{"id":35612,"date":"2015-10-25T22:23:12","date_gmt":"2015-10-25T11:23:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/au\/articles\/20-first-dance-songs\/"},"modified":"2021-11-10T03:51:03","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T16:51:03","slug":"20-first-dance-songs","status":"publish","type":"au-article","link":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/articles\/20-first-dance-songs\/","title":{"rendered":"Romantic first dance songs to set the mood"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"lead\">\n<p class=\"lead\">Weddings have so many wonderful highlights. And one of those is, undoubtedly, the first dance, where the newlyweds take to the floor for the first time. It&#8217;s a massive moment and one that requires just the right tune to capture the mood and sentiment &#8211; and to last through the ages. Here are some epic selections that work perfectly&#8230;<\/p>\n<h2>At Last, Etta James<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/nQ45Q7ZuTEs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/nQ45Q7ZuTEs<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Some songs need no introduction; and this is one of them. A complete and utter expression of romance, Etta&#8217;s rich and soulful voice tells the story of love, and how wonderful it is to finally find it for yourself after years of loneliness. Timeless for all the right reasons.<\/p>\n<h2>When a Man Loves a Woman, Percy Sledge<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EYb84BDMbi0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n<p>When everyone from Michael Bolton to Jimmy Barnes has covered your song, you know you&#8217;ve hit a cultural sweet spot. And so it is with Percy Sledge&#8217;s romantic yet realistic ode to matters of the heart. Perfect, too, for those whose dancing skills are better suited to a sway than a samba.<\/p>\n<h2>Always and Forever, Heatwave<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/qiI42aZ5F40\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/qiI42aZ5F40<\/a><\/p>\n<p>This beautiful slow jam brings a wonderful element of surprise to the moment since it isn&#8217;t as widely known or used as other ballads. Even the lyrics are perfect for the moment: &#8220;Always and forever, each moment with you.\u00a0Is just like a dream to me that somehow came true.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>Unforgettable, Nat King Cole<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Y3iz1dp6Lj4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Beautiful way to make a special moment even more unforgettable. And best of all, you can choose from two versions &#8211; Nat&#8217;s original song or the one refashioned decades later to turn it into a duet with daughter Natalie. Both hauntingly gorgeous.<\/p>\n<h2>The Way You Look Tonight, Tony Bennett<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DzDGccicFxQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n<p>You couldn&#8217;t have a list such as this one without an appearance by smooth-voiced crooner Tony Bennett. He&#8217;s known for his collaborations with modern performers, such as Lady Gaga, but this duet with Faith Hill is one of his best.<\/p>\n<h2>God Gave Me You, Blake Shelton<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nCf2PoTuh4Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Like the title suggests, this is one song that recognises a higher power in bringing two people together, and pays tribute to wedding vows being for better or for worse, because ultimately: &#8220;On my own, I&#8217;m only half of what I could be.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lp-EO5I60KA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n<p>This modern love song has been enthusiastically embraced by couples worldwide, not least of all because it has the perfect beat for a choreographed routine. And if you need inspiration, Ed&#8217;s own moves in the video are the perfect place to start.<\/p>\n<h2>From This Moment On, Shania Twain<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/a-Lp2uC_1lg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Country music stars have a knack for great love songs. And this enduring ballad is Exhibit A. In fact it&#8217;s so beautiful couples sometimes take it beyond the dance floor to inspire their vows: &#8220;I give my hand to you with all my heart. Can&#8217;t wait to live my life with you, can&#8217;t wait to start.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>All of me, John Legend<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/450p7goxZqg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n<p>John Legend dedicated this song to his own wife, Chrissy Teigan, who appears in the video clip. And it doesn&#8217;t get much more romantic than when someone acknowledges it&#8217;s about loving someone wholly, including their &#8220;perfect imperfections&#8221;. Now that&#8217;s real life, and real love.<\/p>\n<h2>Can&#8217;t Take My Eyes Off You, Frankie Valli<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hQugcviHDTA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Would it be wrong to reference 10 Things I Hate About You at this point? After all, Heath Ledger did a pretty bang-up job of this song in his pursuit of Julia Stiles. But for the original, the romantic and the best, you really can&#8217;t go past the romantic intonations of Frankie Valli.<\/p>\n<h2>Can&#8217;t Help Falling in Love, Elvis Presley<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vGJTaP6anOU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Elvis Presley had many No 1s in a career that reached from Hound Dog to Blue Suede Shoes. But this is the perfect showcase of his unique voice and a showmanship that invites you to: &#8220;Take my hand, take my whole life too.&#8221; Added bonus is that your older guests will love it too.<\/p>\n<h2>My Heart Will Go On, Celine Dion<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EcU0qbV70rU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Yes there&#8217;s ongoing debate about whether Rose could have made room for Jack on the plank. But that aside, their&#8217;s truly was a Titanic love story. And this captures it impeccably with some of the most beautiful lyrics ever put to music. As Celine says: &#8220;Love can touch us one time and last for a lifetime.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>Marry Me, Train<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ghZt2cILcCU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n<p>This song is an elegant and eloquent reflection of how magical it is when love comes into your life, whether you&#8217;re 20 or 50. Beautiful guitar work and a lilting melody make it perfect for that slow turn around the dance floor.<\/p>\n<h2>Mirrors, Justin Timberlake<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uuZE_IRwLNI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n<p>JT, as he&#8217;s known, drew inspiration for this song from the marriage of his own grandparents. And there&#8217;s something really beautiful about a ballad that talks of the wonderful decades to come and does it with just the right tempo for a newlywed first dance.<\/p>\n<h2>A Sky Full of Stars, Coldplay<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VPRjCeoBqrI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Coldplay knows a thing or two about romance &#8211; look at the monster ballad Yellow that launched their career. But these days, they&#8217;re a little more funky about love, making this the perfect choice for a couple who want a first dance that will really get the party started.<\/p>\n<h2>A Thousand Years, Christina Perri<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rtOvBOTyX00?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n<p>This song came to global prominence with the Twilight saga. And if you consider the sentiment, it&#8217;s easy to see why. After all, most couples don&#8217;t have 1000 years together, but the idea of a love that never ends? That&#8217;s timeless, everlasting and oh-so romantic.<\/p>\n<h2>Endless Love, Lionel Richie &amp; Diana Ross<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kEjqQ5E7uOE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Some songs are all about the melody; others the lyric. This one is about both. Not only does it have the artistry of Lionel Richie and Diana Ross, it also has beautiful insights such as this: &#8220;Two hearts, two hearts that beat as one, our lives have just begun.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>Unchained Melody, The Righteous Brothers<\/h2>\n<p>https:\/\/youtu.be\/6ssySMc9B-Y<\/p>\n<p>To some people this will always be the love song from <em>Ghost,<\/em> but this ballad has been around a lot longer than that. It has one of the most instantly recognisable introductions, making it perfect for a first dance that is as timeless as it is beautiful.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35613,"template":"","au_article_tag":[112,1077,518,47,48,40],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au-article\/35612"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au-article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/au-article"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au-article\/35612\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35613"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"au_article_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au_article_tag?post=35612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}