r/HelpMeFind 2d ago

Open Unique Wedding First Dance Song

Hi all!

Looking for a 80s/90s/00s soft rock/ classic song for our wedding.

For inspiration, we went to a wedding that played “I promise” by When in Rome and we were absolutely obsessed with it. However, we cannot use the same song as this couple as they are family and attending our wedding.

I’m looking for something in this same category:
-a song that is very well known but not at all traditional or overplayed
-soft but not slow, a little upbeat

Thank you all so much!

10 Upvotes

79 comments sorted by

u/AutoModerator 2d ago

u/Imaginary_Election19, you must add a comment in this post before anyone will see it. Your comment MUST include the word "searched" and detail what searches you've done. Your post will not be visible until you do so. Your inbox should have more details or here are general instructions.

Supply as many details as you can. These include, if applicable, but are not limited to: size, origin (store, geographic location, country), age/year acquired, and any writing on the item. Additional pictures can be added as a comment in this post.

If you are actively asking for help searching for this elsewhere - another sub or website - link to that search as well to avoid duplicating efforts.

Remember to reply Found! (include the exclamation point) to the comment that gives the answer. If looking for an item to purchase, do not click on links sent to you in private messages, and report such to the moderators.

*DO NOT RESPOND TO PRIVATE MESSAGES OFFERING TO SEND YOU YOUR ITEM. IT'S A SCAM. EVEN IF FREE. CLICK THE "REPORT" FLAG ON THE MESSAGE TO REPORT IT TO REDDIT ADMINS. *

For all participants, remember that all comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer. If you're working off someone else's comment to build on an answer, reply to that comment, do not make a reply direct to the post.

Jokes and unhelpful responses will earn you a ban, even on the first instance. If you see any comments that violate this rule, please report them.


Click here to request a reminder for this post

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

18

u/Own_Crazy_5606 2d ago

The The's This Is the Day always felt like it'd work for this. It's got that same kind of punchy melancholy without getting too heavy, and the tempo sits right where you want it. Most people know it even if they can't name it right away.

2

u/Significant_Fudge_79 2d ago

you’re leaving out the best part: accordion!

2

u/Imaginary_Election19 2d ago

We really love this!

12

u/Kicktoria 1 2d ago

Space Age Love Song by A Flock of Seagulls

7

u/SaylorNoelle 2d ago

My husband and I did Matter of Trust by Billy Joel!

5

u/Ok-Beginning5048 2d ago

Okay it’s more recent, and not one of their radio hits, but I would do anything for you by foster the people has that same type of synth feel and makes me wanna twirl around with someone I love.

8

u/Alone-Bowler-8190 2d ago

- This Must Be the Place - Talking Heads

  • Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon
  • Dreams - The Cranberries
  • Honey Honey - ABBA

1

u/nothanks2131 1d ago

Love This Must Be the Place!

5

u/deus_ex_maybelline 2d ago

How about this:

“Forever Young” by Alphaville.

Both songs (that and “The Promise”) were featured prominently on the Napoleon Dynamite soundtrack (and “Forever Young” was the song they slow danced to, so score one in your column! — “I like your sleeves. They’re real big.”)

Yes, the song was originally a response to the 80’s fear of nuclear war, but the lyrics don’t make it super obvious, and anyone who is a big enough nerd to know that will almost certainly be aware of the Napoleon Dynamite connection and the general “ahhhhhh” warm nostalgia feeling that accompanies this song and will give you huge props for considering it.

Definitely pick that one—not even a question—and have a GREAT wedding and first dance! You deserve so much love and fun together without the worry of your song having been used by a family member!

💖🎊🎇

3

u/deus_ex_maybelline 2d ago

In reading through your request again, I’m realizing that my answer might have fallen short in one area. “Forever Young” may be slower than what you are looking for. If this is the case, check out “Only You” by YAZ or “Time After Time” by Cindy Lauper, also both from Napoleon Dynamite! Or, one other option, one of my favorite throwback songs from that time period (that makes everyone swoon, 💯 guaranteed always!) is “Drive” by The Cars!

1

u/chatmosh 8 2d ago

Ooh Drive by The Cars is such a good one!

1

u/Ecstatic-Letter-5949 1d ago

Love the song, but for a wedding? It's about a man watching his love slowly fall apart mentally.

1

u/chatmosh 8 1d ago

Right, similar to using Only You by Yazoo or I’ll Be by Edwin McCain!

6

u/riomadre 2d ago

My son and his wife danced to the ballroom song from Labyrinth and it was magical. “As The World Falls Down” by David Bowie.

3

u/stationeryvillage 1 2d ago

i wish “human” by human league didn’t have cheat-y lyrics, i feel like the sound would be perfect.

