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Your first dance as a couple is one of the highlights of your wedding, and the song you pick for this section goes a long way in setting the tone and mood of the whole event.
Choosing your first dance as a couple can be a challenge. You may find it difficult to settle on a song that best describes your relationship.
In picking the perfect song for your first dance, you must consider each other’s taste in music, your dancing skills, and of course a style that best resonates with your personalities.
In this post, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of classic first dance songs (230 in all) and grouped them by genre.
Although these songs span different eras, they’ve something in common: they’re evergreen and require no introduction whatsoever.
Classic R&B and Soul Songs For Your First Dance
Rhythm and Blues, as a genre, has come a long way. On this list, we’ve included classic oldies like “Knocks Me Off My Feet” by Stevie Wonder and more recent hits like “Adorn” by Miguel.
- Across 110th Street by Bobby Womack
- Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) by Marvin Gaye
- Me And Mrs Jones by Billy Paul
- Beyond by Leon Bridges
- Knocks Me Off My Feet by Stevie Wonder
- Lowdown by Incognito, Mario Biondi, Chaka Khan
- The Sweetest Taboo by Sade
- Stone Love by Kashif
- The Makings Of You by Curtis Mayfield
- Sara Smile by Daryl Hall Ft John Oates
- Cruisin’ by Smokey Robinson
- The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game by The Marvelettes
- Cupid by Sam Cooke
- Let’s Do It Again by The Staple Singers
- Father Figure by George Michael
- Nobody by Brian Mcknight
- One In A Million by Will Downing
- 17 by Pink Sweat$
- Sent From Heaven by Rahsaan Patterson
- Perfect by Johnny Gill Ft Ralph Tresvant
- My Word by Derran Day
- Suit And Tie by Justin Timberlake, JaybyZ
- This Is It (Orchestra Version) by Michael Jackson
- Share My Life by Kem
- Together (Radio Version) by Ruben Studdard
- Used by De Phazz
- Dontcha by The Internet
- Forever To Go by Chase Rice
- Waiting For You by Seal
- By Your Side by Sade
- Incomplete by Sisqo
- Love On The Brain by Rihanna
- Angel Of Mine by Monica
- For You by Kenny Lattimore
- Suga Suga by Baby Bash, Frankie J
- The First Time by Surface
- Just Because by Anita Baker
- You Are My Lady by Freddie Jackson
- Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder
- Wonderful Tonight by Robin Gerrard
- Endless Love (From The “The Endless Love” Soundtrack) by Lionel Richie Ft Diana Ross
- Forever Mine by The O’jays
- Adorn by Miguel
- Baby I Need Your Loving by Four Top
Classic Pop Songs For Your First Dance
Here’s a list of some of the best pop songs of all time. From recent hits to 70s and 80s jams, these pop songs need no introduction.
- Butterflies by James TW
- I Get To Love You by Ruelle
- Speechless (Ft Tori Kelly) by Dan + Shay, Tori Kelly
- I Like Me Better (Recorded At Spotify Studios Nyc) by Lauv
- I Want It All by The Script
- Fake A Smile by Alan Walker, Salem Ilese
- Unconditional by Freya Ridings
- Feels Like This by Maisie Peters
- Ocean In Gold by Frances
- Just You And I by Tom Walker
- More Alive by Lanta
- Over And Over Again by Nathan Sykes
- 10,000 Hours by Dan + Shay, Justin Bieber
- Perfectly Imperfect by Declan J Donovan
- I Don’t Care by Ed Sheeran
- Breaking Me by Nathan Grisdale
- Heart Of Glass by Ben Haenow
- Destiny by Doris Brunot
- Hold My Girl by George Ezra
- Easy by Commodores
- Stand By Me by Ben E. King
- Loving You by Minnie Riperton
- Zoom by Fat Larry’s Band
Classic Rock Songs For Your First Dance
Rock and roll fans are sure to find some favorites here.
