I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve heard people complain about their DJ not playing the right dance music at their wedding reception. But what exactly is “the right music”? When asked, brides say they want music that’s fun and danceable. But when I ask for specific song requests, my clients don’t always know the titles and artists’ names.
Most good DJ services will provide an extensive list of song selections which may or may not be right for your guests. Overwhelmed by the hundreds (or even thousands) of songs to choose from, the bride & groom will choose some of their favorites or they’ll just leave it up to their DJ. An excellent DJ will be able to quickly read the crowd and determine which songs to play and when to play them. He or she will have some gems (secret weapons if you will) that will pack the dance floor and keep it packed all night.
Now, some critics might say, “Yes, I know… the same cheesy songs that are overplayed at every wedding reception in the country.” And some brides & grooms demand that their DJ NOT play any of these songs and play their eclectic favorites instead. Then, on their wedding day, they wonder why no one (including themselves) is dancing. But there is a reason why these so-called “cheesey” songs are still played. They are played because THEY WORK!!
Some songs are classic and work every time for every wedding because they appeal to all ages and are fun to dance to. The key is having a DJ who can feel the vibe of the crowd and then give the right mix of classic and newer music to keep the dance floor crowded. This takes a great deal of knowledge and experience in doing hundreds of weddings. So to help you get started, here are some of top wedding “gems” to keep your dance floor sizzling!
The Top 40 Wedding Party Songs
(in alphabetical order)
- Ain’t Too Proud To Beg – Temptations
- Dancing Queen – Abba
- Brick House – Commodores
- Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
- Build Me Up Buttercup – Foundations
- Conga – Gloria Estefan/Miami Sound Machine
- Copacabana – Barry Manilow
- Crazy In Love – Beyonce
- December 1963 (Oh What a Night) – Frankie Valli & 4 Seasons
- Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson
- Do You Love Me – Contours
- Funkytown – Lipps, Inc.
- Get Down Tonight/That’s The Way/Shake Shake Shake – KC & Sunshine Band
- Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) – C&C Music Factory
- Grease Megamix – John Travolta/Olivia Newton-John
- I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – Four Tops
- Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
- It’s Raining Men – Weather Girls
- La Bamba – Los Lobos/Ritchie Valens
- Love Shack – B52s
- Mony Mony – Tommy James & Shondells/Billy Idol
- Paradise By The Dashboard Light – Meatloaf
- Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
- Pump Up The Jam – Technotronic
- Push It – Salt N Pepa
- Respect – Aretha Franklin
- Runaround Sue – Dion
- September – Earth, Wind & Fire
- Shout – Otis Day & The Nights
- Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees
- Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
- Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynryd
- Twist/Twist Again – Chubby Checker
- Twist and Shout – Beatles
- Yeah – Usher
- Vogue – Madonna
- We Are Family – Sister Sledge
- What I Like About You – Romantics
- YMCA – Village People
- You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
