Lyla Dejesus
Swing music is a popular choice for wedding dances, with its upbeat and happy tempo, fun and witty lyrics, and naturally celebratory feel. The swing era is from 1935 to 1945, but the style saw a resurgence in the 1950s and has influenced other subgenres, such as bebop. Swing music is perfect for weddings because it can appeal to all generations and is especially suitable for vintage-themed weddings. There are many types of swing dances, including West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Shag, Jitterbug, Shim Sham, Jive, and Lindy Hop.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Swing dance songs |
| Mood | Upbeat, happy, fun, quick-witted, slow, sultry, fiery, jazzy, catchy, sweet, romantic, dynamic |
| Lyrics | Fun, quick-witted, meaningful |
| Dance style | Jitterbug, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Shag, Shim Sham, Jive, Lindy Hop |
| Era | 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s |
| Artists | Robbie Williams, Natalie Cole, Janis Siegel, Louis Armstrong, Pearl Bailey, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Dorsey Brothers, Duke Ellington, Christina Aguilera, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, The Muppets, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Ernestine Anderson |
| Song titles | "Ain't Misbehavin", "Orange Colored Sky", "Let's Fall in Love", "Let's Do It", "They All Laughed", "As Long As I Live", "You Were Meant for Me", "Comes Love", "What a Wonderful World", "Exactly Like You", "I'm Beginning to See the Light", "The Very Thought of You", "Things are Looking Up", "Hallelujah, I Love Her So", "You're Nobody Til Somebody Loves You", "I Love Being Here with You", "This Bitter Earth", "Sad but True" |
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What You'll Learn
Swing dance styles
Over time, the Lindy Hop evolved into several other swing dance styles, including East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, and Jive. East Coast Swing, which emerged in the 1940s, is known for its bouncy rhythm and playful style, making it a favourite among dancers of all levels. It features a basic 6-count pattern with turns and spins, making it a lively and accessible dance experience. West Coast Swing, on the other hand, is a sleek and stylish dance style that evolved from Lindy Hop and other swing dance genres in the 1950s. It is known for its smooth and elegant moves. Jive, another swing dance style, is characterised by triple steps, sharp leg actions, and a buoyant, upright posture, making it an exhilarating and dynamic dance.
In addition to these, there are several other swing dance styles, including Balboa or Pure-Bal, which originated in Southern California in the 1920s and 1930s. Collegiate Shag, which also has roots in the 1920s Carolinas, is a vibrant and energetic style characterised by rapid footwork and arms held high in the air. The Charleston, with roots in the African Juba dance, is a lively type of swing dance characterised by distinctive arm and leg movements. Boogie Woogie, which evolved from Lindy Hop and Swing, is a lively and improvisational partner dance that maintains a structured framework with well-defined sequences of steps.
Swing dance music is an essential component of the swing dance experience. Swing songs are often associated with big bands and charismatic bandleaders from the 1930s and 1940s, but many contemporary artists, such as Christina Aguilera, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, and Brian Setzer Orchestra, have also released swing music. For weddings, swing songs are a great way to get people on the dance floor, with their upbeat and playful rhythms. Popular swing songs for weddings include "Moves Like Jagger" by Maroon 5 and "Love You Like a Love Song" by Selena Gomez.
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Swing songs for a vintage wedding
Swing songs are a great way to get your wedding guests on the dance floor. The swing era was from 1935 to 1945, but the swing beat existed before that and is still popular today. If you're looking for vintage swing songs for your wedding, there are plenty to choose from.
For a vintage Hollywood glamour vibe, look to the Great American Songbook for compositions by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin. "You're The Top" by Cole Porter, from the 1934 musical "Anything Goes", is a fun choice for a vintage wedding. The witty lyrics see a man and a woman take turns complimenting each other, and they can be adapted for a modern twist. "If You Were The Only Girl In The World" is another vintage Hollywood glamour song choice, first published in 1916 and recorded by artists from Doris Day to Barbra Streisand.
Swing music was popularized by Big Bands with charismatic bandleaders, so look to the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Dorsey Brothers, and Duke Ellington for classic swing-era songs. If you're after something more modern, swing songs have been carried into the 21st century by artists like Christina Aguilera, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, and the Brian Setzer Orchestra.
If you're looking for a specific type of swing dance, there are many to choose from, including West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Shag, Jitterbug, Shim Sham, Jive, and Lindy Hop. The Jitterbug, which became popular in the early 1900s, is a fun and lively dance with 6 counts of music and 4 basic steps. For a slower dance, the East Coast swing is a romantic option.
