50 Popular Swing Songs for Weddings
Updated on January 6, 2022 | Written by Matthew Campbell
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.
Table of Contents:
- East Coast Swing Songs
- West Coast Swing Songs
- Big Band Swing Songs
- Swing Revival Songs
- Swing Songs
- Country Swing Songs
- Rock Swing Songs
- Pop Swing Songs
- Jazz Swing Songs
- R&B Swing Songs
- Dance Swing Songs
- Hip Hop Swing Songs
- Reggae Swing Songs
- Swing Songs Spotify Playlist
- Questions about Swing Songs
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
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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Country Swing Songs
Cowboy Casanova – Carrie Underwood
2009, Country
He’s a good time cowboy Casanova
Leaning up against the record machine
He looks like a cool drink of water
But he’s candy-coated misery
Good Time – Alan Jackson
2008, Country
I’ve been workin’ all week
And I’m tired and I don’t wanna sleep
I wanna have fun
Time for a good time
Honky Tonk Badonkadonk – Trace Adkins
2005, Country
At that honky tonk badonkadonk
Keepin’ perfect rhythm
Make ya wanna swing along
Got it goin’ on
Like Donkey Kong
Baby Likes to Rock It – The Tractors
1994, Country
She got the boogie woogie woogie spread all over the place
She’s got it stacked to the ceilin’–got it stickin’ in your face
Ya know my baby likes to rock it like a boogie woogie choo choo train
Rock Swing Songs
Ex’s & Oh’s – Elle King
2015, Rock
Ex’s and the oh, oh, oh’s they haunt me
Like ghosts they want me to make ’em all
They won’t let go
Ex’s and oh’s
Sugar – Maroon 5
2014, Pop Rock
I’m right here, ’cause I need
Little love, a little sympathy
Yeah, you show me good loving
Make it alright
Need a little sweetness in my life
Your sugar
Budapest – George Ezra
2013, Rock
Give me one good reason
Why I should never make a change
And baby if you hold me
Then all of this will go away
On Top of the World – Imagine Dragons
2012, Rock
Been holding it in for a while, ‘ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I’m on top of the world
1, 2, 3, 4 – Plain White T’s
2008, Pop Rock
I’m so glad I found you
I love being around you
You make it easy
It’s easy as 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4
All Summer Long – Kid Rock
2007, Rock
Making love out by the lake to our favorite song
Sipping whiskey out the bottle, not thinking ’bout tomorrow
Singing Sweet Home Alabama all summer long
Come On Get Higher – Matt Nathanson
2007, Rock
So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard
And drown me in love
Jump Jive An’ Wail – The Brian Setzer Orchestra
1998, Rockabilly
Papa’s in the icebox lookin’ for a can of Ale
Mama’s in the backyard learning how to jive an’ wail
Oh, you gotta jump, jive, an’ then you wail
Footloose – Kenny Loggins
1993, Rock
First, we got to turn you around
Second, you put your feet on the ground
Third, now take a hold of your soul
I’m turning it loose, footloose
Black Velvet – Alannah Myles
1989, Rock
Black velvet and that little boy’s smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that’ll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
Old Time Rock & Roll – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
1984, Rock
Old time rock and roll
That kinda music just soothes the soul
I reminisce about the days of old
With that old time rock and roll
Pride and Joy – Stevie Ray Vaughan
1983, Rock
She my sweet little thing
She my pride and joy
She my sweet little baby
I’m her little lover boy
Rock This Town – Stray Cats
1981, Rockabilly
We’re gonna rock this town
Rock it inside out
We’re gonna rock this town
Make’em scream and shout
Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
1980, Rock
It swings (woo), it jives (woo)
Shakes all over like a jellyfish
I kinda like it
Crazy little thing called love
Oh Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison
1965, Rock
Pretty woman, the kind I like to meet
Pretty woman, I don’t believe you, you’re not the truth
No one could look as good as you, mercy
Great Balls of Fire – Jerry Lee Lewis
1964, Rock
I’m real nervous but it sure is fun
Come on baby, you drive me crazy
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!
