Top 100 Oldies Wedding Songs + Lyric Quotes

Updated on June 20, 2022 | Written by Matthew Campbell (Editor of My Wedding Songs and wedding DJ)

When you think of “oldies,” what comes to mind? Why that’s easy; it’s our favorite songs from the 1950s and 1960s.

Which are the best oldies songs for your wedding?

You can enjoy our favorite best Oldies songs for weddings from years of experience as wedding DJs.

My Wedding Songs has song lists of the best 1950s, best 1960s, and best 1970s too.

However, we wanted to create an additional song list of the best Oldies songs.

What is an Oldies Song?

What constitutes an oldies song can change with each decade. But think “American Graffiti,” “Happy Days,” and “Grease.” And don’t forget the choreographed boy bands (the original ones before the Backstreet Boys and Boyz II Men).

Oldies are traditionally the songs from the 1950s through the late 60s — rock and roll at its purist.

You can find many different music types such as R&B, Rock and Roll, Dooo Wop, Country, and more.

Top 10 Oldies Songs Streamed

(calculated by Amazon)

1. “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash
2. “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes
3. “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass
4. “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)” by The 5th Dimension
5. “Shout, Pts. 1 & 2” by The Isley Brothers
6. “Amazing Grace” by Elvis Presley
7. “Everyday People” by Sly And The Family Stone
8. “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes feat. Teddy Pendergrass
9. “Bring It On Home to Me” by Sam Cooke
10. “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” by Paul Anka

The 100 Best Oldies Songs for Your Wedding

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

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

Pop Oldies Songs

Sugar, Sugar – The Archies
1969, Pop

Ah, sugar
Ah, honey, honey
You are my candy girl
And you got me wanting you

This Magic Moment – Jay & The Americans
1969, Pop

This magic moment (this magic moment)
While your lips are close to mine
Will last forever
Forever, till the end of time

Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
1969, Pop

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I’ve been inclined
To believe they never would
But now I
Look at the night and it don’t seem so lonely

Build Me Up Buttercup – The Foundations
1968, Pop

Why do you build me up (Build me up)
Buttercup, baby
Just to let me down? (Let me down)
And mess me around

Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons
1967, Pop

I love you, baby
And if it’s quite alright
I need you, baby
To warm the lonely night
I love you, baby

What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
1967, Pop

I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Daydream Believer – The Monkees
1967, Pop

Cheer up, sleepy Jean
Oh, what can it mean that
To a daydream believer
And a homecoming queen

Happy Together – The Turtles
1967, Pop

I can’t see me lovin’ nobody but you
For all my life
When you’re with me, baby the skies’ll be blue
For all my life

I’m a Believer – The Monkees
1966, Pop

Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind
I’m in love
I’m a believer, I couldn’t leave her if I tried

I Got You Babe – Sonny & Cher
1965, Pop

They say our love won’t pay the rent
Before it’s earned, our money’s all been spent
I guess that’s so, we don’t have a pot
But at least I’m sure of all the things we got

It’s Not Unusual – Tom Jones
1965, Pop

It’s not unusual to go out at any time
But when I see you out and about it’s such a crime
If you should ever wanna be loved by anyone
It’s not unusual

Chapel Of Love – The Dixie Cups
1964, Pop

Because we’re goin’ to the chapel and we’re gonna get married
Goin’ to the chapel and we’re gonna get married
Gee, I really love you

The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
1964, Pop

Lovely; never, ever change
Keep that breathless charm
Won’t you please arrange it? Cause I love you
Just the way you look tonight

You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling – The Righteous Brothers
1964, Pop

I need your love, need your love
I need your love, I need your love
So bring it on back, so bring it on back

Luck Be A Lady – Frank Sinatra
1963, Pop

Luck be a lady tonight
Luck if you’ve ever been a lady to begin with
Luck be a lady tonight

Moon River – Henry Mancini
1962, Pop

Two drifters, off to see the world
There’s such a lot of world to see
We’re after the same rainbow’s end

The Loco-Motion – Little Eva
1962, Pop

Do it nice and easy, now, don’t lose control
A little bit of rhythm and a lot of soul
Come on, come on
Do the Loco-motion with me

I Left My Heart In San Francisco – Tony Bennett
1962, Pop

Above the blue and windy sea
When I come home to you, San Francisco
Your golden sun will shine for me

When We Get Married – The Dreamlovers
1961

With the bells ringing
and tell the world that I’m taking your hand
folks from all over
will come to see the wedding we planned

Mack The Knife – Bobby Darin
1959, Pop

Look out, Miss Lotte Lenya and ol’ Lucy Brown
Yes, that line forms on the right, babe
Now that Mackie’s back in town

All I Have to Do is Dream – Everly Brothers
1958, Pop

I can make you mine, taste your lips of wine
Anytime night or day
Only trouble is, gee whiz
I’m dreamin’ my life away