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Modern swing songs
Swing music is a great way to get people on the dance floor at weddings. The swing era is typically considered to be from 1935 to 1945, with swing music being popularized by Big Bands with charismatic bandleaders. However, many current artists have carried the torch and kept the swing rhythm alive, including Christina Aguilera, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, and Brian Setzer Orchestra.
There are a number of bands recording swing music today, including Gordon Webster, Johnathan Stout, Lavay Smith, and The Speakeasies' Swing Band. These bands often provide live music at swing events. Some modern swing songs include "Baby Can Dance" by Carsie Blanton, "The Grass Is Always Greener If You're High," "Mr. Rhythm," and "The Beaver Bump" by Glenn Crytzer and his Syncopators, and "Bad Luck" by Sugar Daddy and the Cereal Killers.
In addition to these modern swing songs, some DJs like to play more recent tracks that are not necessarily swing but can still be danced to. These include "Down" by Fifth Harmony featuring Gucci Mane, "Bang Bang" by Jessie J featuring Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, and "Moves Like Jagger" by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera.
While modern swing songs exist, some people prefer to stick to traditional swing music for dancing, as the older songs often work particularly well with the dance. That being said, mixing in some modern songs during a swing event can add variety and keep things interesting.
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Swing songs with romantic lyrics
Swing songs are a great way to get people on the dance floor at wedding receptions. The swing era is from 1935 to 1945, but many current artists have carried the torch and kept the genre alive.
There are many types of swing dances, including West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Shag, Jitterbug, Shim Sham, Jive, and Lindy Hop.
Some swing songs with romantic lyrics that are perfect for weddings include "Love Never Felt So Good" by Michael Jackson featuring Justin Timberlake, "Love You Like A Love Song" by Selena Gomez and The Scene, and "Forever Swing" by Tucka King of Swing featuring Doug E Fresh.
Other romantic swing songs include those by Robbie Williams, Natalie Cole, Janis Siegel, Louis Armstrong, Pearl Bailey, Michael Bublé, Gary Barlow, and Adam Levine. These songs range from sweet to passionate and will help you express your love to your partner.
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Popular swing songs for a wedding first dance
Swing songs are a great way to get your wedding guests on the dance floor and are perfect for a first dance. The swing era was from 1935 to 1945, and swing music was popularized by Big Bands with charismatic bandleaders. The swing beat existed before that, and many current artists have carried the torch, including Christina Aguilera, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, and Brian Setzer Orchestra. Swing-era musicians include the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Dorsey Brothers, and Duke Ellington.
There are many types of swing dances, including West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Shag, Jitterbug, Shim Sham, Jive, and Lindy Hop. The Jitterbug, a style of swing dancing that became popular in the early 1900s, is 6 counts of music with 4 basic steps.
If you're looking for modern swing songs to dance with your partner, here are some suggestions:
- Down by Fifth Harmony featuring Gucci Mane
- Bang Bang by Jessie J featuring Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj
- Love Never Felt So Good by Michael Jackson featuring Justin Timberlake
- Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera
- Love You Like A Love Song by Selena Gomez & The Scene
- Mambo No. 5 by Lou Bega
- She Came II Give It II U by Usher featuring Nicki Minaj
- Forever Swing by Tucka King of Swing featuring Doug E Fresh
If you're looking for a more vintage feel for your wedding first dance, you could consider songs from the 1930s, which form an integral part of the Great American Songbook repertoire. Composers such as Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, and Cole Porter are ideal for an elegant choreographed first dance routine or an informal spin around the dance floor. The Rat Pack songs are also a little more informal and have a certain bounce to them that is both uplifting and classy.
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Frequently asked questions
Some popular swing dance songs played at weddings include "Let's Fall in Love" by Louis Armstrong, "Let's Do It" by Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington, "They All Laughed" by Ella and Louis, "As Long As I Live" by Ernestine Anderson and Maxine Sullivan, "You Were Meant for Me" by Maxine Sullivan, and "Comes Love" by Ella and Louis.
There are several swing dance styles that you can perform at your wedding, including West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Shag, Jitterbug, Shim Sham, Jive, and Lindy Hop.
Swing music is a great way to get people of all ages on the dance floor at your wedding reception. It has an upbeat and happy tempo with fun and quick-witted lyrics, creating a naturally celebratory atmosphere.
Some modern songs that you can swing dance to at your wedding include "Down" by Fifth Harmony featuring Gucci Mane, "Bang Bang" by Jessie J featuring Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, and "Love Never Felt So Good" by Michael Jackson featuring Justin Timberlake.
Some classic swing songs that you can play at your wedding include "Ain't Misbehavin'" by Fats Waller and Harry Brooks, "Orange Colored Sky" by Nat King Cole, and "Let There Be Love".
