?100 Best Last Dance Songs to End & Exit + Lyric Quotes

Updated on September 28, 2022 | Written by Matthew Campbell

Last dance songs close out the reception and signal that it’s time for your guests to leave.

They are a great way to bookend your wedding reception from the first dance to the last.

This will help everyone remember the night — especially the two of you.

What should the last dance song of the wedding be?

The last dance song is a closing element to the perfect night. You basically have two choices for the tone of the last dance: slow or upbeat.

A slow song will help the guests key down from their sugar highs (cake, right?). It also signals that the party is over. (Please, leave, thanks for the presents.)

On the other hand, finishing the night with the last dance surrounded by your friends can be fun, too.

You can choose to end your wedding reception on a high note with an upbeat song that everyone will remember (and feel good about that gift they bought).

You will enjoy a list of the most popular and unique last dance songs to end your reception.

Every couple’s music tastes are different. Thus, we selected the last dance songs that include many different eras and music styles.

 

 
Let’s start with the most popular right now.

Our Top 10 Last Dance Songs

1. “(I’ve Had The) Time Of My Life” by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes 
2. “Closing Time” by Semisonic
3. “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
4. “Last Dance” by Donna Summer
5. “Bye Bye Bye” by N’Sync
6. “Save The Last Dance For Me” by Michael Buble
7. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
8. “Piano Man” by Billy Joel
9. “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers
10. “One Last Dance” by John Legend

Listen to Last Dance Songs

Popular Last Dance Songs by Genre

Rock Last Dance Songs

Dance Real Close – Jessie Payo
2019, Rock

Shut up and kiss me, I’m talking too much
Dance to the record like they wrote it for us

Best Day Of My Life – American Authors
2013, Rock

I’m never gonna look back
Woah, never gonna give it up
No, just don’t wake me now
This is gonna be the best day of my life

Marry Me – Train
2010, Rock

Together can never be close enough for me
Feel like I am close enough to you
You wear white and I’ll wear out the words I love you

Mr. Brightside – The Killers
2003, Rock

But it’s just the price I pay, destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes, ’cause I’m Mr. Brightside

I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing – Aerosmith
1998, Rock

I don’t want to close my eyes
I don’t want to fall asleep
‘Cause I’d miss you, babe
And I don’t want to miss a thing

Closing Time – Semisonic
1998, Rock

Closing time, time for you to go out
To the places you will be from
I know who I want to take me home

Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) – Green Day
1997, Rock

It’s something unpredictable
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life

Send Me On My Way – Rusted Root
1992, Rock

I would like to hold my little hand
And we will run, we will, we will crawl
Send me on my way

Love Of A Lifetime – Firehouse
1991, Rock

I finally found the love of a lifetime
A love to last my whole life through

It’s The End Of The World As We Know It – R.E.M.
1987, Rock

It’s the end of the world as we know it
It’s the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine

Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi
1986, Rock

Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
Woah, livin’ on a prayer

Take Me Home Tonight – Eddie Money
1986, Rock

Take me home tonight
I don’t want to let you go ’til you see the light
Take me home tonight

Africa – Toto
1982, Rock

It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do

Come On Eileen – Dexys Midnight Runners
1982, Rock

Come on Eileen, oh I swear what he means
At this moment, you mean everything
You in that dress, my thoughts I confess

Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
1981, Rock

Don’t stop believin’
Hold on to that feelin’

You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
1980, Rock

And you shook me all night long
Yeah, you shook me all night long

Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
1978, Rock

‘Cause I’m having a good time
(Don’t stop me now)
Yes, I’m havin’ a good time
I don’t want to stop at all

Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
1977, Rock

I feel wonderful because I see the love light in your eyes
Then the wonder of it all is that you just don’t realize
How much I love you

Don’t Stop – Fleetwood Mac
1977, Rock

Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow
Don’t stop, it’ll soon be here
It’ll be better than before

Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
1975, Rock

Goodbye, everybody, I’ve got to go
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth

Piano Man – Billy Joel
1973, Rock

Sing us the song you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feelin’ alright

American Pie – Don McLean
1971, Rock

So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
And them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye

Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
1969, Rock

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
Sweet Caroline
I believe they never could

All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
1967, Rock

All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley
1961, Rock

Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can”t help falling in love with you

Pop Last Dance Songs

Don’t Stop Believin’ – Teddy Swims
2022, Pop

Everybody wants a thrill
Payin’ anything to roll the dice
Just one more time

Today Was A Fairytale (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
2021, Pop

You’ve got a smile
Takes me to another planet
Every move you make everything you say is right
Today was a fairytale

Bang! – AJR
2020, Pop

Everybody come hang (come hang)
Let’s go out with a bang
Bang! Bang! Bang!

No Place – Backstreet Boys
2019, Pop

But you’ll always be the home I wanna come home to
You’re a wild night with a hell of a view
There ain’t no place, ain’t no place like you

Incredible – James TW
2019, Pop

It’s getting late, wish we could stay like this forever
Dancing ’till both our feet ache
My love, nothing can break these arms

Memories – Maroon 5
2019, Pop

Toast to the ones here today
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way

Perfect – Ed Sheeran
2017, Pop

When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful
I don’t deserve this, darling, you look perfect tonight

Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur
2016, Pop

I know I needed you
But I never showed
But I wanna stay with you until we’re grey and old

Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
2014, Pop

‘Cause uptown funk gon’ give it to you
Saturday night and we in the spot
Don’t believe me just watch (come on)

A Sky Full of Stars – Coldplay
2014, Pop

‘Cause you’re a sky, you’re a sky full of stars
Such a heavenly view
You’re such a heavenly view

Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
2014, Pop

Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
I’m thinking out loud
That maybe we found love right where we are

Shut Up And Dance – Walk The Moon
2014, Pop

This woman is my destiny
She said oh oh oh
Shut up and dance with me

Happy – Pharrell Williams
2013, Pop

Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
(Because I’m happy)

A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
2011, Pop

Darling, don’t be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more

Marry You – Bruno Mars
2010, Pop

Is it the look in your eyes or is it this dancing juice?
Who cares, baby, I think I wanna marry you

Save The Last Dance For Me – Michael Buble
2006, Pop

And don’t forget who’s takin’ you home
And in whose arms you’re gonna be
So darling, save the last dance for me

Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
2002, Pop

Come away with me and we’ll kiss
On a mountaintop
Come away with me
And I’ll never stop loving you

Bye Bye Bye – N Sync
2000, Pop

I know that I can’t take no more
It ain’t no lie
I want to see you out that door
Baby bye bye bye

(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
1987, Pop

Now I’ve had the time of my life
No, I never felt like this before
Yes I swear, it’s the truth
And I owe it all to you

Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley
1987, Pop

Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you

New York, New York – Frank Sinatra
1977, Pop

If I can make it there
I’ll make it practically anywhere
It’s up to you
New York, New York

Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye – Steam
1969, Pop

So dog-gone willin’, so kiss him
(I wanna see you kiss him, I wanna see you kiss him)
Go on and kiss him goodbye

My Way – Frank Sinatra
1969, Pop

Each careful step along the byway
And more, much, much more
I did it, I did it my way

Country Last Dance Songs

The Best Is Yet To Come – Drake White
2018, Country

But we’re just gettin’ started
It’s gonna be a long, long run
Oh, the best is yet to come

In Case You Didn’t Know – Brett Young
2017, Country

In case you didn’t know
Baby, I’m crazy ’bout you
And I would be lyin’ if I said
That I could live this life without you

From The Ground Up – Dan + Shay
2016, Country

Beside you I’ll stand through the good and the bad
We’ll give all that we have
And we’ll build this love from the ground up

Today – Brad Paisley
2016, Country

Bring on tomorrow
Because the memory of a day like today
Can get your through the rest of your life

Die A Happy Man – Thomas Rhett
2015, Country

Oh, if all I got is your hand in my hand
Baby, I could die a happy man

I Don’t Dance – Lee Brice
2014, Country

Spinnin’ you ’round and ’round in circles
It ain’t my style, but I don’t care
I’d do anything with you anywhere

