Best Oldies Wedding Songs: Jukebox Hits & Timeless Dance Floor Fillers
There is a unique kind of magic in “Oldies” music. These are the songs that defined the golden age of American pop – tracks with unmistakable snare hits, handclaps, and lyrics that everyone from your flower girl to your great-grandmother knows by heart. Whether it’s the doo-wop harmonies of the 50s or the soulful grit of the early 60s, “Oldies” bring a pure, uncomplicated joy to a wedding celebration.
As a wedding DJ, I consider this category my “Secret Weapon.” In 2026, the trend is “Retro-Revelry” – couples are moving away from overly polished modern remixes and returning to the raw, high-energy sound of the original recordings. These songs are selected not just for nostalgia, but for their incredible ability to bridge the generation gap and get every single guest out of their seat.
Mastering the Oldies Vibe
Incorporating 50s and 60s classics requires a bit of DJ finesse to keep the party feeling like a wedding and not a history lesson. Consider these 2026 expert tips:
- The “First 30 Minutes” Rule: In 2026, I recommend using your high-energy Oldies, like “Twist & Shout” or “Runaround Sue”, during the first 30 minutes of open dancing. This is when your older guests are most likely to be on the floor. Playing these early honors them and builds a foundation of “group energy” before transitioning into modern hits later in the night.
- The “Sing-Along” Factor: Oldies are the kings of the “Call and Response.” Songs like “Shout” (The Isley Brothers) or “Build Me Up Buttercup” are more than just dances; they are interactive experiences. As a DJ, I love these for the middle of the set to “reset” the energy. In 2026, we see many couples using these moments for “Group Photos” on the dance floor because everyone is already gathered and smiling.
- The “Vinyl Aesthetic” Cocktail Hour: For a sophisticated, vintage feel, use mid-tempo Oldies like “Beyond the Sea” or “Fly Me to the Moon” during Cocktail Hour. It creates a “Lounge Atmosphere” that feels expensive and timeless. Pro tip: Ask your DJ to keep the bass levels “warm” rather than “punchy” to mimic the sound of a classic record player.
- The “Doo-Wop” Slow Dance: If you want a romantic moment that feels like a scene from a movie, look for 1950s ballads with a Triple-Meter Feel (12/8 time). Songs like “Unchained Melody” or “Only You” have a “lilt” to them that makes slow dancing feel more like a graceful sway and less like a static shuffle.
Explore my curated list of Oldies wedding songs below, categorized by their energy, from “Jukebox Rock” to “Sweet & Soulful Ballads”, to find the tracks that will make your reception legendary.
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Trending Oldies Songs
“Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash
(1963) Popular Lyrics: “I fell into a burning ring of fire / I went down, down, down / And the flames went higher / And it burns, burns, burns”
“Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
(1967) Popular Lyrics: “In the misty morning fog with / Our, our hearts a-thumping and you / My brown-eyed girl”
“The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh)” by The Tokens
(1961) Popular Lyrics: “In the jungle, the mighty jungle / The lion sleeps tonight / In the jungle the quiet jungle / The lion sleeps tonight”
“Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass
(1972) Popular Lyrics: “The sailors say Brandy you’re a fine girl / (You’re a fine girl) / What a good wife you would be”
“The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel
(1966) Popular Lyrics: “People writing songs that voices never share / No one dared / Disturb the sound of silence”
“Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On” by Jerry Lee Lewis
(1955) Popular Lyrics: “I said shake it, baby, shake it / Well shake, baby, shake / Come on over, whole lot of shakin goin’ on”
“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (Live)” by Elvis Presley
(1970) Popular Lyrics: “You’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’ / Oh, that lovin’ feelin’ / You’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’ / Now it’s gone, gone, gone”
“Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis
(1957) Popular Lyrics: “I’ve changed my mind / This love is fine / Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!”
