?Top 100 1970s Wedding Songs + Lyric Quotes

Updated on June 6, 2022 | Written by Matthew Campbell (Editor of My Wedding Songs and veteran DJ)

Are you considering using 1970’s songs at your wedding? There are so many great genres and hits to choose from.

It was tough to only choose our top 100. And, the groove that met the emotion of the 1970s is hard to beat.

Why Choose 1970’s Songs For Your Wedding?

First of all, if your parents are GenXers or young Boomers, these are the songs they love.

So, since they’re paying for the wedding, how about giving them some great songs? (Wait. They’re paying, right?)

Secondly, a lot of people in that generation are getting remarried.

Thirdly, the lyrics. Those are some well-written, emotion-packed songs.

Then you add in the groove, and that is the way to fill up your dance floor.

 

 
Let’s start with the most popular right now.

Top 10 1970 Songs

1. “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
2. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
3. “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” by Stevie Wonder
4. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
5. “Dancing Queen” by ABBA
6. “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge
7. “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole
8. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
9. “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry
10. “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton

Listen to 1970s Wedding Songs

You will enjoy a list of the most popular and unique 1970s songs for your wedding day.

Every couple’s music tastes are different. Thus, we selected wedding songs from the 1970s that include many different music styles.

Pop 1970s Wedding Songs

What I Like About You – The Romantics
1979, Pop

Keep on whispering in my ear
Tell me all the things that I wanna hear
‘Cause it’s true (that’s what I like about you)

My Sharona – The Knack
1979, Pop

Such a dirty mind. Always get it up for the touch
Of the younger kind. My my my i yi woo.
M M M My Sharona

You’re The One That I Want – John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
1978, Pop

You’re the one that I want
The one that I need
Oh yes indeed

Hot Child In The City – Nick Gilder
1978, Pop

Hot child in the city
Runnin’ wild and lookin’ pretty
Hot child in the city

Rich Girl – Daryl Hall & John Oates
1977, Pop

You’re a rich girl (Rich girl)
And you’ve gone too far
‘Cause you know it don’t matter anyway

The Things We Do For Love – 10cc
1976, Pop

You’ve got her number and your hand is on the phone
The weather’s turned and all the lines are down
The things we do for love

Love Will Keep Us Together – Captain & Tennille
1975, Pop

But someday your looks will be gone
When the others turn you off
Who’ll be turning you on?
I will, I will, I will

Fooled Around And Fell In Love – Elvin Bishop
1975, Pop

Free on my own that’s the way I used to be
But since I met you baby, love’s got a hold on me
(Fooled around and fell in love) woo, it’s got a hold on me now, yeah

Dream Weaver – Gary Wright
1975, Pop

Ooh, dream weaver
I believe you can get me through the night
Ooh, dream weaver
I believe we can reach the morning light

Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye – Steam
1970, Pop

He’ll never love you, the way that I love you
‘Cause if he did, no no, he wouldn’t make you cry
He might be thrillin’ baby but a-my love
(My love, my love)
So dog-gone willin’, so kiss him
(I wanna see you kiss him, wanna see you kiss him)
Go on and kiss him goodbye, now

Imagine – John Lennon
1971, Pop

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Your Song – Elton John
1970, Pop

I hope you don’t mind
That I put down in the words
How wonderful life is while you’re in the world

I Think I Love You – The Partridge Family
1970, Pop

I think I love you isn’t that what life is made of
Though it worries me to say I never felt this way

Disco 1970s Wedding Songs

Good Times – Chic
1979, Disco

Happy days are here again
The time is right for makin’ friends
Let’s get together, how ’bout a quarter to ten?

Funkytown – Lipps. Inc.
1979, Disco

Won’t you take me to Funkytown?
Won’t you take me to Funkytown?

Take A Chance On Me – ABBA
1978, Disco

I’m the first in line
Honey I’m still free
Take a chance on me

Le Freak – Chic
1978, Disco

Young and old are doing it, I’m told
Just one try and you too will be sold
It’s called ‘Le Freak’, they’re doing it night and day

I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
1978, Disco

Oh, as long as I know how to love, I know I’ll stay alive
I’ve got all my life to live, and I’ve got all my love to give
And I’ll survive, I will survive, hey, hey!

