50 Popular Swing Songs for Weddings
2020
Swing songs are the best way to get people on the dance floor at your wedding reception. There are many types of swing dances including West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Shag, Jitterbug, Shim Sham, Jive, and Lindy Hop.
The swing era is from 1935-1945. For more examples of swing era songs, please visit our best of the 1940’s song list. Swing music was popularized by Big Bands with charismatic bandleaders; the swing beat has existed before that.
Although the swing era is what we commonly think of for swing music, many current artists have carried the torch including Christina Aguilera, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, and Brian Setzer Orchestra. Swing era musicians include Glenn Miller Orchestra, Dorsey Brothers, and Duke Ellington.
What Is Swing Music?
Swing music was the pop music of the 1930s and was popularized by the Big Bands. Swing rhythm is technically pushing the beat a bit. For the less technical, we just know it makes us want to dance.
“In traditional jazz, swing is typically applied to eighth notes. In other genres, such as funk and jazz-rock, swing is often applied to sixteenth notes.” Wikipedia
Swing dancing is characterized by an 8-count circular basic or “swing out” and has an emphasis on improvisation. Swing can be danced to any style of music but is primarily danced to Jazz and Blues songs where the beat is swinging. Swing dancing was very popular in the 1920s through the 1940s and saw a resurgence in the 2000s and with Generation Y.
In addition, all racial backgrounds performed swing music. It was not just for one type of person from the beginning. However, with the rise of bebop and the Musicians’ Union recording ban in 1942, swing faded away in the hearts of most. Orchestras performed most swing music with many band members. It was very difficult to travel with so many people and make a profit as time went on.
Swing is Fun and Sophisticated
If you are looking for a more upbeat song for your first dance, swing songs are it! Everyone loves to see a groom twirling the bride around the atmosphere. Swing songs have a classification of being more sophisticated and classy. Swing songs are very appropriate for black-tie events. Throughout the years people from all walks of life enjoyed swing music.
Bring Swing Into Your Wedding Reception
Think dancing swing is too hard? It really isn’t. You can include instructions as part of the reception like we suggest for line dancing.
“A lot of people love watching swing dancing but don’t think that they could learn those steps themselves. If you have guests like this, take it upon yourself to teach them a few swing steps. By the time the night is over, they’ll be dancing like old pros.” SwingFever.com
There are variations in style, but for this blog post, we focus on East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing.
Best Swing Songs – East and West
East Coast Swing Songs
East Coast Swing has a 6-count basic step. East Coast Swing is either “rock step, step, step” or “step, step, rock step.” It is danced with uptempo songs. The dancers dance in a circular pattern and utilize a large area. Other variations include Jitterbug, Boogie-Woogie, Jive, and Lindy Hop. East Coast Swing is a faster dance than West Coast Swing.
What Is The Jitterbug Dance?
The Jitterbug dance is a style of swing dancing that became popular in the early 1900s. It is 6 counts of music with 4 basic steps.
Here is a video of the basic jitterbug dance:
3 Modern East Coast Swing Songs
- 1, 2, 3, 4 – Plain White T’s
- Budapest – George Ezra
- Dear Future Husband – Meghan Trainor
West Coast Swing Songs
Traditional West Coast Swing includes 6-count and 8-count patterns. The dancers dance linearly and in a compact area. Other variations include whip, shag, and push. West coast swing is a slower dance than east coast swing
3 Modern West Coast Swing Songs
- Cake by the Ocean – DNCE
- Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars
- Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera
Top 5 Big Band Era Swing Songs
- In The Mood – Glenn Miller Band
- Sing, Sing, Sing – Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
- Take the “A” Train – Duke Ellington
- Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy – Andrews Sisters
- Begin The Beguine – Artie Shaw & His Orchestra
Top 4 1990s Swing Revival Songs
- Zoot Suit Riot – Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
- Jump Jive An’ Wail – Brian Setzer Orchestra
- Mambo No. 5 – Lou Bega
- Go Daddy-O – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Other ballroom song lists to read:
What are the Best Swing Songs for My Wedding Reception?
The best swing songs for your wedding reception have been listed below. Did we leave one out? Let us know in the comments.
