50 Best Polka Songs To Fill The Dance Floor at Wedding
Updated on June 12, 2023 | Written by Matthew Campbell (Editor of My Wedding Songs and wedding DJ)
If you want people to have fun and fill up the dance floor at your wedding reception, then why not give polka a shot? It’s a fun way to honor your Eastern European heritage.
Modern Polka Songs for Weddings
The Pizza Polka – Frank Yankovic and his Orchestra
Released in 2022 on the album Frank Yankovic and His Orchestra (Greatest Polka and Waltzes)
Closing Time – The Chardon Polka Band
Released in 2020 on the album Oh No! Not Again!
Lyrics to sing along:
So, gather up your jackets, move it to the exits
I hope you have found a friend
Closing time, every new beginning
Comes from some other beginning’s end
The Pineapple Song – Freeze Dried
Released in 2018
Woman Is Smarter – Freeze Dried
Released in 2018
Ranking Full Stop – The Beat
Released in 2016
Too Much Pressure – The Selecter
Released in 2016
Bridal Dance / Pani Mloda Polka – The Buffalo Touch
Released in 2012
Alice (Who the Hell Is Alice?) – The Buffalo Touch
Released in 2012
Two Sisters Polka – The Chardon Polka Band
Released in 2011
Lovely Girl (Live) – Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
Released in 2001
If you like polka dancing, you may want to check out a dancing the Quickstep playlist.
White Table (Live) – Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
Released in 2001
Oj Dana / Red Rose Polka – John Gora & Gorale
Released in 1997
Tears of a Clown – The Beat
Released in 1979
On My Radio – The Selector
Released in 1979
Be sure to check out the upcoming Ocean Beach Park Polka Days in London, CT. Visit their website for more details.
Classic Polka Favorites for Weddings
Accordion Man Polka – Myron Floren
Released in 2008 on the album Dance Little Bird
Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie – Frankie Yankovic
Released in 2002 on the album Button Box Favorites
Lyrics to sing along:
Apples, peaches, pumpkin pie
Who’s not ready? Holler I!
Let’s all play hide and seek
Beer Barrel Polka – Bobby Vinton
Released in 1975 on the album Greatest Polka Hits Of All Time
Lyrics to sing along:
Roll out the barrel, we’ll have a barrel of fun
Roll out the barrel, we’ve got the blues on the run
Zing boom tararrel, ring out a song of good cheer
Now’s the time to roll the barrel, for the gang’s all here
Black Jack Polka – Jimmy Sturr Orchestra
Released in 2008 on the album Great Polkas With The Jimmy Sturr Orchestra
Blue Skirt Waltz – Jimmy Sturr
Released in 2006 on the album The Greatest Hits of Polka
Lyrics to sing along:
You filled me with strange delight
and softly you strolled away
I dream of that night with you
lady when first we met
Broken Reed Polka – Frankie Yankovic
Released in 1997 on the album Greatest Hits
Clarinet Polka – Jimmy Dorsey
Released in 1992 on the album 16 Most Requested Polkas
Dance, Dance, Dance – Frankie Yankovic/Walter Ostanek
Released in 1999 on the album One Last Time
Lyrics to sing along:
Dance, Dance, Dance
Life can be happy and gay
Doghouse Polka – Babe Wagner
Released in 1992 on the album 16 Most Requested Polkas
Edelweiss – Whoopee John
Released in 2011 on the album Album 40 Greatest Hits
Good Time Polka – Walter Ostanek & His Band
Released in 2002 on the album Good Time Polkas and Waltzes
Lyrics to sing along:
It’s good time polka all day long
So get ready, get set because
You’re about to get a good time polka tonight
Happy Valley Polka – Frankie Gee Orchestra
Released in 1993 on the album 25 Polka Greats
Hawaiian Polka – Father Frank Perkovich and Joe Cvek
Released in 2008 on the album Songs and Hymns From the Original Polka Mass
Heel and Toe Polka – Six Fat Dutchmen
Released in 2006 on the album Greatest Hits Volume 2
Helena Polka – Jimmy Dorsey
Released in 1992 on the album 16 Most Requested Polkas
Hey, Hey Farmer Gray – Walt Solek
Released in 1992 on the album 16 Most Requested Polkas
Lyrics to sing along:
I got married and divorced after quite a fuss
‘Cause my wife refused to let her mother live with us
Hoop-Dee-Doo – Frankie Yankovic
Released in 1987 on the album Frankie Yankovic & His Yanks’ Greatest Hits
Lyrics to sing along:
I hear a polka and my troubles are through
Hoop-De-Do, Hoop-De-De
This kind of music is like heaven to me
Hop-Scotch Polka – Bob Crosby
Released in 1992 on the album 16 Most Requested Polkas
Lyrics to sing along:
It’s up and down and then you wave your knees
Your head goes boppin’ in the morning breeze
To the Hop Scotch Polka
Another popular dance is the nightclub two-step for couples. See a list of hits to nightclub two-step dance to.
