🎵 Upbeat Cocktail Hour Cover Songs

Discover uptempo cover songs for a unique cocktail hour for a WOW factor.

Read Article Online

Sending a big shout-out to DJ Alessio for coming up with this idea. He DJs on a cruise ship and wanted a list of cover songs that would surprise guests instead of the typical background playlist.

Now, when I think of cover songs for cocktail hour, my obvious first choice is “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson. Nope, I left it off because I wanted to challenge myself.

DJ Alessio did offer 2 songs as a starting point. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by the Braids and “Part Time Lover” by Ely Bruna. He wanted a list of lesser-known artists. However, my rule of thumb is to never play a song that no one knows. Thus, I had to add in a few of my favorite covers by popular artists. Sorry, not sorry.

You will enjoy a list of 50 total songs that you can play for THREE HOURS.

There’s a little bit for everyone including tropical house, R&B, Indie, jazz, bossa nova, acoustic, and rock. There are a few slower-tempo songs but I like them.

Lots of fun with this list. If you have a song that should be added, please respond to this email or share in the comments. And if you need help with a list, let me know.

The Spotify playlist is at the bottom as usual.

Upbeat Cocktail Hour Cover Songs

1. As It Was - PREP (Harry Styles)

2. Beauty and a Beat - Alex Groot, ATC, Kurt Schneider (Justin Bieber)

3. Believe - Sammy Rae & The Friends (Cher)

4. Better Together - Us The Duo (Jack Johnson)

5. Big Yellow Taxi - Counting Crows, Vanessa Carlton (Joni Mitchell)

6. Bohemian Rhapsody - Braids (Queen)

7. Burning Down The House - Paramore (Talking Heads)

8. Careless Whisper - Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (George Michael)

9. Closer - J.Fla (The Chainsmokers, Halsey)

10. Crazy - Scary Pockets, Dannielle DeAndrea (Gnarls Barkley)

11. Dancing On My Own - GROUPLOVE (Robyn)

12. Doin' Time - Lana Del Rey (Sublime)

13. Don’t Dream It’s Over - Lauren Daigle (Crowded House)

14. Don’t Speak - Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, Haley Reinhart (No Doubt)

15. Don’t Start Now - Pomplamoose (Dua Lipa)

16. Don’t Stop The Music - Jamie Cullum (Rihanna)

17. Dreams - IMY2 (Fleetwood Mac)

18. Escape (The Pina Colada Song) - Jack Johnson (Rupert Holmes)

19. Everywhere - Niall Horan, Anne-Marie (Fleetwood Mac)

20. Girls Just Want To Have Fun - Buzzy Lee (Cyndi Lauper