I Don’t Want This Night To End – Luke Bryan
2011, Country

And I don’t know what road we’re on
Or where we’ve been
From starin’ at you, girl
All I know is I don’t want this night to end

Then – Brad Paisley
2009, Country

We’ll look back someday, at this moment that we’re in
And I’ll look at you and say
And I thought I loved you then

Makin’ Plans – Miranda Lambert
2009, Country

But you know me like the back of your hand
I’m your girl and you’re my man
And we’re makin’ plans

You’re Still The One – Shania Twain
1998, Country

They said, “I bet they’ll never make it”
But just look at us holding on
We’re still together, still going strong

Friends In Low Places – Garth Brooks
1990, Country

‘Cause I’ve got friends in low places
Where the whiskey drowns
And the beer chases my blues away
And I’ll be okay

Could I Have This Dance – Anne Murray
1980, Country

Could I have this dance, for the rest of my life
Could you be my partner, every night

Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
1971, Country

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong

R&B Last Dance Songs

One Last Dance – John Legend
2022, R&B

Oh, this moment gave us one more chance
Why don’t we hold it before the bar closes?
One last dance

Love On Top – Beyoncé
2011, R&B

You’re the one I can always call
When I need to make everything stop
Finally you put my love on top

All My Life – K-Ci & Jojo
1997, R&B

All my life
I prayed for someone like you
And I thank God
That I
That I finally found you

Save The Best For Last – Vanessa Williams
1992, R&B

Isn’t this world a crazy place?
Just when I thought our chance had passed
You go and save the best for last

I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) – Whitney Houston
1987, R&B

Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody
With somebody who loves me

Just The Two Of Us – Bill Withers and Grover Washington, Jr.
1981, R&B

Just the two of us
Building them castles in the sky
Just the two of us
You and I

September – Earth, Wind & Fire
1978, R&B

Found the love we shared in September
Only blue talk and love
Remember
True love we share today

This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
1975, R&B

You’ve given me the thrill of a lifetime
And made me believe you’ve got more thrills to spare, oh!
This will be an everlasting love
Oh, yes it will now!

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
1967, R&B

‘Cause baby, there ain’t no mountain high enough
Ain’t no valley low enough, ain’t no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you

Hit The Road Jack – Ray Charles
1967, R&B

Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back
No more, no more, no more, no more
Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back no more

My Girl – The Temptations
1964, R&B

I’ve got a sweeter song
Than the birds in the trees
Well, I guess you’d say
What can make me feel this way
My girl

Stand By Me – Ben E. King
1961, R&B

I won’t cry, I won’t cry
No, I won’t shed a tear
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me

At Last – Etta James
1960, R&B

At last
My love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song

Shout – The Isley Brothers
1959, R&B

You’ve been good to me, baby
Better than I’ve been to myself
Hey hey, and if you ever leave me
I don’t want nobody else

Folk Last Dance Songs

Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) – Ron Pope, The National Parks
2022, Folk

It’s something unpredictable
But in the end, it’s right
I hope you had the time of your life

Simply the Best – Noah Reid
2018, Folk

You’re simply the best
Better than all the rest
Better than anyone
Anyone I ever met

Ho Hey – The Lumineers
2013, Folk

I belong with you, you belong with me
You’re my sweetheart

Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
2010, Folk
c

Oh, home, let me come home
Home is wherever I’m with you

You Are The Best Thing – Ray Lamontagne
2008, Folk

We’ve come a long way, baby
You know, I hope and I pray that you believe me
When I say this love will never fade away

Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show
2004, Folk

So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama anyway you feel
Hey mama rock me

Dance Last Dance Songs

Can’t Stop The Feeling! – Justin Timberlake
2016, Dance
c

I can’t stop the feeling
So just dance, dance, dance

Stole the Show – Kygo and Parson James
2015, Dance

So hold for the applause, oh
And wave out to the crowd, and take our final bow
Oh, it’s our time to go, but at least we stole the show

Get Lucky – Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams
2013, Dance

We’re up all night to get some
We’re up all night for good fun
We’re up all night to get lucky

Glad You Came – The Wanted
2011, Dance

The sun goes down, the stars come out
And all that counts is here and now
My universe will never be the same
I’m glad you came