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Swing wedding song list curated by Matthew Campbell
Last Updated: September 21, 2020
| Album | Song | Amazon Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Alan Jackson Good Time 2008, Country |  | ||
  | Alannah Myles Black Velvet 1989, Rock | | ||
  | Andrews Sisters Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy 1941, Pop | | ||
  | Ariana Grande Into You 2016, Pop | | ||
  | Benny Goodman Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) 1937, Jazz | | ||
  | Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Go Daddy-O 1998, Jazz Pop | | ||
  | Bill Haley & The Comets (We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock 1954, Rock | | ||
  | Bob Seger Old Time Rock & Roll 1984, Rock | | ||
  | Brian Setzer Orchestra Jump Jive An’ Wail 1998, Rockabilly | | ||
  | Bruno Mars Just the Way You Are 2010, Pop | | ||
  | Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean Feels 2017, Dance | | ||
  | Carrie Underwood Cowboy Casanova 2009, Country | | ||
  | Cherry Poppin’ Daddies Zoot Suit Riot 1997, Swing | | ||
  | Christina Aguilera Candyman 2006, Pop | | ||
  | DNCE Cake by the Ocean 2015, Pop | | ||
  | Duke Ellington Take The ‘A’ Train 1939, Jazz | | ||
  | Ed Sheeran Shape of You 2017, Pop | | ||
  | Elle King Ex’s & Oh’s 2015, Rock | | ||
  | Elvis Presley Hound Dog 1956, Rock | | ||
  | Fifth Harmony feat. Gucci Mane Down 2017, Pop | | ||
  | Fifth Harmony Work From Home 2016, R&B | | ||
  | Flo Rida Good Feeling 2012, Hip Hop | | ||
  | Frank Sinatra Fly Me To The Moon 1964, Jazz | | ||
  | George Ezra Budapest 2013, Indie | | ||
  | Glenn Miller In The Mood 1939, Big Band | | ||
  | Gwen Stefani The Sweet Escape 2006, Pop | | ||
  | Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX Fancy 2014, Hip Hop | | ||
  | Imagine Dragons On Top of the World 2012, Rock | | ||
  | Janelle Monáe feat. Big Boi Tightrope 2010, Funk | | ||
  | Jerry Lee Lewis Great Balls of Fire 1964, Rock | | ||
  | Jessie J ft. Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj Bang Bang 2014, Pop | | ||
  | Justin Timberlake Can’t Stop The Feeling 2016, Pop | | ||
  | Kenny Loggins Footloose 1993, Rock | | ||
  | Kid Rock All Summer Long 2007, Rock | | ||
  | Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra Flying Home 1942, Jazz | | ||
  | Lou Bega Mambo No. 5 1999, Pop | | ||
  | Meghan Trainor Dear Future Husband 2015, Pop | | ||
  | Major Lazer feat. MØ & DJ Snake Lean On 2015, EDM | | ||
  | Maroon 5 She Will Be Loved 2002, Pop | | ||
  | Maroon 5 Sugar 2014, Pop Rock | | ||
  | Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera Moves Like Jagger 2012, Pop | | ||
  | Matt Nathanson Come On Get Higher 2007, Rock | | ||
  | Maxi Priest Close to You 1990, Reggae | | ||
  | Michael Jackson Billie Jean 1982, Pop | | ||
  | Michael Jackson feat. Justin Timberlake Love Never Felt So Good 2014 Pop | | ||
  | Mike Posner I Took A Pill In Ibiza 2016, EDM | | ||
  | Ne-Yo Because Of You 2007, R&B | | ||
  | Owl City Fireflies 2009, Pop | | ||
  | Plain White T's 1, 2, 3, 4 2008, Pop Rock | | ||
  | Pitbull feat. John Ryan Fireball 2014, Dance | | ||
  | Pitbull feat. Ke$ha Timber 2013, Dance Pop | | ||
  | Queen Crazy Little Thing Called Love 1980, Rock | | ||
  | Roy Orbison Oh Pretty Woman 1965, Rock | | ||
  | Selena Gomez & The Scene Love You Like A Love Song 2011, Pop | | ||
  | Stevie Ray Vaughan Pride and Joy 1983, Blues | | ||
  | Stray Cats Rock This Town 1981, Rockabilly | | ||
  | Trace Adkins Honky Tonk Badonkadonk 2005, Country | | ||
  | Tractors Baby Likes to Rock It 1994, Country | | ||
  | Usher feat. Nicki Minaj She Came to Give It to You 2014, R&B | | ||
  | Van Morrison Brown Eyed Girl 1967, R&B | | ||
  | Wilson Pickett Mustang Sally 1967, Soul | | ||
Listen to our best swing songs playlist on Spotify.
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