Top 10 Best First Dance Songs at Your Wedding

Wedding Gal — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:19:25 +0000

You’ll only have your first dance song once (at least per wedding), so you want to make it special. While there have been many brides and grooms who have decided to shake it up a bit, there is something to be said for a sweet and romantic traditional first dance.

There are, however, some things to remember when picking your song. Not the least important of which is the length of your song. Of course, it is your day, but you don’t really want to keep your guests from the buffet line for 7-9 minutes while you dance your first dance. A good length is anywhere from 2.5 to 4 minutes long. We’ve picked some songs here that fall into those time constraints, but have a nice sentiment and (in some cases) an opportunity to show off some good dance moves. Here we have your top 10 first dance songs for your wedding. Enjoy.

10. You Say It Best (When You Say Nothing At All) – Alison Krauss (3:55)

Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz wrote this song in the mid-eighties, and it first appeared as the A-side to Keith Whitley’s single release from his album Don’t Close Your Eyes (Lucky Dog was the B-side). The song really got exposure in 1994 when Alison Krauss and Union Station recorded at Keith Whitley tribute album. It’s been played at weddings all over the world, and remains one of the most popular first dance songs.

9. Can’t Help Falling In Love With You – Elvis Presley (2:57)

Written by seminal songwriters of their time for a little film called Blue Hawaii, Can’t Help Falling In Love With You is one of the most romantic releases by the King of Rock and Roll. If you’re looking to spice it up a little, try the UB40 version, released in 1993.

8. We’ve Only Just Begun – The Carpenters (3:06)

Despite it’s unlikely beginnings (it was originally in a bank commercial), this classic Carpenter’s tune is a mainstay of adult contemporary music, and is still in high demand at weddings all over the world. While not The Carpenter’s Grammy-winning tune (which was the sticky-sweet “Close To You”), “We’ve Only Just Begun” certainly helped The Carpenter’s win Best New Artist in 1971, and the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. While Karen Carpenter died suddenly and tragically in 1982, her clear and beautiful voice stays current even today.

7. Shameless – Garth Brooks (3:32)

Billy Joel originally wrote the song and it appeared on his album Storm Front. While it didn’t exactly set the music world on fire, it certainly caught the attention of an up-and-coming Garth Brooks, who covered it on his album Ropin’ The Wind in 1991. The song reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles & Tracks and remains one of Brooks’ most romantic and most-requested songs. Plus, it’s easy to dance to.

6. In My Life – The Beatles (2:18)

Few songs have a sentiment that is 100% right on. This brief Beatles tune, which appeared on the 1963 album Rubber Soul. John wrote the lyrics, Paul wrote the melody, and what was born was a sweet little ditty that is perfect if you a) want a REALLY short first dance song that gets your point across or b) really hate dancing and just sort of want to sway but still look cool because you picked a Beatles song. It’s a win-win, really.

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5. The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra (3:22)

There are oh-so-many versions of this song, but this is the version we like the most. The lyrics are just lovely (“with each word your tenderness grows/tearing my fear apart/and that laugh that wrinkles your nose/touches my foolish heart”), plus it’s got a nice little rhythm to it if you want to do something OTHER than just stand there and sway. Plus, it’s an all-about-the-bride song, which is never a bad thing.

4. Forever & Ever, Amen – Randy Travis (3:34)

For the country fans out there, this is lyrically perfect for a wedding, plus it’s got a little bit of a beat that you can dance to. Released in 1987, the song won a Grammy, and is one of Randy Travis’s best known tunes. Check out the sweet performance from a groom to his bride here, or take a listen to the original song (link to Randy Travis video) and tell us it’s not a near-perfect first dance song.

3. It Had To Be You – Harry Connick Jr. (2:51)

Written by early bandleader Isham Jones and released in 1924, this song has been performed by a slew of artists in many different films. Remember Casablanca? Annie Hall? We guess an ionic movie deserves an iconic song. And so does your wedding. The lyrical sentiments are sentimental and appropriate, if not a little melancholy (It had to be you/wonderful you/I wondered around/And finally found/Somebody who/Could make me be true/Could make me feel blue/And even be glad/Just to be sad/Thinking of you”), and it’s a classic standard that is well-loved and remembered. What could be better?

2. Lucky – Jason Mraz with Colbie Callait (3:23)

Maybe you’d like something a little more current. This cute little ditty just screams WEDDING SONG with it’s lilting melody and it’s romantic lyrics (“Lucky I’m in love with my best friend”). Destined to be a well-loved and often-used song for first dances, it makes the list because of its potential, but it’s a good choice also because it hasn’t had a chance to be overdone. Plus, even if your older relatives don’t recognize it, they can’t deny how catchy and sweet it is.

1. At Last – Etta James (3:02)

Call us cliché, but we’ve seen some of the most romantic and beautiful first dances danced to this song. So many, in fact, that we’re showing a clip from a movie rather than a clip of a bride and groom dancing to it. There are too many to pick from. Although the Beyonce version is nice (and Presidential), the Etta James version is a classic – you literally can’t go wrong with it as your first dance.

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