Unique First Dance Songs You Haven’t Thought of Yet

Why Your First Dance Song Matters

The first dance at your wedding is more than just a tradition — it’s a symbolic moment. It captures your love story, your personality as a couple, and sets the emotional tone for the rest of the evening. While classic songs like “At Last” or “Thinking Out Loud” are beautiful, more and more couples are choosing unexpected first dance songs that better reflect who they are.

A unique first dance song doesn’t have to be obscure — it just has to feel authentically you. In this guide, you’ll discover lesser-known gems, surprising genre picks, indie favorites, and even cinematic tracks that will make your first dance stand out.

What Makes a Song “Unique”?

Not every love song qualifies as a first dance-worthy track. And not every unique track will suit every couple. A unique first dance song typically:

• Is not overly played at weddings

• Has lyrics that resonate with your relationship

• Offers a vibe that reflects your style — romantic, playful, nostalgic, or bold

• Creates a memorable moment for both you and your guests

As wedding music curator Angela Morrison explains:

“Choosing a first dance song should feel like putting on your favorite pair of shoes — it just fits. A unique song doesn’t mean obscure. It means personal.”

How to Choose Your Unique First Dance Song

Before we dive into the list, here are some tips for finding your perfect pick:

• Think about your shared memories. Was there a track playing when you first met? Had your first kiss?

• Explore genres you both love — jazz, indie pop, country, alternative, electronic, or even foreign-language songs.

• Don’t be afraid to slow dance to an unexpected song — even rock or hip hop can work with an acoustic version or custom mix.

• Test the lyrics. Some love songs sound romantic but have sad or inappropriate lyrics — always read through the verses.

1. Indie & Alternative First Dance Songs

For couples who value emotional depth and rich storytelling, indie songs can offer poetic lyrics and hauntingly beautiful melodies. These songs are heartfelt and surprising.

1. “Sea of Love” – Cat Power

2. “You and I” – Wilco feat. Feist

3. “The Girl” – City and Colour

4. “Grow Old with Me” – Tom Odell

5. “I Found” – Amber Run

6. “Heartbeats” – José González

7. “Turning Page” – Sleeping at Last

8. “Northern Wind” – City and Colour

9. “We Belong Together” – Vampire Weekend

10. “To Build a Home” – The Cinematic Orchestra

2. Soulful R&B & Neo-Soul Tracks

Want to melt your guests’ hearts and feel every lyric deep in your soul? R&B and neo-soul bring intimacy and smoothness to the dance floor.

1. “Best Part” – Daniel Caesar ft. H.E.R.

2. “Adorn” – Miguel

3. “Forever Mine” – Andra Day

4. “Love You Still” – Tyler Shaw

5. “I Choose You” – Ryann Darling

6. “Come Close” – Common ft. Mary J. Blige

7. “All of Me” (Remix) – John Legend ft. Lindsey Stirling

8. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” – Lauryn Hill (Live Acoustic)

9. “Stay With You” – John Legend

10. “Get You” – Daniel Caesar ft. Kali Uchis

3. Acoustic Covers with a Twist

Covers of popular songs, when stripped down to acoustic or piano versions, can feel fresh and deeply emotional. Perfect for an intimate moment.

1. “Latch” – Sam Smith (Acoustic)

2. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Kina Grannis

3. “Yellow” – Coldplay (Acoustic by Kawehi)

4. “Halo” – Beyoncé (Piano Cover by Jasmine Thompson)

5. “Dancing in the Moonlight” – Toploader (Acoustic by Alex Francis)

6. “Fast Car” – Tracy Chapman (Acoustic cover by Boyce Avenue)

7. “Time After Time” – Iron & Wine

8. “A Thousand Years” – Christina Perri (Violin + Piano Cover by The Piano Guys)

9. “I Will Wait” – Mumford & Sons (Slowed Cover by Vitamin String Quartet)

10. “Chasing Cars” – Snow Patrol (Acoustic by Sleeping At Last)

4. Movie Soundtracks That Feel Magical

From heartfelt ballads to orchestral treasures, soundtracks can create a cinematic moment for your dance.

1. “Come What May” – Moulin Rouge

2. “A Million Dreams” – The Greatest Showman

3. “I See the Light” – Tangled

4. “Rewrite the Stars” – The Greatest Showman

5. “Kiss Me” – Sixpence None the Richer (from “She’s All That”)

6. “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” – Iron & Wine (from “Twilight”)

7. “It’s You” – Ali Gatie (used in multiple romance trailers)

8. “The Ludlows” – Legends of the Fall (Instrumental)

9. “Falling Slowly” – Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová (from “Once”)

10. “Turning Page” – Sleeping at Last (Twilight Breaking Dawn Pt.1)

5. Unexpected Genres: Rock, Country, and Jazz Picks

Want to surprise everyone? These genres are not always first-dance go-tos, but when used right, they’re unforgettable.

1. “Everlong” (Acoustic) – Foo Fighters

2. “I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz

3. “You Are the Best Thing” – Ray LaMontagne

4. “Lucky” – Jason Mraz ft. Colbie Caillat

5. “In Case You Didn’t Know” – Brett Young

6. “Tennessee Whiskey” – Chris Stapleton

7. “Can’t Take That Away” – Mariah Carey (Jazz Arrangement by Scott Bradlee)

8. “What a Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong

9. “Stand by Me” – Ben E. King

10. “L-O-V-E” – Nat King Cole

6. Lesser-Known Foreign Language Songs

For multicultural weddings or couples with international ties, a foreign-language song adds a personal and romantic flair.

1. “La Vie en Rose” – Édith Piaf (French)

2. “Bésame Mucho” – Consuelo Velázquez (Spanish)

3. “Perfecto Para Mí” – Kany García (Spanish)

4. “Ich kenne nichts (das so schön ist wie du)” – Xavier Naidoo (German)

5. “Volare” – Dean Martin (Italian)

6. “Cheek to Cheek” – Ella Fitzgerald (Classic Italian-American)

7. “Je t’aime” – Lara Fabian (French)

8. “Sognami” – Biagio Antonacci (Italian)

9. “Te Amo” – Franco De Vita (Spanish)

10. “La Bohème” – Charles Aznavour (French)

7. Duets That Tell Your Love Story

There’s something powerful about two voices intertwined — just like two lives. These duets make the moment unforgettable.

1. “You Are the Reason” – Calum Scott & Leona Lewis

2. “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” – Meghan Trainor ft. John Legend

3. “Is That Alright?” – Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

4. “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” (Acoustic) – Zayn & Taylor Swift

5. “Love Me Like You Do” – Ellie Goulding & Andrea Bocelli (Remix)

6. “Shallow” – Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

7. “Rewrite the Stars” – Zac Efron & Zendaya

8. “Say Something” – A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera

9. “I Finally Found Someone” – Barbra Streisand & Bryan Adams

10. “The One” – Kodaline

A Few Final Thoughts

Your first dance should be a reflection of who you are as a couple — not a copy-paste of what’s popular. Whether it’s a song you danced to in your kitchen, a track from your favorite movie, or something that makes both of you laugh, lean into authenticity. That’s where the magic lives.