- One Day Like This by Elbow
- You Are My Best Friend by Queen
- When I See You Smile by Bad English
- A Sky Full Of Stars by Coldplay
- Yellow by Coldplay
- High by Lighthouse Family
- One by U2
- Everlong by Foo Fighters
- Wonderwall by Oasis
- Thank You by Led Zeppelin
- Crying In The Rain by AbyHa
- Never Say Goodbye by Bon Jovi
- Right Here Waiting by Richard Marx
- Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead
- Carrie by Europe
- Stay On These Roads by AbyHa
- Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm by Crash Test Dummies
- Luna by The Smashing Pumpkins
- Glory Of Love by Peter Cetera
- Such Great Heights by Iron And Wine
- We Are The Same by Matthew Sweet
- I Can Hear Music by She And Him
- Don’t Know Why by Norah Jones
- Englishman In New York by Sting
- Electric Love by Borns
- Chiquitita by Abba
- Somebody Loved by The Weepies, Steve Tannen, Deb Talan
- Lovers’ Waltz by A.A. Bondy
- You’re The One by Pickin’ On Series, Brad Davis
- Heartbeats by Jose Gonzale
Classic Reggae Songs For Your First Dance
Reggae fans will definitely be impressed by the songs on this list.
- Fall In Love by Sanchez
- No Ordinary Love by Alaine
- Beautiful Lady by Gyptian
- Brown Skin by Richie Spice
- Always On My Mind by Da’ville
- No Disturb Sign by Beres Hammond
- Hold On by Beres Hammond
- So Real by Sanchez
- Tell Me Know by Marcia Griffiths Ft Bounty Killer
- When I Get Your Love by Chaka Demus Ft Pliers
- Sweetness by Beres Hammond
- Stealing Love On The Side by Pat Kelly
- Night Nurse ’96 by Gregory Isaacs And Lady Saw
- Never Dis Di Man by Sanchez
- Frenzy by Sanchez
- In Your Eyes by Sanchez
- Tempted To Touch by Beres Hammond
- Loneliness by Sanchez
- True Experiences by Barrington Levy
- Shower Me With Your Love by Singing Melody
- Day Oh by Frankie Paul
- Feeling Soul by Ken Boothe
- Substitute Lover by Half Pint
- Have I Sin by Mary Ann
- When I’m With You by Wayne Wonder
- I Shall Sing by Marcia Griffiths
- Baby You And I by Wayne Wonder
- Wicked Dickie by Buju Banton Ft Nadine Sutherland
- Good Life by Cocoa Tea
- Missing You Baby by Pam Hall
- Curly Locks by Yami Bolo Ft Merciless
- I Need A Roof by Mighty Diamonds
- Taxi by Ambelique
- That Girl by Maxi Priest Ft Shaggy
- Someone To Hold by Singing Melody
- It’s Not Unusual by Richie Stephens
- Love So Nice by Junior Kelly
- Kindness For Weakness by Glen Washington
- Virtuous Woman by Warrior King
- Tune In by Louie Culture Ft Gregory Isaacs
- U Remind Me by Don Campbell
- U Got It Bad by Anthony Cruz
- For Life by Roger Robin
- Mad Over Me by Yellowman
- She’s Royal by Tarrus Riley
- Watching You by Wayne Wonder
- Piece Of My Heart by Shaggy
- Hold You (Hold Yuh) by Gyptian
- Down In Jamaica by Red Fox Ft Naturalee
- Ready Or Not by Frankie Paul
Classic Jazz First Dance Songs
Here are some smooth tunes for jazz lovers.
- Misty by Johnny Martis
- You And I by Michael Buble
- Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley
- Moon River by Frank Sinatra
- Mona Lisa by Nat King Cole
- Too Young by Nat King Cole
- When I Fall In Love by Beegie Adair
- Ain’t No Sunshine by Nara, Bossa Bros
- Over The Moon by Judi Jackson
- Madone by Jacques Loussier
Classic Country Songs For Your First Dance
Looking to add a twang to your first dance? Check out this list of country first dance songs.
