Before Chappell Roan was a femininomenon who had us feeling hot to go, pulling in record breaking crowds at Lollapalooza, she spent almost 10 years on the music circuit, playing tiny venues as anything but a household name. But in the last year, almost overnight, Chappell has become exactly that, with her tunes blasting in bars, clubs, Ubers, and even during the roll call at the Democratic National Convention last week (her home state of Missouri chose ‘Good Luck, Babe!’ as their signature song). 

And while Chappell Roan’s meteoric rise is well-deserved and yes, we will absolutely play Pink Pony Club at your reception if you put it on your list of requested songs, what we actually want to talk about today are some other young up-and-coming artists with phenomenal music you may not have heard yet that will absolutely get people on their feet and onto the dance floor, or that may be perfect for some of your special moments! They might not be sensations yet, but with music like this, it’s only a matter of time. 

The real bonus of picking songs by artists who are currently lesser-known for your special moments is that you’re unlikely to find the same song being played the next weekend at your friend’s wedding  – you’ll have music that’s just as special and unique as you are! And Around Town’s award-winning and highly-praised bands can learn any song, no matter how new or underground, so don’t worry if you don’t see it on our song list! If you put a song on your Final Information Document in one of the specified boxes, we’ll learn it – even original songs by you, a friend, or a family member! (Yes, we’re seriously that cool.) 

Now, without further ado, let’s get into some underrated artists you might not know (but should)! 

Sammy Rae & The Friends – a queer band from Brooklyn, NY, this band cranks out nothing but bops that are meant to make you feel good, feel seen, and feel like you’ve always got a friend in them. The band has a permanent horn section and the jazzy retropop feel never fails to bring the heat. The music alone is enough to make you fall in love with the band, but it’s the lyrics that really nail home the empathetic nature of this band and their music, wise beyond their years. The group recently released their first-ever love song called “I Get It Now,” but if you’re looking for an upbeat bop “Let’s Throw a Party” never disappoints! 

Olivia Dean – a London-based singer songwriter with a sultry, gritty-yet-smooth voice perfect for the neo soul music she’s lately been taking off with. Amazon Music declared her the Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2021 and she’s slowly been gaining more and more attention, especially on the summer music festival circuit, making quite the splash at Glastonbury and another at Lollapalooza. Her tunes aren’t all over the radio waves yet though, (which is why she still makes this list) and songs like ‘Dive’ could be absolutely perfect for a first dance, or ‘Carmen’ for a parent dance, or a non-traditional parent dance. 

Stephen Day – A Nashville-based boy from Georgia, Stephen beautifully hybrids folk, pop, and singer-songwriter and is popularly monikered as a “crooner.” With lyrics that will surprise you and a down-home feel, his songs are crowd-pleasers, with “If You Were the Rain” perfect for a more upbeat moment, or “It Was You” for a more dramatic one. 

Boys Go To Jupiter – These funky Brooklynites are so new they don’t even have an EP out yet. But the singles they have dropped? Let’s just say “Wall St” goes so hard that when we first heard it we had to play it another 5 times immediately – the clever lyrics and song title initially hide the absolute brilliance of this rocking love song that surprises you repeatedly; every time you think you know where it’s headed musically, it switches it up, keeping you hooked and dancing hard from start to finish. 

Madison Cunningham – A recent opener for Lake Street Dive, this L.A.-based folk singer-songwriter already has a GRAMMY, making her lack of widespread fame even more surprising. Heavily guitar-based, her music focuses on exposing her tender and unique vocals and gorgeously poetic lyrics. Her song ‘Something To Believe In’ is a phenomenal choice for a slower parent dance. 

Couch – Boston-based and quickly gaining critical acclaim, this pop/funk/rock/R&B/soul style band has been described as “breathing new life into the pop scene” by Sheesh Media. And their songs are nothing but crowd-pleasers and good vibes: ‘Black Bear Lane’ especially stands out as a perfect  song to end the night on if you have a grand exit planned to a getaway car! 

Eloise – born in rural France, and now UK-based after a teenagehood spent in London, Eloise got her start posting acoustic covers on Instagram in 2017 and quickly gained support from artists like Billie Eilish and Sam Smith. She’s gained even more praise lately for her way with words, emotion, and unique incorporation of classic styles like jazz, R&B, standards, and current pop. Her music feels naturally intimate in a way that many artists attempt for years and often never achieve. A lot of her songs express complex emotions that may not be the right tone for your big day, but ‘You, Dear’ is a major exception and makes for a perfect first dance.

Let’s face it, weddings are huge. YOUR wedding is huge. It is one of the biggest days of your lives, everyone important to you will be there, there are so many moving pieces and parts, and you want to have total confidence that it will all go perfectly – down to the last detail. We here at Around Town know how you feel, and if there’s one thing we can always promise it’s that we will play our part to perfection. Our years of experience playing for the best weddings around have created a finely-tuned, well-oiled machine of artists who are experts at their craft. Which is why, today, we want to talk about what you can do to help us make sure your wedding is exactly how you’ve envisioned it, as well as what details you don’t need to waste time on – one of the fun parts about being experts in our field is that we don’t have to waste your time on minutiae. You can sit back, relax, and trust us to do what we do best – keep your guests on the dance floor all night long! 