I Don’t Want To Go Home Polka – Walt Solek
Released in 2010 on the album 50 Polka Hits
Lyrics to sing along:
No No No, We don’t want to go home
Till the bottle goes dry
In Heaven There Is No Beer – Frankie Yankovic
Originally composed by Ernst Neubach and Ralph Maria Siegel in 1956.
Lyrics to sing along:
That’s why we drink it here
And when we’re gone from here
All our friends will be drinking all that beer
Jenny Lind Polka – Six Fat Dutchmen
Released in 1997 on the album Polka’s They Don’t Get No Better
Julida Polka – Fat Louie Szykowski & The Big Polka Band
Released in 2012 on the album Polka Polka Polka – 50 All Time Favorites
Lyrics to sing along:
She only wants me when I got money
When I have no money she is disgusted
Just Because – Frankie Yankovic
Released in 1987 on the album Frankie Yankovic & His Yanks’ Greatest Hits
Lyrics to sing along:
You’ve caused me to lose all my women
And now, now you say we are through
Well, I’m telling you
Baby, I was through with you
Let’s Have A Party – Frankie Yankovic
Released in 2003 on the album Toe Tappin’ Happy Polkas
Lyrics to sing along:
Let’s have a party, a party tonight
We’ll bring the music for your delight
Roll out the barrels, spread out some cheer
We’ll play a polka for everybody’s ears
Licorice Stick Polka – Jimmy Dorsey
Released in 1992 on the album 16 Most Requested Polkas
Lucille – Myron Floren
Released in 1997 on the album Polka’s They Don’t Get No Better
Mini Skirt Polka – Gene Wisniewski
Released in 2010 on the album 50 Polka Hits
Lyrics to sing along:
Her name is Mini she’s skinny
And what a flirt Tthe boys love her so
Mountaineer Polka – Happy Louie & His Polka Band
Released in 2010 on the album 50 Polka Hits
On Your Toes – Babe Wagner
Released in 1992 on the album 16 Most Requested Polkas
Orange Blossom Special – Osborne Brothers
Released in 2008 on the album Hillbilly Fever
Peanuts Polka – Larry Chesky and His Orchestra
Released in 2008 on the album Larry Chesky Big Band Polkas
Pennsylvania Polka – Frankie Yankovic
Released in 1987 on the album Frankie Yankovic & His Yanks’ Greatest Hits
Lyrics to sing along:
While they’re dancing
Everybody’s cares are quickly gone
Sweet romancing
This goes on and on until the dawn
Ping Pong Polka – Whoopee John
Released in 1997 on the album Polka’s They Don’t Get No Better
Roll Out the Barrel – Myron Floren
Released in 1997 on the album Polka’s They Don’t Get No Better
Schatzie – Whoopee John
Released in 2011 on the album 40 Greatest Hits
Tennessee Waltz – Six Fat Dutchmen
Released in 2006 on the album Greatest Hits Volume 2
The Bird Dance – The Emeralds
Released in 1982 on the album Bird Dance
Tic Toc Polka – Die-Hard Polka Band
Released in 2013 on the album Polka, Polka, Polka
If you love to dance, see a list of popular foxtrot dance songs.
Too Fat Polka – Frankie Yankovic
Released in 1997 on the album The World’s Greatest Polka Package
Lyrics to sing along:
Try the rye or the kaiser
They’re on special tonight
If you want, you can have an appetizer
You might like our silami and the liver’s alright
And they really go well with the rye or the kaiser
Top of the Hill Polka – Nancy Hlad
Released in 2002 on the album Deeper Polka: More Dance Music from the Midwest
Watch Your Step Polka – K. D. Lang
Released in 1987 on the album Angel with A Lariat
What Do I Care? – Walt Solek
Released in 1992 on the album 16 Most Requested Polkas
Wishing Well Polka – Johnny Menko
Released in 1993 on the album, 25 Polka Greats
Great Polka Albums
Greatest Polka Hits – Frankie Yankovic
16 Most Requested Polkas
The Best of Lawrence Welk
The Greatest Hits of Polka
World’s Greatest Polkas
Popular Polka Artists
- Frankie Yankovic
- Jimmy Sturr
- Jimmy Dorsey
- Walt Solek
- Gene Wisniewski
- Eddie Blazonczyk
- Walter Ostanek
- “Weird Al” Yankovic
- Eddie Korosa
FAQs
Why would I play polka at my wedding?
