Lindy Hop Wedding Songs: Joyous Energy for Your Dance Floor

If you want to create a moment of pure, unadulterated excitement at your wedding, nothing beats the Lindy Hop. This 8-count swing dance is all about playfulness, improvisation, and high-energy movement. While it was born in the jazz clubs of the 1920s and 30s, you don’t have to stick to black-and-white classics. From retro-style modern hits to the big band standards of the Swing Era, here are the best tracks to get your Lindy Hop on.

The Best “Modern Retro” Lindy Picks

• The High-Energy Showstopper: “Candyman” – Christina Aguilera. This 2006 hit is a wedding favorite for a reason. With its 173 BPM and military-style swing beat, it’s a perfect modern track for a choreographed Lindy Hop routine. As noted in my 2000s book, it’s also a popular choice for cake cuttings thanks to its sweet-themed lyrics.
• The Soulful Swing: “Faith” – Stevie Wonder ft. Ariana Grande. From the Sing soundtrack (2016), this track clocks in at 158 BPM. It has a driving, rhythmic quality that works brilliantly for social Lindy Hopping, where you want to keep the energy high without going full-speed.
• The 90s Swing Revival: “Brown Derby Jump” – Cherry Poppin’ Daddies. Released during the swing revival of 1997, this track (202 BPM) is for the advanced dancers. It’s fast, frantic, and guaranteed to draw a crowd around the dance floor.
• The Feel-Good Groove: “Say Hey (I Love You)” – Michael Franti & Spearhead. For a more relaxed, social Lindy Hop (93 BPM), this 2008 track offers a sunny, reggae-infused swing feel. It’s perfect for a summer outdoor wedding where you want guests to join in the fun.

Top Lindy Hop Songs by Tempo

Expert DJ Tips for Lindy Hop Moments

• Managing the BPM: BPM isn’t always the best indicator of how “fast” a dance feels, but for Lindy Hop, you generally want something between 120 and 180 BPM for social dancing. Anything over 200 BPM, like Little Richard’s “Ready Teddy,” is usually best reserved for a performance or a very experienced dance crowd.
• The “Hey Ya!” Surprise: Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” (2003) is a secret weapon for swing dancers. While it’s a modern pop-funk hit, its rhythmic structure works surprisingly well for a fast, fun Lindy Hop, especially during the “shake it like a Polaroid picture” breakdown.
• Transitioning from Dinner: If you want to transition from a formal dinner to a high-energy dance set, start with a mid-tempo swing track like “Bright Side of the Road” by Van Morrison. It’s welcoming, upbeat, and sets the stage for more intense Lindy Hop tracks later.

Our Music Planning Guides.

Don’t miss any moments of your wedding to incorporate your personality.

Shop Bookstore

Lindy Hop Dance Songs List

Faith – Stevie Wonder feat. Ariana Grande
Released in 2016 on the album Sing Soundtrack
158 BPM

I’mma make it my mission, make him feel alright
He’s a twelve on a ten point, rockin’ out to his joint
Just say the word ’cause I can sing all night

Dear Future Husband – Meghan Trainor
Released in 2015 on the album Title
79 BPM

Dear future husband
Here’s a few things you’ll need to know if you wanna be
My one and only all my life

Friend Like Me – Ne-Yo
Released in 2015 on the album We Love Disney
91 BPM

And I’m your maître d’
Come on, whisper what it is you want
You ain’t never had a friend like me

16 Tons – Robbie Williams
Released in 2013 on the album Swings Both Ways
146 BPM

I was born one morning, it was drizzlin’ rain
Fightin’ and trouble are my middle names

Magic – B.o.B feat. Rivers Cuomo
Released in 2010 on the album B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
82 BPM

Everybody knows I’ve got the magic in me
When I hit the flow the girls come snappin’ at me
Now everybody wants a blast of magic

Say Hey (I Love You) – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Released in 2008 on the album All Rebel Rockers
93 BPM

It seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know
But I know one thing that I love you

Shake It – Metro Station
Released in 2007 on the album Metro Station
150 BPM

Now if she moves like this, will you move her like that?
Come on, shake shake, shake shake, a-shake it

Candyman – Christina Aguilera
Released in 2006 on the album Back to Basics
173 BPM

He’s a sweet talkin’ sugar-coated candyman
A sweet talkin’ sugar-coated candy man

Hey Ya! – Outkast
Released in 2003 on the album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
80 BPM

Thank God for Mom and Dad
For sticking to together
Like we don’t know how

Brown Derby Jump – Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
Released in 1997 on the album Zoot Suit Riot
202 BPM

But she’s a looker who lives for kicks
A nightmare straight from the Otto Dix
Everybody swingin’ to the Brown Derby chicks

Lucas With The Lid Off – Lucas
Released in 1994 on the album Lucacentric
182 BPM

Electric, until I blow my top off
And rap my lyrics
Right around the global ear-lobes

Livin’ For Your Lover – Chris Isaak
Released in 1985 on the album Silvertone
149 BPM

Bright Side of the Road – Van Morrison
Released in 1979 on the album Into the Music
177 BPM

Into this life we’re born
Baby sometimes, sometimes we don’t know why
And time seems to go by so fast
In the twinkling of an eye

Bandstand Boogie – Barry Manilow
Released in 1975 on the album Tryin’ to Get the Feeling
94 BPM

And I’ll jump, and hey, I may even show ’em my handstand
Because I’m on, because I’m on the American Bandstand

Secret Agent Man – Johnny Rivers
Released in 1966 on the album …And I Know You Wanna Dance
163 BPM

There’s a man who leads a life of danger
To everyone he meets he stays a stranger
With every move he makes another chance he takes

Ready Teddy – Little Richard
Released in 1956 on the album Here’s Little Richard
206 BPM

I shuffle to the left, I shuffle to the right,
Gonna rock’n’roll to the early, early night

In The Mood – Glenn Miller
Released in 1939 as a single
83 BPM

“Well” he answered “Baby, don’t you know that it’s rude
To keep my two lips waiting when they’re in the mood”

Lindbergh Hop – Te Roy Williams & His Orchestra
Released in 1927 as a single
108 BPM

Lindy Hop Spotify Playlist

Here is a great video on the history of Lindy Hop!

Do you have a favorite upbeat Lindy song I should add to the list? Be sure to comment on the song below.