If you’ve attended a few wedding receptions before organizing your own, you’ll notice a few dance party songs always make an appearance to encourage guests to get up and dance.
Playing the right dance party songs is essential in making sure that your guests are enjoying themselves on your special day. With thousands of party songs out in the world, it might be overwhelming to compile a wedding playlist for the expected length of your reception.
Whether you’re looking for the best throwback songs or more of their contemporary counterparts to fit the theme of your special day, YeahWeddings has got you covered in this list!
If you and your partner want to step back in time during your wedding dance reception, expect to be playing a bunch of disco and funk classics. The legendary artists mentioned in this list have created some of the best dance songs of all time and your special day will only become more memorable by incorporating them.
“Dancing Queen” by ABBA
Lyrics: “You can dance / You can jive / Having the time of your life / Ooh, see that girl / Watch that scene / Digging the dancing queen”
ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” is one of many fun dance songs that’ll bring back memories for the older members of your wedding party. Include this song on your wedding playlist to liven up your other guests and encourage them to hit the dance floor.
“Disco Inferno” by the Trammps
Lyrics: “I couldn’t get enough, so I had to self-destruct / The heat was on, rising to the top / Everybody going strong, and that is when my spark got hot”
Even if younger guests don’t know The Trammps’s “Disco Inferno” by its actual name, they’ll instantly recognize the “burn baby burn” hook and want to dance along to this wedding dance party classic. Play this song on your special day and expect to get lost in the joy from hearing one of the best pop songs of all time.
“Stayin Alive” by Bee Gees
Lyrics: “Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother / You’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive / Feel the city breakin’ and everybody shakin’ / And we’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive”
Bee Gees’s “Stayin Alive” is an essential for any couple who wants to play classic party songs on their special day. Even if your guests aren’t the biggest fans of disco, this song is too entertaining to simply be ignored.
“YMCA” by Village People
Link: “Young man, there’s a place you can go / I said, young man, when you’re short on your dough / You can stay there, and I’m sure you will find / Many ways to have a good time”
After being played at countless discos and sporting events, Village People’s “YMCA” has become one of the most famous classic dance songs in the world. The upbeat energy and catchy lyrics of “YMCA” will certainly fit right into the party music that you’ll play at your upcoming wedding.
“Got To Be Real” by Cheryl Lynn
Lyrics: “Ooh, your love’s for real now / You know that your love is my love / My love is your love / Our love is here to stay”
If you and your partner want upbeat wedding songs that reflect the romantic atmosphere but still encourage your guests to dance, Cheryl Lynn has got you covered with “Got To Be Real.” Add this song to your wedding reception playlist and you’ll definitely remember the happiness that you experienced on your special day.
“September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
Lyrics: “Our hearts were ringing / In the key that our souls were singing / As we danced in the night / Remember how the stars stole the night away”
The perfect blend of funk and disco in Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” has made the song requested in countless weddings since its original release in 1978. Your guests will thank you for playing this classic tune when they get up and dance along.
“Good Times” by Chic
Lyrics: “These are the good times / Leave your cares behind / These are good times”
If this track sounds familiar to you from a first listen, know you’re not alone. Chic’s “Good Time” is one of the most sampled songs in the music industry due to its memorable bassline. While this tune may seem simple among the other classic dance songs, “Good Time” proves itself to be a good choice if you’re especially interested in longer party music.
“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
Lyrics: “Oh no, not I, I will survive / Oh, as long as I know how to love, I know I’ll stay alive / I’ve got all my life to live”
If you’re looking for good party songs with an empowering message, Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” has got you covered. The confidence that she sings in this song will surely be felt through your wedding dance party.
“Cars” by Gary Numan
Lyrics: “Here in my car / I feel safest of all / I can lock all my doors / It’s the only way to live”
Be sure to check out “Cars” if you’re looking for something different for your wedding reception playlist. The new wave style of Gary Numan’s track truly makes it stand out from other kinds of upbeat wedding songs.
“Funkytown” by Lipps Inc.
Lyrics: “Gotta make a move to a town that’s right for me / Town to keep me movin’ / Keep me groovin’ with some energy”
Lipps Inc.’s “Funkytown” is a song that’s pure excitement and will fit right into your wedding playlist regardless of the other dance party songs on it. Your guests will enjoy every minute when this song plays during your wedding reception.
“Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson
Lyrics: “Lovely is the feelin’ now / Fever, temperatures risin’ now / Power is the force the vow / That makes it happen”
Before Michael Jackson moved more into a rock and funk direction with Thriller, he was releasing disco and R&B hits from Off The Wall. “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” was one of many tunes from that era and still holds up now as one of many popular wedding songs.
Modern Dance Songs
If the classic dance songs still feel too outdated for your wedding dance party, don’t force yourself to settle for them. Check out some of these popular wedding songs and dream on about the fun that you’ll experience about your special day.
“Into the Groove” by Madonna
Lyrics: “Music can be such a revelation / Dancing around, you can feel the sweet sensation / We might be lovers if the rhythm is right / I hope this feeling never ends tonight”
“Into the Groove” is a no-brainer when it comes to picking songs to play at a wedding reception. Madonna doesn’t shy away from expressing the happiness that party music can bring to others and the people in your wedding party will certainly feel the same way.
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston
Lyrics: “I wanna feel the heat with somebody / Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody / With somebody who loves me”
No list about popular wedding dance songs would be complete without mentioning Whitney Houston’s number one song. It’s no secret that her powerhouse vocals and the upbeat tempo have made “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” one of the best party songs of all time.
“Push It” By Salt-N-Pepa
Lyrics: “Coolin’ by day then at night working up a sweat / C’mon girls, let’s go show the guys that we know / How to become number one in a hot party show”
Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It” might not have as many lyrics as the other party songs on this list, but you shouldn’t exclude it from your choices of wedding music. Playing this track during your special day is guaranteed to put all of your guests in a good mood.
“Love At First Sight” by Kylie Minogue
Lyrics: “And everything went from wrong to right / And the star came out and filled the sky / The music you were playing really blew my mind / It was love at first sight”
With a beat that sounds like it was produced by Daft Punk, Kylie Minogue’s “Love At First Sight” has rightfully earned its place among the best wedding dance songs. Check out this euro-dance tune and you won’t regret including it as part of your wedding playlist.
“Hey Ya!” by Outkast
Lyrics: “Now we gonna break this thang down for just a few seconds / Now don’t have me break this thang down for nothin’ / I want to see you on your badest behavior!”
If you’re looking for popular dance songs that take soul and funk inspiration from the oldies but still sound contemporary, don’t forget to play “Hey Ya!” sometime during your wedding dance party. Your guests will definitely enjoy hearing this throwback.
“Crazy in Love” by Beyonce and Jay-Z
Lyrics: “I look and stare so deep in your eyes / I touch on you more and more every time / When you leave, I’m begging you not to go / Call your name two, three times in a row / Such a funny thing for me to try to explain”
If you or your partner prefer wedding songs that edge more towards hip-hop and R&B, Beyonce and Jay-Z accomplish that with “Crazy in Love.” They sound so catchy on this track that everybody in the wedding party will want to get up and dance to enjoy the exciting atmosphere.
“Pon De Replay” by Rihanna
Lyrics: “Lemme see you move and rock it ’til di groove done / Shake it ’til di moon becomes di sun / Everybody in di club, give me a run”
Rihanna’s “Pon De Replay” is a modern classic among popular dance songs. The tune’s dancehall and reggae influences will make even the most inexperienced dancers of your wedding party want to jive with each other.
“Just Dance” by Lady Gaga and Colby O’Donis
Lyrics: “What’s goin’ on on the floor? / I love this record, baby, but I can’t see straight anymore”
“Just Dance” may have mostly dominated nightclubs in the late 2000s, but Lady Gaga’s debut single still sounds fresh among the fun dance songs played at any wedding reception. The electropop sound and party-oriented lyrics creates the perfect scene for any kind of wedding dance.
“Shut Up and Dance With Me” by Walk the Moon
Lyrics: “Oh, don’t you dare look back / Just keep your eyes on me” / I said, “You’re holding back” / She said, “Shut up and dance with me”
Walk the Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance With Me” moves towards indie rock territory, but it won’t feel out of place from other fun wedding songs. Be sure to listen to this song and add it to your wedding reception playlist if you and your partner are especially looking for some variety.
“One Kiss” by Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa
Lyrics: “Let me take the night, I love real easy / And I know that you’ll still wanna see me / On the Sunday morning, music real loud / Let me love you while the moon is still out”
Dua Lipa has become one of the biggest pop stars in recent years and it’s no surprise why after hearing her dance party songs. The simple lyrics and tropical house beat of “One Kiss” will ensure that your guests are enjoying your wedding songs and having a good time.
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