43 Best Polka Songs

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.

best polka songs for weddings

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.

“Polka originated as a Czech peasant dance. Historic folklore has it that a peasant girl named Anna Slezak invented the steps one day for her own amusement. The word ‘pulka’ is derived from the Czech phrase for ‘half-step,’ which refers to the dance pattern of lightly stepping from one foot to the other.” PBS.org

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.

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?

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.

Popular Polka Artists

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

Similar Song Lists

Best Polka Songs

Did we include your favorite polka song? If not, feel free to let us know in the comments.
Polka wedding song list curated by Matthew Campbell
Last Updated: February 18, 2021

My Wedding Songs is a reader-supported website. As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases.

Song	Amazon Link
Babe Wagner Doghouse Polka 1992, 16 Most Requested Polkas
Babe Wagner On Your Toes 1992, 16 Most Requested Polkas
Bob Crosby Hop-Scotch Polka 1992, 16 Most Requested Polkas
Bobby Vinton Beer Barrel Polka 1975, Greatest Polka Hits Of All Time
Die-Hard Polka Band Tic Toc Polka 2013, Polka, Polka, Polka
Emeralds The Bird Dance 2009, Bird Dance
Fat Louie Szykowski & The Big Polka Band Julida Polka 2012, Polka Polka Polka - 50 All Time Favorites
Father Frank Perkovich and Joe Cvek Hawaiian Polka 2008, Songs and Hymns From the Original Polka Mass
Frank Yankovic Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie 2002, Button Box Favorites
Frank Yankovic Broken Reed Polka 1997, Greatest Hits

Frank Yankovic Hoop-Dee-Doo 1987, Frankie Yankovic & His Yanks' Greatest Hits
Frank Yankovic In Heaven There Is No Beer Originally composed by Ernst Neubach and Ralph Maria Siegel in 1956.
Frank Yankovic Just Because 1987, Frankie Yankovic & His Yanks' Greatest Hits
Frank Yankovic Let’s Have A Party 2003, Toe Tappin' Happy Polkas
Frank Yankovic Pennsylvania Polka 1987, Frankie Yankovic & His Yanks' Greatest Hits
Frank Yankovic Too Fat Polka 1997, The World's Greatest Polka Package
Frankie Gee Orchestra Happy Valley Polka 1993, 25 Polka Greats
Frankie Yankovic/Walter Ostanek Dance, Dance, Dance 1999, One Last Time
Gene Wisniewski Mini Skirt Polka 2010, 50 Polka Hits
Happy Louie & His Polka Band Mountaineer Polka 2010, 50 Polka Hits

Jimmy Dorsey Clarinet Polka 1992, 16 Most Requested Polkas
Jimmy Dorsey Helena Polka 1992, 16 Most Requested Polkas
Jimmy Dorsey Licorice Stick Polka 1992, 16 Most Requested Polkas
Jimmy Sturr Orchestra Black Jack Polka 2008 , Great Polkas With The Jimmy Sturr Orchestra
Jimmy Sturr Blue Skirt Waltz 2006, The Greatest Hits of Polka
Johnny Menko Wishing Well Polka 1993, 25 Polka Greats
K. D. Lang Watch Your Step Polka 1987, Angel with A Lariat
Larry Chesky and His Orchestra Peanuts Polka 2008, Larry Chesky Big Band Polkas
Myron Floren Accordion Man Polka 2008, Dance Little Bird
Myron Floren Lucille 1997, Polka's They Don't Get No Better

Myron Floren Roll Out the Barrel 1997, Polka's They Don't Get No Better
Nancy Hlad Top of the Hill Polka 2002, Deeper Polka: More Dance Music from the Midwest
Osborne Brothers Orange Blossom Special 2008, Hillbilly Fever
Six Fat Dutchmen Heel and Toe Polka 2006, Greatest Hits Volume 2
Six Fat Dutchmen Jenny Lind Polka 1997, Polka's They Don't Get No Better
Six Fat Dutchmen Tennessee Waltz 2006, Greatest Hits Volume 2
The Chardon Polka Band Closing Time 2020, Oh No! Not Again!
Walt Solek Hey, Hey Farmer Gray 1992, 16 Most Requested Polkas
Walt Solek I Don’t Want To Go Home Polka 2010, 50 Polka Hits
Walt Solek What Do I Care? 1992, 16 Most Requested Polkas

Walter Ostanek & His Band Good Time Polka 2002, Good Time Polkas and Waltzes
Whoopee John Edelweiss 2011, Album 40 Greatest Hits
Whoopee John Ping Pong Polka 1997, Polka's They Don't Get No Better
Whoopee John Schatzie 2011, 40 Greatest Hits