We’re gonna start this off with a quick and dirty list of things we do need, or are extremely helpful (people pleasers and oldest daughters, we know you’ll love us for this). Of course, most of this is on our Final Information Document that we send to each of you, but we also know that can sometimes feel like a lot to look at! So, let’s break it down and make it a little simpler. Without further a-DO… 

DO write down a song’s title and artist! You’d be surprised how many versions of the same song can exist, each one a little different. If you choose “Here Comes the Sun” but don’t remember to write the artist, we’re going to assume you mean the original Beatles bop – when in fact you could have meant the incredible cover by Jacob Collier, or Nina Simone’s soulful take on the tune! Better yet, if you have a link to the version you’re thinking of, by all means drop that in! 

DO give us specific notes about timing or tempo if one of your dances is choreographed – again, we’ll match the original recording unless we’re told otherwise. If you want the second verse removed, or the tempo changed, let us know! You can even put in a link to the version you’ve been rehearsing to so we can match it exactly on the big day. 

DO have some fun with highlighting the song list! This is our best way to get a sense of your musical taste and the vibe you’re searching for on the dance floor and throughout the night. There’s a “Don’t” that will pair with this one, but we’ll get to that in a minute! 

DO reach out to your venue’s events coordinator nice and early to ask them if they’re able to accommodate our electrical requirements! The Final Information Document even has a section you can just copy and paste into an email, so all you have to do is hit “send”. We don’t need much, but what we do need is essential to make sure your music sounds perfect! 

DO remember to also ask your venue if they’re able to provide a microphone and speaker for your ceremony officiant! This is a big one!! Because plenty of venues do automatically include this for you, it is NOT a standard part of your basic Around Town Entertainment contract. We’re happy to provide one, but it does come with an additional fee since it requires our sound technician to arrive significantly earlier in order to set it up and make sure your ceremony has the same high quality sound as the rest of your evening! This is why it’s extra important to check early on and find out if your venue already has you covered or if you need us to handle it. 

Now, on to the “Don’t”s! 

DON’T cross out songs on the song list. We want to know which songs you LOVE! The song list serves as a great reference for the band to pick and focus on songs you DO love (rather than which ones you don’t). They’ll be reading the reactions of your guests and playing many or your favorites, as well as many others, so that everyone is dancing all night long! Know a song that you’d absolutely die if you heard it on your big day? You can note those very specifically in the box marked “Do Not Play” on your Final Information Document and we’ll steer clear of those like the plague!

DON’T choose more than one song for a special moment! We know that medleys are fun, but there’s a lot of extra work that goes into figuring out how to bridge together two different songs, that are often in different keys, in a way that feels seamless and natural. Sometimes, while seeming like an exciting idea, it could be a flop and make the special moment longer than usual.

DON’T stress! Your big day will be absolutely amazing! It’s going to be absolutely perfect and we’re so grateful you’ve trusted us to make it extra special! Your feet are going to hurt from dancing all night and your family and friends are going to have an absolute blast celebrating you and your partner putting a ring on it!

It’s been a full summer of hot new releases from our favorite artists and now that it’s starting to draw to a close, we thought it would be fun to do a roundup of some of our fresh new favorites. While we’re sure you and your partner likely have a meaningful song that you’ve loved throughout your relationship, sometimes it’s nice to have a new song in the mix, especially on a day full of so many meaningful love songs! Plus, in the height of wedding season, it’s easy to go to a friend’s wedding and discover their recessional song is the same one you had in mind – while it’s not a faux pas in any way to use the same song as someone else, we understand wanting to feel like your day is unique. So, we’ve done the legwork on finding you some great new love songs that aren’t necessarily “standards” yet! 

We’re also going to take this moment to brag about our bands – not only are they award-winning and highly lauded, but these consummate music professionals can learn any newly released song (as long as you have it on your Final Information Document by the “month prior to the event” deadline). And few things delight a wedding crowd more than hearing a brand new song they never thought they’d hear so soon after its release! 

So, without further ado, let’s get into some of our new favorite songs that have us swooning! 

The Alchemy – Taylor Swift 

“Baby I’m the one to beat/Cause the sign on your heart/Said it’s still reserved for me/Honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy?”

A crowd favorite to start us off!  Who doesn’t love Taylor Swift? Taylor shocked everyone with a double album drop earlier this year, and this track stood out immediately as a powerful love ballad from the most dominant pop star on the planet this year. 

BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish 

“I’ll love you ’til the day that I die/’Til the day that I die/’Til the light leaves my eyes/’Til the day that I die” 

Billie Eilish dropped this track and it blew up immediately – as it should! Sweet and almost upbeat for the singer that usually gifts us a lot of slow ballads that quickly have you in your feelings, this one is an instant classic. 

Beautiful Things – Benson Boone

“And I thank God every day/For the girl He sent my way/But I know the things He gives me/He can take away”

An ode to love, this one has a positively rocking chorus paired with surprisingly fragile and poignant verses, which means it really does have something for everyone – and makes for a truly dynamic first dance!  

Training Season – Dua Lipa

“I need someone to hold me close/deeper than I’ve ever known/Whose love feels like a rodeo/knows just how to take control”

Dua Lipa really brought it with this one, combining a catchy and emotive melody with lyrics that delve deep into themes of love, growth, and commitment – pretty perfect for your wedding day!  