To the Aisle – The Five Satins
1957, Pop

Your heart starts glowing inside
And then you will know she is just for you
While each step, draws you closer to the aisle

Chances Are – Johnny Mathis
1957, Pop

In the magic of moonlight when I sigh, hold me close, dear
Chances are you believe the stars that fill the skies are in my eyes

Love and Marriage – Frank Sinatra
1955/1956, Pop

Love and marriage, love and marriage

Go together like a horse and carriage
Dad was told by mother you can’t have one
You can’t have none
You can’t have one without the other

Fly Me To The Moon – Frank Sinatra
1954, Pop

Fill my heart with song
And let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore

That’s Amore – Dean Martin
1953, Pop

When you dance down the street
With a cloud at your feet, you’re in love

R&B Oldies Songs

I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Marvin Gaye
1968, R&B

Not much longer would you be mine
Ooo I heard it through the grapevine
And I’m just about to lose my mind

Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding
1968, R&B

Two thousand miles, I roam
Just to make this dock my home
Now I’m just gon’ sit, at the dock of the bay
Watchin’ the tide roll away

(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher – Jackie Wilson
1967, R&B

That’s why your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)

Soul Man – Sam & Dave
1967, R&B

Got what I got the hard way
And I make it better, each and every day
So honey, said don’t you fret
‘Cause you ain’t seen nothing yet

When A Man Loves A Woman – Percy Sledge
1966, R&B

When a man loves a woman
Down deep in his soul
She can bring him such misery
If she plays him for a fool

Gimme Some Lovin’ – Spencer Davis Group
1966, R&B

And I’m so glad we made it, so glad we made it
You got to gimme some lovin’, gimme, gimme some lovin’

Ain’t Too Proud To Beg – The Temptations
1966, R&B

Ain’t too proud to beg, sweet darlin’
Please don’t leave me girl (don’t you go)

Mustang Sally – Wilson Pickett
1966, R&B

You been running all over town now
Oh, guess I have to put your flat feet on the ground, huh
What I said now
Listen
All you want to do is ride around Sally (ride, Sally, ride) Huh

Good Lovin’ – Young Rascals
1966, R&B

I said, “Baby, now it’s for sure”
(Baby, it’s for sure)
“I got the fever, yeah, and you got the cure”
(Got the cure)

Respect – Aretha Franklin
1965, R&B

I ain’t gon’ do you wrong while you’re gone
Ain’t gon’ do you wrong ’cause I don’t wanna
All I’m askin’ is for a little respect when you come home

Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers
1965, R&B

And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love

I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – The Four Tops
1965, R&B

I come a running to you
I’m tied to you, baby
And there’s nothing I can do
Ooh, sugar
Sugarpie honeybunch

The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss) – Betty Everett
1964, R&B

Kiss him and squeeze him tight
And find out what you want to know
If it’s love, if it really is
It’s there in his kiss

Dancing In The Street – Martha and the Vandellas
1964, R&B

Oh it doesn’t matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
So come on ev’ry guy grab a girl
Everywhere around the world
There’ll be dancing (dancing in the street)

My Girl – The Temptations
1964, R&B

I’ve got a sweeter song
Than the birds in the trees
Well, I guess you’d say
What can make me feel this way
My girl, my girl, my girl

Under The Boardwalk – The Drifters
1964, R&B

Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be havin’ some fun
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be fallin’ in love

These Arms Of Mine – Otis Redding
1962, R&B

These arms of mine, they are burning
Burning from wanting you
These arms of mine, they are wanting
Wanting to hold you

Do You Love Me – The Contours
1962, R&B

Do you love me?
(I can really move)
Do you love me?
(I’m in the groove)
Ah, do you love?
(Do you love me)
Now that I can dance

Stand By Me – Ben E King
1961, R&B

I won’t cry, I won’t cry
No, I won’t shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

Save The Last Dance For Me – The Drifters
1960, R&B

But don’t forget who’s takin’ you home
And in whose arms you’re gonna be
So darlin’ save the last dance for me

At Last – Etta James
1960, R&B

At last
My love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song

Shout – Isley Brothers
1959, R&B

You been good to me baby
Better than I been to myself, hey, hey
An if you ever leave me
I don’t want nobody else

To Be Loved – Jackie Wilson
1958, R&B

Someone to kiss
Someone to miss
When you’re away
To hear from each day
To be loved (to be loved)
To be loved (to be loved)
Oh what a feeling
To be loved

Louie Louie – The Kingsmen
1957, R&B

Louie Louie, oh no
Me gotta go
Aye-yi-yi-yi, I said
Louie Louie, oh baby
Me gotta go