If you have Eastern European roots, most probably your family loves polka! So why not slip in a few songs and allow everyone else to enjoy? Weddings are about celebrating families and culture.
Polka is fun! You can’t help but laugh and smile while you dance. By far, the most popular polka song is “Beer Barrel Polka” by Frankie Yankovic. We bet you’ll start singing along when you hear the chorus. This is a fun song for a wedding reception. Why not a polka cover of “Closing Time” by The Chardon Polka Band to end out the evening?
The History of Polka Music
When you think of Polka you probably think of the baseline and accordion and maybe the fun dance. You may think of Oktoberfest even! Polka is a Czech folk dance and is spread across the entire region. It’s popular anywhere you see Eastern European cultures, like Germans and their Oktoberfest. Polka is even an influence on Mariachi music.
There are different styles of Polka depending on ethnic influences. The main emphasis in many polka songs is the use of one musical instrument – the accordion. Along with the accordion, polka songs can be accompanied by fiddles, clarinets, and a rhythm section.
Considered America’s Polka King, Frankie Yankovic, helped popularize polka music in America while releasing more than 200 polka singles. Frankie Yankovic obtained the title of America’s Polka King after beating Duke Ellington in a battle of the bands at the Milwaukee Arena. In 1986 he was awarded the first-ever Grammy in the Best Polka Recording category. Frankie was so popular, he could probably have every song on our list. When playing a polka song at a wedding, you cannot go wrong with Frankie Yankovic.
Polka music made its way into America with immigrants from Eastern Europe. However, the popularity of Polka music has significantly decreased with minimal Polka albums becoming mainstream after 2009. Alex Meixner is a Grammy Nominated accordionist who has helped rock-out polka. If you are interested in other Polka music or want to learn more about the Polka community, visit the International Polka Association’s website and the Cleveland Polka Association’s website.
Why not have a quick polka dance lesson?
If you can do the Texas Two-Step, you can probably do the Polka! It’s a popular dance based upon 2/4 timing. It has a half step which is where the “pulka” comes in. You can do the polka to any 2/4 song — like most country music.
One of the most popular versions of the polka is the “heel and toe and away we go” due to its ease of execution. Nowadays polka dances can be included in the categories of ballroom as well as country and western.
If you are interested in purchasing a good polka CD for weddings, we recommend a CD named “Polka Hits The Casuals Way.” The disc offers 10 Karaoke-style hits which include Let’s Have a Party/E-I, E-I-O, Just Because, In Heaven There Is No Beer, Who Stole The Kishka, Too Fat Polka, Roll Out The Barrel, Blue Skirt Waltz, Pennsylvania Polka, The Bird Dance, and Grab Your Balls We’re Going, Bowling. If you want to purchase the disc, please contact Ray Zalokar of www.247Polkaheaven.com. You can also email Ray 247polka[at]247polkaheaven[dot]com for more information.
I have been polka dancing my entire 50 years of life and none of those songs would get me on the dance floor!!! Those are from generations ago and are NOT modern polkas. If you want current, up to date polkas that represent the polkas of today google Polka Country Musicians, The Beat, The Boys, Freeze Dried. Look for videos from Ocean Beach Polka Days. That is what gets me on the dance floor and we want more people to join us!!!
Hi Lisa. Thank you for your feedback and assistance. Polka music is not a strong suit for me and I will review your suggestions.
Love the story about the Battle of the Bands contest with Frankie Yankovich and Duke Ellington. I read about in the former’s biography. Did you know those two musicians actually influenced each other? Frankie had an interest in jazz, and Duke Ellington actually has written one polka! It’s a rather obscure number call Klop. You can find it on youtube.
Thank you for sharing Sabrina. It is fascinating to know that they inspired each other. I will look for the story to learn more.
Thanks for this list, it was very helpful!
Awesome Vanessa. Glad we could help!
Interested in most popular polkas
Hi Helga. If you are interested in the history and different styles of Polkas, read the following article: History of Polka