II Most Wanted – Beyoncé & Miley Cyrus

“And I’ll be your backseat baby/ drivin’ you crazy anytime you like/ whoa, I’ll be your shotgun rider ’til the day I/’til the day I die”

The ultimate song about having a “ride or die,” these two powerhouse female vocalists teamed up and dropped a love song that could be as romantic as it could be platonic – and aren’t those the best kinds of love songs? 

Heather on the Hill – Nathan Evans (yes, ShantyTok guy, you’re not crazy) 

“Oh, my love said to me, “Will you meet me by the sea? You can kiss me underneath the misty moon.”

Sweeping and lovely, Nathan Evans is a master of the rollicking folksy tune, and Heather on the Hill is no exception. This song really does manage to make you feel as though you’re inside your own fairy tale – which might just be the perfect choice for you and your partner! 

To Love – Suki Waterhouse 

“While the world’s falling apart you make you so easy to love”

A rocking, epic, utterly romantic ballad that asks the question “will I find the person right for me in every universe” and answers it simply: I found you in this one, so what does it matter? 

Wall St – Boys Go To Jupiter

“Come in closer/I get the feeling that you’re someone like no other/And I wanna be the first one to/Uncover your thoughts when you’re asleep/The way you slow dance when you start to drink/Kiss me on top of the kitchen sink/Have I set enough of the scene?”

A small, upstart indie band from Brooklyn, Boys Go To Jupiter doesn’t have much of a discography but what they do have absolutely SLAPS. This one in particular is an absolutely exuberant love song that you can’t help but dance to. 

I Get It Now – Sammy Rae & The Friends 

“Now that something/I’m the most whole I’ve ever been/It was you/it was always you.” 

The first love song the band has ever released, this experimental retropop group also based in Brooklyn really knocked it out of the park with this simple piano ballad that expresses a simple, pure love found after years of doubt they’d ever find it. 

It Was You – Stephen Day

“It was you/everything and always is you/tell me that you feel the same way too/known it all along/it was you” 

Remarkably similar in message to ‘I Get It Now,’ this new release by the Nashville-based artist has more of a rootsy, country vibe. While the lyrics may be similar, the feel couldn’t be more different, which makes it perfect for any couple who leans a little more country in their taste. 

If there’s one thing that Around Town can guarantee above all else, it’s that our award-winning bands will have your guests on the dance floor all night long. And we know that what immediately comes to mind are your favorite upbeat hits – the ones that have people jumping and jiving, heart rates as elevated as the mood. Those songs are important and absolutely the predominant ones as we bring the party vibes; but what you may not realize is this: the secret to a perfect reception dance party is knowing when to sprinkle in some “sweet and slow.” Slow dances are a crucial part of the evening as they allow your guests to pair up and take a little breather, bringing their heart rates back down so they’re refreshed and ready to go when the next upbeat hit starts. Think of your reception as a HIIT workout – it’s important to have breaks between the high intensity numbers, otherwise everyone is exhausted and back on the sidelines far too early in the night! 

Now, you didn’t think we’d tell you it’s important to have slow dances in the mix without telling you some of our favorites, did you? You know we’ve got a comprehensive list of songs ready to go for any musical taste or vision! You might notice that they’re all love songs – that’s another little secret: by using love songs as your slower dances, people are more likely to partner up and stay out on the floor, rather than running off to the restroom or the refreshment table! It’s also a phenomenal opportunity to get some of your older loved ones out on the floor, since these songs are a lot kinder on their knees than those upbeat hits we all love! 

So, without further ado, let’s get into some of our top suggestions for slow love songs that will help keep your guests dancing the night away! 

“Until I Found You,” by Stephen Sanchez

“I would never fall in love again until I found her/I said, “I would never fall unless it’s you I fall into”/I was lost within the darkness, but then I found her/I found you” This one’s a newer hit, which we’re sure you’ve heard all over Instagram and TikTok – sweet and gentle, it evokes road trip and beach vibes and feels somewhat cinematic. 

“At Last,” by Etta James

“At last my love has come along/My lonely days are over and life is like a song” An absolute classic, this one is known as a jazz “standard” for a reason – it simply will not fail the test of time. 

“All of Me,” by John Legend

“All of me loves all of you/Give your all to me I’ll give my all to you” This one debuted and instantly became a modern classic, and now ranks as one of the best love songs around; this one is also a common pick for a first dance! 

“Keep on Loving You,” by REO Speedwagon

“When I said that I love you/I meant that I love you forever” A song guaranteed to bring your parents onto the floor, this 1980s love song will send them straight back to senior prom. 

“Lover,” by Taylor Swift

“Can I go where you go/Can we always be this close/ Forever and ever” Taylor Swift, as we know, is one of the absolute queens of the music scene lately and this particular song will have all your girlies on the dance floor (and you can’t tell us that the boys haven’t all been learning their TSwift songs for moments like this). 

“Unforgettable,” by Nat King Cole 

“Never before has someone been more/Unforgettable in every way” ‘King’ is in his name for a reason – not only is he the King of Christmas music, but his love songs are just perfection. This song also works well for a parent dance if you’re using the duet version between Natalie Cole and her father. 

