How to Create an 80s Playlist for Your Wedding Reception

As an experienced wedding DJ, I’ve assembled a list of popular 1980s songs to get people on the dance floor and for romance at your wedding! The list is grouped to match your taste in music.

Whitney Houston wanted to dance with somebody, David Bowie raised the cry “Let’s Dance!” and we can’t forget about the “Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats.

After all, can we even be friends if you don’t dance to ’80s music?

Trending 1980s Wedding Songs

1. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston
2. “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
3. “Livin’ On A Prayer” by Bon Jovi
4. “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins
5. “Love Shack” by B-52’s
6. “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC
7. “Come On Eileen” by Dexy’s Midnight Runners
8. “Pour Some Sugar On Me” by Def Leppard
9. “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper
10. “You Make My Dreams (Come True)” by Daryl Hall & John Oates
11. “Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams
12. “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang
13. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
14. “Africa” by Toto
15. “(I’ve Had The) Time Of My Life” by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
16. “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind & Fire
17. “It’s Tricky” by Run-DMC
18. “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield
19. “Electric Boogie” by Marcia Griffiths
20. “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley

Song Ideas by Vibe

Romantic Slow Dances

Plan a slow dance for all the couples to pack the dance floor with love birds.

• Endless Love – Lionel Richie, Diana Ross
• Faithfully – Journey
• Forever and Ever, Amen – Randy Travis
• I Want To Know What Love Is – Foreigner
• Lady – Kenny Rogers
• Sexual Healing – Marvin Gaye
• Somebody’s Baby – Jackson Browne
• Sweet Child o’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
• The Lady In Red – Chris De Burgh
• Total Eclipse Of The Heart – Bonnie Tyler
• You And I – Eddie Rabbitt & Crystal Gayle
• You And Me – Rockie Robbins

Upbeat Dance Hits

We all love the 80s for its great party music. Here are a few tried and true party hits!

• 1999 – Prince
• All Night Long (All Night) – Lionel Richie
• Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
• Bust A Move – Young MC
• Celebration – Kool & The Gang
• Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
• Dancing In The Dark – Bruce Springsteen
• Electric Boogie – Marcia Griffiths
• Footloose – Kenny Loggins
• Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
• I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston
• Into the Groove – Madonna
• Let’s Dance – David Bowie
• Let’s Groove – Earth, Wind & Fire
• Love Shack – The B-52’s
• Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley
• Push It – Salt ‘N Pepa
• Rock With You – Michael Jackson
• Super Freak – Rick James
• Take On Me – a-Ha
• Thriller – Michael Jackson
• Uptown Girl – Billy Joel
• Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
• Word Up! – Cameo
• You Can Call Me Al – Paul Simon
• You Make My Dreams – Hall & Oates

Rock & Roll Anthems

Enjoy a great list of songs that will have guests singing along and pumping their fists in the air!

• Another One Bites The Dust – Queen
• Any Way You Want It – Journey
• Back In Black – AC/DC
• Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
• Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
• Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor
• I Love Rock ‘N Roll – Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
• Jump – Van Halen
• Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi
• Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
• Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top
• Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams
• Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) – Eurythmics
• Take Me Home Tonight – Eddie Money
• Under Pressure – Queen & David Bowie
• You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
• You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) – Dead Or Alive

Fun & Quirky Tracks

If you are looking for unexpected party songs that guests have forgotten about or are fun party tunes, check out this proven list.

• 867-5309 / Jenny – Tommy Tutone
• Call Me – Blondie
• Centerfold – J. Geils Band
• Fishin’ In The Dark – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
• Flashdance…What A Feeling – Irene Cara
• Hot Hot Hot – Buster Poindexter
• I Melt With You – Modern English
• I Ran (So Far Away) – Flock Of Seagulls
• I’m Coming Out – Diana Ross
• Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield
• Karma Chameleon – Culture Club
• My Prerogative – Bobby Brown
• Mony Mony – Billy Idol
• Rock This Town – Stray Cats
• Safety Dance – Men Without Hats
• Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham!
• Walk Like An Egyptian – The Bangles
• Whip It – Devo
• White Wedding – Billy Idol
• Wild Thing – Tone-Loc
• Working My Way Back To You – The Spinners

Pop & New Wave Favorites

Enjoy a few tracks for weddings that are to set the mood for fun as guests arrive at the reception. A few can even be played during dancing.

• Africa – Toto
• Electric Avenue – Eddy Grant
• Everybody Have Fun Tonight – Wang Chung
• Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car – Billy Ocean
• How Will I Know – Whitney Houston
• It Takes Two – Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock
• Jump (For My Love) – The Pointer Sisters
• Lovely One – The Jacksons
• Need You Tonight – INXS
• One Thing Leads To Another – The Fixx
• Red Red Wine – UB40
• The Power Of Love – Huey Lewis and the News
• True Blue – Madonna
• Your Love – Outfield

Party & Crowd-Pleasers

If you are looking for a few guaranteed party hits for 80s music fans, this list of songs should be near the top.

• Celebration – Kool & The Gang
• Get Down On It – Kool & The Gang
• Hot Hot Hot – Buster Poindexter
• It Takes Two – Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock
• Jump (For My Love) – The Pointer Sisters
• Rock This Town – Stray Cats
• You Dropped A Bomb On Me – The Gap Band

DJs! Plan 1980s Wedding Songs by BPM and Key

(Click on the Song, Artist, Key and BPM table columns for sorting)

*BPM and key pulled from SongData.io

Spotify 1980s Playlist

Have a favorite 1980s wedding song, not on my list?  Please share the song below so I can add it!