Picking a first dance song is an important part of the wedding planning process. We naturally associate music with important times in our lives, most people will remember favorite songs from family parties as a child and songs from when they were at school. We all have songs that remind us of sad times maybe from a funeral or just a song that reminds us of friends or times gone by. It stands to reason that music plays an important part in this special occasion.
I get asked on a regular basis to recommend songs for a first dance. This is difficult because the first dance is a very personal moment for most couples. My wife Fanny and I had our song Heaven by DJ Sammy (Candlelight Mix) which was from when we met on the cruise ship. Each evening after work we would head up to the Midnight Sun lounge which was where the disco was held and we would often dance to that song.
As our wedding was a fusion between a Scandinavian (Fanny is Swedish) and a traditional English wedding I sang a song as part of my speech now this song was chosen for a completely different reason. I was looking for songs to record in the studio and when I heard the lyris I felt that it perfectly summed up my feelings for Fanny and so decided to incorporate it into out celebrations. The song was Amazed by Lonestar which has also made it into my top ten. So whether you choose your song due to experiences or through the sentiment of the lyrics it is your choice.
Here is my top ten list of wedding first dance songs that I get requested to sing live. I will follow this top ten with a list of top ten original recording wedding first dance songs.
10. Just The Way You Are – Bruno Mars
So in reverse order I start my top 10 with a great song from Bruno Mars that he released back in 2010 with wedding songs you often find songs that were popular 5-6 years prior to the wedding are chosen for first dance songs and so this is having a bit of a revival at the moment.
9. The Way You Look Tonight – Michael Buble / Frank Sinatra
At number 9 I have the Frank Sinatra classic The Way You Look Tonight, it is a beautiful romantic song which was also covered by Michael Buble. It was interesting when I did some research on the origins to the song to find that it has been covered many times and that Frank Sinatra didn’t record the original. Fred Astaire performed it originally in the film Swing Time back in 1936 and it received an Academy Awards for Best Original Song.
8. Marry You – Bruno Mars
Number 8 in my top ten wedding first dance songs is another from Bruno Mars and his appropriatly titled Marry You. This is another song from his very popular Doo-Wops & Hooligans album from 2010.
I haven’t recorded this song as yet.
7. Just The Way You Are – Billy Joel
Number 7 on my wedding song request list, is the same name as number 10 but a very different song. Released in 1977 on his album The Stranger the song also went on to win record of the year in the 1979 Grammy Awards. PS: As you may notice I had a bit of fun when recording this video please don’t take me seriously because I don’t lol.
6. All Of Me – John Legend
At 6 we have a very popular first dance song and I think if it wasn’t for Ed Sheeran releasing Thinking Out Loud soon after its release it would have been higher in the request list. John Legends lyrics are heartfelt and perfect for a first dance song.
5. Amazed – Lonestar
Number five in my list of wedding first dance songs was released back in 1999, and as I said earlier featured on my wedding day as part of my speech I sang this live. The lyrics are amazing and I think this will be a standard first dance song for years to come.
4. Heaven – DJ Sammy (Candlelight Mix)
Growing up I was a big Bryan Adams fan and so loved the original version of this song which was released when I was just 4 in 1984. DJ Sammy and DJ Yanou reworked the song into a dance hit with vocals provided by Dutch singer Do in 2001. Reaching number 1 in the UK charts and selling over 600,000 to reach Platinum status. The candlelight mix is a stripped down ballad version of the song and a song that my wife Fanny and I had at our wedding. Here is the recording that I made that we danced to.
3. Lets Stay Together – Al Green
Into the top three wedding first dance songs that I get requested to sing is this classic by Al Green, Lets Stay Together.
I am due to record this song next time I am in the studio so keep checking back to my website if you would like to hear it.
2. The One – Kodaline
For some people this song may have slipped under the radar, it was released by the Dublin based alternative rock band in February 2015 and only reached numer 27 in the UK singles charts. I can’t help thinking this should have been released a couple of months later as the lyrics are ideal for a first dance song and it would have probably gained a higher chart position. Its appeal to many is the fact that the sentiment is perfect and yet it is not as mainstream as Thinking Out Loud.
1. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
At number 1 of my most requested wedding first dance songs is Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran. The video to this song is brilliant and Ed even learnt how to ballroom dance to add to the appeal. The song has won many awards including a Grammy Award for Song of the year 2016 and went Platinum in 13 countries! It remained in the UK top 40 for 19 weeks peaking at number 1 in November 2014. Apparently the song was written in just 20 mins with Amy Wadge as they had been discussing everlasting love. I think this song is going to remain very popular for many years to come.
So that concludes my top ten requested first dance songs. I hope this has given you some inspiration for choosing your own song. If you would like to ask any questions or would like to find out more about how I can help you create the perfect wedding day checkout my website www.JohnNorcott.co.uk
I would also like to give a special mention to the following people for their help in producing my songs and videos.
Simon Kearsley & Anne Pattison from Creative Camera for producing the videos for The One and Thinking Out Loud
John Kettle for recording; The Way You Look Tonight, Just The Way You Are – Billy Joel, All Of Me, The One & Thinking Out Loud.
Matt Hutchison aka ortoPilot for recording Just the way you are – Bruno Mars and Heaven.
