What are great Grand Entrance Songs? – Podcast E13

Matt talks about his favorite songs to play for the Grand Entrance in the reception venue.

Important Links

• View the complete list of entrance songs to introduce the newlyweds.
• See all Wedding Songs Podcast episodes.

Podcast Transcript

(00:17):
Hi everybody, I’m Matt Campbell, and welcome to episode 13 of the Wedding Songs Podcast. Today I’m going to be talking about grand entrance songs. These are the songs that you’re playing as you enter into your reception venue. The crowd is on their feet, they’re clapping along, and they’re waiting for the wedding couple to come through the doors. What song do you want to be playing at that moment? It could also be the song that’s being played as the wedding party is entering into the reception venue as well. So if you want to follow along, all of our list is alphabetical by artist, so that way if you have your own list you could say you have this one, you don’t have this one. You can kind of compare notes. So let’s go and get started with our first song on our list. “Get Ready For This” by 2 Unlimited. But make sure you have the instrumental version of this song so that way you can do announcements fluently while this song is being played.

(01:08)
Next on the list is another song released in the early nineties “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. Now this song is perfect for those rock fans who want to have a statement as they enter into their reception venue. American Authors’ “The Best Day of My Life”
should describe your wedding day released in 2013. Andy Grammer’s “Good to Be Alive, Hallelujah” was released in 2014. A great pop hit that would be great as your entrance song. The fifth song on our list is Avicii’s “Levels” released in 2011. A great dance tune that you could play for those boy band fans, you have to look at the Backstreet Boys’ song “Everybody Backstreet’s Back” released in 1997. For those classic R&B fans, Barry White’s “You’re The First, My Last, My Everything” was released in 1974. The Beatles is on our list with “All You Need is Love” released in 1967 for those classic rock fans and a great song to play that should signify love on your wedding day.

(02:10)
Ben Rector released “Brand New” in 2015 as a pop hit to play. Beyonce is on our list twice with “Crazy In Love” in 2003 and “Love on Top” in 2011. Next for those movie fans is Bill Conte’s “Going To Fly Now” the Rocky theme released in 1977. So if you’re a boxing fan or just want to have the thrill of picturing Rocky running up the stairs in Philadelphia, then this is the song for you. Black Eye Peas is on our list twice with “I Gotta Feeling” released in 2009 and “Let’s Get It Started” in 2004. Those are more uptempo songs that you can definitely play as the wedding party is being introduced or the wedding couple is being introduced for the first time at the reception. For country fans, the first song on our list is Blake Shelton’s “A Guy With A Girl” released in 2016 for the brand new husband and wife.

(03:07)
This is the perfect song to play as an entrance song Blue Suede released “Hooked On A Feeling” in 1974. This song was even brought to life by Guardians of the Galaxy and is still a great song to play for classic rock fans. Brantley Gilbert released Fire’t Up” in 2019, a new country song that you can play for your grand entrance. Bruno Mars is on our list twice with “24K Magic” in 2016 and “Marry You” in 2011. The message for “Marry You” may not be the best, so make sure you read the lyrics if you want to have it played at your wedding. The 20th song on our list is Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B’s “Finesse” in 2018. It really has the feel of Bell Biv Devoe’s “Poison” – if you remember that song back in the day and fits very nicely in two weddings today. One of the greatest dance songs is on our list is next by C+C Music Factory’s “Everybody Dance Now” released in 1990, but still a great song to play today.

(04:08)
Calvin Harris’s “Feels So Close” was released in 2011. Chainsmokers with Coldplay’s “Something Just Like This” released in 2017. It is still a very popular song today that’s one of the most popular songs downloaded even though it was released three years ago. Chris Brown’s “Forever” released in 2008 was first really brought to life in a video on YouTube and the TV show The Office where the wedding party was coming down the aisle to this song at their wedding. For 1990s fans in 1996, Chumbawamba released Tubthumping for those rock fans. Coldplay released the song “A Sky Full of Stars” in 2014 for those dance-pop rock fans. Dan + Shay is only on our list once this time with “All By Myself”. If you want a country song not to be played at every wedding, this one was released in 2018. For those upbeat rock fans besides AC/DC is Darkness with “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” released in 2003. For pop-rock eighties fans in 1981, Daryl Hall and John Oates released “You Make My Dreams Come True”. If you want a modern hip hop song in 2010, DJ Khalid featuring T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, and Rick Ross released “All I Do Is Win”. One of my favorite hip hop songs from the nineties in 1996, DJ Kool released “Let Me Clear My Throat”.

