Untraditional first dance songs

I love a good song. Why do you think I started DJ Delights? A good song makes people happy, or moves them in some sort of profound way. That’s why we’ve written a number of blogposts on favorite songs for a first dance. In today’s post, let’s take a look at some lesser-known, untraditional first dance songs.

Untraditional first dance songs

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes recorded a song called “Man of Fire” with these lyrics: 

I’m a man on fire

Walking down your street

With one guitar

And two dancing feet

Only one desire

That’s left in me

I want the whole damn world

To come and dance with me.

This is a folk-rock song that warms up a crowd and gets them itching to hit the dance floor:

Ben Folds wrote a tender love song you may not know called “The Luckiest.” It’s a lovely song defined by Folds’ strong piano playing and wistful vocals.

The a cappella octet, VOCES8, gave “The Luckiest” the a cappella treatment. Wow! These British vocal stylists take Folds’ lyrics to a new level with a sumptuous arrangement by Jim Clements. Check it out, this is really worth a listen:

The a cappella treatment isn’t for everyone.

But then again, that’s what defines untraditional first dance songs. They’re not for everyone. But it might be right for you.

Folds’ doesn’t get hung up on a rhyme scheme in his lyrics:

I don’t get many things right the first time,

In fact, I am told that a lot

Now I know all the wrong turns the stumbles,

And falls brought me here

And where was I before the day

That I first saw your lovely face,

Now I see it every day

And I know

That I am, I am, I am, the luckiest

But the message of a flawed man finding love is timelessly appealing.

Looking for a more uptempo untraditional first dance song? Johnny Stimson wrote a real catchy tune called “A Million Years” with fun lyrics like these:

My, my I’m singing to the open sky

Oh my dear I’m hoping you can hear

And all my life your the only one I’m thinking of

And I will love you for, a million years

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSifPhy8T9c

Yes, there are timeless classic songs that will always be favorites for the first dance at weddings. But sometimes you’ve got to think outside the box and consider some untraditional first dance songs. 

DJ Delights has a library of thousands (and thousands!) of the best songs ever written. Want your wedding reception to rock? Check us out!