Wedding receptions suffer when music targets one group at the expense of others. Often, your older guests feel left out because they don’t relate to the music of their younger counterparts. And it works the other way, too. The good news is a few songs crossover, pleasing all guests, drawing them irresistibly to the dance floor.
Let’s take a look at these wedding songs for all ages. These songs require a strong hook and good dance beats. Of course, lyrics need to be wedding friendly and cross inter-generational lines.
“Twist and Shout” by the Beatles
Baby Boomers will love you for playing this song. And every generation loves the Beatles. Watch your guests sing along with this one.
“Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
Need we say more than this song is so catchy that it is played in hundreds of sports arenas around the world every single week?
“YMCA” by the Village People
Hard to keep this disco anthem off of a dance list, especially with it’s own unique widely-loved choreography.
“(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher” by Jackie Wilson
Great beat. Great lyric. Soaring melody.
“Dancing Queen” by Abba
Or should we say “Ma Ma Mia?” You can’t go wrong with either. Great wedding songs for all ages!
“Happy Together” by The Turtles
A happy song that is so danceable.
“Higher Love” by Whitney Houston & Kygo
Kygo re-did this Whitney song in 2019, incorporating the late-great’s vocals.
“Something’s Got a Hold On Me” by Etta James
Just plain fun with appeal to all ages.
“Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars
Sure, the song is overplayed, but that’s because it’s so darn catchy and danceable.
“Footloose” by Kenny Loggins
The opening percussion and baseline challenge you to try to be still. And you lose, every time. This song demands you get up and dance. And your body knows it has no choice but to give in to the beat!
“As” by Stevie Wonder
This is an utterly delightful, danceable song. Pros and cons: Pro: Beautiful melody and love song lyrics of the highest order. Con: 7 minutes long.
“September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
Light, danceable, happy! Everyone loves this song at a September wedding. And it holds its inter-generational charm for the other eleven months of the year, too!
“Cha Cha Slide by DJ Casper
You can’t beat a song that instructs the audience on how to dance to it!
“Viva La Vida” by Coldplay
Multi-generations know this song and it’s catchy, abstract lyrics, especially the refrain (“I hear Jerusalem bells a ringin’ …”). And the song is dominated by a catchy, pounding marching band bass drum beat that forces guests out of their seats. With the widespread use of music streaming, popular music became splintered, so new songs aren’t as well known to wide-swaths of your guest list as in decades past. So songs on this list are older, but better known to more people.
BUT … these types of songs need to be used at the right time in your party to fit the mood of your guests and overall flow of your event. That’s what we do. Columbus Pro DJs offers professional wedding DJs who have worked hundreds of weddings to ensure your event is a smashing success. Check us out today.
