You know we love making a wedding music playlist around here. From backing music for your drinks reception and dinner to processional and recessional songs for your ceremony, we have a lot of fun coming up with ideas for adding meaning with music across your day. And your first dance is no different! We've already got a playlist of 99+ first dance song ideas, but for couples looking for something a little more edgy, fun or unique, we've also assembled a list of alternative first dance songs to inspire.
Whether you're looking for an upbeat first dance song, or something a little more mellow and romantic, we reckon this playlist will give you lots of ideas. It's got fun old school pop, rock classics, under the radar indie tunes, cool cover versions, great Irish tunes and lots, lots more! Don't forget to talk to your wedding band or DJ about your first dance song ideas, as they might be able to give you some pointers or create something customised for your wedding.
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Alternative First Dance Songs
Our full list of great alternative first dance song ideas!
- Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac
- Dreams - The Cranberries
- Love You 'Till the End - The Pogues
- Kiss - Prince
- Dancing in the Moonlight - Thin Lizzy
- The Whole of the Moon - The Waterboys
- After All - Frank and Walters
- Romeo and Juliet - Dire Straits
- Something's Gotten Hold of my Heart - Marc Almond
- All I Want Is You - U2
- Sea of Love - Cat Power
- Tiny Dancer - Elton John
- Can't Help Falling in Love - Ingrid Michaelson
- She - Elvis Costello
- The Dress Looks Nice on You - Sufjan Stevens
- Toothpaste Kisses - The Maccabees
- Star Star - The Frames
- Everlong - Foo Fighters
- Madness - Muse
- Wild Horses - The Rolling Stones
- Thank You - Led Zepplin
- When You’re Smiling - Louis Armstrong
- Crazy Love - Van Morrison
- Mess Is Mine - Vance Joy
- The Wedding Song - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
- XO - John Mayer
- Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap
- By Your Side - Sade
- Always Be My Baby - Mariah Carey
- Grow Old With Me - Tom Odell
- Us - Regina Spektor
- Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
- Nothing Else Matters - Metallica
- Real Gone Kid - Deacon Blue
- Young and Beautiful - Lana Del Ray
- Let's Dance - David Bowie
- French Navy - Camera Obscura
- Sunny Afternoon - The Kinks
- Quelqu'un m'a dit - Carla Bruni
- Hallelujah, I Love Her So - Ray Charles
- Friday, I'm In Love - The Cure
- Superstar - Sonic Youth (the original is pretty great too!)
- There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths
- Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet
- I Got You Babe - Sonny & Cher
- Hey Day - Mic Christopher
- Higher Love - James Vincent McMorrow
- You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates
- This Time I Know It's For Real - Donna Summer
- Kiss from a Rose - Seal
- Kiss Me - Sixpence None the Richer
- Maybe I'm Amazed - Paul McCartney
- Your Love Gets Sweeter - Finley Quaye
- A 1000 Times - Hamilton Leithauser
- Love is All Around - Wet Wet Wet
- My Love - Wings
- Best of My Love - The Emotions
- It Must be Love - Madness
- I Wanna Be Your Lover - Prince
- This Must be the Place - The Talking Heads
- Here Comes Your Man - Pixies
- Together in Electric Dreams - The Human League
- You Do Something To Me - Paul Weller
- God Only Knows - Beach Boys
- Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
- Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton
- Stand By Me – Florence + The Machine
- Cannonball – Damien Rice
- You & Me Song - The Wannadies
- Harvest Moon – Neil Young
- Somewhere Only We Know – Keane
- Hold Back the River – James Bay
- Only Love – Ben Howard
- Is This Love? – Bob Marley
- Riptide – Vance Joy
Get more unique wedding music inspiration and check out our recommended wedding bands and DJs - they're pretty fantastic!