We have listed out 100 BEST songs for your wedding reception that need to get added to your wedding playlist.
Weddings are all about love, commitment, and celebration...what better way to set the mood than with classic wedding songs that have stood the test of time?
These 100 songs are some of the most requested EVER. And for good reason.
From timeless ballads to upbeat tunes, these definitive wedding songs have a way of bringing people together and creating an unforgettable atmosphere. These songs are so beloved that they have been played at countless weddings over the years, and they continue to be popular choices for couples tying the knot today.
From "I Found Lovin'" by The Fatback Band to "Respect" by Aretha Franklin, there's a wedding song for everyone on this list.
So, if you're in the midst of planning your wedding and looking for some inspiration for your wedding playlist, look no further than the this list of 100 ultimate wedding songs.
Let's get into it.
1. September by Earth, Wind & Fire
The song was originally titled "December" because Maurice White wrote the lyrics about the feelings he had when he first joined the band in December. However, they changed it to September to better fit the song's joyful, celebratory vibe.
2. Show Me Love by Robin S
The song was originally written by Allen George and Fred McFarlane for another artist, but when Robin S. heard the demo, she begged them to let her record it instead. The song went on to become a huge international hit and one of the defining tracks of the 1990s house music scene.
3. I Want You Back by Jackson 5
The song was the first single released by the Jackson 5, and it went straight to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Michael Jackson was only 11 years old when he recorded the lead vocals, making him one of the youngest singers ever to top the charts.
4. I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston
The song was written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, who were inspired by the idea of dancing with someone you love (could it be any more perfect for a weeding?). This is EASILY one of our most requested songs.
5. Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
The song was inspired by a photograph of Caroline Kennedy that Neil Diamond saw in a magazine. It's become synonymous with sports, but nobody can resist belting out the chorus.
6. Gettin Jiggy Wit' It by Will Smith
The song samples the beat from "He's the Greatest Dancer" by Sister Sledge and interpolates the chorus from "Sang and Dance" by the Bar-Kays. This is an amazing way to start your wedding party.
7. Blame It On The Boogie by The Jacksons
The song was originally written for Stevie Wonder, but he passed on recording it, so the Jacksons decided to record it themselves. The song features Michael Jackson on lead vocals, with his brothers providing backup.
8. Crazy in Love (Featuring Jay-Z) by Beyoncé
The song was Beyoncé's first solo single after leaving Destiny's Child, and it was a massive hit. The horn riff in the song is sampled from the Chi-Lites' song "Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So)."
9. Dancing In The Moonlight by Toploader
The song was originally recorded by the band King Harvest in 1972, but it wasn't a hit until Toploader covered it in 2000. The song has been used in numerous movies and TV shows, including The Crown and Killing Eve.
10. Freed From Desire by Gala
The song was inspired by the Hindu spiritual concept of moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The song was a huge hit in Europe, reaching the top 10 in several countries.
11. Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton
The song was written by David Crawford and was inspired by Staton's own experiences of domestic abuse. The song has been covered by several artists, including Kym Mazelle and Rod Stewart.
12. Mr. Brightside by The Killers
The song was inspired by a real-life experience that lead singer Brandon Flowers had when he was jealous of his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend. The song was initially released in the UK in 2003 but didn't become a hit until it was re-released in 2004.
13. Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners
"Come On Eileen" was inspired by a real-life relationship between Dexys Midnight Runners' frontman Kevin Rowland and a woman named Eileen. The song went on to become a massive hit in the UK, the US, and around the world.
14. Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was originally recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1967. The song has since been covered by numerous artists, including Diana Ross, whose version became a hit in 1970.
15. Candy by Cameo
"Candy" is a funk classic by American band Cameo. The song features a distinctive bassline and horn section, and is a popular dancefloor filler to this day (but can you do the dance?)
16. Stayin' Alive by Bee Gees
"Stayin' Alive" was written by the Bee Gees for the soundtrack to the 1977 film "Saturday Night Fever." Fun fact: The song's iconic beat is said to be the ideal tempo for performing CPR.
17. Yeah! by Usher
"Yeah" was a massive hit for Usher in 2004, and features guest appearances from Lil' Jon and Ludacris. The song was a chart-topper around the world, and won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
18. Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis
"Chelsea Dagger" is a rock anthem by Scottish band The Fratellis. The song's catchy riff and sing-along chorus have made it a staple of sports arenas and pub jukeboxes.
19. Wannabe by Spice Girls
"Wannabe" was the debut single by British girl group Spice Girls. The song became a global hit in 1996, and its message of female empowerment has made it a feminist anthem.
20. Superstition by Stevie Wonder
"Superstition" is a funk classic by Stevie Wonder. The song features a distinctive clavinet riff and has been covered by numerous artists, including Jeff Beck, who played guitar on the original recording
21. Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson
"Uptown Funk" is a funk-pop hit by British producer Mark Ronson, featuring vocals by American singer Bruno Mars. The song was a global phenomenon in 2014, and its retro sound and feel-good vibe made it a modern classic for weddings.