“Joy of My Life,” by Chris Stapleton

“She’s sweet to me/Must be the luckiest man alive/Did I tell you, baby/You are the joy of my life?” If your wedding has some homegrown country flavor to it, this song is a fantastic choice to bring the tempo down, and is a beautiful meditation on how lucky you feel to spend each day with your partner. 

“Your Song,” by Elton John

“I don’t have much money but boy if I did/I’d buy a big house where we both could live” The song that launched Elton John’s career, and it’s easy to see why. A simple love song that never fails to bring a tear to our eyes. 

“Better Together,” by Jack Johnson

“Sometimes life can be deceiving/I’ll tell you one thing, it’s always better when we’re together” This one still has a little pep to it if you don’t want to slow the mood all the way down, but has the advantage of still being a nice gentle tempo that lets your heart rate settle a bit before you head back to rocking out!

It’s no secret that everyone wants their wedding to be the most memorable, fun, and flawless night that ever was. And while there is a rather proven adage that at least one thing will go wrong (best to laugh it off and capitalize on the joke where you can), we here at Around Town have no intention of letting your music be the thing that goes wrong! 

We get a lot of questions about what timeline we recommend, or how long each special moment song should be, so we thought it would be fun to walk you through some of our suggestions for keeping the whole evening smooth, lively, and engaging! 

First and foremost, we want to emphasize that we will always coordinate with and follow your venue’s suggested timeline – they’re facilitating food service, know their venue like the back of their hands, and we trust their know-how! Where we can really provide our insight is some suggestions for where in the evening to place some special moment dances, and how long to make each of them. Our award-winning live bands are absolute pros at reading the crowd and guaranteeing that your guests are on the dance floor all night long for each of your dance sets, but the order and length of your special moment dances can seriously impact the momentum of the night. 

Without further ado, let’s get to it! Again, please keep in mind that we will always defer to your venue on this; or if you have a different vision, we’ll always do your best to bring your vision to life for your big day! 

Once your reception opens and your guests enter, the first order of business is bringing in and introducing everyone’s favorite folks! Now, this can vary from wedding to wedding, so it really comes down to your vision for the day and who you’d like to be a part of this moment – some couples eschew the introductions, and some really ham it up. We’re here to support your vision and what makes you feel most comfortable! That said, a refrain you’re going to be sick of hearing from us by the end of this article is: short and sweet. Keep it catchy, keep it energized, and let’s try to keep it under 2 minutes. Our “standard” for your bridal party entrance is to play the “hook” of your chosen song, and then a verse and/or chorus (if it even needs to go that long)! For your entrance as a couple, again, we’ll stick to the catchiest part of the song, generally a quick intro into the refrain, so that the whole moment feels as celebratory as possible. 

From here, we recommend you head straight into your first dance, riding the wave of momentum from your entrance! And here’s what we’ll say about this part: remember how long 3 minutes felt when you had to get up and give a speech in high school speech & debate? Or how long 3 minutes feels when it’s the final 3 minutes on the washer/dryer? Or the microwave timer on your food when you’re super hungry? That’s precisely how long 3 minutes will feel when you and your partner are up there, dancing alone, with all the eyes of your guests on you. 

This gets to the heart of the majority of our time length recommendations – we really recommend keeping your major moment dances somewhere between 1.5 and 2 minutes; maybe 2.5 if you have a choreographed routine! That said, most of us aren’t professional dancers, so a choreographed routine longer than 2 minutes becomes increasingly challenging not only to perform but also to remember! Don’t believe us? Even professional dancers rarely dance more than 2 minutes – notice most “Dancing with the Stars” routines are about 1.5 to 2 minutes long.

Our usual formula for a special moment dance is to play the intro, a verse, a chorus, maybe a bridge, and an outro. Trust us, this will absolutely feel long enough and hit all the emotional moments needed within a song. Additionally, the verse we play doesn’t necessarily need to be the first verse – if the second or third verse of a song is the one that’s most important to you, feel free to let us know and we’ll make sure to create a cut of the song that brings all the right emotions to the moment! 

Some couples do choose not to shorten the song, but instead they have our bandleaders invite their guests to join them on the dance floor around the 2 minute mark, which provides a phenomenal segue into your first dance set! However, if your food service works best without a dance set here, then the first dance can segue beautifully into your first course, and any blessings or toasts that are integral to your day. 

After that, we recommend a dance set to get the blood flowing and that first course moving through the system to make room for a main course! After the main course, another dance set, and after that, let’s cut some cake! For the cake cutting, if you’re doing a big moment that draws the attention of your guests, we really recommend having us play a little something to underscore it. This helps alleviate some of the awkwardness of the moment while you figure out how to cut the cake together, and brings some extra fun and vibrancy to the moment! This is another moment where we’ll be playing the catchiest part of the song – a hook and either a verse or chorus. 

Now, time for your parent dances and again, we strongly recommend keeping this moment around the 2 minute mark for each dance! We know you and your parents love each other a lot, but this is the part of the night where you want to build the most momentum into your dance sets through the end of the evening, so an overly long parent dance can absolutely stop it in its tracks. Make time for a longer parent dance at a more intimate event like the rehearsal dinner, or after welcome cocktails, when there aren’t tons of antsy guests waiting to bust a move!  

