)
The song was released in 1973, but a great way to end the evening on a high note. Talking about a high note, if you want a high-tempo dance song to play, “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas was released in 2009. Tommy used to work on the docks to Bon Jovi’s song “Living On A Prayer”. Everybody knows that and we’ll have every Hairband fan dancing along and singing along at your wedding reception to close out the evening. Next up, Brad Paisley is on our list twice with his romantic song “Then” released in 2009, and “Today” which describes a wedding day was released in 2016. So if you are a Brad Paisley fan, definitely two songs to check out to end your wedding day romantically. Speaking about romance you have, “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young is another great modern country song released in 2017.

(04:16)
It’s a beautiful night. We’re looking for something dumb to do. Hey, marry You. Yeah, it’s not the greatest wedding song, but a lot of couples decide to play “Marry You” by Bruno Mars at their wedding reception. So if you are okay with the lyrics, maybe you want to read ’em first. It is an uptempo or mid-tempo song you can play as your last dance. A great uptempo song but has a shady past is Chris Brown with his song “Forever” which was released in 2008. A great song that really exploded when as the processional at their wedding if you remember that video going viral on YouTube. Christina Perri’s song “A Thousand Years” was featured on the wedding of the Twilight series released in 2011. The English band Coldplay released “A Sky Full of Stars” in 2014.

(05:14)
A mid-tempo song that you could play if you’re into EDM or dance music. Daft Punk released their song “One More Time” in 2000. They also have a modern song “Get Lucky” released in 2013 with Pharrell Williams. If you want to bring your family together “From the Ground Up” by Dan + Shay in 2016. It’s a massive country wedding hit that would fit perfectly as any last dance. My my Miss “American Pie”. If you’re looking for a singalong song and are a classic rock fan, then Don McLean’s song “American Pie” was released in 1971. Because it is the last dance of the evening, you have to go with the disco hit “Last Dance” by Donna Summer released in 1978 and would have everybody up roaring and dancing at your reception. To close it out., a modern country hit “The Best Is Yet To Come” by Drake White was released in 2018. One of the best R&B songs of all Time was released in 1978 called “September” by Earth Wind and Fire.

(06:20)
Of course, Ed Sheeran has to be on our list with his two most popular wedding songs. I would say “Perfect” was released in 2017 and “Thinking Out Loud” was released in 2014. If you’re looking for a classic rock song, “Take Me Home Tonight” was released in 1986 by recently deceased Eddie Money, but still a great song for those rock fans and describes the last dance. If you’re into folk music, then check out Edward Sharp and The Magnetic Zeros’ “Home” released in 2010. The 31st song on our list is the unforgettable Elvis Presley with his romantic love song that is being covered by so many people “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” was released in 1961. You look “Wonderful Tonight”. Yes, another great classic rock song by Eric Clapton released in 1977. I have been put on record as saying this next song is the greatest wedding song of all time “and “At “Last” My Love has Come Along.

(07:39)
Etta James released it in 1960. The soulful voice of Etta is a perfect way to end any wedding reception romantically. If you have a DJ with uplighting, they could really set the mood and this song would be a massive hit and definitely would create memories of your wedding for years to come. Another hairband on our list is Firehouse with their 1991 love song, “Love of a Lifetime”. If you’re looking for a little more uptempo song that is in the classic rock family that is “Don’t Stop” thinking about tomorrow by Fleetwood Mac released in 1977. The classic crooner Frank Sinatra is on our list twice with his first song released in 1964 “The Way You Look Tonight” and another more mid-tempo to uptempo song “New York, New York” released in 1977 – start spreading the news.

(08:37)
Yep, I love that song. Garth Brooks is on our list twice with the first song I got “Friends in Low Places” released in 1990. Hard to believe it’s been that long. The romantic song “The Dance” was also released on the same album in 1990. If you’re looking for a modern punk rock song, then Green Day is always great. They’re even in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. No, it’s not the Dirty Dancing version, but it’s “Good Riddance Time of Your Life” released in 1997. You make me want to “Shout”. So if you want more of an uptempo song to get everybody singing along and excited, “Shout” by the Isley Brothers released in 1959. A very popular first dance song that was recently released was James Arthur’s “Say You Won’t Let Go” which was released in 2016 and is an English counterpart to Ed Sheeran.

(09:37)
A favorite artist of mine is James TW with “Incredible” released in 2019 has the same feel as Ed Sheeran, but a very romantic song. Next up is a hip hop song by Jay-Z featuring Mr. Hudson “Young Forever” released in 2010. A modern pop-rock song is “Dance Real Close” by Jesse Payo. Another song to definitely check out for those country fans and another sing-along song is “Take Me Home Country Road” by John Denver released in 1971. Another great love song of all time because “All of Me” loves all of you.” “All of Me” by John Legend was released in 2013. I know this song has been played at many weddings as the last dance song, but for those classic rock songs, this is one of the greatest. Just a small-town girl living in a lonely world. “Don’t Stop Believin'” was released in 1981 by Journey.

