32 Unique Wedding Songs That Aren’t Played to Death

I don’t blame Etta James. Really, I don’t. It’s not her fault that she created one of the most amazingly beautiful wedding songs that was so romantic hundreds of thousands of brides chose it as their first dance song. And let me make this clear: Just because it’s popular doesn’t me you SHOULDN’T use it as your wedding song. If you love the music and lyrics (and who doesn’t) then you should absolutely consider it for your wedding song. However, if you’re looking for a potential wedding song that is a little more under-the-radar, I’ve come up with a list of what I consider to be underrated songs that could be perfect for your first dance.

Be warned, however, that this list does not include any recent Top 10, 20, or even 100 hits. A lot of these songs are from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, with a handful from the 2000s and early 2010s. That’s not to say there aren’t any great underrated wedding songs from the past few years. It’s just that these are the wedding songs that constantly take up rotation on my playlist, so I keep coming back to them every time I update this list.

1. I’ll Try Anything Once by The Strokes

This version of the song was an early demo of “You Only Live Once” from the Strokes third album, First Impressions of Earth. It’s completely different from the album version, and features Nick Valensi playing keyboards with Julian Casablancas singing the lyrics softly. I think the result is gorgeous, and would work great as a unique first dance song that most people probably haven’t heard yet.

2. Sweet Thing by Van Morrison

You’ll soon discover that there are two Van Morrison songs on this list (that also happen to be my two favorite. Period.). This 1968 song appeared on Morrison’s second album, Astral Weeks, and I could probably argue with you that it’s the most romantic song ever made.

3. Harvest Moon by Neil Young

I like Neil Young, but I’m not a die-hard fan. However, this song really, really, makes me want to be one. Every time this song comes on I sit and sulk that we can’t dance to it at home when we’re 95 and tell our great-great- grandkids about how this was our wedding song. Sigh.

WGM Says: Once you’ve picked your wedding song, check the other big items off your list with our wedding planning checklist.

4. A Case of You by Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell’s Blue came out in 1971 and is, in my mind, the gold standard for singer-songwriter albums. “A Case of You” has one of the great love-as-devotion lines in popular music (“I could drink a case of you and I would still be on my feet”) and would be gorgeous as a processional or for a parent dance.

5. Northern Sky by Nick Drake

Nick Drake songs are usually too melancholy for a wedding, but “Northern Sky” is the exception. It’s from 1970’s Bryter Layter and features John Cale on piano, which gives it that swelling, almost-orchestral feel. “I never felt magic crazy as this” should probably be the chorus of every first dance song ever written.

6. California Stars by Billy Bragg and Wilco

If you’re not big into slow-dancing, this song has pretty much the perfect rhythm for just swaying back and forth. Which if I’m being honest is my go-to dance move when I’m not embarrassing myself trying to pretend like I can do more.

7. Our Way to Fall by Yo La Tengo

This is the gentlest song Yo La Tengo ever wrote, and it’s about meeting someone for the first time and tracing back the small accidents that brought you together. The tempo is perfect for swaying. Music-nerd guests will recognize it from one of the most-loved episodes of Six Feet Under.

8. Wonderwall by Ryan Adams

Can we talk about how this version is even better than the original? And don’t get mad at me because Noel Gallagher said the same thing.

9. Sea of Love by Cat Power

I had my bridesmaids walk down the aisle to this song, though I think it could work equally as well for a first dance song. It’s slow and sweet and Cat Power is unique enough that your music nerd friends will love it and your parents will reminisce about the original version by Phil Phillips.

10. Say Yes by Elliott Smith

This one is so quiet you might miss it the first time, but it’s a love song in its purest form. It’s from 1997, on his album Either/Or. Some couples worry it’s too sad because it’s Elliott Smith, but the lyrics are actually about the morning AFTER finally getting it right with someone, which is about as wedding-appropriate as a song can get.

11. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths

The Smiths and Morrissey are huge in our household, which is why I’m surprised this song didn’t end up as our first dance song. (The winner is below). In my opinion it’s one of the most romantic Smiths/Morrissey songs out there that doesn’t have “Fatty” in the title. 🙂

12. Pictures of You by The Cure

Most weddings default to “Friday I’m in Love,” which is fine, but “Pictures of You” is the most genuinely romantic Cure song. It’s from 1989’s Disintegration, it runs almost seven minutes (talk to your DJ about a trim), and Robert Smith wrote it after going through old photos of his wife after a fire at their house. Have I ever heard it played at a wedding? Not once.

13. Luna by The Smashing Pumpkins

Everytime I hear this song I’m instantly transported back to high school and all those serious adolescent heartaches…which means it’s probably achingly perfect as a first dance song. It’s also not as dated as some other songs from that time period, which means you can play it without anybody giving your the side eye. (Hello, Cranberries).

SEE MORE: 58 of the Best Wedding Songs EVER 

14. All I Want Is You by U2

I don’t automatically think of U2 when I think of wedding songs, but this one really is great. And unless you’ve been watching Reality Bites on Netflix as much as I have, there’s a good chance most people haven’t heard it in awhile.