From here, let the good times roll! The special moments are wrapped up (unless you’d like to do a bouquet or garter toss – easily worked into a dance set) and our award-winning bands will have the most danceable tunes coming for the rest of the night!

Painful as it is to think about, not all of us are lucky enough to have either or both of our parents present on our wedding days, for any number of unfortunate reasons. That, however, doesn’t mean you have to do away with the beautiful tradition of sharing a dance with someone who has raised you, nurtured you, supported you, and will continue to do so as you begin this new family with your partner. Perhaps it’s a godparent, an aunt or uncle, grandparent, or even a sibling (or siblings!). We here at Around Town believe it’s important to celebrate the love you came from as you declare to the world this new love, even if your circumstances are unusual or non-traditional! 

So, we’ve decided to compile a list of some of our favorite songs that work for various non-traditional “parent” dance scenarios! If there’s one thing our award-winning bands know, it’s how to celebrate love of all kinds with killer music. 

Dancing with a Godparent

If you’re sharing this moment with a godparent, choose a song that honors their spiritual and emotional support. Here are some meaningful choices:

“Blessed” by Elton John – A beautiful song that expresses gratitude for the blessings they’ve brought into your life.

“I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack – An inspiring tune that conveys wishes for a joyful and fulfilling future.

“You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban – A powerful ballad that acknowledges their role in lifting you to great heights.

Dancing with a Sibling

When dancing with a sibling, you might want to choose a song that reflects your shared childhood memories and the unique bond you have, recognizing that they’ll also always have a place at their table for you at Thanksgiving and vice versa. Here are some fun and heartfelt choices:

“You’ve Got a Friend” by James Taylor – This song perfectly captures the supportive and enduring nature of a sibling relationship.

“Count on Me” by Bruno Mars – A modern and upbeat choice that speaks to the reliability and love siblings have for each other.

“Save Me a Seat” by Alex Warren – A rollicking tune hitting home the message that you will always be welcome at each other’s tables. 

Dancing with an Aunt or Uncle

For a dance with an aunt or uncle, select a song that celebrates the guidance and affection they’ve provided throughout your life. Consider these options:

“Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler – This song is a powerful tribute to someone who has always supported and uplifted you. This one is a little dramatic, but if that’s your vibe it’s a great choice! 

“Stand by Me” by Ben E. King – A classic tune, this one really underscores the steadfast presence of a loving relative.

“Lean on Me” by Bill Withers – An iconic song that emphasizes the importance of being there for one another. 

Dancing with a Grandparent

If you’re sharing this special dance with a grandparent, you want to choose a song that honors their wisdom, love, and perhaps a bit of nostalgia. Here are some timeless options they’ll know well:

“What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong – This classic song is perfect for a tender moment that reflects on the beauty of life.

“The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra – A sophisticated and heartwarming tune that will add a touch of elegance to the dance.

“Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole – This duet is a beautiful homage to the everlasting bond you share.

Dancing with a Family Friend or Mentor

When the dance is with a family friend or mentor who has played a significant role in your life, select a song that reflects the special bond you share. Here are some great options:

“Thank You for Being a Friend” by Andrew Gold –  Cheerful and heartfelt, this song shows appreciation for their friendship and support.

“Times Like These (Acoustic Version)” by Foo Fighters – A modern and reflective choice that speaks to the guidance and wisdom they’ve offered.

“Hero” by Mariah Carey – This powerful anthem that acknowledges the strength and inspiration they’ve provided.

Regardless of who you choose to dance with, the most important aspect of this moment is the connection and love you share. Most importantly, choose a song that has significant meaning to both of you! Maybe it’s a song you both love, a tune that reminds you of a special memory, or lyrics that perfectly capture your relationship. Our best advice? Sit down together and talk about what songs are meaningful to you both and why – odds are there’s an obvious pick. 

Incorporating non-traditional family dances into your wedding can be a wonderful way to honor and celebrate the people who have shaped your life. Whether it’s a grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, godparent, or mentor, choosing a meaningful song and sharing a special dance will create lasting memories for both you and your loved ones. So go ahead, pick that perfect tune, and let the love and music flow on your special day!

It’s almost your wedding day and you know exactly what songs will bring you and your friends to the dance floor – it was blowing up on TikTok, you were texting each other Spotify links, someone posted it to their Instagram story. You know exactly what jams will have your parents and aunts and uncles busting out moves you forgot they had – it’s been a few years since the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dances of your high school years after all, but you’ll never forget the tunes they’d put on in the car or the living room. 

But there are some special people there for your big day whose musical taste might not be familiar to you – you may not even think of them as people who can dance. However, we here at Around Town can promise you that your grandparents once had a whole lotta shakin’ going on, and with the right songs, they’ll forget all about their aging hips and knees and be right on that dance floor with you. 

For the purposes of these suggestions, we’re focusing our energies on grandparents currently between the ages of 75 and 90, but feel free to take your own grandparent’s ages into account as you read or research! The simple formula we’re using to figure out what music they likely loved dancing to the most goes like this: Take your grandparent’s age, and subtract it from the current year (if you don’t already know what year your grandparent was born); next, add 13 – now you’ve got the year they became a teenager! Take that number and add 17 – this is the year your grandparent turned 30. The years between 13 and 30 tend to be the most musically formative, and indicative of someone’s taste or favorites for the rest of their lives. So, we’ll be focusing on the most popular dance music between 1950 and 1980! 

