1960s Wedding Songs for an Unchained Melody

When you think of classic rock & roll, classic R&B, and classic folk, you have to be thinking of the 1960s.

When you play songs from the sixties at your wedding, you’re unlikely to get complaints. From songs for the candle ceremony, and first dance, and grooving out with your best family and friends, the 1960s has your back.

1960s Wedding Songs

Quick Tips

When picking out 1960s songs for your wedding, you must consider the following 3 factors:

1. What is the tempo of the song to determine the style of dance?
2. What is the meaning of the song and is it appropriate for your wedding?
3. Does the song’s genre match the theme of your wedding?

As an experienced wedding DJ, I’ve assembled a list of popular 1960s songs to get people on the dance floor and for romance at your wedding!

Trending 1960s Wedding Songs

  1. “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
  2. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
  3. “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley
  4. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
  5. “My Girl” by The Temptations
  6. “Twist And Shout” by The Beatles
  7. “At Last” by Etta James
  8. “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
  9. “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole
  10. “Build Me Up Buttercup” by The Foundations
  11. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
  12. “Fly Me To The Moon” by Frank Sinatra
  13. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Franki Valli & the Four Seasons
  14. “Respect” by Aretha Franklin
  15. “Unchained Melody” by Righteous Brothers
  16. “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner
  17. “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
  18. “I Can’t Help Myself” by Four Tops
  19. “The Twist” by Chubby Checker
  20. “You Can’t Hurry Love” by Supremes

Song Ideas by Vibe

Romantic Ballads

If you want a slow dance song to get all the couples on the dance floor, these classic love songs will do just that.

  • At Last – Etta James
  • Bring It On Home To Me – Sam Cooke
  • Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley
  • Crazy – Patsy Cline
  • Georgia On My Mind – Ray Charles
  • How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – Marvin Gaye
  • I Got You Babe – Sonny & Cher
  • My Girl – The Temptations
  • Stand By Me – Ben E. King
  • Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers
  • When A Man Loves A Woman – Percy Sledge
  • Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow – The Shirelles
  • You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin
  • You’re All I Need To Get By – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
  • You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ – Righteous Brothers
  • You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me – The Miracles

Upbeat and Danceable

If you want a list of the best party songs from the 60s, check out these dance floor fillers.

  • Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
  • Ain’t Too Proud To Beg – The Temptations
  • Be My Baby – The Ronettes
  • Build Me Up Buttercup – The Foundations
  • Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You – Frankie Valli
  • Chapel Of Love – The Dixie Cups
  • Dance To The Music – Sly & the Family Stone
  • Dancing In The Street – Martha & The Vandellas
  • Do Wah Diddy Diddy – Manfred Mann
  • Gimme Some Lovin’ – Spencer Davis Group
  • Good Lovin’ – The Young Rascals
  • Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys
  • Hang On Sloopy – The McCoys
  • I Can’t Help Myself – The Four Tops
  • I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown
  • I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Marvin Gaye
  • I Want To Hold Your Hand – The Beatles
  • I’m A Believer – The Monkees
  • In The Midnight Hour – Wilson Pickett
  • Mony Mony – Tommy James & The Shondells
  • Mustang Sally – Wilson Pickett
  • Proud Mary – Creedence Clearwater Revival
  • Respect – Aretha Franklin
  • Runaround Sue – Dion
  • Runaway – Del Shannon
  • Save The Last Dance For Me – The Drifters
  • Something’s Got a Hold on Me – Etta James
  • Sugar, Sugar – The Archies
  • Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
  • The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss) – Betty Everett
  • The Twist – Chubby Checker
  • Twist And Shout – The Beatles
  • Under The Boardwalk – The Drifters
  • Uptight (Everything’s Alright) – Stevie Wonder
  • You Really Got Me – The Kinks

Classic Rock & Roll

Enjoy a list of 60s rock songs that will increase the hype with these uptempo songs for dancing.

  • Bad Moon Rising – Creedence Clearwater Revival
  • Born To Be Wild – Steppenwolf
  • Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
  • Devil With A Blue Dress On – Mitch Ryder
  • (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones
  • I Get Around – The Beach Boys
  • I Saw Her Standing There – The Beatles
  • Jumpin Jack Flash – The Rolling Stones
  • Louie Louie – The Kingsmen
  • Magic Carpet Ride – Steppenwolf
  • Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye – Steam
  • Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison
  • She Loves You – The Beatles
  • Wild Thing – The Troggs
  • Wooly Bully – Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs

Soul and Motown Classics

The smooth groove of soul is prime for wedding music and these classics fit nicely for your big day.

  • Baby I Need Your Loving – The Four Tops
  • Baby Love – The Supremes
  • Chain Of Fools – Aretha Franklin
  • He’s So Fine – The Chiffons
  • Hit The Road Jack – Ray Charles
  • I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Marvin Gaye
  • Reach Out I’ll Be There – Four Tops
  • Soul Man – Sam & Dave
  • Treat Her Right – Roy Head & The Traits
  • You Can’t Hurry Love – The Supremes
  • You’re My, Soul And Inspiration – Righteous Brothers

Pop Hits

A list of popular hits that a diverse audience will recognize these hit songs.

  • Blue Moon – The Marcels
  • Daydream Believer – The Monkees
  • Duke Of Earl – Gene Chandler
  • King Of The Road – Roger Miller
  • Last Kiss – J Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers
  • Stay – Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs
  • Suite: Judy Blue Eyes – Crosby, Stills & Nash
  • Surf City – Jan & Dean
  • Surfin’ U.S.A. – The Beach Boys
  • The Lion Sleeps Tonight – The Tokens
  • The Loco-Motion – Little Eva
  • The Wanderer – Dion
  • Turn! Turn! Turn! – The Byrds
  • Walk Don’t Run – The Ventures
  • Wipe Out – The Surfaris
  • Yesterday – The Beatles
  • Yummy Yummy Yummy – Ohio Express

Unique and Iconic Tracks

A short list of songs that should not be forgotten on your wedding playlist that can set the tone for your wedding.

  • A Whiter Shade Of Pale – Procol Harum
  • Green Onions – Booker T. & The MG’s
  • Ring Of Fire – Johnny Cash
  • (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding
  • What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

Tip

Next, read the 1960s love songs list.

Fun Facts

What makes the 1960s such a special decade for music? Some of it has to do with the natural cycle of style.

Other influences include improvements in technology. And still, there is a “je ne sais quoi” — a mystery — something you can’t quite put your finger on.

As the 1960s began, the pop charts gave us R&B, Soul, and DooWop. At the same time, the 1960s gave us instrumental beach music — surf rock.

And we can’t forget the impact of musical artists from England coming to the USA — the British Invasion. Popular British music groups included the Beatles, the Byrds, and the Turtles.

Another noted creation was created by Detroit Legend, Barry Gordy, Jr. — Motown. Popular Motown artists include Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder. This epic decade came to a close with a historic music festival. Woodstock had 450,000 attendees for the three-day festival.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments