1980s Wedding Songs: Forever ’80s Trending and Timeless Hits
Updated November 1, 2023 | Author: Matthew Campbell
Whitney Houston wanted to dance with somebody, David Bowie raised the cry “Let’s Dance!” and we can’t forget about the “Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats.
After all, can we even be friends if you don’t dance to ’80s music?
When selecting 1980s songs for your wedding, you must consider the following 3 factors:
- What is the tempo of the song to determine the style of dance?
- What is the meaning of the song and is it appropriate for your wedding?
- Does the song’s genre match the theme of your wedding?
Let’s start with the most popular right now.
Top Trending 1980s Wedding Songs
- “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston
- “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
- “Livin’ On A Prayer” by Bon Jovi
- “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins
- “Love Shack” by B-52’s
- “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC
- “Come On Eileen” by Dexy’s Midnight Runners
- “Pour Some Sugar On Me” by Def Leppard
- “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper
- “You Make My Dreams (Come True)” by Daryl Hall & John Oates
- “Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams
- “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang
- “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
- “Africa” by Toto
- “(I’ve Had The) Time Of My Life” by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
- “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind & Fire
- “It’s Tricky” by Run-DMC
- “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield
- “Electric Boogie” by Marcia Griffiths
- “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley
Stream 1980s Wedding Playlist
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Listen to your favorite songs on streaming services!
As an experienced wedding DJ, I’ve assembled a list of popular 1980s songs to get people on the dance floor and for romance at your wedding! The list is grouped by genre to match your taste in music.
1980s Pop Favorites
- Walk Like An Egyptian – The Bangles
- (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life – Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes (last dance song)
- Hot Hot Hot – Buster Poindexter
- Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley (party dance song)
- True Blue – Madonna
- Kiss – Prince
- Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves (recessional song)
- Into the Groove – Madonna
- Take On Me – a-Ha (party dance song)
- Thriller – Michael Jackson
- Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham!
- Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper (bouquet toss song)
- Let’s Dance – David Bowie
- Billie Jean – Michael Jackson (party dance song)
- Flashdance…What A Feeling – Irene Cara
- 1999 – Prince
- You Make My Dreams – Hall & Oates (recessional song)
- New York, New York – Frank Sinatra
- My Sharona – The Knack
- Rock With You – Michael Jackson
Tip
Next, read a list of 1980s love songs.
1980s Rock Hits
- Love Shack – The B-52’s (party dance song)
- Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
- Sweet Child o’ Mine – Guns N Roses (father-daughter dance song)
- Mony Mony – Billy Idol (party dance song)
- Need You Tonight – INXS
- Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi(party dance song)
- The Lady In Red – Chris De Burgh
- Take Me Home Tonight – Eddie Money (last dance song)
- The Power Of Love – Huey Lewis and the News
- Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey (last dance song)
- Your Love – Outfield (party dance song)
- You Can Call Me Al – Paul Simon
- Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams
- Dancing In The Dark – Bruce Springsteen
- I Want To Know What Love Is – Foreigner
- Footloose – Kenny Loggins (party dance song)
- Uptown Girl – Billy Joel
- Total Eclipse Of The Heart – Bonnie Tyler
- Faithfully – Journey (first dance song)
- Jump – Van Halen
- White Wedding – Billy Idol
- Electric Avenue – Eddy Grant
- Jack & Diane – John Mellencamp (cocktail hour song)
- Somebody’s Baby – Jackson Browne
- Rock This Town – Stray Cats
- Africa – Toto
- Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top (groomsmen song)
- Centerfold – J. Geils Band
- I Love Rock ‘N Roll – Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
- Under Pressure – Queen & David Bowie
- Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield (party dance song)
- 867-5309 / Jenny – Tommy Tutone
- Back In Black – AC/DC
- You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC (party dance song)
- Any Way You Want It – Journey
- Another One Bites The Dust – Queen
- Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
- What I Like About You – The Romantics
Tip
Check out a 1990s wedding playlist too.
1980s R&B Tracks
- Working My Way Back To You – The Spinners
- Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car – Billy Ocean
- My Prerogative – Bobby Brown
- I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston (party dance song)
- Word Up! – Cameo (party dance song)
- How Will I Know – Whitney Houston
- Jump (For My Love) – The Pointer Sisters
- All Night Long (All Night) – Lionel Richie
- Sexual Healing – Marvin Gaye
- Get Down On It – Kool & The Gang (party dance song)
- Endless Love – Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
- Super Freak – Rick James
- Lovely One – The Jacksons
- Celebration – Kool & The Gang (party dance song)
- You And Me – Rockie Robbins
1980s Hip Hop Tunes
- Wild Thing – Tone-Loc
- Bust A Move – Young MC
- It Takes Two – Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock (party dance song)
- Fight For Your Right – The Beastie Boys
- Push It – Salt ‘N Pepa (party dance song)
1980s Country Chart Toppers
- Copperhead Road – Steve Earle (group dance song)
- Fishin’ In The Dark – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- Forever and Ever, Amen – Randy Travis (recessional song)
- You And I – Eddie Rabbitt & Crystal Gayle (first dance song)
- Lady – Kenny Rogers
1980s New Wave Must-Plays
- Everybody Have Fun Tonight – Wang Chung
- You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) – Dead Or Alive
- Karma Chameleon – Culture Club
- Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) – Eurythmics (party dance song)
- One Thing Leads To Another – The Fixx
- Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners (party dance song)
- I Ran (So Far Away) – Flock Of Seagulls
- The Safety Dance – Men Without Hats
- I Melt With You – Modern English
- Call Me – Blondie
- Come Dancing – The Kinks (sister-brother song)
- Whip It – Devo
1980s Disco Dancing
- You Dropped A Bomb On Me – The Gap Band
- Let’s Groove – Earth, Wind & Fire (party dance song)
- I’m Coming Out – Diana Ross
- Funkytown – Lipps Inc. (party dance song)
1980s Reggae
- Electric Boogie – Marcia Griffiths (group dance song)
- Red Red Wine – UB40 (cocktail hour song)
Have a favorite 1980s wedding song, not on my list? Please share the song below so we I add it!
FAQs
Why trust
?DJ, Author, Music Lover
Matthew (Matt) Campbell is the founder/editor of My Wedding Songs from his experience as a wedding DJ. He is the author of two wedding planners: ‘Wedding Songs Planner’ and ‘The Wedding Music Toolkit’. Matt is the host of the ‘Wedding Songs Podcast’. He shares music inspiration in his weekly newsletter the ‘Wedding MusicLetter’. His articles have been published on Rolling Stone, DJ Life Magazine, and DJ Times. Matt resides in the wedding capital of the world – Las Vegas.
My favorite decade of music of all time.
Hi Stephan. We totally agree but it fills dance floors. However, we have decided to replace the song!
How in God’s name do you think that ‘Tainted Love’ would be appropriate for a wedding??