What are the Greatest Wedding Songs All-Time? – Podcast E4

Planning your wedding playlist and looking for the most popular wedding songs of all time? You are in luck as Matt discusses his favorite 101 wedding songs of all time and when to play them at your wedding.

Important Links

• View the complete list of the greatest wedding song ideas.
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Podcast Transcript

(00:17):
Hi everybody, I’m Matt Campbel. Today I am gonna be talking about the 101 greatest wedding songs of all time. And just so you guys can follow along at home, I’ve alphabetized my list by artist and then by song title. So that way if you have your list you can follow along. I’m gonna be covering these in five song sections so that way we can kind of discuss them a little bit as well. So let’s go ahead and get started with our list at number one is AC/DC with “You Shook Me All Night Long”, released in 1980. In 1998, Aerosmith with “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing”. Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” in 1972. American Authors’ “Best Day of My Life” in 2013. The fifth song in 1989, “Love Shack” by the B-52’s. So all these five songs are to start our list off alphabetically by artist, as I said. “You Shook Me All Night Long” is definitely one of the best party songs of all time. DJs can even turn down the volume during the main chorus and everybody will be singing along and having a great time.

(01:21)
Armageddon, the movie featured Aerosmith’s, “I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing”, which is a classic rock love song ever since released in 1998. Al Green is definitely an R&B legend with “Let’s Stay Together” and it is a great anniversary song too. “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors is a song that’s commonly used as a recessional, but you can use this song throughout your wedding day because hey, your wedding day is definitely one of the best days of your life. And “Love Shack” by the B-52’s is the 1980s classic that everybody loves to sing ‘Rusted Roof’. All right, our next five songs on the list are The Beatles with “Here Comes The Sun” in 1969 and a party classic “Twist and Shout” by the Beatles in 1963. Ben E King with “Stand By Me” in 1961. I also included Ben Folds’ “The Luckiest” released in 2001. “Single Ladies Put a Ring On It” by Beyonce was released in 2008.

(02:20)
So on this list of five songs, you’ll notice that we do have two songs by the Beatles. I did debate having my list only include one song by every artist, but you know, just sometimes there are just great songs by a great artist that you have to include more than one song on this list. Beatles is one of those groups that I could include in more songs, but I kind of narrowed it down to two. “Here Comes The Sun” is a great processional song and “Twist and Shout” is one of those songs that will definitely fill the dance floor. One of the classic love songs, “Stand By Me” by Benny E King, was also the song in the Royal Wedding, played during the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan. We also have an indie song here on the list called “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds. Definitely, on your wedding day, both of you are one of the luckiest people in the world released in 2001.

(03:11)
Finally in this list of five is “Single Ladies Put a Ring On It” which is a very common bouquet toss song, probably a little bit overplayed, but man it just hits the target of the theme of weddings. So the next group of five is Beyonce with her husband Jay-Z in “Crazy In Love” released in 2003. Black Eyed Peas with “I Got a Feeling” was released in 2009. Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You” was released in 2011. 1997 featured Bob Carlisle with “Butterfly Kisses,” and finally Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer” released in 1986. So let’s start with this first song with the couple Beyonce and Jay-Z. “Crazy In Love” is a faster song that describes your wedding day and will have everybody singing along to this song. A great grand entrance song is “I Got a Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas, but also a great dance song to get everybody on the dance floor.

(04:07)
“God Gave Me You” was not originally released by Blake Shelton, but his version of this song is definitely a classic love song for wedding people. Next up on the list is Bob Carlisle’s “Butterfly Kisses”, an extremely popular father-daughter song to play at weddings. But I would highly recommend cutting down the version of the song to about two minutes because it just seems like four and a half minutes is too long for expecting the bride to dance with her father. And finally in this group is “Living On A Prayer” a 1980s hit by Bon Jovi that will have all of the hairband fanatics going crazy. Alright, our next group of five starts off with number 16 with Brad Paisley’s “Then” released in 2009. “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young in 2017. And then two songs by Bruno Mars “24K Magic” and “Marry You” were released in 2016 and 2010.

(05:03)
Finally, “You Are The Reason” by Calum Scott and Leona Lewis. I did include the duet version as I think it’s more appropriate for weddings, but you could include the standard version of Callum Scott’s as well released in 2018. So first on the list is Brad Paisley’s “Then”. A classic wedding country song and also”In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young. Both are great country wedding love songs to play throughout the wedding. Bruno Mars’s “Marry You” is an upbeat song that you can play as the recessional and “24K Magic” can be played as the grand entrance song. “You Are The Reason” can be played during the ceremony, like unity candle lighting, the sand ceremony, or the rope. You know, all of these ceremony events can be played to this song. Next up at number 21, we have “Because You Love Me” by Celine Dion released in 1996. Number 22 is “Forever” by Chris Brown in 2008. “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton in 2015.