We Are Family – Sister Sledge
1978, Disco

We are family (hey, y’all)
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing

Y.M.C.A. – Village People
1978, Disco

They have everything for you men to enjoy
You can hang out with all the boys
It’s fun to stay at the YMCA

Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees
1977, Disco

We can try to understand
The New York Times’ effect on man
Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother
You’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive

Dancing Queen – ABBA
1976, Disco

You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet
Only seventeen
Dancing queen

Disco Inferno – The Trammps
1976, Disco

The heat was on, rising to the top
Everybody going strong, and that is when my spark got hot
I heard somebody say
disco inferno

Get Down Tonight – KC & The Sunshine Band
1975, Disco

Oh, do a little dance
Make a little love
Get down tonight, get down tonight

That’s The Way (I LIke It) – KC & The Sunshine Band
1975, Disco

When you take me by the hand
Tell me I’m your lovin’ man
When you give me all your love
And do it babe, the very best you can

December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night!) – The Four Seasons
1975, Disco

Oh, what a night
Late December back in sixty-three
What a very special time for me
As I remember, what a night

Don’t Leave Me This Way – Thelma Houston
1975, Disco

Now can’t you see it’s burning out of control
Com’on, satisfy the need in me
‘Cause only your good lovin’
Can set me free

The Hustle – Van McCoy
1975, Disco

Do the Hustle!
Do it!
Do the Hustle!

Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas
1974, Disco

Everybody is Kung fu fighting,
Your mind becomes fast as lightning
Although the future is a little bit frightening

Rock 1970s Wedding Songs

Highway To Hell – AC/DC
1979, Rock

Takin’ everythin’ in my stride
Don’t need reason
Don’t need rhyme
Ain’t nothin’ that I’d rather do
Goin’ down
Party time

Old Time Rock & Roll – Bob Seger
1979, Rock

Old time rock and roll
Baby, just soothes the soul
I reminisce about the days of old
With that old time rock and roll

Crazy Love – Poco
1979, Rock

This crazy love of mine
Wraps around my heart
Refusing to unwind
Ooh-ooh, crazy love

Babe – Styx
1979, Rock

Giving me the courage
And the strength I need
Please believe that it’s true
Babe, I love you

Kiss You All Over – Exile
1978, Rock

You can see it in my eyes
I can feel it in your touch
You don’t have to say a thing
Just let me show how much
I love you

Just What I Needed – The Cars
1978, Rock

It’s not the ribbons in your hair

And I don’t mind you comin’ here
And wastin’ all my time
I guess you’re just what I needed

Werewolves Of London – Warren Zevon
1978, Rock

He’s the hairy handed gent who ran amok in Kent
Lately, he’s been overheard in Mayfair
You better stay away from him, he’ll rip your lungs out Jim

I Want You To Want Me – Cheap Trick
1977, Rock

If you want my love you got it
When you need my love you got it
I won’t hide it
I won’t throw your love away

Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
1977, Rock

We go to a party
And every one turns to see
This beautiful lady
Who’s walking around with me

Paradise By The Dashboard Light – Meat Loaf
1977, Rock

Baby doncha hear my heart
You got it drowning out the radio
I’ve been waiting so long
For you to come along and have some fun

I Go Crazy – Paul Davis
1977, Rock

I go crazy
When I look in your eyes I still go crazy
No my heart just can’t hide that old feelin’ inside
Way deep down inside
Oh baby, you know when I look in your eyes I go crazy

We Are The Champions – Queen
1977, Rock

We are the champions
No time for losers
‘Cause we are the champions of the World

Hotel California – The Eagles
1977, Rock

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year (Any time of year)
You can find it here

Still The One – Orleans
1976, Rock

You’re still the one that makes me laugh
Still the one that’s my better half
We’re still having fun, and you’re still the one