Hound Dog – Elvis Presley
1956, Rock
You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog
Cryin’ all the time
Well, you ain’t never caught a rabbit
And you ain’t no friend of mine
(We’re Gonna) Rock Around The Clock – Bill Haley & His Comets
1954, Rock
One, two, three o’clock, four o’clock, rock
Five, six, seven o’clock, eight o’clock, rock
Nine, ten, eleven o’clock, twelve o’clock, rock
We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight
Pop Swing Songs
Dance with Me Tonight – Olly Murs
2018, Pop
I just want you to dance with me tonight
So come on, oh baby
I just want you to dance with me tonight
Down – Fifth Harmony feat. Gucci Mane
2017, Pop
Long as you’re holding me down, down, down
I’m gon’ keep lovin’ you down, down, down
Shape of You – Ed Sheeran
2017, Pop
I’m in love with the shape of you
We push and pull like a magnet do
Although my heart is falling too
I’m in love with your body
Can’t Stop The Feeling – Justin Timberlake
2016, Pop
I can’t stop the feeling
So just dance, dance, dance
I can’t stop the feeling
So just dance, dance, dance, come on
Into You – Ariana Grande
2016, Pop
A little less conversation, and
A little more touch my body
‘Cause I’m so into you
Cake by the Ocean – DNCE
2015, Pop
I’ll be Diddy, you’ll be Naomi, whoa-oh
Let’s lose our minds and go f***** crazy
I keep on hopin’ we’ll eat cake by the ocean
Dear Future Husband – Meghan Trainor
2015, Pop
Dear future husband
Here’s a few things you’ll need to know if you wanna be
My one and only all my life
Bang Bang – Jessie J ft. Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
2014, Pop
Bang bang into the room (I know you want it)
Bang bang all over you (I’ll let you have it)
Wait a minute, let me take you there
Love Never Felt So Good – Michael Jackson feat. Justin Timberlake
2014 Pop
If you really love me
It’s in and out my life
In, out baby
So baby
Love never felt so good
Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera
2012, Pop
Take me by the tongue and I’ll know you
Kiss me ’til you’re drunk and I’ll show you
You want the moves like Jagger
Love You Like A Love Song – Selena Gomez & The Scene
2011, Pop
A centerfold miracle, lyrical
You saved my life again
And I want you to know, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars
2010, Pop
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
‘Cause girl, you’re amazing
Just the way you are
Fireflies – Owl City
2009, Pop
To ten million fireflies
I’m weird ’cause I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell
Candyman – Christina Aguilera
2006, Pop
He’s a one stop shop, makes my cherry pop
He’s a sweet talkin’ sugar coated candy man (oh)
A sweet talkin’ sugar coated candy man
The Sweet Escape – Gwen Stefani
2006, Pop
If I could escape
And recreate a place as my own world
And I could be your favorite girl
Forever, perfectly together
And tell me, boy, now wouldn’t that be sweet?
She Will Be Loved – Maroon 5
2002, Pop
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay a while
And she will be loved
Mambo No. 5 – Lou Bega
1999, Pop
A little bit of Mary all night long
A little bit of Jessica, here I am
A little bit of you makes me your man
Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
1982, Pop
Billie Jean is not my lover
She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy – The Andrews Sisters
1941, Pop
Because they know how he plays when someone gives him a beat
He really breaks it up when he plays reveille
He’s the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B
Jazz Swing Songs
Go Daddy-O – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
1998, Jazz
Go Daddy-O
Go Daddy-O
Go Daddy-O
Zoot Suit Riot – Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
1997, Jazz
You got me in a sway
And I want to swing you down
Now you sailors know
Where your women come for love
Zoot suit riot
Fly Me To The Moon – Frank Sinatra
1964, Jazz
Fill my heart with song
And let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
Flying Home – Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
1942, Jazz
Take The ‘A’ Train – Duke Ellington
1939, Jazz
In The Mood – Glenn Miller Orchestra
1939, Jazz
Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) – Benny Goodman and His Orchestra
1937, Jazz
R&B Swing Songs
I NEED YOU – Jon Batiste
2021, R&B
In this world with a lot of problems
All we need is a little loving
Thank you, thank you, oh, you make me
Thank you, thank you for your love
Work From Home – Fifth Harmony
2016, R&B
Let’s put it into motion
I’ma give you a promotion
I’ll make it feel like a vacay
Turn the bed into an ocean
She Came II Give It II U – Usher feat. Nicki Minaj
2014, R&B
It ain’t what you do, its what you do tonight
And there ain’t no shortcut to doing something right
If you knew what I knew, she’ll be yours tonight
Tightrope – Janelle Monáe feat. Big Boi
2010, R&B
No, you’ll surely be low
And you can’t get too high
No, you’ll surely be low
And you can’t get too high
Because Of You – Ne-Yo
2007, R&B
Baby, you have become my addiction
I’m so strung out on you
I can barely move but I like it
And it’s all because of you
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
1967, R&B
Hiding ‘hind a rainbow’s wall
Slipping and sliding
All along the waterfall with you
My brown-eyed girl
Mustang Sally – Wilson Pickett
1967, R&B
Guess you better slow your mustang down, huh, oh yeah
You been running all over town now
Oh, guess I have to put your flat feet on the ground
Dance Swing Songs
Feels – Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean
2017, Dance
Don’t be afraid to catch feels (ha)
(Don’t be afraid to catch these feels)
Ride drop top and chase thrills (yeah)
I Took A Pill In Ibiza (Seeb Remix) – Mike Posner
2016, Dance
Now you don’t wanna be high like me
Never really knowing why like me
You don’t ever wanna step off that roller coaster and be all alone
Lean On – Major Lazer feat. MØ & DJ Snake
2015, Dance
We all need someone to lean on
Blow a kiss, fire a gun
All we need is somebody to lean on
Fireball – Pitbull feat. John Ryan
2014, Dance
I’m the best you’ve ever had (that’s right)
If you think I’m burning out, I never am
I’m on fire
Timber – Pitbull feat. Ke$ha
2013, Dance
You better move (You better move), you better dance (You better dance)
Let’s make a night you won’t remember
I’ll be the one you won’t forget (You won’t forget)
Hip Hop Swing Songs
Fancy – Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX
2014, Hip Hop
You already know
I’m in the fast lane
From L.A. to Tokyo
I’m so fancy
Good Feeling – Flo Rida
2012, Hip Hop
Oh, oh, sometimes I get a good feeling, yeah
I get a feeling that I never never never never had before, no no
I get a good feeling, yeah
Reggae Swing Songs
Close to You – Maxi Priest
1990, Reggae
Love is never what it seems
When we touch
And you’re holding me the way you feel
Girl, you make my dreams come true
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.
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.
There are variations in style, but for this blog post, we focus on East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing.
Other ballroom song lists to read:
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