22. Never Too Much by Luther Vandross
"Never Too Much" is a soul classic by American singer Luther Vandross. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy chorus have made it a perennial wedding dancefloor favorite.
23. Valerie (Featuring Amy Winehouse) by Mark Ronson
"Valerie" is a cover of a song by The Zutons, featuring vocals by the late Amy Winehouse. The song was a hit in the UK, and its catchy melody and Winehouse's powerful vocals have made it a beloved classic.
24. Don't You Want Me by The Human League
"Don't You Want Me" is a synthpop hit by British band The Human League. The song was a chart-topper around the world in 1981, and its catchy chorus and dramatic lyrics have made it an enduring favourite.
25. Temperature by Sean Paul
"Temperature" is a dancehall hit by Jamaican artist Sean Paul. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy chorus have made it a favorite in clubs and on dancefloors around the world.
26. Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now by McFadden & Whitehead
Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now by McFadden & Whitehead: The song was originally written as a protest anthem for a Black anti-poverty program in Philadelphia.
27. I Found Lovin' by The Fatback Band
The song features a sample of the guitar riff from "The Payback" by James Brown. One of the funkiest songs of all time.
28. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) by Michael Jackson
The song was written by Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones, and was originally intended for Jackson's sister La Toya.
29. Rock DJ by Robbie Williams
This song has come back in a BIG way recently - in many ways it's the ultimate dance floor starter.
30. Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye
The song was written by Marvin Gaye and was his biggest hit in the 1980s, marking a return to commercial success for the legendary artist.
31. Be Faithful by Fatman Scoop
"Engine engine number 9..." do we need to say any more? Get this one on your wedding playlist.
32. Get Get Down by Paul Johnson
The song was originally released in 1999 and became a worldwide hit, reaching the top 10 in several countries.
33. Move Your Feet by Junior Senior
You may remember this song from the popular iPod commercial in the early 2000s.
34. One More Time by Daft Punk
The song was the lead single from Daft Punk's album "Discovery" and is considered a classic of the French house genre.
35. She's So Lovely by Scouting For Girls
The song was the band's debut single and became a top 10 hit in the UK.
36. Don't Stop Me Now by Queen
The song's famous piano solo was performed by Freddie Mercury, who allegedly recorded it in just one take.
37. All Night Long (All Night) by Lionel Richie
The song was inspired by a party Richie attended in the Caribbean and was his biggest hit as a solo artist.
38. Baby Give It Up by KC & The Sunshine Band
The song was originally written for the Bee Gees but was rejected by their management.
39. Get Busy by Sean Paul
Not only was this his highest-charting Billboard Hot 100 hit solo (he also had a #1 with Beyoncé), but "Get Busy" charted in the Top-10 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland. It is the definitive worldwide dance hit.
40. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson
The song was the first solo single written by Michael Jackson and won a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
41. 24k Magic by Bruno Mars
The song won multiple Grammy Awards and was the lead single from Mars' third studio album of the same name.
42. Get Down On It by Kool & The Gang
The song was written and produced by Kool & The Gang and became one of their biggest hits.
43. The Grease Megamix by John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
The medley was created for the "Grease" soundtrack and became a top 10 hit in several countries.
44. Here Comes The Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze
The song features a sample from the song "Land of 1000 Dances" by Wilson Pickett. Another song you should definitely check out.
45. No Scrubs by TLC
The song was written by Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Kandi Burruss, and Tameka "Tiny" Cottle and was originally intended for TLC's third album FanMail. Easily one of the best songs to come out of the 90s.
46. Ride Wit Me (Featuring City Spud) by Nelly
This was a trailblazer in many ways - many pop songs featured groups of people yelling "hey!" as part of the song. "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea is one example.
47. Jump Around by House Of Pain
The song's distinctive horn riff is sampled from "Shoot Your Shot" by Jr. Walker & the All Stars.
48. You Make My Dreams by Hall & Oates
The song was featured in the 2009 film "(500) Days of Summer" and gained a new generation of fans.
49. Shut Up And Dance by WALK THE MOON
The song was inspired by the lead singer's experience of meeting a girl at a Los Angeles nightclub who dragged him onto the dance floor.
50. Twist And Shout by The Beatles
The song was originally recorded by The Top Notes in 1961, but The Beatles' version, recorded in 1963, is the more famous and enduring rendition.
51. We Are Family by Sister Sledge
The song was written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers of Chic, who were inspired by the familial bonds among the members of Sister Sledge.
52. Hips Don't Lie by Shakira
The song features Shakira's signature "belly dance" moves and was a massive commercial success worldwide.