Happy Days – Pratt & McClain
1976, Rock

Gonna cruise her around the town
Show everybody what I found
Rock and roll with all my friends
Hopin’ the music never ends

The Boys Are Back In Town – Thin Lizzy
1976, Rock

That jukebox in the corner blastin’ out my favorite song
The nights are getting longer, it won’t be long
Won’t be long ’til summer comes
Now that the boys are here again

Walk This Way – Aerosmith
1975, Rock

Wasn’t me she was foolin’
‘Cause she knew what she was doin’
And I know love is here to stay
When she told me to
Walk this way, walk this way

Rock And Roll All Nite – Kiss
1975, Rock

The party’s just begun, we’ll let you in
You drive us wild, we’ll drive you crazy
You keep on shoutin’, you keep on shoutin’
I wanna rock and roll all night and party every day

You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet – Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO)
1974, Rock

And said,
You ain’t seen nothin’ yet
B-b-b-baby, you just ain’t seen n-n-nothin’ yet

Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
1974, Rock

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama (oh yeah)
Lord I’m comin’ home to you

Saturday Night – Bay City Rollers
1973, Rock

Gonna rock it up
Roll it up
Do it all, have a ball
Saturday night

Drift Away – Dobie Gray
1973, Rock

And when my mind is free
You know a melody can move me
And when I’m feelin’ blue
The guitar’s comin’ through to soothe me

Bad, Bad Leroy Brown – Jim Croce
1973, Rock

And he’s bad, bad Leroy Brown
The baddest man in the whole damn town
Badder than old King Kong
And meaner than a Junkyard Dog

Reelin’ In The Years – Steely Dan
1973, Rock

Are you reelin’ in the years?
Stowin’ away the time
Are you gatherin’ up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine

The Joker – Steve Miller Band
1973, Rock

‘Cause I’m a picker
I’m a grinner
I’m a lover
And I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun

Crocodile Rock – Elton John
1972, Rock

Oh, lawdy mama those Friday nights
When Suzie wore her dresses tight
And the Crocodile rocking was out of sight

The Loco-Motion – Grand Funk Railroad
1972, Rock

Now that you can do it, let’s make a chain, now
(Come on baby, do the loco-motion)
A chug-a chug-a motion like a railroad train, now

Stuck In The Middle With You – Stealers Wheel
1972, Rock

Clowns to the left of me!
Jokers to the right!
Here I am stuck in the middle with you

Listen To The Music – The Doobie Brothers
1972, Rock

There ain’t nothing we can’t do or say
Feeling good, feeling fine
Oh, baby, let the music play
Whoa, oh listen to the music

Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress) – The Hollies
1972, Rock

With a long cool woman in a black dress
Just a 5’9 beautiful tall
Yeah, with just one look I was a bad mess
Cause that long cool woman had it all

American Pie – Don McLean
1971, Rock

We started singin’ bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’ “This’ll be the day that I die

Me And Bobby McGee – Janis Joplin
1971, Rock

And feelin’ good was easy, Lord, when he sang the blues
You know feelin’ good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee

Bang A Gong (Get It On) – T. Rex
1971, Rock

Well you’re an untamed youth
That’s the truth with your cloak full of eagles
You’re dirty, sweet and you’re my girl
Get it on, bang a gong, get it on

Brown Sugar – The Rolling Stones
1971, Rock

Brown Sugar, how come you dance so good?
Oh, got me quittin’

Joy To The World – Three Dog Night
1971, Rock

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

All Right Now – Free
1970, Rock

Don’t you think that love can last
She said love, Lord above
Now you’re tryin’ to trick me in love
All right now baby, it’s all right now

Fire And Rain – James Taylor
1970, Rock

I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I’d see you again

Stairway To Heaven – Led Zeppelin
1970, Rock

The tune will come to you at last
When all is one and one is all, that’s what it is
To be a rock and not to roll, oh yeah
And she’s buying a stairway to heaven

