Music, Poems & Quotes | Music

Top Ten Classical First Dance Songs

For your first dance together as husband and wife, choose a song which holds special meaning for you both and with which you are comfortable. Here are some ideas:

‘I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing’ – Aerosmith (Armageddon soundtrack, 1998)

Originally written for Celine Dion, this power ballad is Aerosmith’s most successful single to date. It remains the only song by a rock band to debut at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

‘Show me heaven’ – Maria Mckee (Days of Thunder soundtrack, 1990)

Maria McKee is an American singer-songwriter; this is her most successful song.

‘Is this love?’ – Bob Marley (Kaya, 1978)

One of Marley’s best-loved songs, a music video was also produced for it. It featured a seven-year old Naomi Campbell in her first public appearance.

‘Unchained Melody’ – The Righteous Brothers

Is any wedding complete without this ballad? It was released in 1955 and is one of the most recorded songs of the 20^th century. It was featured in the movie, ‘Ghost’, starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze.

‘Wonderful Tonight’ – Eric Clapton (Slowhand, 1977)

Clapton wrote the song for his wife, model Patty Boyd. She was also the inspiration for his hit, ‘Layla’.

‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ – Elvis Presley (Blue Hawaii soundtrack, 1961)

This single has sold over 1 million copies around the world and has spawned numerous covers, including one by UK reggae-pop band, UB40. It has been featured in several movies, including ‘Blue Hawaii’ (starring Presley), ‘Coyote Ugly’ and ‘Lilo and Stitch’.

‘Unforgettable’ – Nat King Cole (1951)

This beautiful song is considered Nat’s signature tune. In 1991, it was engineered to feature his daughter, Natalie, and this version won three Grammy Awards in 1992.

‘Angels’ – Sarah McLachlan (Surfacing, 1997)

Says McLachlan, she wrote this song for Smashing Pumpkin’s keyboard player, Jonathan Melvoin, who overdosed on heroin in 1996.

‘Try a Little Tenderness’ – The Commitments Soundtrack, 1991

The Commitments was voted best Irish film of all time in 2005. It tells the story of a group of unemployed Dubliners who form a soul band. It features this love song, originally recorded by Bing Cosby in 1933. It has been covered by, amongst others, Frank Sinatra and Rod Stewart.

And for a quirky, tongue-and-cheek twist, try…

‘Fairytale of New York’ – The Pogues (1987)

The Pogues are an Anglo-Irish folk-rock group and this song is described as an Irish folk-style ballad. It featured in the 2007 film, ‘PS I Love You’.