50 First Dance Songs That Won’t Leave a Single Eye Dry

The first dance is one of the most anticipated and intimate moments of a wedding, so it’s no surprise that finding the right tune can feel challenging, even downright daunting. Well, start here: To narrow down your choices, we asked Real Simple’s Facebook fans to share their own first dance songs, then tallied up the 1,500+ responses to determine their 50 most popular tunes. Want to hear them? Log in to Spotify for our free playlist.

1. “At Last,” Etta James
2. “Colour My World,” Chicago*
3. “Amazed,” Lonestar
4. “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” Elvis Presley
5. “Unchained Melody,” the Righteous Brothers
6. “From This Moment On,” Shania Twain
7. “Could I Have This Dance,” Anne Murray
8. “Bless the Broken Road,” Rascal Flatts
9. “Unforgettable,” Nat King Cole
10. “My Best Friend,” Tim McGraw
11. “Have I Told You Lately?,” Van Morrison
12. “Wonderful Tonight,” Eric Clapton
13. “By Your Side,” Sade
14. “Endless Love,” Lionel Richie and Diana Ross
15. “The Way You Look Tonight,” Frank Sinatra
16. “When You Say Nothing At All,” Alison Krauss
17. “Just the Way You Are,” Billy Joel
18. “Always and Forever,” Heatwave
19. “What a Wonderful World,” Louis Armstrong
20. “All of Me,” John Legend
21. “I Only Have Eyes for You,” the Flamingos
22. “I’ll Be,” Edwin McCain
23.  “Lucky,” Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
24. “Always,” Atlantic Starr
25. “We’ve Only Just Begun,” the Carpenters
26. “Into the Mystic,” Van Morrison
27. “In My Life,” the Beatles*
28. “Let’s Stay Together,” Al Green
29. “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” Aerosmith
30. “God Gave Me You,” Blake Shelton
31. “I Could Not Ask for More,” Edwin McCain
32. “Your Song,” Elton John
33. “You Are the Best Thing,” Ray LaMontagne
34. “It Had to Be You,” Harry Connick Jr.
35. “You & Me,” Dave Matthews Band
36. “The Luckiest,” Ben Folds
37. “She’s Everything,” Brad Paisley
38. “Lady in Red,” Chris De Burgh
39. “You and Me,” Lifehouse
40. “Grow Old With You,” Adam Sandler
41. “I Won’t Give Up,” Jason Mraz
42. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” Frankie Valli
43. “Feels Like Home,” Chantal Kreviazuk
44. “Fly Me to the Moon,” Frank Sinatra
45. “Annie’s Song,” John Denver
46. “Come Away With Me,” Norah Jones
47. “God Only Knows,” the Beach Boys
48. “Free,” Zac Brown Band
49. “Stand by Me,” Ben E. King
50. “Yellow,” Coldplay

First Dance Songs: 9 Dos and Don'ts to Choosing Your First Dance Song

Don't: Choose a Long Song

Time your song. Even four minutes can seem like an eternity when you're out there on the dance floor with everyone watching. If your hearts are set on a longer ballad, ask your band or DJ about having it cut down to a reasonable length.

Do: Consider the Song's Danceability

Face it: There are some songs that just aren't easy to dance to. And there are others that you can't help but move to. Put the song to the test and practice dancing to it in the living room. If the song doesn't keep you two interested and moving for its entire duration, skip it..

Don't: Choose a Song Just Because It's Trendy

It may be the song of the year, but beware of those one-hit wonders that you might grow tired of. Your song should be one that's so unique and important to you, it never gets old.

Do: Find a Song That Refers to Your Story

This is your song, so the lyrics should speak to your love story. Whether it was the song playing when you first met, reminds you of the day he proposed or seems as if it were written just for the two of you, keep your love story top of mind when making your choice.

Don't: Pick a Song You Can't Dance To

The song you choose should fit your dancing style. In other words, if the plan is to sway back and forth, choose a classic slow-dance song. On the other hand, if you're planning to cheese it up on the dance floor, a more upbeat party song could work for you.

Do: Research the Lyrics

Before you settle on a song, sit down and actually go through all of the lyrics. The chorus may sound romantic, but read carefully -- some sweet-sounding melodies might actually be about a breakup rather than a long-lasting relationship.

Do: Make Sure Your Band Can Play It

While most bands these days come with extremely versatile repertoires, it's a good idea to check to make sure the song you love is one your band is familiar with. If it is, ask to hear a demo of the song. A band's version will sound different from the original.

Do: Make Sure You Both Love the Song

It sounds obvious, but you should both share an equal love of your first-dance song. So if he's just not that into a song that you've had your heart set on, consider reconsidering. It should be a song that, when played 10 years from now, will make you both feel as giddy and excited as it did on your wedding day.

Top 10 Father-Daughter Dance Songs - Project Wedding

Top 10 Father-Daughter Dance Songs - Project Wedding

May I Have This Dance???

I have always been a BIG fan of Music and one of the things I think about for our wedding dance is what song we will dance to as our first dance as husband and wife... Here are a few of my favorites:


Maxwell: Maybe You (Matrimony)



Kem: Share My Life



Usher: Something Special



Amel Larrieux: Makes Me Whole



Charlie Wilson and Boyz II Men: More Thank You Ever Know




Brides, What was/will be your First Dance Song?? Which song does everyone like?