When you hire a DJ, they’ll need to know all your choices for ceremony music, entrance songs, and first dances. But they’ll also need to know what you want to hear on that dance floor once the party starts. 

At Maryland’s DJ, we’ll ask you to share your “do not play” list and your “maybe” playlist, depending on crowd responses. We’ll also ask for your “Must play” wedding songs for the evening. These can be whatever you like — but we have some suggestions! 

Here are 20 of our choices for must-play wedding songs that we think you should consider. 

1. Crazy in Love by Beyonce

So there won’t be any originality points for playing this tune...but is it even a wedding if we don’t hear it?

2. Brick House by The Commodores

Would you believe that songwriter William King’s wife, Shirley Hanna-King was the one who wrote this song? She adapted the phrase “built like a brick s***house” to “she’s a brick house” for the chorus. Thanks Shirley! Your phrasing is much more flattering to the ladies.

3. You Make My Dreams by Hall & Oates

The moment that synth riff starts, everyone is going to get pumped. This feel-good jam is a favorite, whether people know it from their teenage years or from seeing The Wedding Singer one too many times.

4. All You Need is Love by The Beatles

This is what the day is all about, right? No one better than The Beatles to remind us all that after the dinner and the drinks and the dancing, All You Need is Love.

5. The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson

There are a lot of Michael Jackson tunes that could make this list. Beat It, Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal...but The Way You Make Me Feel should definitely have a spot on the playlist, no matter what!  

6. Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours by Stevie Wonder

As a YouTube commenter once said, “This song can make a pair of empty shoes start dancing.” 

7. All I Do is Win by DJ Khaled

Not sweet. Not romantic. Not wedding-y in any way. But it’s one heck of a hype song.

8. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper

Bride, bridesmaids, sisters, cousins, nieces, aunts, moms, and grandmas will all hit the dance floor for this song that’s as joyful now as it was in 1983. 

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9. Just One Look by Doris Troy

This must-play wedding song will let people slow down a bit and take a breather. There’s a Linda Ronstadt version that’s great too.

10. Adore You by Harry Styles

This former boy bander has become so much fun to watch as he explores his solo career. This particular song has a bit of 70s funk mixed with modern pop that makes it super danceable. 

11. Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen

The slow dramatic beginning of this classic makes way to an almost manic pace that will get people moving.

12. Old Time Rock & Roll by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band

Proof that every generation hates the music of the next generation. Oh well!

Call me a relic, call me what you will

Say I'm old-fashioned, say I'm over the hill

Today' music ain't got the same soul

I like that old time rock 'n' roll

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13. Sucker by the Jonas Brothers

This song probably won’t be well-known by all, but it won’t matter. Once that clapping before the chorus starts, everyone will get into it. If you haven’t seen the video, check it out. 

14. Twist and Shout by The Beatles

Fun fact: Twist and Shout was the last track recorded on The Beatles first album, Please Please Me. The band had been recording for 13 hours, and by the end Lennon’s voice was shot. That’s why he sounds so hoarse and gravelly — he had no voice left! They recorded the song in one take and the result was legendary.

15. You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC

I don’t want to get all “kids today” on you, but this song has crushed for the past 35 years. I gotta ask — how many songs that come out this year are still going to rock in 2055?

16. Footloose by Kenny Loggins

We haven’t proven this conclusively, but we have a strong suspicion that it’s physically possible not to dance to this 80s hit. Long live Loggins.

17. Respect by Aretha Franklin

It’s never a bad idea for the newly married couple to remind each other of what they deserve — a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

18. I Love It by Icona Pop feat. Charli XCX

This dance hit was everywhere in 2013, but since it’s fallen off the airwaves. Play it at your wedding for a dose of last-decade girl power.

19. Kiss by Prince

This must-play wedding song is just sexy enough for a raucous dance floor without being too explicit for grandma. Only Prince could pull that off!

20. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole

This wonderful song sounds like the end to every rom-com ever — upbeat, positive, and final. Roll credits!

Want to talk to us about your wedding playlist? We’d love to hear from you!