From Frank Sinatra to Wiz Khalifa, Entertainment Nation have shared plenty of options from some amazing artists to keep your guests boogying until the very end of your special day... Just thinking about some of these songs makes us want to get up and have a little dance!
It's easy to fixate on the songs that will get guests on the dance-floor initially, but don't forget that you'll want to keep them there by the time midnight strikes. A heaving dance-floor complete with a chorus of boisterous voices is an amazing way to end your wedding reception, but how to maintain the energy in spite of sore feet and aching limbs? Fret no further - we've got you covered with a list of end-of-night classics destined for success.
1. All You Need is Love - The Beatles
An essential Beatles track, the sentiment of the title fits a wedding reception to perfection. With gentle verses (ideal for swaying arm-over-arm) and an infectiously upbeat chorus, guests won't be able to resist chanting along. The Beatles’ own attitude to the song neatly fits our purposes, with producer George Martin saying that it was a case of the guys wanting 'to freak out at the end, and just go mad'.
2. Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis
There's nothing like the lyric 'so Sally can wait' to get everyone shouting at the top of their voices. The rock belter placed number one on NME's list of the world's '50 Most Explosive Choruses', and was recently voted the fourth most popular single to reach number-one in the last 60 years. Put shortly, you're probably onto a winner with 'Don't Look Back In Anger'.
3. New York, New York - Frank Sinatra
Add some old Hollywood glamour to your reception with this jazz classic. There aren't many songs with a better chance of gathering the generations together in one long chorus line, kicking in unison (or thereabouts), and singing 'New York, New York' at the top of their lungs.
4. Simply The Best - Tina Turner
Starting out slow but insistent with that unmistakeable baseline, this timeless cover of Bonnie Tyler will raise a cry of 'oh!' and yank any strayers straight back to the dance-floor. A song that grows in power as it progresses, the tune will end the night on a joyous peak.
5. Don't Stop Believing - Journey
Whether you're a bigger fan of the original or of the Glee cast's rendition, you're guaranteed to get guests belting along to this sure-fire hit. All it takes is that piano intro and the classic lyric 'just a small town girl / living in a lonely world', blink, and the floor is full.
6. Never Forget - Take That
A massive 90's hit for Take That, you can rely on this throwback to magnetise guests old and young to the dance-floor. With a chorus perfect for belting en masse, it's another feel-good banger guaranteed to elevate the mood of the room, closing the day's celebrations with an unforgettable bang.
7. Marry You - Bruno Mars
A crowd-winning modern classic, the combination of a bouncy rhythm and romantic lyrics (perfectly on-theme for a wedding) makes for an upbeat, touching way to end the celebrations. Equipped with an infectiously sing-along-able chorus, 'Marry You' is a foolproof way to get the young crowd serenading and the older generations dancing along too (whether familiar or not).
8. Daydream Believer - The Monkees
An even safer choice for uniting the generations on the dance-floor, this cheerful Monkees classic is as popular now as it's ever been. Another dependable track with a chorus made for group sing-alongs, you'll hear 'cheer up sleepy Jean' hummed and whistled for days to come.
9. See You Again - Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
More concerned about keeping the younger guests on the dance-floor? If you're looking for something more modern, chart-topping 'See You Again' is sweeping pop-rap complete with a gentle introduction, sentimental lyrics, and a huge chorus of 'oh woah oh's' made for shouting along to.
10. One Love - Bob Marley
For mellow perfection, nobody does it better than reggae legend Bob Marley. And with a chorus that everybody can sing along to, an easy rhythm for coordinated swaying, and the repeated appeal to 'get[ting] together and feel[ing] alright', it's a brilliant choice to close the night with everybody on the dance-floor.
11. One Day Like This - Elbow
There's no way anyone will be unfamiliar with THAT unmistakeable symphony of violins, and the surging chant of 'throw those curtains wide' will raise everyone's voices to the ceiling. All in all, the platinum record makes for one majestic end to the evening.
12. Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles
For some undeniably catchy jazz/rhythm and blues, nothing does the trick like Ray Charles' 'Hit The Road Jack'. A classic everybody will know the lyrics to, it's won't fail to get guests of all ages jiving. It also acts as a subtle reminder to get the taxis booked if you're warily eyeing uncle Frank on his fifth margarita.
13. My Way - Frank Sinatra
And while we're on the jazz theme, the crooner returns to the list with his crowd-winning classic 'My Way'. With on-theme opening lyrics referring to 'the end' and 'the final curtain', the nostalgic song may build slowly, but it ends with a soul-stirring boom.
14. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole
There aren't many refrains more hard-hitting than Cole's 'THIS will be', nor ecstatic lyrics better fitted for a wedding day's reception. With sassy, high-energy vocals to bring out the soul diva in the most unexpected of guests, it's the ideal song to finish the night on a legendary note.
Fend off the sight of a sadly sparse dance-floor at five to midnight with any of these crowd-winning hits. Have fun, go mad like The Beatles, and remember that there's no better transition into married life than a party that ends on a high!
Fend off the sight of a sadly sparse dance-floor at five to midnight with any of these crowd-winning hits. Have fun, go mad like The Beatles, and remember that there's no better transition into married life than a party that ends on a high!