Now, before we go any further, our first and best suggestion is this: call your grandparents and ask them what their favorite songs to dance to were. Having done this ourselves, we promise it’s a blast of a conversation – the look in their eyes as they remember and recount it is genuinely priceless (topped only by the look on their faces when the song plays at your reception!) Additionally, ask them what song their first dance was to, or if there was a song in their courtship that was “their song” – it might be a classic like Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” or something more surprising or obscure like “Cindy Lou” by Dick Penner. 

…Ok did you do it? Did you call your grandparents? We’ll assume you did! Maybe you didn’t and you want to keep this all a surprise for them – that’s fun too! Without further ado, let’s get into some suggestions, by decade, of songs our award-winning live bands love to play that we think will get your grandparents moving and grooving! 

First Stop: The Fifties! 

Famous for giving birth to Rock n’ Roll, filled with legends like Elvis and Chuck Berry, the 50’s were also what launched R&B – think Ray Charles – and the popular big band and jazzy stylings of artists like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Perry Como. Our suggestions for fun or touching 50’s songs are: 

Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley & His Comets 

Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley 

Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On by Jerry Lee Lewis 

The Twelfth of Never by Johnny Mathis 

Tutti Frutti by Little Richard 

Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis Presley 

The Twist by Chubby Checker 

Put Your Head on my Shoulder by Paul Anka 

I’ve Got You Under My Skin by Frank Sinatra 

Swing Into The Sixties! 

Get ready for the British Invasion! The 60’s were a dynamic and transformative decade for music, ushering in Motown, expanding Rock n’ Roll, and giving rise to folk rock. The Beatles stand out as the most dominant sensation, but the 60’s were full of incredible artists who changed the face of music, from Aretha Franklin to Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye to Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles to The Beach Boys. Here are some of our top suggestions for this decade’s most danceable tunes: 

Twist & Shout by The Beatles 

You Can’t Hurry Love by The Supremes 

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell 

I’m a Believer by The Monkees 

It’s Not Unusual by Tom Jones 

God Only Knows by The Beach Boys 

Stop! In The Name Of Love by The Supremes

Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond 

Respect by Aretha Franklin 

Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons 

Get Groovy, Baby – it’s the Seventies! 

Will your guests have “Saturday Night Fever”? The 1970s was a decade of musical diversity and innovation, with genres like rock, disco, punk, and funk all leaving a significant mark, and singer-songwriters really taking over the more intimate parts of the music scene. Iconic  (if entirely different) bands like Queen, ABBA, and the Bee Gees emerged, alongside acts like the queen of disco herself, Donna Summer, storytellers Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and The Carpenters, as well as the kings of the piano scene, Sir Elton John and the king of Madison Square Garden, Billy Joel. A quick note here, depending on how old your grandparents are, this decade of music may actually speak more to your parents and their peers – still fun to take into consideration when picking your music! Our suggested bops are: 

Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire with the Emotions 

Night Fever by the Bee Gees 

Top of the World by The Carpenters

The Hustle by Van McCoy 

Voulez Vous by ABBA (much of ABBA’s catalogue is extremely danceable, you can’t generally go wrong with one of their many smash hits)

September by Earth, Wind & Fire 

Boogie Shoes by KC & The Sunshine Band 

Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel 

Crocodile Rock by Elton John 

Turn the Beat Around by Vickie Sue Robinson

While we didn’t touch on this decade this time, if your grandparents are well into their 90’s or perhaps liked “oldies” even when they were younger, don’t forget to take a look into the bold, brassy, big band, jazzy, crooning songs of the 1940s! Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and Glenn Miller & His Orchestra are great places to start!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, we’re pretty sure you’ve had some pretty incredible earworms stuck in your head for the past month or so. It’s the start of the summer, which means our favorite artists are dropping new songs left and right – and the songs of the 2024 summer are as hot as the weather is predicted to be! Since you and your partner have already proven you’re cool and have great taste (you booked Around Town after all), we’re sure some of the following songs are already on your list of bops you can’t wait to dance to on your big day. 

So to put your minds at ease – or to inspire you – here are a few of our award-winning live musician’s favorites!  

A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey

Someone pour me up a double shot of whiskey

They know me and Jack Daniels got a history

There’s a party downtown near Fifth Street

Everybody at the bar gettin’ tipsy

Everybody at the bar gettin’ tipsy

Everybody at the bar gettin’ tipsy… 

Some country flavor, a hint of hip hop, some easy-to-remember lyrics that sum up the mood… it’s no wonder this one is a wedding reception smash hit! We know you and your guests will happily be singing and bouncing along to this fun number that just invites a call and response! 

TEXAS HOLD ‘EM by Beyoncé 

This ain’t Texas (woo), ain’t no hold ’em (hey)

So lay your cards down, down, down, down

So park your Lexus (woo) and throw your keys up (hey)

Stick around, ’round, ’round, ’round, ’round (stick around)

And I’ll be damned if I can’t slow dance with you

Come pour some sugar on me, honey too

It’s a real life boogie and a real life hoedown

Don’t be a b*tch, come take it to the floor now, woo, huh (woo)

This one has been all over TikTok since the Super Bowl, but that hasn’t diminished its catchy power. Fun for all ages, Beyoncé always knows how to bring the party, no matter what genre she’s tackling. 

Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter 

Now he’s thinkin’ ’bout me every night, oh

Is it that sweet? I guess so

Say you can’t sleep, baby, I know

That’s that me, espresso

Move it up, down, left, right, oh

Switch it up like Nintendo

Say you can’t sleep, baby, I know

That’s that me, espresso

Currently the number one song on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as the number one song on Spotify’s Global rankings, no one seems to be able to get these lyrics out of their head – it’s like the song is just as addictive as the caffeine it alludes to. Danceable, fun, this one is guaranteed to have your guests running to the dance floor. 

HOT TO GO! by Chappell Roan 

H-O-T-T-O-G-O, snap and clap and touch your toes

Raise your hands, now body roll, dance it out, you’re hot to go

H-O-T-T-O-G-O, snap and clap and touch your toes

Raise your hands, now body roll, H-O-T-T-O-G-O

H-O-T-T-O-G-O

You can take me hot to go

H-O-T-T-O-G-O

You can take me hot to go

It’s Pride Month! And Chappell Roan is the hottest new thing in the LGBTQ+ music scene, with a new album positively STACKED with bops. HOT TO GO! is one the most fun and danceable though, without having any lyrics that will give your grandma a heart attack. 

Lovin’ on Me by Jack Harlow 

I don’t like no whips and chains

And you can’t tie me down

But you can whip your lovin’ on me, baby

Whip your lovin’ on me, baby

A hip hop jam you can really sink your teeth into, this one speaks to the same part of our souls as some of our classic favorites from high school dances. While it might not be perfect for the older members of your crowd, we know it’s a perfect song to keep the energy going as the older folks head out. 

We Can’t Be Friends by Ariana Grande 

We can’t be friends

But I’d like to just pretend

You cling to your papers and pens

Wait until you like me again

Catchy from the moment it debuted, Ariana Grande once again knocks it out of the park with this upbeat jam – a red herring that hides its somewhat sad lyrics about an unrequited love. While you’re celebrating having found the love of your life, this song is too fun not to sing along with! 

Don’t see your hot new favorite song listed above? Not to worry! The Around Town Entertainment bands are pros for a reason – just include whatever song you can’t stop dancing to in your “Top 3 Song Requests” and we’ll make sure to bring the house down with it on your big day!

It’s a tale as old as time, really: Indie-Acoustica Girl meets EDM Bro; Classic Rock Chick meets R&B Babe; Country Gal meets Latin Lad;  Bossanova Boy meets Death Metal Dude; Chappell Roan They meets Sammy Rae & The Friends Them. You love your partner to death and there are so many wonderfully compatible things about the two of you – it’s why you’re getting married! But what if your musical tastes could not be more different? Great news, your music tastes don’t have to be compatible for the two of you to be! Strong marriages are also built on your differences, not just your similarities, so don’t fret if your musical vibes are polar opposites! Even better news, you made the phenomenal choice to hire Around Town to handle the music for your special day – and we’re as versatile as your tastes! 

You may have noticed from watching clips of our fabulous bands or from checking out our song list, we have a pretty extensive and broad catalogue under our belts! Which means you and your partner don’t need to worry about limiting yourselves when highlighting the songs and genres you like. (Please note that not all genres are in the song list – for example, we don’t perform rap numbers. Also important to note, an additional vocalist may need to be contracted if you’re requesting songs sung in languages that are not English). You can trust our award-winning bands to pay attention to everything you tell us about your taste, as well as read the crowd; we’ll be playing songs that keep your guests dancing all night long! 

But what if you’re worried that your differing tastes in music will make it difficult to select songs that are perfect for your special moments? Or maybe they already are? Have no fear – we’re here to help! Let us start by saying that choosing these songs doesn’t need to be something you sit down in a single night and decide. While we do have our “30 days prior” deadline, that still gives you lots of time to really think about and find your perfect songs. Which is where this series of hot tips is about to come in! 

Spotify has really been focused on honing and improving their platform, algorithm, and, in particular, collaborative features in the last several years. And it’s these collaborative features that we’re gonna reveal and recommend using to help you and your partner find your perfect blend! 

Let’s start broadly: Spotify has a phenomenal feature called “Blends.” This is a fantastic way to get a constantly updated playlist that will have a fun mix of whatever you and your partner are currently listening to. Creating a Blend on Spotify is as easy as making instant noodles, and a fun way to mix your musical tastes with your partner! First things first, both you and your partner need to have Spotify accounts—free or premium, either works. Open up the Spotify app and head over to the “Search” tab. Type in “Blend” and you’ll see the option to create one. Tap on it, then hit “Invite” to send a link to your partner. Once they accept, Spotify will work its magic, combining your favorite tunes into a single, harmonious (and sometimes eclectic) playlist that reflects both of your styles. It’s like a musical marriage, perfectly blending your unique vibes! Whether it’s Coffeehouse Jazz meeting Hip-Hop, or Top 40 jamming with Motown, your Blend will be the fun and informative soundtrack to your tastes. Even more helpfully, each song will have one of your profile pictures next to it, depending on whose current listening the song came from; most helpfully of all, if there’s a song you’re both listening to, both of your profile pictures will appear next to the song! And with that, we’re off to the races. 