(10:40)
“Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake is a massive hit from the movie Trolls was released in 2016. All my life I’ve been praying for someone like you. “All My Life” by K-Ci and Jojo was released in 1997 -one of the greatest R&B love songs of the nineties. Wish we still had a lot of music like this today. Those people who live in Las Vegas or grew up in Las Vegas know The Killers. If you want a rock up-tempo song, then “Mr. Brightside” was released in 2003. Celebrate good times come on. “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang released in 1980 – a great R&B disco song to get everybody pumped up to end the evening. If you’re looking for a slower-tempo country song, released in 2014 is “I Don’t Dance” by Lee Brice. More on the jazzy side, there are great cover versions of this song, but “What a Wonderful World” life is while you are in the world.

(11:45)
Louis Armstrong’s song was released in 1967. “I Don’t Want This Night to End” – it’s a little bit more uptempo for a country song to end the night. But if you like Luke Bryan and his judging on American Idol, then this song released in 2011 would fit perfectly. Hey ho. Hey ho. I belong to you. You belong to me your my sweet heart. “Hey Ho” is a great folk song released in 2013 by the Lumineers. A great feel-good song to end the night” Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”. Ain’t no river low enough. Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell released this duet song in 1967. “Save The Last Dance For Me”. I personally like Michael Buble’s version of this song released in 2006. “Making Plans” could describe your wedding day. For those lady country fans, Miranda Lambert has this song released in 2009. For boy band fans “Bye Bye Bye” by NSYNC was released in 2000.

(12:52)
A very spot-on theme song is “The Party’s Over” by Nat King Cole released in 1956. Nat King Cole is one of my favorites and this would fit into any classic wedding. “This Will Be An Everlasting Love” by Natalie Cole was released in 1975. “Sweet Caroline” – everybody will be singing along to that song and is a great way to end the evening released in 1969 by Neil Diamond. “Come Away With Me” in the Night. Another great song that’s topic correct and that’s by Norah Jones released in 2002. “Wagon Wheel” is a more uptempo song that a lot of people will be dancing on the dance floor. I’m choosing the version by Old Crow Medicine Show, but it really depends on the part of the country that you’re in. You could also choose the Darius Rucker version. I know that’s a touchy point for a lot of you, but this version was released in 2004.

(13:54)
Because I’m “Happy”. Yep. Hopefully, you’re happy on your wedding day by Pharrell Williams released in 2013. I won’t try to sing this next song because I cannot touch the voice of Freddie Mercury, but “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen was released in 1975. Some of you may be thinking that I’m crazy for having this song on the list, but I have to say every single person will be singing along to this song and it’s a great high note to end your wedding day. “It’s the End of the World as We Know It”. Yeah, probably not a great song to be playing with the pandemic that’s going on right now, but it was a great last dance song by R.E.M. that was released in 1987. Another very topical song that would be perfect as the last dance is “Hit the Road Jack”, don’t come back no more no more, no more.

(14:44)
“Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles in 1967. “You Are The Best Thing” is a great romantic love song by Ray Lamontagne. It’s a folky rock song that was released in 2008. A more uptempo song is “Send Me On My Way” by Rusted Root. Another great topical song that was released in 1992 for those rock fans. Speaking of rock, “Closing Time” by Semisonic was released in 1998. Another classic country song is “You’re Still The One” by Shania Twain in 1998. “We Are Family”. Hopefully, after you guys have been married, your family is all around you and your friends. This Sister Sledge classic was released in 1979 and is a great song to play as your last dance. Goodnight, sweetheart. Well, it’s time to go. This Spaniels song “Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight” was released in 1954.

(15:49)
Hey, hey, hey. Goodbye. Everybody knows the song “Na Nah Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” by Steam was released in 1969. For modern pop fans, Taylor Swift’s song “Today Was A Fairytale” was released in 2010. Another romantic country song “Die A Happy Man” by Thomas Rhett was released in 2015. For those eighties rock fans, “Africa” by Toto was released in 1982. For those 80s fans, you have to stick with the Toto version, but recently Weezer released a cover of this song. So you could play either one. “Marry Me” is a great wedding song by Train released in 2010. Another nineties R&B song “Save The Best For Last” by Vanessa Williams has been a classic wedding song since it was released. We only have three songs left on our list. As you may know, I’ve been going alphabetically by artists so that way if you do have your own list you can follow along.

(16:49)
You could just tell me to shut up or just “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon released in 2014. One of my favorite dance songs to end any evening is “Glad You Came” by The Wanted released in 2011. The last song on our list is an eighties classic R&B song “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston released in 1987 and it’s a great uptempo song to end the night. So there you have my list of 85 last dance songs you can play as your wedding’s last dance. If you have any questions or want to talk about any of the songs on our list, please reach out to us on our Facebook page. Thanks for listening and have a great day.

Listen to Podcast Episode 16 – What song to play for the Unity Ceremony?