šµ 1980s Pop Wedding Songs
Relive the magic of 80s Pop with the perfect songs for every moment of your reception, from cocktail hour to the last dance!
The 1980s produced some of the most iconic and unforgettable tunes, and when it comes to weddings, many of these hits continue to add magic to the celebration. Whether you're kicking off the evening with cocktail hour tunes, dancing the night away with your loved ones, or winding down with a romantic last dance, the songs from this decade offer the perfect soundtrack.
This curated list will take you through the best 1980s wedding songs for each moment, from the reception start to the final goodbyes. So, get ready to step back in time and relive the hits that made the '80s unforgettable!
Table of Contents
Reception Start & Cocktail songs
Dinner Music
First Dance & Slow Dance Songs
Party hits
Closing songs
Spotify Playlist - 51 songs!
One condition to this list. Every song must have been released in the 1980s. Nothing from the 1970s and 1990s!
Check out the previously published 1980s Disco & Post-Disco, 1980s Country, 1980s R&B, 1980s Rock, and 1980s New Wave.
1980s Pop Wedding Songs
Reception Start & Cocktail songs
Don't Worry, Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin
1988 - The song made history as the first a cappella song to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Every sound (vocals, percussion, bass) is made using McFerrin's voice and body.
Girl You Know It's True - Milli Vanilli
1989 - The track was originally recorded by a Baltimore-based group called Numarx, who wrote and performed it in a more hip-hop style. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 (lip-synced).
Kiss on My List - Daryl Hall & John Oates
1980 - The song hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their second #1 single. It got regular rotation during MTVās early days.
Morning Train (Nine to Five) - Sheena Easton
1981 - In the UK, the song was released as "9 to 5", but when it came to the U.S., the title was changed to "Morning Train (Nine to Five)" to avoid confusion with Dolly Partonās hit "9 to 5ā. The song hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Red Red Wine - UB40
1983 - "Red Red Wine" was written and originally recorded by Neil Diamond in 1967. The song only peaked at #34 in 1984. But thanks to a performance at a 1988 concert with heavy radio play, it was re-released and hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988!
Reggae Night - Jimmy Cliff
1983 - The song was co-written by La Toya Jackson (Michaelās sister) and Amir Bayyan of Kool & the Gang. The lyrics describe a night of dancing and good vibes.
The Best - Tina Turner
1989 - The song was first released by Bonnie Tyler. "The Best" has been featured in countless TV shows, commercials, and movies, including Schittās Creek. It peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The Way You Make Me Feel ā Michael Jackson
1987 - The song hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it was Michaelās seventh #1 single as a solo artist. It was his third release from the āBadā album following āI Just Canāt Stop Loving Youā and āBadā.
Valerie - Steve Winwood
1982 - The first production did not chart very well. So, the song was remixed and re-released in 1987 and peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Waiting For A Star To Fall - Boy Meets Girl
1988 - Boy Meets Girl is a husband-and-wife duo: George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam. The song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was first offered to Whitney Houston, whom theyāve written hits for, but her team passed on it.
Dinner Music
Lost in Your Eyes ā Debbie Gibson
1989 - At just 17 years old, Debbie Gibson not only wrote but also produced āLost in Your Eyesā. The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her second #1 hit after āFoolish Beatā.
Querida - Juan Gabriel
1984 - āQueridaā means āDarlingā in English. It topped the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart for a record 18 consecutive weeks, one of the longest-running #1s in Latin music history at the time.
The Girl Is Mine - Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney
1982 - The song was the first single released from Michael Jackson's legendary album āThrillerā. Jackson wrote the song himself. It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Time After Time ā Cyndi Lauper
1984 - The song conveys a message of steadfast love and loyalty. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track has been covered by numerous artists, including Matchbox Twenty, Eva Cassidy, Miles Davis, and Glee.
True ā Spandau Ballet
1983 - "True" is Spandau Balletās biggest hit (530+ million listens on Spotify) and is often considered a classic love song. It reached #1 on the charts in multiple countries and #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
First Dance & Slow Dance Songs
Crazy for You ā Madonna
1985 - āCrazy for Youā was written for the 1985 movie Vision Quest. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her fourth chart-topping song in the U.S. and the first ballad of her career to do so.
Eternal Flame ā The Bangles
1989 - āEternal Flameā became The Banglesā second U.S. #1 hit, after āWalk Like an Egyptianā. It remains one of the best-selling singles of the 1980s by a female group. Interestingly, the track includes no drums, making it more intimate.
Glory of Love - Peter Cetera
1986 - āGlory of Loveā was specifically written for the 1986 film The Karate Kid Part II. It plays during the end credits. After leaving the band Chicago, this was Ceteraās first big solo single, hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Take My Breath Away ā Berlin
1986 - The song was created specifically for the 1986 film Top Gun. It plays during the romantic scenes. The track won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe for the same category. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