Taking our “Blends” idea a step further – welcome to shared or collaborative playlists! Once you’ve started to notice songs that both of you are listening to – or maybe you always had a song or two that you both agreed on, or you each have a few songs that are really important to you – it’s time for a shared playlist. 

Creating a shared playlist on Spotify is a breeze and a fantastic way to bond over, or sift through and narrow down, your favorite tunes with your partner! Start by opening the Spotify app and heading to the “Your Library” tab. Tap on the “Create Playlist” button and give your new playlist a catchy name that’s meaningful to both of you. Once your playlist is set up, hit the “Add Songs” button to start curating your mix. Now, for the magic: tap on the three dots at the top of the playlist, select “Invite collaborators,” and send the link to your partner. Voilà! They can now add, remove, and reorder songs just like you can. Whether you’re blending Folk with Broadway, Disco with Punk Rock, or any other combination of your totally different but equally fabulous tastes, your shared playlist will be the perfect musical expression of your unique connection. It’s also a great way to streamline your choices and figure out the perfect combination of songs for your special moments on your big day!

“I now pronounce you married – you may kiss your spouse!” 

One of the most iconic moments in any wedding, and the one you’ve been waiting for. This is what the day is about, after all! We’re sure you’re all familiar with the many videos floating around the internet of couples who manage to perfectly time their first kiss as a married couple to the horn blare and opening lyrics of Natalie Cole’s famously celebratory This Will Be (An Everlasting Love). And such a celebratory song is a perfect choice for this moment, sharing your first kiss, your first steps as a married couple, in front of all the people who love you most in this world. 

The recessional song is often one that’s forgotten about, almost an afterthought during your planning. After all, there’s so much focus on the processional, the bride’s entrance, your first dance… it’s almost easy to forget that this song sets the tone for the start of your lives together, as it kicks off the first moments. We here at Around Town LOVE a good recessional song, but we know that it’s also a bit of a niche category – celebratory love songs that make you want to cheer and clap and dance a bit for joy. You’ve chosen us for your big day and we know that’s no accident – our award-winning live bands are the best around at bringing the party, elevating the mood, and making sure the music matches the level of joy you and your guests are feeling! 

Trusting us to bring the party of course doesn’t solve what might be your biggest question at this point: what song should you choose?? Have no fear, we’re here to help on that front, too! Below are just a few of our favorites for the happiest moment of your day. 

This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole 

…if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! This one’s a classic and a famous choice for this moment for a reason – the lyrics perfectly encapsulate what’s happening in the moment, the music is nothing but joyous and energetic, and we know part of the reason we all love the song so much is because of its feature in as the closing/credits song in the 1998 Lindsay Lohan classic ‘The Parent Trap.’ Yup, for those who don’t remember, this is the song the film plays as Nick and Elizabeth get married (again) and the 4 begin their lives as a family. Whether conscious or subconscious, we know these feel-good vibes are quickly associated with this song! 

You Make My Dreams (Come True) by Hall & Oates 

This one is just an eternally fun bop. Once again, it has lyrics that suit the moment beautifully, the intro guitar vamp feels anticipatory (ready for that first kiss everyone?), and the song is the perfect tempo to dance/walk out to. And while Hall & Oates’ partnership didn’t survive the test of time, we’re sure yours will, so don’t let that deter you from using the song! It also has the advantage of being a total classic, so no matter the age of your guests, we know they’ll know this one and be feeling the celebratory vibes right along with you! 

Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) by Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is kind of the king of the celebratory love song – which makes him an absolute hit at weddings. Again, this song is a classic; well-known, well-loved, and immediately recognizable, which means you and your guests will be feeling the joyous vibes from the moment the intro starts. Nothing risky about this one – just guaranteed good vibes! 

Anything Can Happen by Ellie Goulding

Believe it or not, this is another song that’s from an iconic pop culture moment that left fans everywhere cheering for the success of true love. Remember the elevator moment in New Girl when Nick and Jess finally get together? Yup, this song was the one playing under that moment. We’re positive that the anticipatory build of this song and its triumphant chorus will leave you and your guests feeling that same fist-pumping joy every New Girl fan felt when our favorite “will they, won’t they” couple finally said “we will” (the first time)! 

All You Need is Love by The Beatles 

Does it get any more classic? Simple, straightforward, catchy, well-known, well-loved, this song nails the point home like no other. It has the added bonus of once again showing up in an iconic pop culture touchstone – Love, Actually! We’re sure many of you will remember the charming surprise pulled off at the wedding early in the film where the best man surprises the bride & groom with a hidden choir & instrumentalists to serenade them with this song as they begin their journey back up the aisle as husband and wife – and we’re sure that this song will evoke the same joy for you and your guests! 

Of course, the most important part is making sure that your recessional song speaks to you and your now-spouse! A song is never the wrong choice if it’s meaningful to the two of you and perfectly encapsulates your relationship and connection. We’re just there to make sure it’s everything you always knew it would be.