15. Into the Mystic by Van Morrison

I realllllllly wanted to make this our first dance song. It’s on my Top 5 Favorite Songs Ever list, but my now-husband wasn’t a fan of some of the lyrics. And to each their own. I turned down several songs he loved because I just wasn’t feeling them. It’s all about compromise, right?

16. Thirteen by Big Star

Big Star is the 70s power-pop band most beloved by every band that came after them. “Thirteen” (1972, from #1 Record) is sweet, hopeful, and almost shockingly tender for a band of teenage boys. Elliott Smith covered it later, which is about the highest possible compliment in this corner of music.

17. Never Tear Us Apart by INXS

This was our wedding song! We went back and forth on a first dance song we loved, and this ended up being one we both really liked. (It was also one of the only songs we could remember playing on the jukebox on one of our first dates.) While it might be slightly more played than a couple others on this list, I still consider it an underrated wedding song.

18. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel

Hipsters rejoice! Neutral Milk Hotel is one of those bands that’s popular but not TOO popular. That means if you use this as your first dance song you’ll still have some cred with the pickiest of friends. (Though Grandma might wonder who the hell is singing.)

19. The Book of Love by The Magnetic Fields

Stephin Merritt’s original from the 1999 69 Love Songs triple album, before Peter Gabriel covered it. “The book of love is long and boring” might be the most accidentally poetic vow ever written, and the song works equally well for the ceremony, the first dance, or as background music while guests are getting seated.

20. Heroes by David Bowie

If I were to pick the best, most unique song on this list, it would have to be this one (I told you these weren’t in order). It’s a passionate, awesome song that I’ve heard zero people play as a first dance song. (Though if this was your song let us know!). Plus, Bowie never goes out of style.

21. Lucky Man by The Verve

My husband danced to this song with his step-mom, and it really was/is a great song. It’s one of those songs you never think about until it comes on and then you’re like “I love this song!!!”

22. Follow You, Follow Me by Genesis

Genesis’s first big mainstream hit, from 1978’s And Then There Were Three…. It’s the moment they pivoted from prog rock to actual radio songs, and the result is a sweeping, sincere love song with a Tony Banks keyboard intro that sets up that swoony chorus. Your parents will recognize it from the radio, your music-nerd friends will be quietly impressed, and Phil Collins’s voice on this one is as soft as it ever got.

23. Holocene by Bon Iver

I think this song is heartbreakingly beautiful. It’s a little long so I would talk to your DJ about trimming it SLIGHTLY if you go with it as a first dance song. Otherwise, it’s sweet and romantic and downright cinematic.

24. Myth by Beach House

If your wedding’s emotional register is more “cinematic and dreamy” than “classic romantic,” Beach House is your band. “Myth” opens their 2012 album Bloom and has all the slow-build atmosphere of a really good first dance song. Plays especially well during golden hour.

25. Slow Show by The National

Matt Berninger sings “I dreamed about you for 29 years before I saw you” on this song and somehow it’s not corny when he says it. It’s from 2007’s Boxer and would be a tear-jerker first dance for couples who waited a long time to find each other.

26. Where to Begin by My Morning Jacket

This was an original song written for the Cameron Crowe movie, Elizabethtown, which makes it a bit more under-the-radar and unique (even if you’re not a fan of the movie). It still, however, has that gorgeous tone My Morning Jacket is known for, which means it’s a great choice for a first dance song.

27. Naked As We Came by Iron & Wine

This is the rare Iron & Wine song that’s about loving someone and being loved back, instead of love coming apart. It’s quiet, fingerpicked, and runs just under three minutes, which is the platonic ideal of a first dance song length.

28. Little Trip to Heaven by Tom Waits

If you’re a fan of Tom Waits, this 1973 song from his album Closing Time should definitely be a top-contender for you.

29. That’s How Strong My Love Is by Otis Redding

If you want soul on this list (and you should), Otis is the move. “That’s How Strong My Love Is” is from 1965 and somehow hasn’t been beaten into the ground at weddings the way “These Arms of Mine” has. Slow, sincere, and your grandparents will love it as much as your friends.

30. By Your Side by Sade

Sade’s “By Your Side” is criminally underused at weddings. It’s from her 2000 album Lovers Rock, it’s smooth and slow, and the lyric “when you fall on hard times and you can’t get your worth, that’s when I’ll come around” is essentially a marriage vow disguised as a love song. Cocktail hour, first dance, anywhere it lands.

31. Fade Into You by Mazzy Star

So the next two almost didn’t make the list because they were deemed “too girly” by some male folk I know. (Husband, included). I still love these songs, though, and they’re not really played to death at weddings which means they’re perfect for this list. My teenage self is really happy with me right now, BTW.

32. Wild Horses cover by The Sundays

The only downside to this song? It will FOREVER make me think of that scene on the rollercoaster with Reese Witherspoon and Mark Wahlberg in Fear. It’s still beautiful, though, Marky Mark be damned!

Looking for more musical inspiration? Check out my recent suggestions for best wedding music. Plus, keep in mind that several of these songs above can be used for other parts of your wedding. They can be used for your parent dances (just keep the lyrics in mind) as well as your processional, recessional, or wedding entrance!

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