Calvin Harris: The Modern Wedding Energy
Calvin Harris specializes in tracks that start with a groove and build into massive, celebratory choruses. His music is perfect for couples who want their reception to feel like a high-end club celebration while still keeping the focus on love and connection.
- EDM Anthems: Large-scale tracks designed for maximum dance floor energy.
- Tropical & Fun: Carefree, mid-tempo tracks perfect for cocktail hours or warm-up sets.
- Collaboration King: Hits featuring superstar vocals like Rihanna, Ellie Goulding, and Dua Lipa.
The “Must-Play” Reception Bangers
- “We Found Love” (featuring Rihanna) – 2011. This is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and one of the most popular wedding dance tracks of all time. Its “hopeless place” lyric adds a surprisingly sentimental touch to a high-octane club anthem.
- “Feel So Close” – 2011. A unique track because it starts slow—perfect for getting people onto the floor—before building into a massive dance groove. The lyrics about feeling “close to you right now” are literal wedding perfection.
- “This Is What You Came For” (featuring Rihanna) – 2016. Another massive Rihanna collaboration with a reverential vibe. It’s about feeling lucky to have found love, making it both meaningful and danceable.
- “One Kiss” (with Dua Lipa) – 2018. A playful, magnetic track with a simple message: one kiss is all it takes to fall in love. It’s an infectious sing-along that guests of all ages will recognize.
Mid-Tempo & “Vibe” Tracks
- The Sentimental EDM Choice: “I Need Your Love” (featuring Ellie Goulding) – 2013. A mid-tempo track that keeps the energy high but allows guests to “catch their breath.” Ellie’s emotive vocals make it feel slightly more romantic than a standard club track.
- The Carefree Groove: “Feels” (featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, and Big Sean) – 2017. This track has a fun, funky, and almost retro “summer” feel. It’s perfect for the earlier part of the dance floor set to set a joyful, relaxed mood.
- The Grand Entrance Option: “Summer” – 2014. While primarily a dance track, the high-energy instrumental build-up makes it a fantastic choice for a high-energy bridal party entrance.
DJ Expert Tips: Mastering the Harris Set
- The Build-Up: Use tracks like “Feel So Close” to transition from the “parent dance” portion of the night into the “open dance floor.” It bridges the gap perfectly.
- The Sing-Along Factor: Calvin Harris songs are famous for their “anthemic” choruses. Have your DJ lower the music during the chorus of “One Kiss” or “We Found Love” to let your guests scream the lyrics.
- Mixing Styles: Harris mixes well with other pop icons like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Pitbull. A 15-minute “Calvin Harris & Friends” set is a great way to peak the energy during the middle of your reception.
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Calvin Harris Highest-Ranking Billboard Hits – UK
- #1 “Dance wiv Me” (Dizzee Rascal featuring Calvin Harris and Chrome), 2008
- #1 “I’m Not Alone”, 2009
- #1 “We Found Love” (Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris), 2011
- #1 “Sweet Nothing” (featuring Florence Welch), 2012
- #1 “Under Control” (with Alesso featuring Hurts), 2013
- #1 “Summer”, 2014
- #1 “Blame” (featuring John Newman), 2014
- #1 “Feels” (featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean), 2017
- #1 “One Kiss” (with Dua Lipa), 2018
- #1 “Promises” (with Sam Smith), 2018
- #1 “”Miracle” (with Ellie Goulding), 2023
- #2 “Bounce” (featuring Kelis), 2011
- #2 “Feel So Close”, 2011
- #2 “Let’s Go” (featuring Ne-Yo), 2012
- #2 “We’ll Be Coming Back” (featuring Example), 2012
- #2 “How Deep Is Your Love” (with Disciples), 2015
- #2 “This Is What You Came For” (featuring Rihanna), 2016
- #2 “Giant” (with Rag’n’Bone Man), 2019
- #3 “The Girls”, 2007
- #3 “Ready for the Weekend”, 2009
- #4 “I Need Your Love” (featuring Ellie Goulding), 2013
- #4 “My Way”, 2016
- #5 “Drinking from the Bottle” (featuring Tinie Tempah), 2013
Wedding Songs
We Found Love
Released in 2011 on the album Talk That Talk
It’s the way I’m feeling I just can’t deny
But I’ve gotta let it go
We found love in a hopeless place
One of Calvin Harris’ most popular tracks, “We Found Love” is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, with its anthemic chorus and danceable beat. With Rihanna’s vocals and Harris’ production, this track is sure to get everyone out of their seats and onto the dance floor.
