Rhiannon Hendricks
The first dance at a wedding is a special moment for the newlyweds, and the song choice is a very personal decision. Couples often opt for a song that holds a special memory, like the first time they met or said I love you. The most popular first dance songs tend to be classics, such as 'At Last' by Etta James, 'Can't Help Falling in Love' by Elvis Presley, and 'Fly Me to the Moon' by Frank Sinatra. More modern songs like Perfect and Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran are also popular choices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most common first dance wedding songs in 2024 | "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley, "At Last" by Etta James, "Joy of My Life" by Chris Stapleton, "Life With You" by Kelsey Hart, and "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran |
| Most common first dance wedding songs in 2025 | "Beyond the Sea" by Bobby Darin, "The Bones" by Maren Morris, "Simply the Best" by Noah Reid, "Fly Me to the Moon" by Frank Sinatra, "Greatest Day" by Take That, "All of Me" by John Legend, "Lover" by Taylor Swift |
| Factors influencing song choice | Tempo, style, genre, personal meaning, distinctiveness, danceability, lyrics, and memories associated with the song |
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What You'll Learn
The most popular first dance songs in 2024
The first dance as a married couple is a special moment, and the song you choose is a very personal decision. Couples spend months weighing top contenders, and there are a lot of first dance songs to choose from. The most popular first dance songs in 2024, according to Spotify, were a mix of classics and contemporary hits.
Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" was the most popular first dance song in 2024, followed by Etta James' "At Last". These classic songs have been popular choices for years, with their romantic lyrics and melodies. Chris Stapleton's "Joy of My Life" was another favourite, perhaps appealing to couples who prefer a more modern song.
Ed Sheeran's Perfect and Taylor Swift's "Lover" were also popular choices, showing that these artists' songs are still going strong as wedding favourites. John Legend's "All of Me" and Kelsey Hart's "Life With You" were also in the top ten, showcasing the popularity of romantic ballads.
If you're looking for something a little different, you might want to consider a unique rock ballad or an up-tempo song. Calum Scott's self-titled song and Christina Perri's song were also recommended for first dances in 2024. Ultimately, the best song for your first dance is one that holds a special meaning for you and your partner.
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Choosing a song with meaning
The first dance is a wedding tradition where the couple dances together for the first time in front of their family and friends. It is a pinnacle moment in most weddings and choosing the right song is vital. The song you choose for your first dance is one of the most personal and poignant decisions you'll make ahead of your reception. It is no wonder that couples spend months weighing top contenders.
There are a few ways to go about choosing a meaningful song. You could opt for a song that holds a special memory for you as a couple. This could be a song that was playing when you first met, went on your first date, or first said "I love you". Alternatively, you could choose a song with lyrics that resonate with your relationship or sum up your feelings about the occasion. Consider the pace of the song, the style, genre, and how the tune makes you feel when you hear it.
If you are struggling for inspiration, there is no shame in choosing a tried-and-tested classic that is guaranteed to please. Old-school classics by Elvis, Etta James, and Al Green are always popular choices, as are contemporary songs by Taylor Swift. Ed Sheeran is also the king of wedding songs, with "Thinking Out Loud", "Perfect", and "Kiss Me" all proving popular choices.
Remember, the evening is about having fun, so don't take things too seriously. If you feel awkward about dancing in front of your guests, you could choreograph your first dance to take some of the awkwardness away and impress your guests.
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Popular first dance songs by UK artists
When it comes to wedding music, couples often opt for songs that hold a special meaning to them. However, there are some songs by UK artists that have proven to be popular choices for first dances.
One such artist is Ed Sheeran. His songs "Perfect" and "The Greatest Day" have been popular choices for first dances. "Perfect" was one of the top five first-dance songs of 2024, according to Spotify. "The Greatest Day", from his 2008 comeback album, features a gentle, funky groove and lyrics that convey a beautiful sentiment for a strong marriage.
Coldplay is another UK band that has gained popularity among couples for their romantic lyrics. Their song "Yellow", with its starry-eyed lyrics, is a super romantic choice for a first dance. Another Coldplay song, "Fix You", written by Chris Martin for his then-wife Gwyneth Paltrow, is all about supporting and committing to your partner.
Other popular UK artists for first dance songs include Adele, whose powerful version of "Make You Feel My Love" is a timeless and heartfelt choice, and John Legend, whose romantic vocals on "Your Song" make it a popular slow dance choice for newlyweds.
While these songs by UK artists are popular choices, couples also often opt for classics by Elvis Presley, Etta James, and Al Green. These old-school favourites continue to occupy the top spots for first dance songs.
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Songs that unlock magical memories
The song you choose for your first dance as a married couple is a very personal decision. It's a chance to opt for a song that is meaningful to you both, perhaps one that unlocks a specific memory, like the song that was playing when you first met or first said "I love you".
According to Spotify, the top five first-dance songs of 2024 were "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley, "At Last" by Etta James, "Joy of My Life" by Chris Stapleton, "Life With You" by Kelsey Hart, and "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran. "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran was also listed as the number one wedding first dance song in Spotify's analysis of top first dance songs.
If you're looking for a song that's guaranteed to put a smile on everyone's face, you might want to opt for a tried-and-tested classic like "Beyond the Sea" by Bobby Darin, "Fly Me to the Moon" by Frank Sinatra, or "Somebody to Love" by Queen.
Or, if you're looking for something more upbeat and joyful, "House of My Soul (You Light the Rooms)" by Langhorne Slim was described by one couple as the perfect choice for a "fun" and "joyful explosion" of a first dance.
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The most popular first dance songs in 2018
The first dance at a wedding is a special moment for the newlyweds, and the song choice is often a very personal decision. Couples usually opt for songs that hold a special memory, like the tune that was playing when they first met or first said "I love you". However, some couples just go with a song they both like, and that they think will set the right tone.
In 2018, "Marry Me" by Train was a popular choice for a first dance song. This gentle, meandering, acoustic ballad allows couples to share an intimate pause in the busyness of their wedding day.
Other popular first dance songs in 2018 included "Amazed" by Lonestar, "Somebody to Love" by Queen, "So This is Love" from the Disney movie Cinderella, "Beyond the Sea" by Bobby Darin, "Simply the Best" by Noah Reid, "Fly Me to the Moon" by Frank Sinatra, and "House of My Soul (You Light the Rooms)" by Langhorne Slim.
Couples also tend to choose classic love songs, either mid-tempo or soulful and slow, like "Dream a Little Dream of Me" by Mama Cass Elliot, "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley, "At Last" by Etta James, "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran, and "All of Me" by John Legend.
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Frequently asked questions
According to Spotify, some of the most common first dance wedding songs include "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley, "At Last" by Etta James, "Joy of My Life" by Chris Stapleton, "Life With You" by Kelsey Hart, and "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran.
Some couples choose a song that holds a special memory for them, such as the song that was playing when they first met or first said "I love you". Others may opt for a song that they both simply enjoy. It's also important to consider the tempo and style of the song, as well as your ability to dance to it.
Sentimental and romantic songs that are perfect for a first dance include "All of Me" by John Legend, "You are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne, "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri, and "How Long Will I Love You" by Ben Folds.