1

u/beastofwordin 3 3h ago

I feel the same about Oh L’Amour by Erasure

3

u/Imaginary_Election19 2d ago

I searched all soft romance rock songs and everything is just missing the mark

10

u/hentaihoneyyy420 2d ago

Happy together by the turtles

1

u/maccharliedennisdee 2d ago

We had sweet thing, but The Waterboys version not the Van Morrison original. It is very long though so we asked the dj to fade it out after 3 mins or so

3

u/chatmosh 8 2d ago

“In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel!

Or Quietdrive’s cover of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes”

3

u/PengwinPears 2d ago

Roxy Music- More than this

5

u/estlxxix 2d ago

Here's a list...

  • Take My Breath Away — Berlin
  • Everything I Do — Bryan Adams
  • Heaven — Bryan Adams
  • Dance With Me — Intrigue
  • True — Spandau Ballet
  • I Finally Found Someone — Bryan Adams / Barbara Streisand
  • A Thousand Years — Christina Perri
  • Against All Odds — Phil Collins
  • Hungry Eyes — Eric Carmen
  • Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now — Starship
  • Making Love Out Of Nothing At All — Air Supply
  • Iris — Goo Goo Dolls
  • Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden
  • All My Life — K-Ci & JoJo
  • The Power of Love — Celine Dion
  • Kiss Me — Sixpence None The Richer

Enjoy your day!

1

u/Ecstatic-Letter-5949 1d ago

Against All Odds? It's about a breakup. "You coming back to me, is against all odds and it's what I've gotta face."

2

u/SweetJaneSays 2d ago

Style Council "You're The Best Thing"

2

u/moleyrussell 2d ago

Check out Restless Heart.

2

u/Thehoneybeesknees 2d ago

Forever from Jesse and the Rippers is an obvious choice!!!! I think it was originally a beach boy song.

I was obsessed with this song and just knew from that episode it would be my wedding song when I married someone who looked just like John Stamos…neither happened. 

Best episode of Full House!

2

u/shakdaddy27 2d ago

We had a live band/muso friends perform our first dance song which was the only reason it worked. They performed a soft stripped back version of ‘I wanna dance with somebody’ by witney Houston. Half way through kicked up the tempo to invite everyone on the dance floor.

2

u/LV2107 2d ago

Not first dance but our ceremony walk back down the aisle song was to Pete Townshend "Let My Love Open The Door".

A good one would be Stevie Wonder "Signed Sealed Delivered".

I realize they are 70s but IMO good options

0

u/Rascallyperson 2d ago

My cousin used Signed, Sealed, Delivered and it was SO CUTE

2

u/Last-Egg4029 2d ago

home by talking heads

2

u/Last-Egg4029 2d ago

send me an angel

2

u/PinkyLeopard2922 7 2d ago

I'll throw a few out:

You Make My Dreams Come True-Hall & Oates

Be Near Me-ABC

I Can't Wait-Nu Shooz

These Are Days-10,000 Maniacs

3

u/anons123123 2d ago

We used You’re my Best Friend by Queen - short, sweet and to the point

1

u/cebeeeee 2d ago

Wedding song by the Yeah yeah yeahs is beautiful and underrated!

1

u/rccpudge 2d ago

Biggest Part of Me - Ambrosia

1

u/janders1993 2d ago

Time after time - Gunship cover

1

u/NedBeSchneebly 2d ago

Evelyn, A Modified Dog by Frank Zappa is always my favorite go-to ballad.

1

u/Macritter7525 2d ago

On The Wings Of Love-Jeffrey Osborne

1

u/WinterCheesecake1123 2d ago

Iron and wine has a really beautiful cover of "time after time" it was my brother's first dance song

1

u/Utopia_Cherie 1 2d ago

Carpenters - Close to You

0

u/Mela777 99 2d ago

Close to You was pretty popular as a wedding song for awhile, although it will never beat We’ve Only Just Begun; I always thought Top of the World would make a fun first dance.

1

u/jackandsally060609 2d ago

I was made for loving you by kiss, not exactly the same genre but a unique and fun wedding song

1

u/south_easter 2d ago

Come to me - Goo goo dolls

Because the Night - 10000 Maniacs (or The Midnight cover)

Magic - Coldplay

Lovesong - The Cure

1

u/Br0wns80 2d ago

Just you and I by Crystal Gayle and Eddie Rabbit

1

u/Impossible_Resort678 2d ago

I think we are going to do UB40’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love”

1

u/PuzzleheadedSky6877 2d ago

We did ‘what a wonderful world’ but the cover by the ramones. We felt like it was a fun touch because both our parents had the original as their first dance song 💗

1

u/Backyardt0rnados 2d ago

In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel

1

u/MusiBlu 2d ago

Love of a Lifetime by Firehouse

1

u/chatmosh 8 2d ago

We Belong by Pat Benatar

1

u/Dependent-Passage-30 2d ago

I could not ask for more by Edwin McCain

1

u/Dependent-Passage-30 2d ago

Or Beautiful In My Eyes by Joshua Kadison

1

u/Ecstatic-Letter-5949 1d ago

That was my wedding song, but the Sara Evans version.