“Be My Baby” by The Ronettes
(1963) Popular Lyrics: “So won’t you, please (be my, be my baby) / Be my little baby? (My one and only baby) / Say you’ll be my darlin’ (be my, be my baby)”
“I Wanna Know Your Name” by The Intruders
(1973) Popular Lyrics: “‘Cause you’re the kind of girl / That I adore / And you’re the kind of girl / I’ve been looking for”
“Mellow Yellow” by Donovan
(1966) Popular Lyrics: “I’m just mad about fourteen / Fourteen’s mad about me / I’m-a just mad about-a fourteen / A-she’s just mad about me”
“If I Can Dream” by Elvis Presley
(1968) Popular Lyrics: “But as long as a man / Has the strength to dream / He can redeem his soul and fly”
“Cupid” by Sam Cooke
(1961) Popular Lyrics: “Cupid draw back your bow / And let your arrow go / Straight to my lover’s heart for me / Nobody but me”
“Venus” by Frankie Avalon
(1959) Popular Lyrics: “Venus, goddess of love that you are / Surely the things I ask / Can’t be too great a task”
“Where Do I Begin” by Andy Williams
(1971) Popular Lyrics: “With her first hello / She gave new meaning to this empty world of mine / There’d never be another love, another time”
“Somebody To Love” by Jefferson Airplane
(1967) Popular Lyrics: “Don’t you need somebody to love / Wouldn’t you love somebody to love / You better find somebody to love”
“Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In” by The 5th Dimension
(1969) Popular Lyrics: “Golden living dreams of visions / Mystic crystal revelation / And the mind’s true liberation / Aquarius”
“Do You Believe in Magic?” by The Lovin’ Spoonful
(1965) Popular Lyrics: “If you believe in magic, come along with me / We’ll dance until morning ’til there’s just you and me / And maybe if the music is right / I’ll meet you tomorrow sorta late at night”
“Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley
(1956) Popular Lyrics: “Love me tender, love me true / All my dreams fulfilled / For my darling I love you / And I always will”
DJs! Plan Oldies Wedding Songs by BPM and Key
(Click on the Song, Artist, Key and BPM table columns for sorting)
| Song | Artist | Key | BPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweet Caroline | Neil Diamond | 1B | 63 |
| To Be Loved | Jackie Wilson | 7B | 69 |
| Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight | The Spaniels | 9B | 73 |
| All Shook Up | Elvis Presley | 6B | 74 |
| La Bamba - Single Version | Ritchie Valens | 8B | 75 |
| What A Wonderful World | Louis Armstrong | 7B | 77 |
| That's Amore | Dean Martin | 6B | 79 |
| Devil with the Blue Dress On / Good Golly Miss Molly (Medley) | Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels | 8B | 79 |
| I'm a Believer | The Monkees | 8B | 79 |
| Runaround Sue | Dion | 10B | 80 |
| Great Balls of Fire | Jerry Lee Lewis | 6B | 80 |
| Sunrise, Sunset | John Williams, Chaim Topol, Norma Crane, Michael Gläser, Michele Marsh, "Fiddler On The Roof” Motion Picture Chorus, Isaac Stern, "Fiddler On The Roof” Motion Picture Orchestra | 7B | 80 |
| Only You (And You Alone) | The Platters | 5B | 81 |
| Mack the Knife | Bobby Darin | 2A | 83 |
| Chances Are (with Ray Conniff & His Orchestra) | Johnny Mathis, Ray Conniff | 6B | 84 |
| My Funny Valentine | Ella Fitzgerald | 6A | 86 |
| Unforgettable | Natalie Cole, Nat King Cole | 7B | 86 |
| Limbo Rock | Chubby Checker | 4B | 87 |
| At Last | Etta James | 7B | 87 |
| Little Bitty Pretty One | Thurston Harris, The Sharps | 4B | 88 |
| I Only Have Eyes for You | The Flamingos | 7B | 89 |
| Tequila | The Champs | 7B | 90 |
| Moon River | Henry Mancini | 8B | 92 |
| You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' | The Righteous Brothers | 3B | 94 |
| The Party's Over | Nat King Cole | 3B | 95 |
| (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher | Jackie Wilson | 10B | 96 |
| All I Have to Do Is Dream | The Everly Brothers | 12B | 96 |
| Can't Take My Eyes off You | Frankie Valli | 7A | 96 |
| When a Man Loves a Woman | Percy Sledge | 3B | 97 |
