The Song That Says, “Us”
It’s the top of May and I bet you’re wondering what songs are hot with my brides and grooms right now??
Well, here’s a partial list of some of the standouts I’ve had to get you thinking what you might like to use for your first dance song:
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” by Frankie Valli (YouTube)
This is such a fun song since you can do a combination of slow moves and fast moves to it and plus it’s an all time favorite among just about all ages. 
This couple did some sways and cuddles and swing moves with lots of turns and then learned a little swing with switching places and outside and inside turns to really kick up their heels!
“Sway” by Dean Martin (YouTube)
Wow, I’d forgotten about this great rendition of “Sway” by one of the all time masters until my couple came in with it and I fell in love with Dean Martin’s sexy voice and this rumba all over again. We did some great moves like the chasse and some cross overs and walk around turns to this romantic favorite and really let the lady show off her undulating hips to her adoring gentleman as they “swayed” around the floor. They had a very small dance floor and this song worked in the space and yet let them have fun too.
“Everything” by Michael Buble (YouTube)
Yep, “Everything” is still hot – so to speak and this couple loved the lyrics and the speed of the music and pronounced it totally perfect and totally them! They had a 15′ x 15′ dance floor so the movement worked for them that we did with paddycakes and changing places borrowed from the foxtrot and the Viennese waltz respectively. You could also work with a smaller dance floor with this song if you didn’t mind keeping your steps petite. 
“Amazed” by Lonestar (YouTube)
Who can deny that a song that starts out “Every time our eyes meet this feeling inside me is almost more than I can take…” isn’t the most romantic song you’ve heard in a long time??! Couple that with a great beat and country feel and you’ve got a recipe for one treat of a first dance. Yes, it’s a common song but sometimes it’s just better not to fool with success, no?? My couple liked the easy going nature of this song since they admitted they’re not that into choreographed dancing but didn’t want to just “high school prom dance it”. We kept it simple and elegant and everything went very well. In fact everything went so well we put a lean, dip and jump on the end because the dance itself wasn’t too much. Now that’s success!
“It Had To Be You” by Bobby Darin (Where to get it)
Hard to find but well worth the time… Couldn’t find this song on YouTube but the link above gives you some options for purchase. We all know the Harry Connick Jr. rendition of this song and love it but one by Bobby Darin; now that’s a find! My couple used this song because they loved Bobby Darin’s cool voice and wanted an up beat foxtrot that would get the reception guests up and dancing right after wards. They didn’t have a lot of time to learn a dance and this song fit right into their schedule since it is 2 minutes and 12 seconds.
“I Have Dreamed” from the soundtrack of the movie “The American President” (YouTube)
Talk about old world charm and beauty – you can’t go wrong with this incredible piece. My father/daughter couple said it had special meaning to them and I believe it! Dad floated along like he was on ice and his daughter glowed like gold in his arms to this fluid song. A gorgeous change from the usual father/daughter dance numbers!
“Just Like Heaven” by Katie Melua (YouTube)
Mmmm… this song is soooo romantic, sexy and now all at the same time. You will feel just like heaven as you dance to this song for your first dance. My couple oozed around the floor staring dreamily into each others eyes and we used the lyrics “spinning” to do some pretty twirls. A great different type of first dance song to highlight your love!
“In My Life” by the Beatles (YouTube)
An all time favorite that is poignant, meaningful, easy-going and fun – How did the Beatles do it? – at the same time. This couple put an especially personal touch on their first dance by dancing to this entire song and then bringing up a fabulous Arabic song for just a few minutes. The bride added a red gold coin skirt to her gown, the groom sat in an offered chair and she did a short and PG rated belly dance for him!
Now that’s a first dance and that’s entertainment! The crowd got foxtrot and hip undulations all in one package. Hats off to the groom as well, who lead an excellent first dance and then was a great “prop” for the belly dancing and even rose up from his chair at the end to dance to the beat and get down on one knee so the bride could back bend a dip with him!
“Leather and Lace” by Stevie Nicks & Don Henley (YouTube)
This song takes me back and it was fun to watch my couple dance to it. Kudos to them - they’d known each other since the sixth grade! Their reception was at 741 in Laguna Beach and we didn’t have much space so we kept it easy going with small sways and send outs and pretty walking steps to take them around the floor. We kept the body language nice and close and romantic and put a twirly end on the piece for big end applause.
“Lucky” by Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat (YouTube)
Fun and flirty with good lyrics, this first dance song is an easy dance and can really showcase a couple’s feelings for each other. We had a small dance floor (10′ x 10′) and literally only one lesson to make this something special. They worked hard on some cute swing moves and some perky promenades and we came up with three pretty pieces of choreography that they could repeat and a fun dip for the end. It didn’t hurt that they were both swing dancers from their UCLA undergraduate days.
“The Story” by Brandi Carlile (YouTube)
Beautiful. The lyrics are wonderful and the tune is catchy and unusual. This couple only had one lesson but they had so much fun they promised to send their parents in for dance lessons! We had to keep it simple due to time considerations but just a few moves made this first dance a real winner. Also, they had already decided to just do 2:13 of the song. If you listen to it on YouTube you’ll hear a natural break there. They had their DJ fade it out and start the general dancing at that point.
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Happy listening as you decide on the song that says, “Us!”
Jillian of OurWeddingDance.com
Jillian feeding the lorikeets!