Lyrically, the song is about finding love in “a hopeless place”, which makes it a surprisingly sentimental choice for a song that’s so often associated with clubbing and partying. But we think that’s what makes it such a perfect choice for weddings—it’s both heartfelt and can easily get everyone dancing.
Feel So Close
Released in 2011 on the album Feel So Close
Your love pours down on me surround me like a waterfall
And there’s no stopping us right now, I feel so close to you right now
“Feel So Close” is another one of Calvin Harris’ catchy club tracks that you can’t help but dance to. It’s perfect for those who want a mix of slower and faster songs throughout the night, as this one starts off slow before picking up the pace halfway through.
The message of the song is apt—with lyrics like “I feel so close to you right now”, it’s a track that celebrates being in love, and feeling close to someone, which is exactly what weddings are all about. Not to mention, it’s bound to get everyone dancing, singing along, and feeling the love.
I Need Your Love
Released in 2013 on the album Halcyon Days
I come alive
I need to be free with you tonight
I need your love
Featuring Ellie Goulding on vocals, “I Need Your Love” is a mid-tempo track that’s perfect for those who want to keep the energy up but still have a moment to catch their breath. With its catchy chorus and Goulding’s emotive vocals, “I Need Your Love” is a track that you’ll be remiss to not include on your wedding playlist. The song is all about being in love and needing someone, making it a sweet choice for weddings. If you want a Calvin Harris song that’s slightly more sentimental but still has his signature sound, this is the perfect pick.
This Is What You Came For
Released in 2016 on the album This Is What You Came For
Baby, this is what you came for
Lightning strikes every time she moves
And everybody’s watchin’ her
Not to be missed on this list is another song that Calvin Harris collaborated with Rihanna on, “This Is What You Came For”. The track was a huge hit when it was released, and for good reason—it’s catchy, danceable, and has a massive chorus that everyone will remember. Not to mention, TikTok has made it even more popular in recent months so be prepared for what might be off-key singing along.
Although upbeat like most of Calvin Harris’ songs, “This Is What You Came For” is actually almost reverential and feeling lucky to have found love. It’s a great choice for couples who want a fun but also meaningful song to celebrate their love.
Feels
Released in 2017 on the album Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1
Baby, I know you ain’t scared to catch feels (straight up)
Feels with me
By now, you might already have a feel for Calvin Harris’ style—upbeat, club-ready, and catchy. “Feels” is no exception, and with its star-studded lineup including Katy Perry, Big Sean, and Pharrell Williams, it’s sure to be a hit with guests of all ages.
This song has a fun and carefree feeling that will get everyone in the party mood. With lyrics about the “feeling” of love, this song encourages listeners to not be afraid to let themselves feel. Whether you’re dancing the night away or enjoying a moment with your new spouse, “Feels” is the perfect song to capture the joy and happiness of your wedding day.
One Kiss
Released in 2018 on the album Dua Lipa: Complete Edition
I look like all you need
One kiss is all it takes
Fallin’ in love with me
Another Calvin Harris song that’s perfect for weddings is “One Kiss”. With his signature sound and Dua Lipa’s vocals, this track can be described as nothing short of infectious.
With its simple but effective lyrics about needing just one kiss to fall in love, “One Kiss” is a playful and magnetic track that’s perfect for any wedding party. And of course, as in true Calvin Harris fashion, the song is sure to have everyone singing and dancing along.
Calvin Harris Spotify Playlist
There you have it. A roundup of Calvin Harris songs that are perfect party songs for your wedding day. With a string of hits that are sure to get everyone dancing, these tracks are sure to make your wedding an unforgettable one. So put on your dancing shoes and get ready to celebrate your love to the sounds of Calvin Harris!
Do you have a favorite Calvin Harris song? Please share your song below in the comments!