I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
2009, Dance

Let’s paint the town, we’ll shut it down
Let’s burn the roof and then we’ll do it again

Forever – Chris Brown
2008, Dance

‘Cause we only got one night
Double your pleasure
Double your fun
And dance forever ever ever

One More Time – Daft Punk
2000, Dance

One more time, we’re gonna celebrate
Oh yeah, alright, don’t stop the dancing

Disco Last Dance Songs

Celebration – Kool & the Gang
1980, Disco

There’s a party goin’ on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times and your laughter too
We’re gonna celebrate your party wlth you

We Are Family – Sister Sledge
1979, Disco

We are family (hey, sing it to me)
I got all my sisters with me
We are family (oh, I can hear you now)
Get up everybody and sing

Last Dance – Donna Summer
1978, Disco

So let’s dance, the Last Dance
Let’s dance, the Last Dance
Let’s dance, this Last Dance tonight

Other Last Dance Songs

Closing Time – The Chardon Polka Band
2020, Polka

Closing time, time for you to go out
To the places you will be from

Emerald Eyes – Anson Seabra
2020, Singer-Songwriter

Slow at first but still it seems
That we’ll go down in history
As lovers from the start, just me and you

Cha Cha Slide – DJ Casper
2017, Hip Hop

Left foot, let’s stomp
Cha cha now y’all
Now it’s time to get funky

Our Love – Judah & the Lion
2013, Singer-Songwriter

As I wait for you
And we’ll find the love
We’ve wanted so
And all come true

Young Forever – Jay-Z feat. Mr. Hudson
2010, Hip Hop

Forever young
I wanna be forever young (yes)
Do you really want to live forever?
Forever and ever

Cupid Shuffle – Cupid
2007, Hip Hop

To the left, to the left, to the left, to the left
Now kick, now kick, now kick, now kick
Now walk it by yourself, now walk it by yourself

Lose Yourself – Eminem
2002, Hip Hop

You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (Go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo

One Love / People Get Ready – Bob Marley
1977, Reggae

So shall it be in the end (one heart)
All right! Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right
Let’s get together and feel all right

It Had To Be You – Tony Bennett
1956, Jazz

For nobody else gave me a thrill
With all your faults I love you still
It had to be you

What is a good last song for a wedding?

There are two ways to end the night. One is with a bang with an upbeat party song like “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” or with the dance floor full of all the couples by playing a romantic song like “At Last,” a classic by Etta James.

Remember, it’s your wedding so the choice is yours. Just be sure to pay attention to the lyrics.

Avoid breakup songs — even if they’re upbeat. “It Wasn’t Me” by Shaggy or “Mambo No 5” by Lou Bega maybe aren’t the best choices for the last dance.

Can we have a private last dance (secret last dance)?

Your last dance can be a private dance. The private last dance is when the DJ gently nudges guests out the door for an official send-off. The empty room only has the wedding couple, DJ, and photographer to capture the moment.

A private last dance is a good way to refocus on yourselves — the wedding couple. Talk to your professional wedding coordinator and DJ to choose a song that will set the tone for the night, the honeymoon, and the rest of your lives.

What music is played at the end of a wedding ceremony?

The song played at the end of a wedding is the recessional – the song that is playing as the wedding couple walks out after the first kiss. Your recessional could incorporate a few songs as the wedding party and guests leave. See our list of recessional songs to help guide you.

Should the last dance at a wedding be slow?

The last dance should include 2 songs. The first is a slow song to get all of the couples on the dance floor. Then, kick the music in high gear with a party song that will have everyone singing and dancing to end on a high note and be excited about the send-off.

How do you end a wedding reception?

Couples typically end their wedding reception with the last dance, slow song, or on a high note. Then, guests proceed outside the reception venue for a final send-off with bubbles, sparklers, or fireworks.

So, how do you end a perfect wedding reception? With the last dance, of course.

Similar song lists for further reading:

• Best Party songs
• Cake Cutting songs
• Entrance songs

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Don’t Have An Empty Dance Floor!

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About Matthew Campbell