53. YMCA by Village People
The song's iconic dance moves were created by Victor Willis, the lead singer of Village People, who was inspired by watching the young men at his local YMCA.
54. Gold Digger by Kanye West
The song samples Ray Charles' "I Got a Woman" and was a critical and commercial success, winning three Grammy Awards.
55. Señorita by Justin Timberlake
The song features a Spanish guitar riff and is notable for its music video, which features Justin Timberlake pursuing a woman in a Mexican cantina.
56. Somebody Else's Guy by Jocelyn Brown
The song was originally released in 1984 and has been covered by numerous artists, but Jocelyn Brown's original version remains the most famous.
57. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!
The song's title was inspired by a note left for Andrew Ridgeley, the other member of Wham!, by his parents, asking him to wake George Michael up before he went to work.
58. We Found Love by Rihanna
The song features Scottish DJ Calvin Harris and was a commercial and critical success, winning a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video.
59. Rock With You by Michael Jackson
The song was written by Rod Temperton, who also wrote "Thriller" and "Off the Wall" for Michael Jackson.
60. Celebration by Kool & The Gang
The song was released in 1980 and has been used in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials, as well as at sporting events and weddings.
61. Lovely Day by Bill Withers
The song's distinctive opening drumbeat was sampled by numerous hip-hop artists, including Nas and Tupac Shakur.
62. This Is How We Do It by Montell Jordan
The song was released in 1995 and became Montell Jordan's biggest hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
63. Rock Your Body by Justin Timberlake
In 2004, the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show performance of this song with Janet Jackson caused a controversy due to a wardrobe malfunction known as "nipplegate." Timberlake later apologized and the incident led to changes in FCC broadcasting regulations.
64. Treasure by Bruno Mars
This song was inspired by 70s and 80s funk and soul music, and is the third single from Mars' second studio album "Unorthodox Jukebox." It peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and received multiple certifications worldwide.
65. You To Me Are Everything by The Real Thing
Released in 1976, this song was The Real Thing's biggest hit and reached number one on the UK Singles Chart. It was covered by numerous artists, including Sonia, Sean Maguire, and Michael Jackson.
66. (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher by Jackie Wilson
This song was originally recorded by Jackie Wilson in 1967 and has been covered by many artists, including Rita Coolidge and Bruce Springsteen. It was ranked number 246 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
67. Love On Top by Beyonce
This song, which is about being in love and happy, received critical acclaim and earned Beyoncé a Grammy Award nomination for Best Traditional R&B Performance. The music video, which features a choreographed dance routine, was inspired by New Edition's "If It Isn't Love" video.
68. Drop It Like Its Hot by Snoop Dogg
This song, produced by The Neptunes, was Snoop Dogg's first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2005.
69. Low by Flo Rida
This song, which was released in 2007, was Flo Rida's breakout hit and spent 10 consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was featured in the film "Step Up 2: The Streets" and has been certified six-times platinum in the United States.
70. Dancing Queen by ABBA
Released in 1976, this disco classic became ABBA's biggest hit and is considered one of the greatest songs of all time. It was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll" in 2004.
71. Red Alert by Basement Jaxx
72. Apache by Sugarhill Gang
The Sugarhill Gang are best know for their 1979 hit "Rapper's Delight", but EVERYBODY knows the dance to to this song.
73. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
The song was inspired by a fan who claimed that Jackson was the father of one of her twins.
74. Footloose by Kenny Loggins
The song was originally written for the movie "Footloose" after the filmmakers rejected another song Loggins had written.
75. Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet
The opening guitar riff was inspired by Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life."
76. Got To Be Real by Cheryl Lynn
The song was co-written by Lynn and David Paich, who later became a member of Toto.
77. Wonderwall by Oasis
The title of the song was inspired by George Harrison's use of the word "Wonderwall" in the movie "Wonderwall."
78. Fantasy by Mariah Carey
The song features a sample from Tom Tom Club's "Genius of Love."
79. Cake By The Ocean by DNCE
Joe Jonas of DNCE explained the meaning behind the song: "It could mean the actual act of having sex by the ocean, or it could mean eating pastries by the boardwalk. It's whatever you want it to be. We think of it as a party anthem for any occasion."
80. No Diggity by Blackstreet
The raps on this song, in order of appearance, were performed by Dr. Dre, Teddy Riley and Queen Pen. Riley is a very successful producer, and has developed many innovative sounds used by R&B groups in the '80s and '90s.
81. Respect by Aretha Franklin
Franklin's cover is by far the best-known version, but this was an important song for Otis Redding. It was just his second Top 40 hit, following "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)," and it helped establish Redding on mainstream radio. Otis also performed the song at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967; this was a defining performance for the singer, who died in a plane crash six months later.