You Send Me – Sam Cooke
1957, R&B

At first I thought it was infatuation
But, woo, it’s lasted so long
Now I find myself wanting
To marry you and take you home

In the Still of the Night – The Five Satins
1956, R&B

In the still of the night
I held you
Held you tight
‘Cause I love
Love you so

Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight – The Spaniels
1954, R&B

Goodnight sweetheart, well, it’s time to go
I hate to leave you but I really must say
Goodnight sweetheart, goodnight

Rock Oldies Songs

All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
1967, Rock

Nothing you can make that can’t be made
No one you can save that can’t be saved
Nothing you can do, but you can learn how to be you in time
It’s easy
All you need is love

A Lover’s Concerto – The Toys
1967, Rock

Now, I belong to you
From this day until forever
Just love me tenderly
And I’ll give to you every part of me

Love is All Around – The Troggs
1967, Rock

You know I love you, I always will
My mind’s made up by the way that I feel
There’s no beginning, there’ll be no end
‘Cause on my love you can depend

Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
1967, Rock

Standing in the sunlight laughing
Hiding ‘hind a rainbow’s wall
Slipping and sliding
All along the waterfall with you
My brown-eyed girl

Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys
1966, Rock

I’m pickin’ up good vibrations
She’s giving me the excitations (oom bop bop)

Devil With A Blue Dress On – Mitch Ryder
1966, Rock

Wearin’ her perfume, Chanel no. 5
Got to be the finest girl alive
She walks real cool, catches everybody’s eye
She’s got such good lovin’ that they can’t say goodbye

Wooly Bully – Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs
1965, Rock

Matty told Hatty
“Let’s don’t take no chance
Let’s not be L-seven
Come and learn to dance”

Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys
1963, Rock

We’ll all be gone for the summer
We’re on surfari to stay
Tell the teacher we’re surfin’
Surfin’ U.S.A

I Saw Her Standing There – The Beatles
1963, Rock

Oh we danced through the night
And we held each other tight
And before too long
I fell in love with her

Twist & Shout – The Beatles
1963, Rock

Well, shake it up, baby, now
Twist and shout
Come on, come on, come, come on, baby, now
Come on and work it on out

Surf City – Jan & Dean
1963, Rock

You know they’re either out surfin’ or they got a party growin’
(Surf City, here we come)
Yeah, and there’s two swingin’ honeys for every guy
And all you gotta do is just wink your eye

Sugar Shack – Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs
1963, Rock

I’m gonna drink a lotta coffee, spend a little cash
Make that girl love me when I put on some trash
You can understand why I’ve got to get back
To that sugar shack

Limbo Rock – Chubby Checker
1962, Rock

Jack be limbo, Jack be quick
Jack go unda limbo stick
All around the limbo clock
Hey, let’s do the limbo rock

Runaround Sue – Dion
1961, Rock

She likes to travel around, yeah
She’ll love you and she’ll put you down
Now people let me put you wise
She goes out with other guys

Wanderer – Dion
1961, Rock

I’m the type of guy that likes to roam around
I’m never in one place I roam from town to town
And when I find myself a-fallin’ for some girl, yeah
I hop right into that car of mine and ride around the world

Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley
1961, Rock

Take my hand, take my whole life, too
For I can’t help falling in love with you

The Twist – Chubby Checker
1960, Rock

E-yah, twist
Baby, baby, twist
Ooh yeah, just like this
Come on, little miss
And do the twist

Rockin’ Robin – Bobby Day
1958, Rock

He rocks in the tree top all day long
Hoppin’ and a-boppin’ and a-singing his song
All the little birds on Jaybird Street
Love to hear the robin go tweet tweet tweet

Tequila – The Champs
1958, Rock

Tequila!

Johnny B Goode – Chuck Berry
1958, Rock

Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
The people passing by they would stop and say
“Oh my what that little country boy could play”

Willie & The Hand Jive – Johnny Otis
1958, Rock

Well, a doctor and a lawyer and a indian chief
They all dig that crazy beat
Way-Out Willie gave them all a treat, yeah
When he did the hand jive with his feet

Good Golly, Miss Molly – Little Richard
1958, Rock

Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like to ball, whoo
Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like to ball
When you’re rockin’ and a rollin’
Can’t hear your momma call

La Bamba – Ritchie Valens
1958, Rock

To dance the bamba you need a little grace
A little grace for me, for you, up and up
And up, and up, for you I will be
I will be for you, I will be for you

That’ll Be The Day – Buddy Holly & The Crickets
1957, Rock

Well, that’ll be the day
When you say goodbye
Yes, that’ll be the day
When you make me cry

All Shook Up – Elvis Presley
1957, Rock

Well, my hands are shaky and my knees are weak
I can’t seem to stand on my own two feet
Who do you think of when you have such luck?
I’m in love

Jailhouse Rock – Elvis Presley
1957, Rock

Let’s rock
Everybody, let’s rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin’ to the Jailhouse Rock

Great Balls Of Fire – Jerry Lee Lewis
1957, Rock

Too much love drives a man insane
You broke my will
But what a thrill
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!

