50 Best Polka Songs To Fill The Dance Floor at Wedding

Updated November 17, 2023 | Author: Matthew Campbell

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.

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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

Tip

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

Tip

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

Tip

Another popular dance is the nightclub two-step for couples. See a list of hits to nightclub two-step dance.

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
song on Amazon

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

Tip

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
  • Frankie Yankovic
  • Jimmy Sturr
  • Jimmy Dorsey
  • Walt Solek
  • Gene Wisniewski
  • Eddie Blazonczyk
  • Walter Ostanek
  • “Weird Al” Yankovic
  • Eddie Korosa

FAQs

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 the evening?

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.

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 at www.247Polkaheaven.com. You can also email Ray 247polka[at]247polkaheaven[dot]com for more information.

Why trust Matthew Campbell?

DJ, Author, Music Lover

matt

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.

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Lisa P
Lisa P
1 year ago

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!!!

My Wedding Songs
My Wedding Songs
1 year ago
Reply to  Lisa P

Hi Lisa. Thank you for your feedback and assistance. Polka music is not a strong suit for me and I will review your suggestions.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

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.

My Wedding Songs
My Wedding Songs
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Thank you for sharing Sabrina. It is fascinating to know that they inspired each other. I will look for the story to learn more.

Vanessa
Vanessa
2 years ago

Thanks for this list, it was very helpful!

My Wedding Songs
My Wedding Songs
2 years ago
Reply to  Vanessa

Awesome Vanessa. Glad we could help!

Helga Mingione
Helga Mingione
8 years ago

Interested in most popular polkas

My Wedding Songs
My Wedding Songs
8 years ago
Reply to  Helga Mingione

Hi Helga. If you are interested in the history and different styles of Polkas, read the following article: History of Polka