Timeless Romance: The Ultimate List of Classic First Dance Songs for Your Wedding
Your wedding day is filled with unforgettable moments, but few are as intimate and emotional as your first dance.
The right song sets the stage for a memory you’ll cherish forever—a melody that captures your love story and makes time stand still.
Whether you’re dreaming of a soulful ballad, a romantic serenade, or a timeless classic, we’ve curated a list of the most beloved first dance songs to help you find your perfect soundtrack.
Why Choose a Classic First Dance Song?
Classic songs have a way of transcending generations.
They’re familiar, heartfelt, and often carry sentimental value for couples and their families.
These timeless tunes effortlessly capture the magic of romance and ensure your first dance feels as special as your love story.
Our Handpicked List of Classic First Dance Songs
Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
At Last – Etta James
Stand By Me – Ben E. King
Into the Mystic (2013 Remaster) – Van Morrison
Your Song – Elton John
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
True Companion – Marc Cohn
The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
You And Me – Lifehouse
Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
(See the full list below for even more inspiration!)
How to Choose Your First Dance Song
Think About Your Love Story: Is there a song that played during a special moment in your relationship?
Consider the Lyrics: Make sure the song’s message aligns with your love story.
Dance Style: Do you want to waltz, sway, or choreograph a fun routine?
Timeless Appeal: Choose a song you’ll still love 20 years from now.
Trending vs. Timeless: Why Classics Win
While trendy songs can be fun, classics have staying power.
Decades from now, your song will still evoke the same emotions, and you’ll never have to worry about it feeling outdated.
Final Thoughts:
Your first dance is more than just a song—it’s a moment of connection, love, and joy.
With this list of classic first dance songs, you’re sure to find one that speaks to your heart.
So step onto the dance floor, hold each other close, and let the music tell your story.
The Ultimate List of Classic First Dance Songs
- Elvis Presley – Can’t Help Falling in Love
- Etta James – At Last
- Ben E. King – Stand By Me
- Tracy Chapman – Stand by Me – Live at the Late Show with David Letterman
- Van Morrison – Into the Mystic – 2013 Remaster
- Elton John – Your Song
- Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight
- Van Morrison – Crazy Love – 2013 Remaster
- Marc Cohn – True Companion
- Frank Sinatra – The Way You Look Tonight
- Lifehouse – You And Me
- Norah Jones – Come Away With Me
- Michael Bublé; Ivan Lins – Wonderful Tonight (with Ivan Lins)
- Natalie Cole; Nat King Cole – Unforgettable
- The Righteous Brothers – Unchained Melody
- Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World – Single Version
- The Beatles – In My Life – Remastered 2009
- Edwin McCain – I’ll Be
- Edwin McCain – I’ll Be – Acoustic Version
- Frankie Valli – Can’t Take My Eyes off You
- Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
- Savage Garden – Truly Madly Deeply
- Berlin – Take My Breath Away
- Elton John – Can You Feel The Love Tonight – Remastered
- Céline Dion – Because You Loved Me (Theme from “Up Close and Personal”)
- Brian McKnight – Back At One
- Percy Sledge – When a Man Loves a Woman
- Savage Garden – I Knew I Loved You
- K-Ci & JoJo – All My Life
- Billy Joel – Just the Way You Are
- Van Morrison – Have I Told You Lately
- 98º – I Do (Cherish You)
- Mark Wills – I Do (Cherish You)
- Céline Dion – The Power of Love
- Roberta Flack; Peabo Bryson – Tonight I Celebrate My Love
- Rod Stewart – Have I Told You Lately – 2008 Remaster
- Elvis Presley – Love Me Tender – From the 20th Century-Fox CinemaScope Production, “Love Me Tender”
- Van Morrison – Someone Like You
- Norah Jones – The Nearness Of You
- Heatwave – Always and Forever – Edit
- Bette Midler – Wind Beneath My Wings
- James Taylor – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)
- Peter Gabriel – In Your Eyes – 2012 Remaster
- Barbra Streisand; Bryan Adams – I Finally Found Someone (feat. Bryan Adams)
- Luther Vandross – Here and Now
- Edwin McCain – I Could Not Ask for More
- All-4-One – I Swear
- Jim Brickman; Martina McBride – Valentine
- Firehouse – Love of a Lifetime (2024 Remaster)
- Dan Fogelberg – Longer
- Harry Connick, Jr. – It Had to Be You (Big Band and Vocals)
- Luther Vandross – Always and Forever
- Anne Murray – Could I Have This Dance
- Joshua Kadison – Beautiful In My Eyes
- The Honeydrippers – Sea of Love – 2006 Remaster
- Al Green – Let’s Stay Together
- Barry White – You’re The First, The Last, My Everything
- Oasis – Wonderwall (Remastered)
- The Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
- Beyoncé – Halo
- Stevie Wonder – For Once In My Life
- REO Speedwagon – Can’t Fight This Feeling
- Chicago – You’re the Inspiration – 2006 Remaster
- Paul McCartney – Maybe I’m Amazed
- UB40 – (I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You
- Lionel Richie; Diana Ross – Endless Love – From “The Endless Love” Soundtrack
- Luther Vandross; Mariah Carey – Endless Love (with Mariah Carey)
- Alicia Keys – If I Ain’t Got You
- Alicia Keys – If I Ain’t Got You – Piano & Vocal Version
- Extreme – More Than Words
- Seal – Kiss from a Rose
- Sade – By Your Side
- Bee Gees – How Deep Is Your Love
- Lionel Richie – Truly
- The Penguins – Earth Angel
- *NSYNC – This I Promise You
- Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time
- Enrique Iglesias – Hero
- Céline Dion – My Heart Will Go On – Love Theme from “Titanic”
- The Platters – Only You (And You Alone)
- The Jeff Healey Band – Angel Eyes – Album Edit
- Madonna – Crazy for You
- Randy Newman – You’ve Got a Friend in Me
- Chicago – Colour My World
- Peabo Bryson; Regina Belle – A Whole New World (Aladdin’s Theme)
- Stevie Wonder – My Cherie Amour
- Sade – No Ordinary Love
- Phil Collins – A Groovy Kind of Love
- Alicia Keys – Fallin’
- James Taylor – Something in the Way She Moves
- Paul Anka – Put Your Head On My Shoulder
- Babyface; Kenny G – Every Time I Close My Eyes (with Kenny G)
- Lifehouse – Everything
- The Platters – Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
- Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You
- Peabo Bryson; Roberta Flack – Tonight I Celebrate My Love
- Bryan Adams – Heaven
- The Drifters – This Magic Moment
- Stephen Schwartz; Kristin Chenoweth; Idina Menzel; Stephen Oremus; Alex Lacamoire – For Good – From “Wicked” Original Broadway Cast Recording/2003
- Josh Groban – When You Say You Love Me
- Voctave; Kirstin Maldonado; Jeremy Michael Lewis – Disney Love Medley (feat. Kirstin Maldonado & Jeremy Michael Lewis)
Spotify Playlist of Wedding First Dance Classics
Not sure what the songs sound like?
We put the complete list of over 100 classic first dance songs in a Spotify playlist.
Give it a listen!