Spirit In The Sky – Norman Greenbaum
1970, Rock

So you know that when I die
He’s gonna set me up
with the spirit in the sky

Get Ready – Rare Earth
1970, Rock

You wanna play hide and seek with love, let me remind ya
Lovin’ you’re gonna miss and the time it takes to find ya
Well, fe fi fo fo fum, look out, baby, now, here I come

Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel
1970, Rock

Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way

Let It Be – The Beatles
1970, Rock

And when the broken-hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be

R&B 1970s Wedding Songs

Rapper’s Delight – Sugarhill Gang
1979, Hip Hop

I said-a hip, hop, the hippie, the hippie
To the hip hip hop-a you don’t stop the rock
It to the bang-bang boogie, say up jump the boogie
To the rhythm of the boogie, the beat

Rock With You – Michael Jackson
1979, R&B

I wanna rock with you (all night)
Dance you into day (sunlight)
I wanna rock with you (all night)
We’re gonna rock the night away

Three Times A Lady – Commodores
1978, R&B

You’re once, twice, three times a lady
And I love you
Yes, you’re once, twice, three times a lady
And I love you

September – Earth, Wind & Fire
1978, R&B

Do you remember, 21st night of September?
Love was changing the mind of pretenders
While chasing the clouds away
Our hearts were ringing
In the key that our souls were singing
As we danced in the night

Brick House – Commodores
1977, R&B

She’s a brick house, yeah
She’s the one, the only one
Built like an Amazon

Always & Forever – Heatwave
1976, R&B

Everyday love me your own special way
Melt all my heart away with a smile
Take time to tell me you really care
And we’ll share tomorrow together

Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
1976, R&B

Play that funky music, white boy
Play that funky music right

You Sexy Thing – Hot Chocolate
1975, R&B

Kiss me, you sexy thing
Touch me baby, you sexy thing
I love the way you touch my darling, you sexy thing

Low Rider – War
1975, R&B

All my friends know the low rider
The low rider is a little higher
Low rider drives a little slower
Low rider is a real goer

Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe – Barry White
1974, R&B

I feel the change
Something moves
I scream your name
Do what you got to do
Darling, I, can’t get enough of your love babe

Lady Marmalade – Labelle
1974, R&B

Gitchie, gitchie, ya-ya, da-da (hey, hey, hey)
Gitchie, gitchie, ya-ya, here (here)
Mocha Chocolata, ya-ya (ooh, yeah)
Creole Lady Marmalade

Midnight Train To Georgia – Gladys Knight & The Pips
1973, R&B

Said he’s going back (going back to find)
To a simpler place and time (and when he takes that ride)
Oh yes, he is (guess who’s gonna sit right by his side)
And I’ll be with him (I know you will)
On that midnight train to Georgia

Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye
1973, R&B

Understand me, sugar (ooh ooh)
Since we’ve got to be here
Let’s live
I love you

You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder
1973, R&B

You are the sunshine of my life
That’s why I’ll always stay around
You are the apple of my eye (love has joined us)
Forever you’ll stay in my heart

Lean On Me – Bill Withers
1972, R&B

Lean on me
When you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on

Superstition – Stevie Wonder
1972, R&B

When you believe in things
That you don’t understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain’t the way

Love Train – The O’Jays
1972, R&B

People all over the world (sisters and brothers)
Join hands (join, come on)
Start a love train (ride this train, y’all), love train (come on)

Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone – The Temptations
1972, R&B

Papa was a rolling stone
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone

Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
1971, R&B

Let me say that since, baby
Since we’ve been together
Ooh
Loving you forever
Is what I need

Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) – The Temptations
1971, R&B

Don’t ever let another take her love from me or I would surely die
Her love is heavenly, when her arms enfold me
I hear a tender rhapsody, but in reality she doesn’t even know me

Tears Of A Clown – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
1970, R&B

‘Cause I had to go (why did you go), oh I need you so (I need you so)
Look I’m hurt and I want you to know (want you to know)
For others I put on a show

I’ll Be There – The Jackson 5
1970, R&B

And oh, I’ll be there to comfort you
Build my world of dreams around you
I’m so glad that I found you