- Hard To Love by Lee Brice
- My Girl by Dylan Scott
- Better Off Gone by Logan Mize
- Play It Again by Luke Bryan
- Hello Beautiful by Noah Schnacky
- On Tonight by Chase Rice
- I Know She Ain’t Ready by Luke Combs
- Five More Minutes by Scott Mccreery
- How Does It Sound by Dylan Schneider
- Marry Me by Thomas Rhett
- Nothin’ Like You by Dan + Shay
- What You Do To Me by Dan + Shay
- No Right To Love You by Rhys Lewis
- You & Me by James TW
- Greatest Love Story by LANCO
- Then by Brad Paisley
- You’re Gonna Miss This by Trace Adkins
- Middle Of A Memory by Cole Swindell
- Hurricane by Luke Combs
Classic Blues First Dance Songs
Nothing like the blues to set the butterflies in your stomach on a riot. Check out our list of classic romantic blues for your first dance as a couple.
- Sadie by Son Seals
- To Know You Is To Love You by B.B. King
- She’s A Sweet One by Junior Wells
- Why I Sing The Blues by B.B. King
- Have You Ever Loved A Woman? by Derek & The Dominos
- Let The Good Time Roll by Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
- Part-Time Love by Clarence Carter
- Feels Like Rain by Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt
- All Your Love by Magic Sam
- Stone Crazy by Buddy Guy
- Black Magic Woman by Fleetwood Mac
- Trouble No More by Allman Brothers Band
- My Babe by Little Walter
- Got My Mojo Working by Muddy Waters
- Fallin’ In Love by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
Classic Hip-Hop Songs For Your First Dance
- The Light by Common
- Dilemma by Nelly, Kelly Rowland
- Put It On Me by Ja Rule, Vita
- Mesmerize by Ja Rule, Ashanti
- Paradise by Ll Cool J, Amerie
- Into You by Fabolous, Ashanti
- 21 Questions by 50 Cent, Nate Dogg
- Gotta Man by Eve
- What You Want by Mase, Total
- Comfortable by K Camp
- Girlfriend by Bow Wow, Omarion
- One More Chance by Notorious Big
- Perfect by Dave East Ft Chris Brown
- Sunshine by Lil’ Flip
- Shawty by Plies, TbyPain
- Stay by T.I, Victoria Monet
- Rainy Dayz by Mary J Blige, Ja Rule
- All That (Lady) by The Game, Lil’ Wayne, Big Sean, Fabolous, Jeremih
Classic Folk First Dance Songs
- Skinny Love by Bon Iver
- I Never Cry by Alice Cooper
- Old Pine by Ben Howard
- Stubborn Love by Lumineers
- Fire And The Flood by Vance Joy
- High Hopes by Kodaline
- Cough Syrup by Young The Giant
- Dust To Dust by The Civil Wars
- Delicate by Damien Rice
- Slow Dancing In A Burning Room by John Mayer
- Wings by Birdy
- I Want To Make You Cry by John Paul White
- You And I by Ingrid Michaelson
- Blackbird by The Beatles
- Need The Sun To Break by James Bay
- We Can Always Come Back To This by Hannah Miller
- Novels by Rusty Clanton
- Dreamer by Isbells
- Our Way by Canyon City
- Heal by Tom Odell
- Hello by My Sun And Stars
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pick your first dance song?
Picking the song for your first dance is a really big deal. When choosing the song for your first dance, it’s always best to settle on one that best describes your relationship or resonates with your identity as a couple.
Start by listing out love songs that you both love. Next, you should carefully go through their lyrics taking note of songs that best describe your relationship or journey as a couple.
Next, narrow it down by picking a song whose beat you can comfortably dance to.
When should you have the first dance?
Traditionally, the couple’s first dance is the opening of the dance portion of the wedding and usually takes place after guests are done eating.
However, several couples are switching it up these days.
Depending on your preference, you can choose to have your first dance after the cutting of the cake, at the beginning of the reception, or anywhere in-between.
Should the first dance be slow or fast?
The beat of your first dance ( fast or slow) is up to you as a couple.
Although most first dance songs are slow with the couples opting for a waltz, foxtrot, or simple sway, it’s not unheard of for couples to go for more upbeat songs and even prepare a choreography beforehand.
What is most important is that you’re both comfortable with the tempo of the song.
Final Thoughts
And that’s it, 230 of the most classic wedding dance songs spanning different genres. We hope you enjoy going through this list as much as we enjoyed curating it. Have fun!