Litty Bitty Pretty One – Thurston Harris
1957, Rock

Little bitty pretty one
Come on and talk-a to me
Lovey dovey lovey one
Come sit down on my knee

Blue Suede Shoes – Carl Perkins
1956, Rockabilly

Don’t you step on my blue suede shoes
You can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes
Rock it

Love Me Tender – Elvis Presley
1956, Rock

Love me tender
Love me true
All my dreams fulfill
For my darling I love you
And I always will

Rock Around The Clock – Bill Haley
1954, Rock

One, two, three o’clock, four o’clock, rock
Five, six, seven o’clock, eight o’clock, rock
Nine, ten, eleven o’clock, twelve o’clock, rock
We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight

Hound Dog – Elvis Presley
1953, Rock

You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog
Cryin’ all the time
Well, you ain’t never caught a rabbit
And you ain’t no friend of mine

Jazz Oldies Songs

The Party’s Over – Nat King Cole
1956, Jazz

The party’s over
The candles flicker and dim
You danced and dreamed through the night

My Funny Valentine – Ella Fitzgerald
1956, Jazz

But don’t change a hair for me, not if you care for me
Stay little valentine. Please stay
Each day is valentine’s

Jump, Jive and Wail – Louis Prima
1956, Jazz

Papa’s in the icebox lookin’ for a can of ale
Mama’s in the backyard
Learnin’ how to jive an’ wail
Oh, you gotta jump, jive, and then you wail

Hokey Pokey – Ray Anthony
1953, Jazz

You put your right foot in
You put your right foot out
You put your right foot in
And you shake it all about

Unforgettable – Nat King Cole
1952, Jazz

Unforgettable
In every way, oh
And forever more
That’s how you’ll stay

Daddy’s Little Girl – The Mills Brothers
1950, Jazz

You’re the spirit of Christmas, my star on the tree
You’re the Easter Bunny to mommy and me
You’re sugar, you’re spice, you’re everything nice
And you’re daddy’s little girl

Doo-Wop Oldies Songs

Angel Baby – Rosie & The Originals
1960, Doo-Wop

When you are near me, my heart skips a beat
I can hardly stand on my own two feet
Because I love you, I love you, I do

I Only Have Eyes for You – The Flamingos
1959, Doo-Wop

The moon may be high
(Sha bop sha bop)
But I can’t see (sha bop sha bop) a thing in the sky
I only have eyes for you

16 Candles – The Crests
1958, Doo-Wop

You’re only sixteen (sixteen)
But you’re my teenage queen (you’re my queen)
You’re the prettiest, loveliest girl I’ve ever seen

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes – The Platters
1958, Doo-Wop

They said, “Someday you’ll find
All who love are blind”
Oh-oh-oh-oh
When your heart’s on fire
You must realize
Smoke gets in your eyes

Twilight Time – The Platters
1958, Doo-Wop

I count the moments, darling
‘Til you’re here with me
Together at last at twilight time

Only You – The Platters
1955, Doo-Wop

Only you and you alone
Can thrill me like you do
And fill my heart with love for only you

Rockabilly Oldies Songs

Rebel Rouser – Duane Eddy
1958, Rockabilly

Summertime Blues – Eddie Cochran
1958, Rockabilly

I’m gonna take two weeks, gonna have a vacation
I’m gonna take my problem to the United Nation
Well I called my congressman and he said quote
“I’d like to help you son, but you’re too young to vote”

Country Oldies Songs

I Walk The Line – Johnny Cash
1956, Country

You give me cause for love that I can’t hide
For you, I know I’d even try to turn the tide
Because you’re mine, I walk the line

Broadway Oldies Songs

Sunrise Sunset – Cast Of Fiddler On The Roof
1964. Broadway

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears

Do you have a favorite oldies song, not on our list?  Please share it below so that we can add your song.

Why Should I Play Oldies Songs At My Wedding?

If poodle skirts, saddle shoes, leather jackets, and penny loafers are your jam, then a themed wedding could be epic — one to remember. If you’re in love with swing dancing, you’ll love an oldies playlist at your wedding. Though it was considered wild at the time, it’s fairly tame now. We’ve seen more wholesome wedding receptions with Italian Cream Soda bars and Swing Dancing (as opposed to rap or heavy metal).

Most people can dance to swing and it sure gets the old folks moving. And, when we say old, we mean those who grew up in the 1950s or 1980s (when it was a revival). You see, these trends cycle every thirty years or so.

Similar song lists for further reading:

• Nat King Cole songs
• Elvis Presley songs
• Frank Sinatra songs

About Matthew Campbell