Country 1970s Wedding Songs

Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffett
1977, Country

Searchin’ for my lost shaker of salt
Salt, salt, salt
Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame
I agree with that
And I know it’s all you women’s fault

Let Your Love Flow – The Bellamy Brothers
1975, Country

Just let your love flow like a mountain stream
And let your love grow with the smallest of dreams
And let your love show and you’ll know what I mean
It’s the season

Rhinestone Cowboy – Glen Campbell
1975, Country

Like a rhinestone cowboy
Riding out on a horse in a star-spangled rodeo
Like a rhinestone cowboy
Getting cards and letters from people I don’t even know
And offers comin’ over the phone

Thank God I’m A Country Boy – John Denver
1975, Country

I’d play Sally Goodin all day if I could
But the Lord and my wife wouldn’t take it very good
So I fiddle when I can and I work when I should
Thank God I’m a country boy

The Most Beautiful Girl – Charlie Rich
1973, Country

If you happen to see
The most beautiful girl that walked out on me
Tell her I’m sorry
Tell her I need my baby

Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
1971, Country

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads

Do you have a favorite 1970s wedding song that isn’t on our list? Please share it in the comments. Also which one would you replace? We read and respond to all comments.

The 1970’s – Birth of Disco

Every era has its boom in culture. After WWI, we had the roaring twenties! After WWII, we had 50’s music and swing dancing. As the Vietnam War continued into 1975, people took to dancing to forget about the war and be happy. This time, they went to the Disco.

The music of the 1970s can be most remembered as the birth of Disco! I can hear the high hat now. It just makes you want to dance. Popular disco music artists included the Bee Gees with “Stayin’ Alive”, Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive”, and “Dancing Queen” was practically the anthem but don’t forget the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.”.

1970’s Songs Welcome Progressive Rock

Another music style popular in the 1970s was progressive rock. Progressive rock songs were typically longer in length and may not be conducive to weddings, but who doesn’t love Freebird? Those songs got longer as recording technology changed. Each side of a record could only be so long.

“Led Zeppelin never released ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ which is 8:02 minutes, as a single, but the track still became the stuff of legend.” Mashable https://mashable.com/2014/11/23/pop-song-length/

Finally, punk rock also started in the 1970s with heavy guitar riffs and anger in the lyrics, and projection in the singers. Punk rock-style music kickoffs with bands like the Sex Pistols and the Ramones. Bob Marley had a huge fan base in the U.S. performing Jamaican reggae music as well.

Similar song lists for further reading:

• 1970s love songs
• 1980s wedding songs
• 1980s love songs

The 1970s Brought Us the Hustle

The dance of the Best 1970s music that was typical in dance clubs, aka discos, was the Hustle. You can learn to do this groovy dance with the following tutorial.

The music genre was named after the music played in discotheques — the nightclubs people danced in. The Hustle was invented in 1970 and thought to be in New York City. Offspring of the Hustle were the Basic Hustle, Latin, Spanish and Tango Hustle, and Swing Hustle. Other popular dances of the 1970s music included the Bump, Penguin, Boogaloo, Watergate, and the Robot. Way too much fun!

Fads and Culture in the 1970s

The 19070’s had its own fads for teens such as pet rocks, mood rings, and the creation of the Rubik’s cube. Popular fashion trends saw long hair on men, bell-bottom pants, and hot pants. There were many new inventions for teens in the Seventies which included the floppy disc, the game console Atari, the videocassette recorder (VCR), and the invention of email in 1971.

The 1970s also gave birth to affirmative action, legalized abortion, and Earth Day. Many 1970’s bands increased their following in the States and worldwide because of the invention of the 8-track tape.

Blockbuster films of the seventies included “Star Wars,” “The Godfather I and II,” and “Grease.” TV shows of the 1970s included “The Brady Bunch,” “Happy Days,” “All In The Family,” and “Sesame Street” for children. With the advancement of TV, sports became a big business. This was the beginning of wealthy sports owners and highly paid baseball players with free agency by the end of the decade.

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Don’t Have An Empty Dance Floor!

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About Matthew Campbell