(06:06)
Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” in 2011. Number 25 is Cupid with the “Cupid Shuffle” in 2007. Alright, let’s start off with Celine Dion. She’s definitely one of the most popular artists of all time and this song has definitely been played throughout weddings since 1996 as a parent dance or throughout the wedding because it really hits home on its message. Chris Brown’s “Forever” has been extremely popular after the video went viral on YouTube as a processional song coming into the church. “Tennessee Whiskey “is a modern classic by Chris Stapleton and his country sound. At number 24 we have Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” released in 2011 has been a classic ever since being featured on the Twilight Saga soundtrack and movie. You can also check out other versions of this song by the Piano Guys has been a huge hit.

(07:04)
One of the group dance songs “Cupid Shuffle” still is awesome to fill the dance floor and get many people doing the specific dance. Next up we have Dan + Shay’s “From The Ground Up” in 2016 and also their song released in 2018 “Speechless”. Daniel Caesar featuring H.E.R. with the song “Best Part” released in 2017. Darryl Hall and John Oates, “You Make My Dreams” in 1980. Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore” in 1953 rounded out this group of five. So let’s start off with Dan + Shay’s “From The Ground Up” and “Speechless”. Both of these songs have been super hits with “Speechless “being mainly used as a first dance song, but also their song “From the Ground Up” has been used as parent dances because that’s how all of our relationships have started. Now, I did skip their new song “10,000 Years” just because it is a little bit too new to be featured on the one-hundred greatest wedding songs of all time.

(07:59)
Now “Best Part” was released in 2017 by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R. I have to say I just love this song as an R&B hit that I feel will be a classic R&B song to be played for years to come. Darryl Hall and John Oates still have a major wedding song “You Make My Dreams Come True” which is still used as a recessional song and also throughout the wedding day. To close out this list of five is Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore” which means that’s love. So it definitely has the feel of a wedding and can be played at any time throughout the wedding. It’s just a great classic song that will bring back many memories. Next up on our list at 31 is Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar On Me” in 1987. Earth, Wind and Fire’s “September” in 1978. Ed Sheeran is on the list twice with “Perfect” in 2017 and “Thinking Out Loud” in 2014. Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” in 1961.

(08:57)
Another hairband hit “Pour Some Sugar on Me” can be used as a cake-cutting song because of the word sugar in the title. It can also be played as a party song to get people who are hairband fanatics on the dance floor. Earth, Wind, and Fire’s “September” is definitely one of the greatest party songs of all time and will fill the dance floor and get everybody in the mood to party. Ed Sheeran has two love songs that are perfect for weddings, no pun intended, or maybe it was intended with “Perfect”, and “Thinking Out Loud”. Both of these songs will go down as some of the greatest wedding songs of all time. Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love” is still relevant today and still being played for couples of today, but also for parents and grandparents. It’s just one of the perfect love songs of all time.

(09:44)
Next up, we’re at number 36 with Emily Hackett featuring Will Anderson with “Take My Hand The Wedding Song” released in 2014. Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” in 1977. Etta James’ “At Last” in 1960. Frank Sinatra with “The Way You Look Tonight” in 1964. And finally, at number 40, we have Garth Brooks with “Friends In Low Places” in 1990. Now some of you may not have Emily Hackett’s song on your top 100 or 200 or 300 songs, but let me tell you, this is my dark horse that should be on everybody’s wedding song list. It has the perfect message of taking my hand and can be included in any wedding ceremony. Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight”, even though it was released in 1977, still has the perfect message of a love song on your wedding day. “At Last” by Etta James has her song “At Last” and is definitely a major hit and will be played for years to come.

(10:43)
Her soulful sound is just spot on for any wedding couple of today. Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight” even though it was released in 1964, it’s been featured in many wedding movies including The Father of the Bride. So it’s still an awesome song and Frank Sinatra is one of the greatest crooners of all time. To round out our list is probably one of the greatest country artists of all time, Garth Brooks. One way to get everybody singing along and dancing is “Freinds In Low Places” which will have everybody gathered around the dance floor singing this song. Next up, we’re at number 41 with George Strait’s “I Cross My Heart” in 1992. Heartland’s “I Loved Her First” in 2006. Heatwave with “Always and Forever” in 1976. Iz’s with “Over The Rainbow” in 1990. At number 45 we have Jack Johnson with “Better Together” in 2006. Another great country artist of all time, George Strait with “I Cross My Heart” was in the movie Heartland and makes for a great wedding first dance song.