82. Hypnotize by The Notorious B.I.G.
Biggie Smalls wrote the entire rap, including the female vocals. Alpert said: "When I first met Biggie before they recorded 'Hypnotize' he played me a demo version with him doing the girl's part. I still have that cassette demo and it's definitely a classic piece of rap history."
83. Town Called Malice by The Jam
The title of Nevil Shute's A Town Like Alice inspired the title, but the inspiration for the song came from Paul Weller's friend Dave Waller by means of describing urban life. The song is about unemployment in a working town and Paul Weller confessed, "It could have been written about any suburban town, but it was in fact written about my hometown of Woking.
84. Return of The Mack by Mark Morrison
Morrison said in 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, "When I wrote that song, it was all about my moving from the negative to the positive. And that's how it turned out. Within the space of a year, I went from the lowest point of my life to return as The Mack and move forward to what's become the highest point of my life."
85. Teardrops by Womack And Womack
Did you know that Womack & Womack are the singing and songwriting partnership of married American musicians Linda Womack and Cecil Womack? They birthed a dance floor classic with Teardrops.
86. It's Not Unusual by Tom Jones
Drenched in horns, "It's Not Unusual" was the first hit for Tom Jones, leading to a horn sound on many of his subsequent songs, including "Thunderball" and "What's New Pussycat?"
87. ABC by Jackson 5
This song is packed with hooks that put Michael Jackson's talents to good use. It opens with the call-and-response "buh buh buh buh buh buh" and has lots of little vocal interjections throughout ("Get up, girl!"). These vocal bits became one of Michael Jackson's hallmarks, both The Jackson 5 and as a solo artist.
88. I'm Every Woman by Chaka Khan
This was Chaka's first hit as a solo artist. She was still recording with Rufus at the time, and released the Chaka album as a side project.
89. Finally by CeCe Peniston
Peniston began writing pop lyrics while at school. As the legend goes, the words of "Finally" were written during a chemistry class, while thinking about dating in college.
90. Murder On The Dancefloor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor
The song became Ellis-Bextor's greatest hit internationally. It was the most-played song of 2002 in all of Europe and also went platinum in Australia, where it peaked at #3, staying in the Top Fifty for twenty weeks.
91. Hey Ya! by Outkast
"Hey Ya!" is a very upbeat and energetic song (warranting an exclamation point in the title!), but according to Andre 3000, it is about the difficulty in keeping a relationship together (just don't think about that bit too much).
92. Move On Up by Curtis Mayfield
Mayfield was a rare soul singer who had nearly complete creative control of his music. He was a highly regarded guitarist, and like Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson, he wrote and produced most of his songs, including this one.
93. Escape (The Pina Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes
Many discovered this song after it was featured in Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014 and included on the soundtrack, which went to #1 in America. The film is filled with '70s hits as part of a storyline where Chris Pratt's character listens to a tape his mom made for him (the Awesome Mix Vol. 1) over and over. Pratt had to listen to these songs repeatedly during the shoot; according to the film's director James Gunn, "The Piña Colada Song" is the only one he got sick of.
94. I Wish by Stevie Wonder
The song was Stevie's fifth #1 on the Hot 100, staying at the summit for one week. He topped the chart on nine different occasions throughout his career.
95. Ain't Nobody by Rufus & Chaka Khan
This was the last chart single for the group before lead singer Chaka Khan (born Yvette Stevens) left for a solo career. On this track, she sings about a man who makes her feel so good, that no other can come close.
96. A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton
Kanye West included the song on his iTunes Celebrity Playlist. He said: "This must be the white song that all black people like, you know every year there's a song that black people like and this is that. I love the string arrangements."
97. Get Down Saturday Night by Oliver Cheatham
This song was sampled by Room 5 on in 2003 for "Make Luv", as well as by Michael Gray on his 2004 single "The Weekend". All three songs are amazing in their own right.
98. Last Night A DJ Saved My Life by Indeep
The original 12" mix was notable at the time for including a purely vocal mix, an instrumental mix and a track of sound effects contained in the song such as a toilet flushing and a phone ringing.
99. Livin' It Up by Ja Rule
The song samples Stevie Wonder's "Do I Do" (from the 1982 album Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium), and it took quite some time before Stevie allowed the sample to be used.
100. Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams
Adams explained in a Songfacts interview: "It's a very simple song about looking back on the summertime and making love. For me, the '69 was a metaphor for making love, not about the year. I had someone in Spain ask me once why I wrote the first line 'I had my first real sex dream'... I had to laugh."
These 100 songs have a way of bringing people together and setting the tone for the rest of the wedding.
We have over 14 years of experience of DJing at weddings, and all of these songs get requested time and time again by guests. They're simply loved by all!
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These 100 wedding songs are a tried-and-true choice for any wedding celebration. They are timeless, universal, and have a way of capturing the essence of love and commitment. So, when it comes to choosing the perfect songs for your wedding, don't underestimate the power of the songs.