A true superstar, Elton John has sustained a successful career in the notoriously fickle music industry for over 50 years.
Known for both his music and showmanship, John has won five Grammys and two academy awards. With hits like “Candle in the Wind” and “Something About the Way You Look Tonight” Elton John is known worldwide for his epic, stirring songs.
It also doesn’t hurt that he partnered with Disney to write the music for The Lion King soundtrack!
For an epic and inspired wedding playlist, you’ll want to consider adding some of Elton John’s powerful and moving ballads. Give this list a read to see some of our favorite Elton John wedding songs.
“Something About the Way You Look Tonight”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“I need to tell you/How you light up every second of the day/But in the moonlight/You just shine like a beacon on the bay/And I can’t explain/But it’s something about the way you look tonight/Takes my breath away/It’s that feeling I get about you, deep inside.”
Released in 1997, Elton John was already two decades into his career when “Something About the Way You Look Tonight” came out. The song proved to be a smash hit and has been entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the best-selling singles of all time!
“Something About the Way You Look Tonight” is a grand piano ballad with an epic feel that will elevate your musical choices. This timeless song could easily serve double duty for a first dance or bridal march. You’ll definitely want to consider it for your wedding playlist.
“Your Song”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“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.”
Inducted into the Grammy hall of fame in 1989, “Your Song” is one of the most popular and successful love songs of all time. A departure from Elton John’s usual style, “Your Song” is earnest and sweet with simple yet affecting lyrics.
The piano is masterfully played, accompanying John’s emotional and stirring vocals. I have to admit to getting just a bit teary-eyed during the chorus when I listen to this song, and I guarantee your guests will too if you choose this ballad for your first dance.
“Can You Feel the Love”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“And can you feel the love tonight/How it’s laid to rest?/It’s enough to make kings and vagabonds/Believe the very best/There’s a time for everyone/If they only learn/That the twisting kaleidoscope/Moves us all in turn.”
Written and composed for Disney’s The Lion King, Elton John won a Grammy award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for this song, and it’s easy to see why. The musical stylings and John’s vocals sweep you away with epic lyrics and a majestic piano arrangement.
If you choose this song for your first dance, you need only sway back and forth gazing into one another’s eyes while this powerful ballad blows your family and friends away.
“I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“And I guess that’s why they call it the blues/Time on my hands should be time spent with you/Laughing like children, living like lovers/Rolling like thunder under the covers/And I guess that’s why they call it the blues.”
A story of love persevering through the most daunting challenges will always be popular; we want to believe that love can triumph overall.
This bluesy ballad was initially released with a music video about a young newlywed couple in the 1950s that become separated when he is forced to join the military.
Despite their unhappy circumstances, the lovers persevere; “I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues” tells their story.
The lyrics of this song are uplifting, and the emotion with which John sings them invokes a deep longing even as it comforts. Meanwhile, Stevie Wonder’s harmonica grounds the piece in a sort of earthy romance.
This romantic and sultry ballad is a must for your wedding playlist.
“Cold Heart”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“And I think it’s gonna be a long, long time/’Til touchdown brings me ’round again to find/I’m not the man they think I am at home/Oh no, no, no/And this is what I should have said/Well, I thought it, but I kept it hid/Cold, cold heart.”
For a more modern dance song, we can’t recommend the “Cold Heart” remix enough. This collaboration with Dua Lipa cleverly samples several of John’s past hits like “Rocket Man” and “Sacrifice” and sets them to an electronic disco tune.
Guaranteed to get friends and family on the dance floor, this song will appeal to younger guests who might not know John’s music.
“Crocodile Rock”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“I remember when rock was young/Me and Suzie had so much fun/Holding hands and skimming stones/Had an old gold Chevy and a place of my own.”
Upbeat and a little wistful, “Crocodile Rock” is an energetic dance song that friends and family of all ages will have fun dancing to.
A bit of a departure from the ballads dominating this list “Crocodile Rock” was a best-selling single in the US and certified gold in 1973.
Though a bit nostalgic for the early 1970s, the cheerful, spirited nature of this song about youth and independence will appeal to all generations. It’s a must-have for your playlist as we reminisce on what it meant to be young and carefree.
“True Love”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“Suntanned, windblown/Honeymooners at last alone/Feeling far above par/Oh, how lucky we are/While I give to you and you give to me/True love, true love/While I give to you and you give to me/True love, true love/So on and on it will always be/True love, true love.”
This timeless ballad, sung as a duet with Kiki Dee, would be another excellent option for your first dance.
With a vintage 90s sound and wonderfully romantic lyrics that expound on what it means to be in love, “True Love” conjures breathtaking romantic imagery. You won’t regret putting this one on your wedding playlist.
“The One”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“I saw you dancin’ out the ocean/Running fast along the sand/A spirit born of earth and water/Fire flying from your hands/In the instant that you love someone/In the second that the hammer hits/Reality runs up your spine/And the pieces finally fit/And all I ever needed was the one.”
One of John’s greatest hits from the 1990s, you should consider this emotional ballad for your first dance.
Like much of John’s music, “The One” is grand and uplifting with epic lyrics that evoke beauty and freedom as John’s piano swells and soars throughout.
“The Circle of Life”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“It’s the wheel of fortune/It’s the leap of faith/It’s the band of hope/Till we find our place/On the path unwinding/In the circle, the circle of life/Some of us fall by the wayside/And some of us soar to the stars/And some of us sail through our troubles.”
While not exactly a typical love ballad, this classic can’t help but resonate with all of us. “The Circle of Life” is a joyful and uplifting song.
Like many of the songs from Elton John’s discography, the music and lyrics have a grand elevated style that speaks to some of the deeper truths of life.
If you’re an Elton John fan, this song is an absolute must for your wedding playlist.
“Love Song”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“Love is the opening door/Love is what we came here for/No one could offer you more/Do you know what I mean/Have your eyes really seen?”
A departure from John’s typical majestic and elevated style, “Love Song” is an understated, folksy guitar ballad. The lyrics are tender, simple, and from the heart.
One of his lesser-known ballads, for Elton John fans, this song could be the perfect way to round out your wedding playlist.
