The 80s were truly the golden years of romance, with the music of the era among some of the most memorable and popular of all time!

The lyrics, mood, and groove of 80s ballads made the decade simply epic, and to this very day, 80s love songs are popular choices when collating a wedding music playlist!

Whether you’re looking for songs for the first dance, upbeat dances, a few slow dances, or all the wonderful dances in between, we’ve got it covered! 

“Your Song” – Elton John

An absolute classic, this is the perfect 80s love song for an intimate slow dance.

Elton John croons the beautiful lyrics:

“And you can tell everybody

This is your song

It may be quite simple, but now that it’s done

I hope you don’t mind

I hope you don’t mind

That I put down in the words

How wonderful life is while you’re in the world”

“How Deep Is Your Love” – The Bee Gees

One of the most popular songs of the era, this masterpiece was an instant hit from the day it was released, and you bet it still resonates today!

Honestly, who can resist these familiar words:

“I believe in you

You know the door to my very soul

You’re the light in my deepest, darkest hour

You’re my savior when I fall

And you may not think I care for you

When you know down inside that I really do

And it’s me you need to show

How deep is your love?”

“Greatest Love of All” – Whitney Houston 

Whitney Houston sang every word from the depths of her soul and this song was certainly no exception!

“Because the greatest love of all

Is happening to me

I found the greatest love of all

Inside of me

The greatest love of all

Is easy to achieve

Learning to love yourself

It is the greatest love of all”

“Arthur’s Theme (Best that You Can Do)” – Christopher Cross

This is a lighthearted song, and it would be especially meaningful for New Yorkers. It’s also a lovely reminder that…

“The best that you can do

The best that you can do

The best that you can do is fall in love”.

“The Way You Make Me Feel” – Michael Jackson 

An 80s songs list just wouldn’t be complete without Michael Jackson! This is a dance song to get everyone on their feet but it definitely still retains the romance!

“I never felt so in love before

Just promise baby, you’ll love me forevermore

I swear I’m keepin’ you satisfied

‘Cause you’re the one for me”

“Crazy for You” – Madonna

A heart talking to another heart, this Madonna hit is known as one of the greatest ballads of the 80s, and it’s certainly the perfect song for a first dance of the present day.

“I never wanted anyone like this

It’s all brand new

You’ll feel it in my kiss

I’m crazy for you, crazy for you”

“Stay” – Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs

This song hearkens to all the fun of dating, when spending time together was everything, leaving at the end of the night was inevitable, and staying for a few moments more was a thrill!

“Won’t you place your sweet lips to mine,

Won’t you say you love me all the time”

“Woman” – John Lennon 

John Lennon was famous for singing lyrics that felt like everyday conversations with profound lyrics like these thrown in…

“Hold me close to your heart

However distant, don’t keep us apart

After all, it is written in the stars”

“You’re the Inspiration” – Chicago 

This song is among the most performed songs of all time. Peter Cetera’s words, tunes, and mellow voice says everything a couple could want to convey to each other on their wedding day. 

“You’re the meaning in my life

You’re the inspiration

You bring feeling to my life

You’re the inspiration

Want to have you near me

I want to have you hear me saying

“No one needs you more than I need you”

“Glory of Love” – Peter Cetera 

This song embodies the ultimate meaning of marriage and is more than suitable for the soundtrack to your first dance. 

“I am the man who will fight for your honor

I’ll be the hero you’ve been dreaming of

We’ll live forever

Knowing together

That we did it all for the glory of love”

“Time After Time” – Cyndi Lauper

Known as one of the best love songs of the 80s, Lauper’s hit “Time After Time” has been covered by a host of artists since. No one quite sings it like Cyndi though!

“If you fall I will catch you,

I’ll be waiting

Time after time”

“When a Man Loves a Woman” – Michael Bolton 

Sometimes, the declaration of love is a whisper. Other times, it’s a bold admission at the top of Michael Bolton’s voice! This crowd-pleaser certainly doesn’t hold back…

“When a man loves a woman

Can’t keep his mind on nothin’ else

He’d trade the world

For the good thing he’s found”

“The Time of My Life (From Dirty Dancing)” – Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes

An iconic song choice from an iconic movie, what could be more fitting for a wedding night than this hit?

“Now I’ve had the time of my life

No, I never felt this way before

Yes, I swear, it’s the truth

And I owe it all to you”

“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” – Queen 

Love is sometimes overwhelming, and that’s the truth of it! The strong beats of Queen will rock the night, while their lyrics say what we sometimes hesitate to express…

“This thing called love

I just can’t handle it

This thing called love

I must get ’round to it

I ain’t ready

Crazy little thing called love”

“Never Gonna Give You Up” – Rick Astley 

A love song with a party vibe, this 80s hit has a catchy melody everyone will be singing along to after a few drinks at cocktail hour.

“A full commitment’s what I’m thinking of

You wouldn’t get this from any other guy”

Nothing speaks about marriage and commitment in clearer terms. 

“Never Too Much” – Luther Vandross

The sweet and soulful voice of Luther Vandross defined the 80s. He sings that there are so many ways to love someone, and it’s never too much.