(11:48)
Heartland’s “I Loved Her First” has a great message from a father to his daughter that even though you’re in love today, I loved you first from the day that you were born. Heatwave’s “Always and Forever” is a classic R&B song that should still be played today. Iz’s “Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” makes for a great beach wedding song, but can also be played throughout the ceremony as well. And finally, Jack Johnson’s “Better Together”. Hey, better together just sounds great on your wedding day and that’s the message that this song really portrays. Next up at number 46 is James Arthur’s “Say You Won’t Let Go” in 2016. James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You” in 1975. Then two songs by Jason Mraz. “I’m Yours” in 2008, and Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillat with “Lucky” in 2008. At number 50, halfway through the list is one of the best of all time John Legend’s “All of Me” in 2013.

(12:48)
So James Arthur is a recent song in 2016. But I can tell you it was a major first dance song to be played for wedding couples. James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You”. There’s that phrasing again for sweet and cutting of the cake. It’s one of the very popular wedding cake-cutting songs. If you’re not a huge fan of James Taylor, another version of this was done by Marvin Gaye that you can play as you’re cutting the cake as well. Jason Mraz with “I’m Yours” is a perfect love song to be played as your first dance or that you can be playing as the unity song in your wedding ceremony, or even as the vows are being said. Next up, Jason Mraz is with Colbie Caillat on “Lucky”. Yes, you really are lucky on your wedding day and it’s a duet. So, it fits very well into a wedding.

(13:36)
John Legend’s “All of Me” I’m sure everybody knows the song. Don’t forget about it even though it was probably overplayed once it first came out and in the years thereafter. But I am hoping that things have settled down because it is a classic wedding song. Next up at 51, we have Journey with “Don’t Stop Believin'” in 1981. Next up is Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling” in 2016. Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose” in 1984. Kool in the Gang’s “Celebration” in 1980. LeAnn Womack with “I Hope You Dance” in 2000. So, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” – is a common last dance song to sing at all weddings. But I would challenge everybody not to save it and play it at the very end because it is a huge song. If you have a lull in your wedding and you’re trying to get people to really get started, I would say that’s the time to play this song. Don’t save it till the very end.

(14:27)
Justin Timberlake’s “Don’t Stop the Feeling” even though it was released on the movie Trolls, became a huge song. I would challenge everybody to save this one as well because it will fill the dance floor with kids and parents and grandparents alike. Next up we have from the movie Footloose by Kenny Loggins, the song “Footloose”. Wow, imagine that. So I would suggest playing during dancing as well when you’re trying to keep things rolling along. Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration” even though it was released in 1980. It’s still relevant today and hopefully, not a part of the cheese factor for many couples because it will fill the dance floor and get everybody feeling happy on your wedding day. Next up we have, “I Hope You Dance” by LeAnn Womack. It has been mostly played as a parent dance, so a father-daughter, mother-son, maybe even a daughter-mother as well, because it has the message of, I hope you dance when times are bad and really has the perfect message.

(15:25)
Next up at 56, we have Lionel Richie and Diana Ross’ “Endless Love” in 1981. LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennet and GoonRock with “Party Rock Anthem” in 2011. Lonestar’s “Amazed” in 1999. Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World” in 1967. Louis Fonzi featuring Daddy Yankee with “Despacito” in 2017. Starting off this group is Lionel Richie, a former member of the Commodores, and Diana Ross coming together with “Endless Love”. It’s one of those classic love songs that’s still relevant today for R&B fans. LMFAO has one of the great party songs of all time with “Party Rock Anthem”. Lonestar’s “Amazed”, even though it’s amazing that it was released in 1999, still is a classic country love song that you can play today, even though it was released in 1967. We have Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”. It’s one of those classic songs that can be played as a parent-child Dance can be played as a first dance song that can be played throughout the wedding ceremony – the processional, and recessional.

(16:24)
It’s just one of those great songs that I could put in one of the top five wedding songs of all time. Finally in this group is “Despacito”, which is the only Spanish-speaking song on the list. But lately, Spanish-speaking songs have been becoming very popular and this song should be at the top of your list if you have many Spanish-speaking wedding guests. At number 61, we have Lucas Graham with “Love Someone” released in 2018. Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars with “Uptown Funk” in 2014. Maroon 5’s “Sugar” in 2015. Meghan Trainor featuring John Legend’s “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” in 2016. Michael Buble’s “Everything” in 2007. So let’s start off our list with Lucas Graham. I’m sure some of you are thinking, what is this song on the list, even though it was released in 2018?

