40 Tango Songs List for Specialty Dance at Weddings
The tango began in the 1880s along the border between Argentina and Uruguay. A faster tempo tango is sometimes called the North American Tango.
The slower tempo is the Argentine Tango. However, there are many different styles of tango. We try and hit all styles with our list of tango songs.
The TV Show Dancing With The Stars has helped improve the popularity of the tango. However, if you want to have a specialty tango dance at your wedding, we highly recommend hiring a choreographer.
Dance studies exist across the United States including, Arthur Murray Dance Studios, Fred Astaire Dance Studio, and local studios like A Perfect Wedding Dance.
Tango Songs for Weddings
Feel So Close – Calvin Harris
2018, 18 Months
128 BPM
And there’s no stopping us right now
I feel so close to you right now
Havana – Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug
2018, Camila
105 BPM
I knew it when I met him
I loved him when I left him
Whatever It Takes – Imagine Dragons
2017, Evolve
135 BPM
Yeah, take me to the top I’m ready for
Whatever it takes
‘Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins
Castle on the Hill – Ed Sheeran
2017, Divide
135 BPM
And I miss the way you make me feel, and it’s real
We watched the sunset over the castle on the hill
There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back – Shawn Mendes
2016, Illuminate
122 BPM
I love it when you go crazy
You take all my inhibitions
Baby, there’s nothing holdin’ me back
Jungle – X Ambassadors, Jamie N Commons
2015, VHS
78 BPM
When I heard the thunder, I could feel the rain
It’s the same to me, just a different name
Hold Back The River – James Bay
2015, Chaos and the Calm
135 BPM
Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes
Hold back the river, so I
Can stop for a minute and be by your side
Can’t Feel My Face – The Weeknd
2015, Beauty Behind the Madness
108 BPM
I can’t feel my face when I’m with you
But I love it, but I love it
Hands To Myself – Selena Gomez
2015, Revival
111 BPM
Can’t keep my hands to myself
Give me your all and nothing else
Ex’s & Oh’s – Elle King
2015, Love Stuff
140 BPM
One, two, three, they gonna run back to me
‘Cause I’m the best baby that they never gotta keep
What Do You Mean? – Justin Bieber
2015, Purpose
125 BPM
First you wanna go to the left and you want to turn right
Wanna argue all day, making love all night
Don’t – Ed Sheeran
X, 2014
95 BPM
Don’t fuck with my love
I told her she knows
Take aim and reload
Shut Up and Dance – Walk the Moon
2014, Talking Is Hard
128 BPM
Oh don’t you dare look back
Just keep your eyes on me
I said you’re holding back
She said shut up and dance with me
Rather Be – Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne
2014, New Eyes
121 BPM
Know with all of your heart, you can’t shame me
When I am with you, there’s no place I’d rather be
Everybody Wants To Rule The World – LORDE
2013, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Soundtrack
111 BPM
So glad we’ve almost made it
So sad they had to fade it
Everybody wants to rule the world
Love Runs Out – OneRepublic
2013, Native
120 BPM
I’ll be doin’ this, if you ever doubt,
‘Til the love runs out, ’til the love runs out
Addicted To You – Avicii
2013, True
128 BPM
Lost in your eyes, drowning in blue
Out of control, what can I do?
I’m addicted to you!
Too Close – Alex Clare
2011, The Lateness of the Hour
126 BPM
Got to be true to myself
And it feels like I am just too close to love you
So I’ll be on my way
Somebody That I Used To Know – Gotye feat. Kimbra
2011, Making Mirrors
129 BPM
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don’t need that though
Now you’re just somebody that I used to know
Yeah 3x – Chris Brown
2011, F.A.M.E.