| You Send Me | Sam Cooke | 9A | 97 |
| Love Is All Around | The Troggs | 10B | 99 |
| I Walk the Line | Johnny Cash | 11B | 99 |
| Willie and the Hand Jive | Johnny Otis | 2B | 99 |
| Unchained Melody | The Righteous Brothers | 8B | 99 |
| Can't Help Falling in Love | Elvis Presley | 10B | 100 |
| Jump, Jive, An' Wail - Remastered 1996 | Louis Prima & Keely Smith, Sam Butera & The Witnesses | 4A | 102 |
| (Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay | Otis Redding | 10B | 104 |
| My Girl | The Temptations | 8B | 105 |
| All You Need Is Love - Remastered 2015 | The Beatles | 9B | 105 |
| Love Me Tender | Elvis Presley | 11B | 109 |
| In The Still of the Night | The Five Satins | 2B | 109 |
| Mustang Sally | Wilson Pickett | 8B | 110 |
| I Got You Babe | Sonny & Cher | 2B | 111 |
| Love And Marriage | Frank Sinatra | 6B | 111 |
| Soul Man | Sam & Dave | 8B | 112 |
| 16 Candles | Johnny Maestro, The Crests | 6B | 114 |
| The Wanderer | Dion | 9B | 114 |
| That'll Be The Day | Buddy Holly | 10B | 115 |
| Twilight Time | The Platters | 11B | 115 |
| Respect | Aretha Franklin | 8B | 115 |
| It's Not Unusual | Tom Jones | 10B | 116 |
| I Heard It Through The Grapevine | Marvin Gaye | 2A | 117 |
| Stand By Me | Ben E. King | 11B | 118 |
| Daddy's Little Girl | The Mills Brothers | 5B | 118 |
| Ain't Too Proud To Beg | The Temptations | 8B | 118 |
| Fly Me To The Moon | Frank Sinatra, Count Basie | 8B | 119 |
| Happy Together | The Turtles | 11A | 120 |
| Sugar, Sugar | The Archies | 10B | 122 |
| The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss) | Betty Everett | 11B | 122 |
| Louie Louie | The Kingsmen | 12A | 122 |
| Chapel Of Love | The Dixie Cups | 11A | 123 |
| This Magic Moment | Jay & The Americans | 8B | 123 |
| A Lover's Concerto | The Toys | 10B | 124 |
| Under the Boardwalk | The Drifters | 9B | 124 |
| Twist And Shout - Remastered 2009 | The Beatles | 10B | 125 |
| Dancing In The Street | Martha Reeves & The Vandellas | 10B | 126 |
| Daydream Believer | The Monkees | 9B | 126 |
| The Hokey Pokey | Ray Anthony | 4B | 127 |
| I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) | Four Tops | 8B | 128 |
| (I Left My Heart) In San Francisco | Tony Bennett | 8B | 128 |
| The Locomotion | Little Eva | 5B | 129 |
| The Way You Look Tonight | Frank Sinatra | 4A | 132 |
| Build Me Up Buttercup | The Foundations | 8B | 132 |
| Sugar Shack | Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs | 9B | 133 |
| Shout, Pts. 1 & 2 | The Isley Brothers | 6B | 139 |
| Wooly Bully | Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs | 8B | 141 |
| Save the Last Dance for Me | The Drifters | 12B | 143 |
| Surf City | Jan & Dean | 4B | 148 |
| Gimme Some Lovin' | The Spencer Davis Group | 9B | 148 |
| Do You Love Me - Mono Single | The Contours | 7B | 150 |
| Luck Be A Lady | Frank Sinatra | 4B | 151 |
| Brown Eyed Girl | Van Morrison | 9B | 151 |
| Good Vibrations | The Beach Boys | 6B | 152 |
| Summertime Blues | Eddie Cochran | 10A | 156 |
| The Twist | Chubby Checker | 12B | 157 |
| I Saw Her Standing There - Remastered 2009 | The Beatles | 12B | 160 |
| Surfin' U.S.A. | The Beach Boys | 5B | 161 |
| Good Golly, Miss Molly | Little Richard | 9B | 164 |
| Jailhouse Rock | Elvis Presley | 3A | 167 |
| Johnny B. Goode | Chuck Berry | 6B | 168 |
| Blue Suede Shoes | Carl Perkins | 9A | 169 |
| Smoke Gets In Your Eyes | The Platters | 5B | 171 |
| Rockin' Robin | Bobby Day | 9B | 172 |
| Hound Dog | Elvis Presley | 8B | 175 |
| These Arms of Mine | Otis Redding | 6B | 177 |
| Rock Around the Clock | Bill Haley & His Comets | 11B | 180 |
| To The Aisle | The Five Satins | 7B | 195 |
| Good Lovin' - Single Version | The Young Rascals | 10B | 196 |
| Angel Baby | Rosie & The Originals | 8B | 197 |
| Rebel Rouser | Duane Eddy | 9B | 206 |
*BPM and key pulled from SongData.io
Spotify Oldies Playlist
Do you have a favorite oldies song not on my list? Please share your song below in the comments!