(17:17)
But I have to say that this song has a perfect message and was a first dance hit for many wedding couples after it was released. “Uptown Funk” is not going anywhere anytime soon and is one of the greatest party songs of all time. “Sugar” by Maroon 5 is, as we said before, has been referencing sugar, so is used a lot for the cake-cutting ceremony. “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” by Meghan Trainor and John Legend is a classic love song, even though it was released in 2016. I love this song that will have young and old dancing. Next up is Michael Buble’s “Everything” In 2007. Michael Buble is a modern-day crooner like Frank Sinatra was back in the day. I would say this would be the perfect song to select out of his discography to say “Hey, this is the song to play at weddings”.

(18:04)
Next up at 66 is Michael Jackson with “Billy Jean” released in 1982. Montel Jordan’s “This Is How We Do It” in 1995. Mr. C the Slide Man with “Cha Cha Slide” in 2000. Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable” in 1991. Natalie Cole by herself with “This Will Be An Everlasting Love” in 1975. I know that some of you may be thinking of Michael Jackson, he has a huge number of hits. Why only “Billie Jean”? Well, you know, we’re only allowed 101 songs on this list. So I would say the most recognized wedding song that will get people dancing would be “Billie Jean”. You know, “P.Y.T.” is another one that’s a huge hit and he has many others as well. But this is the one song that I selected that most people would know and I still think is a hit today. Montel Jordan’s song “This is How We Do It” – It’s just one of those hits that people that grew up in the 90s know this party song and will be up dancing to this song.

(18:57)
If you’re looking for a group song, the “Cha Cha Slide” is definitely one of the songs at the top of the list to get everybody on the dance floor doing a specific dance. And if you’re looking for a father-daughter song, “Unforgettable” is one of those songs that would be perfect to play because you have Nat King Cole and his daughter Natalie Cole coming together with this song that was reproduced by Natalie Cole in 1991. Even in 1975 her song that just has the perfect message for a wedding day is “This Will Be An Everlasting Love”. Alright, starting off with our list at number 71 is Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” in 1969. Wow, it’s hard to believe it was that long ago.

(19:44)
Nora Jones’ “Come Away With Me” in 2002. Otis Day and the Knights’ “Shout” in 1978. Pachelbel’s Canon in D was released in the 1700s sometime. At number 75 is Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” which was released in 2013. So at number 75, you definitely have one of the greatest singalong songs of all time that you could play during dinner or you could even play during the dancing part of your wedding as well with “Sweet Caroline”. It’s just one of those songs that everybody’s gonna know and sing along to. I selected Nora Jones’ “Come Away With Me”. You know, it’s one of those jazz songs that I’d like to group in with Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble. It’s a great recessional song but also will get everybody on the dance floor too if you’re looking for a jazzy slow song. “Shout” is a huge sing-along dance song that was made popular again from the movie Animal House. This song is a great song if you’re looking to get everybody out there shouting and having a great time.

(20:37)
“Canon and D” is just one of those songs that I could have on here as a wedding march. A new version of this song was released by Brooklyn Duo, but this is just one of those classic wedding songs that I just had to include on this list. And finally, at 75 is “Happy”. It’s a bit overplayed, so it could be a bit on the cheesy side. But you know what? Everybody’s gonna know it and get up and dance to it. At number 76, we have Randy Travis with “Forever and Ever Amen” in 1987. Rascal Flatts – I added two songs by these guys. “My Wish” in 2006 and “Bless the Broken Road” in 2004. Ray LaMontagne with “You Are The Best Thing” in 2008. Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody” in 1965.

(21:31)
It seems like everything old is coming around and young again and “Unchained Melody” had a resurgence with the movie Ghost. Ghost was released in 1990, so I think it’s gonna have a resurgence again and this is a song that everybody’s gonna know. So let’s back up to number 76 with a country classic “Forever and Ever Amen”. It’s not a slow song, but it’s a great song that you can play during dinner or cocktail hour that everybody will know. Rascal Flatts’ “My Wish” has been a huge country hit to play for parents’ dances. So father-daughter, mother-son. “Bless the Broken Road” has been a huge ceremony song or first dance song as well because it talks about blessing the road that led up to you. “You Are the Best Thing” is a great love song that you can play throughout your wedding ceremony or even the reception for your first dance and other events.