130 BPM
Hold your glasses up, people everywhere
Now everybody put your hands in the air say
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Give Me Everything — Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer
2011, Planet Pit
129 BPM
Grab somebody sexy, tell ’em hey
Give me everything tonight
If I Had You – Adam Lambert
2009, For Your Entertainment
131 BPM
If I had you, life would be a party, it’d be ecstasy
Yeah if I had you
Sweet Dreams – Beyoncé
2008, I Am… Sasha Fierce
122 BPM
I mention you when I say my prayers
I wrap you around all of my thoughts
Boy, you’re my temporary high
Viva la Vida – Coldplay
2008, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
138 BPM
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
Love Lockdown – Kanye West
2008, 808s & Heartbreak
120 BPM
I got something to lose, so I gotta move
I can’t keep myself, and still keep you too
Poker Face – Lady Gaga
2008, The Fame
119 BPM
Russian roulette is not the same without a gun
And baby, when it’s love, if it’s not rough, it isn’t fun
Disturbia – Rihanna
2007, Good Girl Gone Bad
125 BPM
Your train of thought will be altered
So if you must falter be wise
Your mind is in Disturbia
It’s My Life – No Doubt
2003, The Singles 1992–2003
126 BPM
It’s my life
Don’t you forget
It’s my life
It never ends
Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
2003, Elephant
124 BPM
Right before the Lord
All the words are gonna bleed from me
And I will sing no more
Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
2002, Come Away with Me
80 BPM
Come away with me and we’ll kiss
On a mountaintop
Come away with me
And I’ll never stop loving you
Fallin’ – Alicia Keys
2001, Songs in A Minor
96 BPM
I keep on fallin’
In and out of love with you
I never loved someone
The way that I love you
Dance with Me – Debelah Morgan
2000, Dance with Me
115 BPM
I know just what to do
Each step we do is refine
One dance and you’ll be mine
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers
1988, Sunshine On Leith
132 BPM
When I come home (when I come home) well I know I’m gonna be
I’m gonna be the man who comes back home to you
Word Up! – Cameo
1986, Word Up!
116 BPM
Word up everybody say
When you hear the call you’ve got to get it underway
Dial L for love
Smooth Operator – Sade
1984, Diamond Life
119 BPM
His eyes are like angels but his heart is cold
No need to ask
He’s a smooth operator
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) – Eurythmics
1983, Sweet Dreams
125 BPM
I traveled the world
And the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Marvin Gaye
1968, I Heard It Through the Grapevine
118 BPM
Don’t you know that I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
When I’m Sixty-Four – The Beatles
1967, Yellow Submarine
140 BPM
You’ll be older too
And if you say the word
I could stay with you
Reach Out I’ll Be There – The Four Tops
1966, Reach Out
120 BPM
I’ll be there, to love and comfort you,
And I’ll be there, to cherish and care for you
Oh, Pretty Woman — Roy Orbison
1965, Orbisongs
127 BPM
Pretty woman say you’ll stay with me
‘Cause I need you, I’ll treat you right
Whatever Lola Wants (Lola Gets) – Sarah Vaughan
1955, Released as a single
122 BPM
You’re no exception to the rule
I’m irresistible you fool
Give in (give in you’ll never win)
Reader Suggested Tango Songs
- La Cumparsita – Julio Iglesias (1996)
- The Weddingbell Tango – Alfred Hause Orchestra (1993)
- El Chocolo – Tita Merello (1979)
- El Torero “el Toreador” – Raphael (1967)
- Hernando’s Hideaway – Ella Fitzgerald (1963)
- Blue Tango – Leroy Anderson (1952)
- KIss Of Fire – Georgia Gibbs (1952)
And there you have it. A list of our favorite tango songs to incorporate into your wedding. The tango doesn’t have to be for your first dance. It can be conducted after the garter is captured from the bride’s leg. Whenever you want to have the spotlight on you.
Have a tango song that should e on our list? Be sure to comment on it below. We read and respond to all comments.
If you like our list of tango songs, be sure to check out our list of songs by dance style.
Here is an example:
Well, I have several favorites. “Hernando’s Hideaway,” “Blue Tango,” “La cumprasita,” “El Toreador,” and other standards. But for a wedding? The most obvious choice would be “The Weddingbell Tango,” done by various artists — though the one I have is by the Alfred Hause Orchestra. Not exactly a “pop tune,” though. A pop song that is unquestionablely a tango, and *might* be suitable for a wedding goes way back to Georgia Gibbs’ #1 “Kiss of Fire,” but you’d have to look at the lyrics – I can’t recall them, and don’t know your audience. A digital version came out in 1996, IIRC. The tune is the same as “El chocolo,” another standard. There are other pop songs that are tangos, but they are relatively rare–especially those appropriate for a wedding. Your listed “Dance with Me” by Debelah Morgan is a reworking of Hernando’s Hideaway. You might wish to talk to a local ballroom dance studio about which songs would qualify as tangos — several other of your choices here struck me as questionable, and others I’m unfamiliar with. Good luck!
Um, No. No, no, no. Nora Jones’ “Come Away With Me” is absolutely NOT a tango. Tango is done to 4/4 timing. “Come Away With Me” is in 3/4 time, and is a WALTZ.
Thank you Ralph for the feedback and the incorrect song on the list. I will make the update. Do you have a favorite tango song?