Swing Wedding Songs to Jump Jive An’ Wail

Swing songs are the best way to get people on the dance floor at your wedding reception. There are many types of swing dances including West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Shag, Jitterbug, Shim Sham, Jive, and Lindy Hop.

The swing era is from 1935 to 1945. For more examples of swing-era songs, please visit our best of the 1940s song list. Swing music was popularized by Big Bands with charismatic bandleaders; the swing beat existed before that.

Although the swing era is what I commonly think of as swing music, many current artists have carried the torch including Christina Aguilera, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, and Brian Setzer Orchestra. Swing-era musicians include the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Dorsey Brothers, and Duke Ellington.

As an experienced wedding DJ, I’ve assembled a list of swing dance songs. Songs are selected by the meaning of the song and popular hits by today’s couples. Besides new and trending, additional lists are grouped by genre to match your taste in music.

East Coast Swing has a 6-count basic step. East Coast Swing is either “rock step, step, step” or “step, step, rock step.”

It is danced with uptempo songs. The dancers dance in a circular pattern and utilize a large area. Other variations include Jitterbug, Boogie-Woogie, Jive, and Lindy Hop. East Coast Swing is a faster dance than West Coast Swing.

Modern East Coast Swing Songs

East Coast Swing dancing with a modern flair. The music does not have to be from decades ago.

• “1, 2, 3, 4” by Plain White T’s
• “Budapest” by George Ezra
• “Dear Future Husband” by Meghan Trainor

Traditional West Coast Swing includes 6-count and 8-count patterns. The dancers dance linearly and in a compact area. Other variations include whip, shag, and push. West Coast swing is a slower dance than East Coast swing.

Modern West Coast Swing Songs

West Coast Swing music does not have to be from yesteryear. These are modern dance tracks to swing dance with your partner to show off your moves.

• “Cake by the Ocean” by DNCE
• “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars
• “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera

Big Band Era Swing Songs

Even though the Bing Band era took place in the 30s and 40s, these tracks are fun songs to twirl your partner around the dance floor today.

• “In The Mood” by Glenn Miller Band
• “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
• “Take the ‘A’ Train” by Duke Ellington
• “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” by Andrews Sisters
• “Begin The Beguine” by Artie Shaw and his Orchestra

1990s Swing Revival Songs

Being a DJ in the 90s, these songs set the tone for fun at my weddings. They still pack the dance floor full of excitement today!

• “Zoot Suit Riot” by Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
• “Jump Jive An’ Wail” by Brian Setzer Orchestra
• “Mambo No. 5” by Lou Bega
• “Go Daddy-O” by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Best Swing Songs for Dancing by Genre

Country

1. Cowboy Casanova – Carrie Underwood
2. Good Time – Alan Jackson
3. Honky Tonk Badonkadonk – Trace Adkins
4. Baby Likes to Rock It – The Tractors

Rock

1. Ex’s & Oh’s – Elle King
2. Sugar – Maroon 5
3. Budapest – George Ezra
4. On Top of the World – Imagine Dragons
5. 1, 2, 3, 4 – Plain White T’s
6. All Summer Long – Kid Rock
7. Come On Get Higher – Matt Nathanson
8. Jump Jive An’ Wail – The Brian Setzer Orchestra
9. Footloose – Kenny Loggins
10. Black Velvet – Alannah Myles
11. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
12. Old Time Rock & Roll – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
13. Pride and Joy – Stevie Ray Vaughan
14. Rock This Town – Stray Cats
15. Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
16. Oh Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison
17. Great Balls of Fire – Jerry Lee Lewis
18. Hound Dog – Elvis Presley
19. (We’re Gonna) Rock Around The Clock – Bill Haley & His Comets

Pop

1. Dance with Me Tonight – Olly Murs
2. Down – Fifth Harmony feat. Gucci Mane
3. Shape of You – Ed Sheeran
4. Can’t Stop The Feeling – Justin Timberlake
5. Into You – Ariana Grande
6. Cake by the Ocean – DNCE
7. Dear Future Husband – Meghan Trainor
8. Bang Bang – Jessie J ft. Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
9. Love Never Felt So Good – Michael Jackson feat. Justin Timberlake
10. Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera
11. Love You Like A Love Song – Selena Gomez & The Scene
12. Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars
13. Fireflies – Owl City
14. Candyman – Christina Aguilera
15. The Sweet Escape – Gwen Stefani
16. She Will Be Loved – Maroon 5
17. Mambo No. 5 – Lou Bega
18. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
19. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy – The Andrews Sisters

Jazz

1. Go Daddy-O – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
2. Zoot Suit Riot – Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
3. Fly Me To The Moon – Frank Sinatra
4. Flying Home – Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
5. Take The ‘A’ Train – Duke Ellington
6. In The Mood – Glenn Miller Orchestra
7. Moonlight Serenade – Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
8. Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) – Benny Goodman and His Orchestra

R&B

1. I NEED YOU – Jon Batiste
2. Work From Home – Fifth Harmony
3. She Came II Give It II U – Usher feat. Nicki Minaj
4. Forever Swing – Tucka King of Swing feat. Doug E Fresh
5. Tightrope – Janelle Monáe feat. Big Boi
6. Because Of You – Ne-Yo
7. Mustang Sally – Wilson Pickett

Dance Music

1. Feels – Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean
2. I Took A Pill In Ibiza (Seeb Remix) – Mike Posner
3. Parov Stelar – Booty Swing
4. Lean On – Major Lazer feat. MØ & DJ Snake
5. Fireball – Pitbull feat. John Ryan
6. Timber – Pitbull feat. Ke$ha

Hip Hop

1. Fancy – Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX
2. Good Feeling – Flo Rida

Do you have a favorite swing song? Please share your song below in the comments!

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