“I can’t fool myself, I don’t want nobody else to ever love me

You are my shinin’ star, my guiding light, my love fantasy

There’s not a minute, hour, day, or night that I don’t love you

You’re at the top of my list ’cause I’m always thinkin’ of you”

“The Best” -Tina Turner 

Every wedding playlist should have a song like this within it. Electric and unforgettable, Tina Turner created the ultimate reception anthem!

“Give me a lifetime of promises and a world of dreams

Speak the language of love like you know what it means”

“Saving All My Love for You” – Whitney Houston 

Another beautiful ballad to add to your wedding music list, this Grammy award-winning hit is perfect for a first dance.

“So I’m saving all my love

Yes, I’m saving all my love

Yes, I’m saving all my love for you”

“Power of Love” – Laura Branigan 

This song has been a favorite slow dance since it was released and few people can resist singing along to the familiar lyrics:

“I hold on to your body

And feel each move you make

Your voice is warm and tender now

A love that I could not forsake”

“Heaven” by Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams’ Heaven is among the perfect selections for the first dance. Every verse is a revelation of never-ending love: 

“There was only you and me

We were young and wild and free

Now nothing can take you away from me”

“More Than Words” – Extreme

It’s amazing how lovers don’t need too many words to understand each other. Quite often, “they already know”.

“Hold me close, don’t ever let me go

More than words is all I ever needed you to show

Then you wouldn’t have to say that you love me

‘Cause I’d already know”

“Up Where We Belong” – Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes

This inspirational song is a powerful reminder of where we should set our sights. The past is gone, and the future is all ours to explore and conquer. It’s such an optimistic song that’s truly fit for a wedding night!

“Some hang on to used to be

Live their lives looking behind

All we have is here and now

All our lives, out there to find”

“Open Arms” -Journey 

“Open Arms” is one of Journey’s greatest hits, and it was an honest attempt to get a relationship back on track. It worked for the band member, and its sincerity works for all of us on this very day.

“So here I am

With open arms

Hoping you’ll see

What your love means to me”

“Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You” – Glenn Madeiros 

Few songs manage to go straight to the soul but Madeiros every promise and admission of love sounds so real. This is the kind of track that puts everyone in the mood for love.

“Nothing’s gonna change my love for you

You ought know by now how much I love you

One thing you can be sure of

I’ll never ask for more than your love”

“No More Lonely Nights” – Paul McCartney 

There’s no love without a bit of apprehension, doubt, or what-ifs. However, McCartney sings that they all dissolve when lovers make the right promises.

“No more lonely nights (Never be another)

No more lonely nights

You’re my guiding light

Day or night I’m always there”

“Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” – Starship 

This song would be great right after the ceremony. Exchanging vows, promises, and a kiss, are all huge moments, so echoe this commitment with these lyrics…

“And we can build this dream together

Standing strong forever

Nothing’s gonna stop us now”

“(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” – Bryan Adams

This is an all-time favorite song that can be played anytime throughout the wedding. Multiple times if you’d like! Who’d ever get tired of hearing these words …

“Look into my eyes – you will see

What you mean to me

Search your heart, search your soul

And when you find me there, you’ll search no more”

“Take on Me” – a-ha

This is a perky song that’ll wake up the crowds. It’s always a nice contrast to all the slow and seriously romantic songs and these lines are just so sweet…

“We’re talking away

I don’t know what

I’m to say I’ll say it anyway”

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” – Whitney Houston 

This too is an upbeat song for an energetic dance! Most people won’t resist repeating the chorus …

“Oh, I wanna dance with somebody

I wanna feel the heat with somebody

Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody

With somebody who loves me”

“True” – Spandau Ballet

Steve Buscemi may have comically sung this hit in The Wedding Singer, but you can’t deny its existence as one of the biggest songs of the 80s!

“Why do I find it hard to write the next line?

I want the truth to be said

I know this much is true”

“Uptown Girl” – Billy Joel 

This is a funny song that Billy Joel sings wonderfully.

If the bride and groom can rehearse a little dance that enacts the lighthearted lyrics, that would really be a memorable sketch!

“She’ll see I’m not so tough

Just because

I’m in love with an uptown girl”

“What I Like About You” – The Romantics

This is a song with a strong beat and energetic vibes, perfect for when you invite everyone onto the floor. A real celebration of good times!

It doesn’t lack some really good lines too.

“Keep on whispering in my ear

Tell me all the things that I wanna hear”

“Kiss” by Prince 

A track like this is a welcome addition to the wedding party playlist! These two lines will be familiar to anyone on the dancefloor:

“You don’t have to be rich to be my girl

You don’t have to be cool to rule my world”

“I Just Called to Say I Love You” – Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder’s best-selling single, this hit topped a record-breaking 19 charts!  An upbeat song that gives all the feels for a wedding reception…

“I just called to say I love you

I just called to say how much I care

I just called to say I love you

And I mean it from the bottom of my heart”

“Say You, Say Me” – Lionel Richie 

Marriage is the ultimate commitment that solidifies togetherness, so here’s Lionel Richie crooning all the different ways this is felt…

“Say you, say me it for always

Oh that’s the way it should be

Say you, say me say it together

Naturally”

“Woman in Love” – Barbra Streisand 

An intense track with deep meaning, these magical Streisand lyrics might just strike the right notes for a slow dance…

“With you eternally mine

In love there is

No measure of time

We planned it all at the start

That you and I

Live in each other’s hearts”