When I think about wedding dance songs in 2017, the list has to start with the “Despacito” remix and then everything else. Really, even the best wedding DJs I know thought it was a bit of a down year for dance music. “That’s What I Like” was fine, but not quite “24K Magic” or certainly not “Uptown Funk.” Portugal. The Man’s “Feel It Still” was a nice song for the end of the year.
I’ve put my Top 100ish on a Spotify Playlist. But here are my Top 30:
1 | Despacito – Remix | Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber |
2 | That’s What I Like | Bruno Mars |
3 | Feel It Still | Portugal. The Man |
4 | There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back | Shawn Mendes |
5 | Shape of You | Ed Sheeran |
6 | Mi Gente (feat. Beyoncé) | J Balvin & Willy William & Beyoncé |
7 | Be Who You Are | The Kooks |
8 | Cake | Flo Rida & 99 Percent |
9 | Stay | Zedd & Alessia Cara |
10 | Strip That Down | Liam Payne & Quavo |
11 | Something Just Like This | The Chainsmokers & Coldplay |
12 | I Love Me | Meghan Trainor & LunchMoney Lewis |
13 | Body Moves | DNCE |
14 | Older | LODATO & Joseph Duveen |
15 | Slide | Calvin Harris & Frank Ocean & Migos |
16 | It Ain’t Me | Kygo & Selena Gomez |
17 | Body Like A Back Road | Sam Hunt |
18 | Celebrate | Ingrid Michaelson & AJR |
19 | Sorry Not Sorry | Demi Lovato |
20 | Friends | Justin Bieber & BloodPop® |
21 | I Feel It Coming | The Weeknd & Daft Punk |
22 | I’m the One | DJ Khaled & Justin Bieber & Quavo & Chance The Rapper & Lil Wayne |
23 | Unforgettable | French Montana & Swae Lee |
24 | Feels | Calvin Harris & Pharrell Williams & Katy Perry & Big Sean |
25 | Malibu | Miley Cyrus |
26 | Malibu – Tiësto Remix | Miley Cyrus & Tiësto |
27 | Swalla (feat. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign) | Jason Derulo & Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign |
28 | You Don’t Know Love | Olly Murs |
29 | Now and Later | Sage The Gemini |
30 | I Swear (feat. Young Thug) | Wyclef Jean & Young Thug |
FIRST DANCE. After dominating the list of modern first dance songs with 2015’s “Thinking Out Loud,” I wonder if Ed Sheeren was a bit bummed watching the success of James Arthur’s “Say you won’t let go” and Dan + Shay’s “From the Ground up.” Somewhere in my imagination, I envision him hearing those songs in some English pub, saying “hold my beer,” while he knocks out “Perfect.” That now sits atop my list of modern dance songs, which you can check out in this Spotify Playlist.
COCKTAIL/DINNER MUSIC. There were some terrific fresh songs that I played at cocktail hours and dinners to give a contemporary feel. Among those were You Don’t Know Love by Olly Murs, Fresh Eyes by Andy Grammer, Attention by Charlie Puth, Celebrate by Ingrid Michaelson and AJR, Love Me Now by John Legend, This Town by Niall Horan, Lay It On Me by Vance Joy and Play That Song by Train. Train gets the award for best gratutious mention of “DJ” in their song (“Hey, mister DJ when you gonna spin it? My baby’s favorite record she been waiting for a minute.”) which maybe shouldn’t, but probably does influence me.
TIM McGRAW/FAITH HILL Released a great duet in October called, “The Rest of Our Life.” I think this can be a meaningful first-dance song. Or be great for a “longevity” or “anniversary” dance, which honors the longest-married couple at a reception.