90 Best Reggae Songs for Weddings
Reggae is one of the tried-and-true ways to get people out of their chairs and onto the dance floor. This is one of the reasons we love it. Reggae is the result of cultural fusion and post-war messaging. As a genre, it defines what we think of as “chill” in many ways.
What is Reggae Music?
Reggae music can be split into two sub-genres: reggae and dancehall. Reggae is slower-paced than ska but faster than rocksteady and Dancehall is a faster dance/pop tempo style. Some of the contemporary music styles have received an international appeal to be featured on many Global Top 40 playlists.
“Characterised by the fusion of European and African traits, with origins in enslaved work songs – created with guitar, rumba box, bongo and banjo, Mento mixed this with satirical lyrics of everyday life and verse repetition, creating a foundation from which reggae would blossom.” BBC
Calypso is A Distinct Musical Genre
A clear distinction we want to make is that many times Calypso/Soca music is usually categorized as Reggae music; which it is not. Those genres originate from Caribbean islands such as Trinidad and Tobago.
“Reggae is one of the tried-and-true ways to get people out of their chairs and onto the dance floor. This is one of the reasons we love it. Reggae is the result of cultural fusion and post-war messaging. As a genre, it defines what we think of as “chill” in many ways.” National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago
Sadly, many music services like iTunes and Spotify categorize that music style as Reggae. We are referring to songs like Bunji Garlin – Differentology, Kevin Lyttle – Turn Me On, Machel Montano – Fast Wine, Rupee – Tempted to Touch, etc. They are not technically part of the Reggae genre.
Dancehall Reggae Wedding Songs
There are other dancehall artists who receive quite a bit of airplay, but their lyrics are unsuitable for wedding playlists unless it’s a predominantly Caribbean audience. Dancehall artists such as Assassin, Busy Signal, Konshens, Mavado, Popcaan, and Vybz Kartel are popular on the dancehall scene and have sold millions of records/albums.
Reggae is all music that has a rhythm accented with an offbeat usually on the second and fourth beats of each bar. In addition, the rhythm guitar emphasizes the third beat or holds the chord on the second beat until the fourth is played. The third beat’s speed and the use of complex bass is a signature of reggae music.
Reggae formed from ska, mento, and R&B styles of music. The biggest propitiator of reggae music is Bob Marley. Bob Marley started with the musical group the Wailers promoting the image of the urban guerilla. Bob’s stardom peaked when he converted to a more soulful-pop melody sound in the early 1970s.
10 Popular Reggae Songs Right Now
(as downloads on Amazon)
- I Can See Clearly Now – Johnny Nash
- Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
- Bumper Murder – Kerwin Du Bois
- Girls Dem Sugar – Beenie Man feat. Mya
- Sekklez – Johnny
- TWIST & TURN – Popcaan feat. Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR
- Tour – Capleton
- Get Up, Stand Up – The Fabulous Wailers
- Silly Games – Janet Kay
- Talk Chute – Shalanda
Special Thank You To DJ Curtis
Thank you to Jamaican DJ Curtis for helping us assemble our list. We appreciate your efforts to share your knowledge. DJ Curtis is an avid music lover who loves to share his passion. In his spare time, you can find Curtis spinning the best tunes at a local Tri-State (NY, NJ, CT), national, and international events.
Curtis has made guest appearances on several local radio stations infecting eardrums over the airwaves. His love for music and for providing top-level entertainment services has opened his clientele spectrum to include corporate and private university events. Curtis enjoys playing at milestone birthdays, weddings, retirement, proms, and other special parties. You can contact Curtis at (917) 776-8487 or jamecho[at]gmail.com.
Similar song lists for further reading:
Reggae Wedding Songs
Did we miss your favorite song? Let us know in the comments.
Reggae wedding song list curated by Matthew Campbell
Last Updated: January 4, 2021
My Wedding Songs is a reader-supported website. As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases.