(05:36)
Another hip hop song released in 2013 was “Turned Down For What” by DJ Snake featuring Lil Jon. For those punk fans in 2005, check out “I’m Shipping Up To Boston” by the Dropkick Murphy’s. Switching back to classic R&B, you have the superstar band, Earth, Wind and Fire with “September”. Our 35th song on the list is Ed Sheeran and Tori Kelly’s “I Was Made For Loving You” released in 2015. Just for those folk fans, released in 2010 is “Home” by Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros. For hairband fans released in 1986 is “The Final Countdown” by Europe. If all of your wedding guests are clapping their hands, then you can certainly play “Hand Clap” by Fitz and the Tantrums released in 2016. Flo Rida is on our list twice with “Good Feeling” in 2011 and one of my favorites, “My House” released in 2016.

(06:35)
If you’re looking for a romantic country song, then “Holy “H.O.L.Y.” (High On Loving You) by Florida Georgia Line was released in 2016. The Fratellis’ song “Chelsea Dagger” was released in 2006. Another song for those rock fans “Welcome To The Jungle” by Guns N Roses released in 1987. Another song for movie fans is Top Guns’ anthem by Harold Faltermeyer and Steve Stevens was released in 1986. Interesting to know Faltermeyer also released the theme song for Beverly Hills Cop in the early nineties. Heavy D and the Boys released “Now That We Found Love”. A mid-tempo country song “She’s With Me” by High Valley was released in 2016. For indie fans, on our list is Imaginary Future’s “Fly Me to the Moon” as a cover released in 2017. The Las Vegas band Imagine Dragons is on our list twice with “It’s Time” in 2012 and “On Top of the World” is one of the best grand entrance songs released in 2013.

(07:42)
The 50th song on our list is an R&B classic “Let’s Get Married” by Jagged Edge released in 2000. A new song on our list is James Blunt’s song “Champions” released in 2019. If you want a little funk music to play as you’re being introduced, check out James Brown’s classic song “I Got You I Feel Good” released in 1966. James Taylor released “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You” released in 1975. Another favorite song on my list is “Down” by Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne released in 2009 for pop R&B dance fans. For your grand entrance for those rock and roll fans, who could ever forget Joan Jet and The Black Hearts’ “I Love Rock and Roll” released in 1981 for the romantic couple? Next on our list is John Mayer’s “XO” released in 2014. Justin Timberlake is on our list twice, of course with his Trolls song “Can’t Stop The Feeling” released in 2016. But to introduce the groomsmen, “Suit and Tie” would fit perfectly that was released in 2013.

(08:48)
For the eighties pop fans “Walking on Sunshine” was released by Katrina and the Waves in 1983. Just released recently is Kenny Chesney’s “Here And Now” for country fans. He’s also on our list with a duet with Pink called “Setting the World on Fire” released in 2016. One of the best disco songs of all time is Kool and the Gangs’ “Celebration” released in 1980. A personal favorite of mine is Leon Bridges’ “Beyond” which has a bluesy jazzy feel to it released in 2018 and would definitely set a classy theme to a reception. LMFAO is on our list twice with “Party Rock Anthem” in 2011 and the same year “Sexy and I Know It”. For folk fans, The Lumineers released “Hey Ho” in 2012. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton released “Can’t Hold Us” in 2011. Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk”.

