101 FIRST DANCESFOR LIVE BANDS

101 FIRST DANCES FOR LIVEBANDS

Choosing a first dance can be a tricky matter. While one of theleast formal traditions of a wedding day, it’s by no means astraight forward choice for many people. Having a live bandavailable gives the opportunity for something truly unique foryour first dance. Even a song heard a thousand times can seemcompletely fresh when a live band perform it for you! Thefollowing 101 songs are suggestions of songs we think could workwell, and at least something to help inspire you. I hope you enjoythis list of first dances, and find it useful in choosing your own.

By Dan Clark, Manager of The CoverUps

DO YOU WANT..?

A romantic slow dance or afun, upbeat party track? To have a special momenton the dancefloor betweenthe two of you or get yourwedding party and guestsdancing along too? To freestyle and be takenby the moment or do youwant to choreograph aunique dance routine?

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FOR THE FANSHere’s a list of songs ‘for the fans’ – if there’s a band you’re a great fan of, by allmeans choose one of their songs. It’s your first dance, you can choose what youlike! November Rain – Guns n’ RosesThe Bones of You – ElbowThis One’s for You – Ed HarcourtYou and Me – LifehouseYou’re So Great – Blur

MODERN CLASSICSBelow are 20 great tracks from the last 20years or so! All I Want Is You – U2Always – Bon JoviAmazed – LonestarBetter Together – Jack JohnsonChasing Cars – Snow PatrolCome Back To What You Know – EmbraceEverything – Michael BubleGreatest Day – Take ThatIf You’re Not The One – Daniel BedingfieldIris – Goo Goo DollsIt’s Only Natural –  Crowded HouseNever Be Lonely – The FeelingRule The World – Take ThatShe Will Be Loved – Maroon 5She’s the One – Robbie WilliamsThis Year’s Love – David GrayTruly Madly Deeply – Savage GardenWonderwall – OasisYou Do Something to Me – Paul WellerYou Give Me Something – James Morrison

UPBEAT DANCES We’re seeing more and more couples justexcited to be married, and wanting to showthis through the first dance. Having anupbeat first dance can be a great way toencourage everyone else onto the dancefloor more quickly! Walking On Sunshine ~ Katrina & the WavesAll About You – McFlyBeautiful World – Take ThatCrazy Little Thing Called Love – QueenFascination-  AlphabeatParadise ~ George EzraHalf of My Heart – John MayerI Luv You – The Ordinary BoysI Want You Now – The FeelingLucky – Jason Mraz

BRIT POP GREATSYou may find that these spark off yourown memories! Here are a few brit-poptracks you might like to choose: Found You – DodgyIf I Could Talk I’d Tell You – TheLeamonheadsLate in the Day – SupergrassShining Light – AshYou and Me Song – The Wannadies

ACOUSTICAcoustic songs often match closely themood that a couple want to set for theirfirst dance and many great songs can bearranged in a more mellow acousticfashion to suit your special moment. Better Man – James MorrisonDelicate – Damien RiceDream Catch Me – Newton FaulknerFaith – NizlopiForever – Turin BrakesHeartbeats – Jose GonzalezI’m Yours – Jason MrazI’m Yours – The ScriptThe Everthere – ElbowUnintended – MuseHow Long Will I Love You ~ Ellie GouldingOnly Love ~ Ben Howard

80SMany of those getting married over the lastfew years have were born in, or grew up inthe 80s. The tracks below demonstrate thatthe 80s had some great hits! Have I Told You Lately – Van MorrisonHeaven – Bryan AdamsI Just Called To Say I Love You – StevieWonderI Want to Know What Love Is – ForeginerIt Must Be Love – MadnessTrue Colors – Cyndi LauperHigher Love ~ Steve WinwoodEndless Love ~ Lionel Richie & Diana Ross

ROCK While it’s not always appropriate to playan entire set of heavy metal, there aresome great choices of first dance for thosewho are after some rock guitar to let theirhair down to! All About Lovin’ You – Bon JoviDon’t Want to Miss A Thing – AerosmithI Can’t Stop Loving You – Van HalenNothing Else Matters – MetallicaPatience – Guns N Roses

OLD SCHOOLThe 50s through to the 70s containamongst our most regular first dancesongs – and these scarcely scratch thesurface of choices available! Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – AndyWilliamsDaydream – The Lovin’ SpoonfulFly Me To The Moon – Frank SinatraGod Only Knows – The Beach BoysHow Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You –Marvin GayeLets Stay Together – Al GreenLovely Day – Bill WithersStand By Me – Ben E KingThe Way You Look Tonight – Tony Bennet,Dean MartinThe Wonder of You – ElvisWe Have All The Time In The World – LouisArmstrongWhat A Difference a Day Made – DinahWashingtonYour Song – Elton John

CLASSIC CHOICESSome people avoid some of these tracksas ‘done before’, or ‘too obvious’, butthere’s a good reason the following songsare so popular as first dances! (Everything I Do) I Do It For You – BryanAdamsAs – Stevie WonderFields of Gold – StingI Will Always Love You – Whitney HoustonJust The Way You Are – Billy JoelMore Than Words – ExtremeRight Here Waiting – Richard MarxSomebody To Love – QueenThe First Time Ever I Saw Your Face –Roberta FlackWonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton

ALTERNATIVEA less well known choice of first dance canbe exactly what a couple are looking for toreflect the uniqueness of their taste, andof them as a couple. They might be a songfrom the soundtrack ofyour favourite film, or an album track byyour favourite artist, or just a track youhaven’t heard for ages. Anyone Else But You – The Moldy PeachesDo You Remember – Jack JohnsonHalf Light – AthleteMade Up Love Song #43 – GuillemotsOne Day Like This – ElbowSecret Smile – SemisonicSewn – The FeelingSigh No More – Mumford and SonsThe Seaside – Opaque NatureUse Somebody – Kings of LeonYou’re My Best Friend – Queen

SONGS WITH A SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR HEARTS...Freedom – Nizlopi This was the first dance of Mike Ashelby, founding member and singer of The CoverUps. God Only Knows ~ Beach Boys This was the first dance of Dan Clark, manager and bassist of The CoverUps. S Club 7 Medley Not the traditional choice, Adam Kibble (lead singer) and his wife had everyone on the dancefloor for this first dance!