| Song | Amazon Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Alaine No Ordinary Love 2007 |  | |
| Alaine Rise in Love 2007 | | |
| Alaine & Tarrus Riley Forever More 2012 | | |
| Alton Ellis La La Means I Love You 2011 | | |
| Apache Indian Boom Shack-A-Lak 1993 | | |
| Barrington Levy Here I Come 1984 | | |
| Beenie Man Romie 1996 | | |
| Beenie Man Who Am I 1997 | | |
| Beenie Man & Future Fambo Rum & Redbull 2010 | | |
| Beenie Man feat. Mya Girls Dem Sugar 2000 | | |
| Beres Hammond I Feel Good 2008 | | |
| Beres Hammond Rockaway 2001 | | |
| Beres Hammond Tempted To Touch 1990 | | |
| Beres Hammond There For You 2004 | | |
| Big Mountain Baby, I Love Your Way 1993 | | |
| Bob Marley Could You Be Loved 1980 | | |
| Bob Marley High Tide or Low Tide 1973 | | |
| Bob Marley Is This Love 1978 | | |
| Bob Marley One Love/People Get Ready 1984 | | |
| Bob Marley Stir It Up 1972 | | |
| Bob Marley Three Little Birds 1977 | | |
| Bobby McFerrin Don’t Worry, Be Happy 1988 | | |
| Boris Gardiner I Want To Wake Up With You 1986 | | |
| Bounty Killer feat. Barrington Levy Living Dangerously 1991 | | |
| Chaka Demus And Pliers Murder She Wrote 1993 | | |
| Charly Black Gyal You A Party Animal 2016 | | |
| Damian Marley Welcome to Jamrock 2005 | | |
| Demarco I Love My Life 2011 | | |
| Dennis Brown Love Has Found Its Way 1982 | | |
| Dennis Brown Sitting & Watching 1981 | | |
| Diana King Shy Guy 1995 | | |
| Eddy Grant Electric Avenue 1982 | | |
| Elephant Man Pon De River Pon De Bank 2003 | | |
| Eric Donaldson Cherry Oh Baby 1971 | | |
| Estelle ft Sean Paul Come Over 2008 | | |
| Etana Happy Heart 2011 | | |
| Gregory Isaacs All I Have Is Love 1978 | | |
| Gregory Isaacs Night Nurse 1982 | | |
| Gyptian Hold You (Hold Yuh) 2010 | | |
| Harry Belafonte Banana Boat (Day-O) 1956 | | |
| Hoodcelebrityy Walking Trophy 2018 | | |
| Ini Kamoze Here Comes The Hotstepper 1994 | | |
| Inner Circle Bad Boys 1993 | | |
| J.C. Lodge Someone Loves You Honey 1980 | | |
| Jah Cure That Girl 2015 | | |
| Jimmy Cliff I Can See Clearly Now 1993 | | |
| Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now 1972 | | |
| Ken Boothe Everything I Own 1974 | | |
| Koffee Toast 2019 | | |
| Lloyd Brown Real Love 1997 | | |
| Maoli Rumor 2019 | | |
| Marcia Griffiths Electric Boogie 1983 | | |
| Marcia Griffiths Melody of Life 1978 | | |
| Marcia Griffiths Truly 1978 | | |
| Marcia Griffiths & DA’Ville All My Life 2006 | | |
| Maxi Priest Close To You 1990 | | |
| Maxi Priest That Girl 1996 | | |
| Men At Work Down Under 1981 | | |
| Michael Franti & Spearhead feat. Cherine Tanya Anderson Say Hey (I Love You) 2018 | | |
| Millie My Boy Lollipop 1964 | | |
| Morgan Heritage Love You Right 2008 | | |
| Mr. Vegas I am Blessed 2012 | | |
| Pressure Love and Affection 2007 | | |
| Queen ifrica Below The Waist 2006 | | |
| Reel 2 Real I Like To Move It 1993 | | |
| Rihanna Pon de Replay 2016 | | |
| Romain Virgo Love Doctor 2010 | | |
| Romain Virgo Soul Provider 2015 | | |
| Sean Paul Get Busy 2002 | | |
| Sean Paul Like Glue 2002 | | |
| Sean Paul Temperature 2005 | | |
| Sean Paul & Tove Lo Calling On Me 2020 | | |
| Sean Paul feat. Dua Lipa No Lie 2016 | | |
| Sean Paul feat. Sasha I’m Still in Love With You 2002 | | |
| Seeed Beautiful 2014 | | |
| Serani No Games 2008 | | |
| Shabba Ranks feat. Krystal Twice My Age 1990 | | |
| Shaggy Angel 2001 | | |
| Shaggy Boombastic 1995 | | |
| Singing Sweet When I See You Smile 1992 | | |
| Sister Nancy Bam Bam 1982 | | |
| Snow Informer 1993 | | |
| Snow & Friends Anything For You 1995 | | |
| SOJA feat. Chris Boomer You and Me 2009 | | |
| Stick Figure All for You 2019 | | |
| Sugar Minott Good Thing Going 1988 | | |
| Tarrus Riley She’s Royal 2006 | | |
| Terror Fabulous feat. Nadine Sutherland Action 1994 | | |
| UB40 I Can’t Help, Falling In Love With You 1993 | | |
| UB40 Red Red Wine 1983 | | |
| Vybz Kartel feat. Popcaan and Gaza Slim Clarks 2010 | | |
| Wayne Wonder No Letting Go 2003 | | |
| WizKid feat. H.E.R. Smile 2020 | | |
| Yellowman I’m Getting Married 1982 | | |
| Ziggy Marley Beach In Hawaii 2006 | | |
| Ziggy Marley I Love You Too 2009 | | |
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Beautiful by Seeed would be a nice addition to your list.
Thank you Sixela for the suggestion. We added the song to the list.
Want something smooth and sassy? I highly recommend this reggae song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtO2LEfeYKY
Thank you Pidok for the suggestion.
Who’s ever heard of a reggae song being a waltz? There has never been, or could even be a reggae song written in 3/4 time, by definition of what a reggae rhythm is. I think u should rethink that description.
Thank you Justin. We will check it out and rewrite.
I would add some more contemporary artist like Jah Cure and Gyptian. I’m from the Midwest but love them
Hi Brosia, thank you for the feedback. We will try and add more artists as you suggest on our next update.
As a Jamaican and a DJ, I have to agree with your list. You are missing a couple contemporary songs like Tarrus Riley’s She’s Royal but a very nice mix. Other artists like Jah Cure, Etana and Alaine have released some really good wedding reggae songs as well. You are also missing one of Jamaica’s soulful artist Beres Hammond.
Hi Curtis. Thank you for your suggestions. Reggae is not one of my best known music styles. I will be updating this list with your suggestions!
Hello im lookinf for a nice slow song to play for the mother son dance at my wedding i am having trouble finding the perfect song do you happen to no any?
Hi Sayoka, please visit out mother song songs page – https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-song-lists/mother-son-songs/