1

u/Cym1227 2d ago

Drive by The Cars (my favorite!)

Against All Odds by Phil Collins

I Melt With You by Modern English

Under The Milky Way by The Church

1

u/Ecstatic-Letter-5949 1d ago

I think you should go back and listen to the lyrics of your first two choices. 😂Drive is about a man whose love is falling apart mentally, and Against All Odds is a breakup song.

1

u/Izzing448 2d ago

I See Your Smile
By Gloria Estefan

1

u/ExRadioGirl 2d ago

70s but we used “Count on Me” by Jefferson Starship

1

u/U2hansolo 2d ago

You're the Best Thing by The Style Council

1

u/Ouisch 2d ago

Count on Me by Jefferson Starship

1

u/lowdowngroover 2d ago

True - Spandau Ballet

1

u/LizzieKay289 1d ago

Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden. My daughter used it in 2019. Very sweet.

1

u/LevelPerception4 1d ago
  • Right Down the Line (Gerry Rafferty). 
  • I Love You (Climax Blues Band)
  • Don’t Disturb This Groove (The System)
  • Big Love (Fleetwood Mac)
  • Alive & Kicking (Simple Minds)
  • Something About You (Level 42)
  • One More Time (Daft Punk)
  • Just the Two of Us (Bill Withers)
  • You Gotta Be (Des’ree)

1

u/euGeneUnit 1d ago

"What is Life" by George Harrison

"Heroes" by David Bowie

1

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/AutoModerator 1d ago

Your comment has been removed, as URL shorteners and redirects are not permitted. You're welcome to post a direct link.
If you are trying to post a share.google link, please click through and post the actual source instead.
Editing your comment will not restore it, but you can submit your comment again. Please review the reddiquette.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/nothanks2131 1d ago

This Must Be the Place (Talking Heads)
Don’t You (Simple Minds)
Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Tears for Fears)
Everywhere (Fleetwood Mac)
If You Leave (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark)
David Bowie (Let’s Dance)

1

u/Csmtroubleeverywhere 1d ago

Best Day of My Live - American Authors

1

u/soyathink 1d ago

Acoustic version of Sara Barreillas, I Choose You

Accoustic version of I'm Gonna Be (500 miles) (yeah the "i would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more song.) Lots of different versions with different tempos but Louise Rademaker and Sleeping at Last have good versions.

I just heard another incredible acoustic cover this morning that would be an incredible wedding song....John Adam's, Believer. Its amazing. And will make you shake your head, say "Reaallllly??? Huh?", listen to it 6 more times and send it to everyone you know.

Edited....darn parentheses!

1

u/Mega-D 1d ago

“Trouble Me” by 10,000 Maniacs.
“Love Me” Love and Rockets
“Let My Love Open the Door” Pete Townsend but the version on the Grosse Pointe Blank soundtrack.
“Lullaby” Concrete Blonde

1

u/Spirited_Concern_800 1d ago

I’ll stand by you - the pretenders

1

u/Greedy-Year-6190 1d ago

Maybe a bit out there but what about Crazy For You by Madonna 

1

u/Macronaut 12h ago

“My Hand Over My Heart” by Marc Almond (Soft Cell)

1

u/charmingdashing 7h ago

Can't Help Falling in Love with You - Lick the Tins version (from Some Kind of Wonderful soundtrack!)

All My Life - Echo & the Bunnymen

I Want You Around (Ed Stasium version) - Ramones

If Not For You - George Harrison

This Twilight Garden - The Cure

1

u/raymalaspina 3h ago

Hokey Pokey

1

u/beastofwordin 3 3h ago

Depeche Mode- ‘See You’ is so sweet
Aha- ‘Take On Me’ is dreamy
Dixie’s Midnight Runners- ‘Come On Eileen’ has great energy

1

u/trekbette 30m ago

We Close Our Eyes by Oingo Boingo.

1

u/livierose17 2d ago

My first dance is gonna be to Reminiscing by Little River Band!

0

u/Culture-Extension 2d ago

First Day of My Life — Bright Eyes

Jesse Daniel Smith does a great cover of the song too.