85 Best Last Dance Songs
Last dance songs close out the evening 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 is a Last Dance at a Wedding?
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. End the wedding reception on a high note with an upbeat song that everyone will remember (and feel good about that gift they bought).
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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.
We’ve included the 85 best songs to remind you of songs you love and give you some great ideas to take to your DJ. If you have a special last dance song that works or worked for you, please add your song suggestion through the comment section below.
Last Dance song list curated by Matthew Campbell
Last Updated: July 27, 2021
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| Song | Amazon Link | |
|---|---|---|
| AC/DC You Shook Me All Night Long 1980, Rock |  | |
| Aerosmith I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing 1998, Rock | | |
| AJR Bang! 2020, Pop | | |
| American Authors Best Day Of My Life 2013, Rock | | |
| Anne Murray Could I Have This Dance 1980, Country | | |
| Anson Seabra Emerald Eyes 2020, Emerald Eyes | | |
| Backstreet Boys No Place 2019, Pop | | |
| Beatles All You Need Is Love 1967, Rock | | |
| Ben E. King Stand By Me 1961, R&B | | |
| Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life 1987, Pop | | |
| Bill Withers Just The Two Of Us 1981, R&B | | |
| Billy Joel Piano Man 1973, Rock | | |
| Black Eyed Peas I Gotta Feeling 2009, Dance | | |
| Bon Jovi Livin’ On A Prayer 1986, Rock | | |
| Brad Paisley Then 2009, Country | | |
| Brad Paisley Today 2016, Country | | |
| Brett Young In Case You Didn't Know 2017, Country | | |
| Bruno Mars Marry You 2010, Pop | | |
| Chris Brown Forever 2008, Dance | | |
| Christina Perri A Thousand Years 2011, Pop | | |
| Coldplay A Sky Full of Stars 2014, Pop | | |
| Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams Get Lucky 2013, Dance | | |
| Daft Punk One More Time 2000, Dance | | |
| Dan + Shay From The Ground Up 2016, Country | | |
| Don McLean American Pie 1971, Rock | | |
| Donna Summer Last Dance 1978, Disco | | |
| Drake White The Best Is Yet To Come 2018, Country | | |
| Earth, Wind & Fire September 1978, R&B | | |
| Ed Sheeran Perfect 2017, Pop | | |
| Ed Sheeran Thinking Out Loud 2014, Pop Rock | | |
| Eddie Money Take Me Home Tonight 1986, Rock | | |
| Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros Home 2010, Folk | | |
| Elvis Presley Can’t Help Falling In Love 1961, Rock | | |
| Eric Clapton Wonderful Tonight 1977, Rock | | |
| Etta James At Last 1960, Blues | | |
| Firehouse Love Of A Lifetime 1991, Rock | | |
| Fleetwood Mac Don’t Stop 1977, Rock | | |
| Frank Sinatra New York, New York 1977, Pop | | |
| Garth Brooks Friends In Low Places 1990, Country | | |
| Garth Brooks The Dance 1990, Country | | |
| Green Day Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) 1997, Rock | | |
| Isley Brothers Shout 1959, R&B Rock | | |
| James Arthur Say You Won’t Let Go 2016, Pop | | |
| James TW Incredible 2019, Pop | | |
| Jay-Z feat. Mr. Hudson Young Forever 2010, Hip Hop | | |
| Jessie Payo Dance Real Close 2019, Rock | | |
| John Denver Take Me Home, Country Roads 1971, Country | | |
| John Legend All Of Me 2013, R&B | | |
| Journey Don’t Stop Believin’ 1981, Rock | | |
| Justin Timberlake Can’t Stop The Feeling! 2016, Dance | | |
| K-Ci & Jojo All My Life 1997, R&B | | |
| Killers Mr. Brightside 2003, Rock | | |
| Kool & the Gang Celebration 1980, R&B | | |
| Kygo and Parson James Stole the Show 2015, Cloud Nine | | |
| Lee Brice I Don’t Dance 2014, Country | | |
| Luke Bryan I Don’t Want This Night To End 2011, Country | | |
| Lumineers Ho Hey 2013, Folk | | |
| Maroon 5 Memories 2019, Pop | | |
| Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell Ain’t No Mountain High Enough 1967, R&B | | |
| Michael Buble Save The Last Dance For Me 2006, Pop | | |
| Miranda Lambert Makin’ Plans 2009, Country | | |
| N Sync Bye Bye Bye 2000, Pop | | |
| Natalie Cole This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) 1975, R&B | | |
| Neil Diamond Sweet Caroline 1969, Rock | | |
| Noah Reid Simply the Best 2018, Folk | ||
| Norah Jones Come Away With Me 2002, Pop | | |
| Old Crow Medicine Show Wagon Wheel 2004, Country | | |
| Pharrell Williams Happy 2013, Soul | | |
| Queen Bohemian Rhapsody 1975, Rock | | |
| R.E.M. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It 1987, Rock | | |
| Ray Charles Hit The Road Jack 1967, R&B | | |
| Ray Lamontagne You Are The Best Thing 2008, Folk Rock | | |
| Rusted Root Send Me On My Way 1992, Rock | | |
| Semisonic Closing Time 1998, Rock | | |
| Shania Twain You’re Still The One 1998, Country | | |
| Sister Sledge We Are Family 1979, Disco | | |
| Steam Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye 1969, Pop | | |
| Taylor Swift Today Was A Fairytale (Taylor’s Version) 2021, Fearless (Taylor's Version) | | |
| The Chardon Polka Band Closing Time 2020, Polka | | |
| Thomas Rhett Die A Happy Man 2015, Country | | |
| Toto Africa 1982, Rock | | |
| Train Marry Me 2010, Rock | | |
| Vanessa Williams Save The Best For Last 1992, R&B | | |
| Walk The Moon Shut Up And Dance 2014, Pop | | |
| Wanted Glad You Came 2011, Dance | | |
| Whitney Houston I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) 1987, R&B | | |
How Do You End a Wedding Reception?
Wedding receptions, like all good parties, need to come to an end. In many cases, the first songs after the formal dances are meant to include everyone — regardless of their age. Toward the end of the wedding reception, you and your friends feel freer to let loose on the dance floor. It can be a little bit awkward to “Bring Sexy Back” with your Grandpa there — just sayin’.
So, how do you end a perfect wedding reception? With the last dance, of course.
Similar song lists for further reading:
Can Our Last Dance Be Private?
Yes. Absolutely. Your last dance can be private. It’s also an efficient way for the DJ to gently nudge people out of the door — lining up outside to cheer for you when the dance is over.
“The private last dance acknowledges that you and your wife (mostly your wife) have actually pulled it off: a year’s worth of planning has come to fruition.” The Plunge/blockquote>
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.The last thing you want is for your new groom to be partying with his cousins while you’re in the hotel room alone. (Yeah, it happens.)
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading through all of your suggestions and it is very helpful. Keep it up!!
Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
Great song. We definitely have it on the list!
Coldplay – A Sky Full of Stars
Thanks David. Great song. We will add it to the list.
Color my world by Chicago
Thanks Kevin. Great song and we will add it to the list.