(09:50)
One of the best party starters on the list was released in 2014. Maroon 5 is on our list with “Sugar” released in 2014 which features them crashing weddings in their music video. The 70th song on our list is a collaboration with Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera, both former The Voice judges with “Moves Like Jagger” in 2012. Another song for movie fans is the Star Wars theme by Meco released in 1977. Another feel-good song on our list is Michael Franti and the Spearhead’s “Say Hey I Love You” released in 2009. One of the most requested Michael Jackson songs is “Billie Jean” in 1982. For those eighties fans who remember this video with him dancing and the dance floor lighting up as he’s moving along. If you have a lighted dance floor, then you definitely have to play this at your reception. MKTO has their song “Classic” released in 2013. Our 75th song on our list is an R&B mega-hit from 1995 “This Is How We Do It”.

(10:56)
Turning back to R&B classic jazz, it’s 1965 Nat King Cole’s song “L-O-V-E” which would be a very romantic entrance song. Nicki Minaj is on our list next with “Moment For Life” released in 2010. OMI’s song “Cheerleader” was released in 2014. There are a lot of remixes to this, so make sure that you pick the right one that sets the mood that you want. Our 80th song on our list is OneRepublic’s “Good Life” released in 2010. For eighties fans, The Outfield’s “Your Love” will definitely have everybody cheering along released in 1986. Another classic rock song for those head bangers is “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osborne. Along with her collaboration with Kenny Chesney, Pink’s on the list twice with “Get The Party Started” in 2011 and “Raise Your Glass”. A great way to get a party started in 2010.

(11:55)
Pharrell Williams’s song “Happy” will definitely make everybody happy and clapping along in 2013. Pitbull is on our list three times. The first one is with Christina Aguilera’s “Feel This Moment” in 2013. Next featuring John Ryan with “Fireball” released in 2014. Also in 2014 with Ne-Yo’s “Time of Our Lives”. Queen’s on our list twice with “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” in 1980 and “We Will Rock You” in 1977. With the release of the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, their songs have definitely exploded since the movie has been released. Rachel Patton’s song “Stand By You” was released in 2015. Just for TV buffs, you have the theme song to Game of Thrones. It is the Armand Van Buren remix released in 2015. Ray Lamatagne released “You Are The Best Thing” in 2008. Another song that was released from The Guardians of the Galaxy is Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love” in 1973 for those classic rock fans.

(13:01)
Another song for TV fans is Rembrandt’s song “I’ll Be There For You” from 1990. It is the theme song from Friends. Renee Dominique featuring Jason Mraz has an awesome pop song “Could I Love You Anymore” from 2019. For dance fans, Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris’ “We Found Love” was released in 2011. Just for hip hop fans, Rob Base and DJ Easy Rock released “It Takes Two” in 1988. If you’re looking for a romantic pop song, check out Shane Filan’s song “Beautiful In White” in 2017. On our list is Shania Twain’s song “From This Moment On” released in 1998. You can also have it as a duet with Brian White. Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” is a great disco song released in 1979 and has a perfect message for weddings. As the doors open up, you can also have Stevie Wonder’s song “Signed Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours” released in 1970.

(14:02)
If you’re looking for a more upbeat country song, Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue” was released in 2010 and is a great song to play. Another song to get everybody pumped up is “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor released in 1982. Talking about getting pumped up is a hip hop song “Bring Em Out” by T.I. featuring Jay-Z in 2004. A great dance tune on our hit is Taio Cruz’s song “Dynamite” released in 2010. The appropriately themed song “Marry Me” by Train was released in 2010. Of course, your wedding day is a beautiful day, so we have to include U2’s song “Beautiful Day” released in 2000. One of the best R&B hits to signify let’s get pumped and dance is Usher’s song featuring Lil Jon and Ludicrous “Yeah” released in 2004. Walk the Moon’s song “Shut Up and Dance” was released in 2014. The 111th song on our list is the last song on our list with “Gettin’ Jiggy With It” by Will Smith released in 1997. So there you have it, my favorite list of entrant songs to play as the reception doors open up and everybody’s cheering along as the Wedding couple gets introduced for the first time. If you agree or disagree with any of the songs, please reach out to our My Wedding Songs Facebook page. Thanks for listening and have a great day.

Listen to Podcast Episode 14 – What do couples and DJs need to know about music rights?