(22:20)
So let’s keep the list going at number 81 with Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris’s “We Found Love” in 2011. Russell Dickerson’s “Yours” in 2015. Shania Twain’s “From This Moment On” in 1997. Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” in 1979. A surprise to some Spice Girls’ “Wannabe” in 1996. So we have a dance hit with Calvin Harris, the DJ, and Rihanna coming together with “We Found Love”. It’s just one of those songs that you could play as a grand entrance song or even as a dance song during party time. A newer country love song by Russell Dickerson “Yours” was a huge first dance song that still is relevant today. Another country hit “From This Moment On” can be used as a recessional song, but it was also used as a very popular first dance song too.

(23:14)
We Are Now Family – that’s what the title of the song should be. But it made for a great family song to bring people together. If you’re looking for a faster dance song to dance with your in-laws, you can definitely play this hit. Some of you may be thinking, why are the Spice Girls on this list? Well, if you think about it, many of the parents of wedding couples today, grew up in the 1990s. 1990s songs are popular and this was a major hit that we’ll definitely fill the dance floor and have all the ladies singing along. Let’s keep our list going at number 86. We have two songs by Stevie Wonder, the first one, “Isn’t She Lovely” in 1976 and in 1970 “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours”. Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” in 2014. The Temptations’ “My Girl” in 1965 and Thomas Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man” in 2015.

(24:04)
So let’s start off with Stevie Wonder. Everybody loves the R&B legend and “Isn’t She Lovely” is a great dedication from a father to his daughter and can talk about how the father has loved his daughter since the day she was born. “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours” is definitely one of the most popular recessional songs because now you’re married and in life together. Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” is still a major dance hit for couples of today. Next up we have The Temptations’ with “My Girl”, which was definitely a very popular father-daughter song as well. But I would challenge you to not save it for the Father-Daughter. If you have a different father-daughter song, definitely play it anytime throughout the night because everybody will know this song and sing along to it. Thomas Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man” is a modern country love song that should stand the test of time and be played as a first dance song.

(24:58)
Now we’re down to the final 10 at number 91 we have Tim McGraw’s “My Little Girl” in 2006. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s “The Rest Of Our Life” in 2017. Train’s “Marry Me” in 2009. Usher featuring Ludacris and Little John with “Yeah” in 2004. VIC with “Wobble” in 2008. So in this group we have Tim McGraw’s “My Little Girl” which is a great father daughter song that’s still being played today. Now, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill I could have selected “It’s Your Love”. But instead, I wanted to select “The Rest Of Our Life” because it is a relevant song for weddings and talking about the rest of our life. So it really fits into weddings and the theme of weddings. Train’s “Marry Me” will probably be one of the top five wedding songs, or it could even be used as a proposal song too.

(25:48)
Usher’s “Yeah” is one of the best party songs of all time. So it definitely has to be on your dance party list. Vic with “Wobble” is definitely a great group line dance song that a lot of your wedding guests will be wanting to dance to and sing along to. Well, it’s time. We’re down to the last five songs on my list, or I should say the last six. At number 96 is Van Morrison’s “Brown-Eyed Girl” in 1967. Village People’s Y.M.C.A. in 1978. Walk The Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance” in 2014. Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance Somebody Who Loves Me” in 1987. Will Smith’s “Getting Jiggy With It” in 1997. Zach Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried” in 2008. “Brown Eyed Girl” is just one of those great songs that everybody will know and will fill the dance floor. But if you’re not familiar with the song then you can definitely play during your cocktail hour or dinner hour as well.

(26:45)
Village People’s Y.M.C.A. has been a classic song, but it also has made many cheesy song lists. So, if you feel that this is part of your wedding playlist, don’t be afraid to play it because many people will be doing this Y.M.C.A. with their hands and arms. Walk The Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance” has been played as the first dance song. It’s a little bit upbeat, but you know what? You can play this throughout your wedding reception that will have everybody singing along and tapping their toes t0o. Whitney Houston – we could have added many more songs by her, but definitely “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” has been a major song to play throughout your wedding day. “Gettin’ Jiggy With It” by Will Smith. You know, it’s just one of those fun dance songs that you may not hear every single day because your wedding guests don’t go to weddings every single day.

(27:34)
They may do one or two weddings a year. And you know what, this is one of those songs that’s gonna get your guests out of their seats and onto the dance floor. The same could be said for our final song too. “Chicken Fried” by Zach Brown Band. It’s just one of those songs that country fans will wanna get up and dance to. So there you have it – our Top 101 wedding songs of all time. If you think I’m crazy or if you like our list, please go ahead and leave a comment or you can reach out to us through our Facebook page as well. Hope you have a great day.

Listen to Podcast Episode 5 – What are the Best 1980s Wedding Songs?