70s Wedding Songs: 20 of the Best for 2026

The 1970s produced some of the most romantic and danceable music ever recorded. From tender singer-songwriter ballads to euphoric disco anthems, the decade offers a range that few others can match, which is exactly why 70s songs remain a staple at weddings.

We analysed the set lists of nearly 1,400 wedding bands on FixTheMusic to find out which 70s songs bands actually play the most. Some of the results are exactly what you'd expect. A few genuinely surprised us, and we'll get to those. The songs near the top of this list are not just popular. They are proven to work in front of real wedding crowds, week after week.

Here are 20 of the best 70s wedding songs, covering every part of the day from the ceremony to the last song of the night.

The 10 Most-Played 70s Wedding Songs on FixTheMusic

Before the full breakdown, here's what the data says. These are the 70s songs that appear in the most wedding band set lists on our platform:

1. Superstition – Stevie Wonder (441 band set lists)
2. September – Earth, Wind & Fire (376)
3. Just the Way You Are – Billy Joel (271)
4. I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor (245)
5. Your Song – Elton John (242)
6. Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry (230)
7. Blame It on the Boogie – The Jacksons (222)
8. Lovely Day – Bill Withers (210)
9. Dancing Queen – ABBA (191)
10. We Are Family – Sister Sledge (181)

If a song is in hundreds of professional set lists, it's there because it works. Bands drop songs that empty dancefloors.

70s First Dance Songs

Let's Stay Together – Al Green (1971)

Few songs capture commitment as effortlessly as this one. Al Green's voice is warm and inviting, the tempo is easy to dance to and the message is unmistakable. The most popular 70s first dance choice on FixTheMusic and a reliable option at virtually any kind of wedding.

Just the Way You Are – Billy Joel (1977)

Written about unconditional acceptance. The piano intro alone is enough to fill a room with emotion. Appears in 271 band set lists, making it one of the most requested 70s songs for first dances.

Maybe I'm Amazed – Paul McCartney (1970)

Written for Linda McCartney during the early days of their relationship. Raw, grateful and completely genuine. The live Wings version adds more energy if you want something with a bit more momentum.

You Are the Sunshine of My Life – Stevie Wonder (1973)

Bright, joyful and instantly recognisable. A lighter first dance option that still feels deeply romantic without the weight of a ballad.

(They Long to Be) Close to You – The Carpenters (1970)

Karen Carpenter's voice turns this Burt Bacharach classic into something genuinely moving. A soft, elegant choice for couples who want a more traditional-feeling first dance.

70s Ceremony Songs

Your Song – Elton John (1970)

One of the most sincere love songs ever written. The simplicity of the melody and the honesty in the lyrics make it a natural fit for the ceremony. Appears in 242 band set lists. Works beautifully with a pianist, string quartet or acoustic guitar.

Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton (1977)

A gentle, understated ballad that captures the feeling of being completely captivated by someone. One of the most requested 70s tracks at weddings, often used as a processional or during the register signing. Also works well as a first dance if you want something relaxed.

Killing Me Softly – Roberta Flack (1973)

The original has a slow, intimate quality that suits the register signing or ceremony background well. The storytelling in the lyrics gives it emotional depth without feeling heavy.

Annie's Song – John Denver (1974)

Short, simple and genuinely tender. One of the most heartfelt love songs of the decade. Works well as a processional or for the register signing.

70s Drinks Reception Songs

Isn't She Lovely – Stevie Wonder (1976)

Originally written about the birth of his daughter, but the joy in this track is universal. The harmonica solo alone makes it worth including. Perfect background music that still puts smiles on faces. Featured in 116 band set lists.

Lovely Day – Bill Withers (1977)

Warm, optimistic and effortless. Bill Withers holds one of the longest sustained notes in pop history in this song. Ideal for a drinks reception on a sunny afternoon. 210 bands play this one.

Moondance – Van Morrison (1970)

Jazzy, rhythmic and full of charm. Works particularly well with a live jazz trio or acoustic act during the early part of the evening.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) – Stevie Wonder (1970)

Upbeat without being overwhelming. Great background music that gets people moving before the real party starts. 167 bands include it in their set lists.

70s Dancefloor Songs

Superstition – Stevie Wonder (1972)

The most-played 70s song on FixTheMusic, appearing in 441 band set lists. The clavinet riff is one of the most recognisable in music history and fills a dancefloor from the first note.

September – Earth, Wind & Fire (1978)

The horn section, the groove, the chorus. Everything about this track is designed to get people moving. Appears in 376 band set lists. A dancefloor essential at weddings across every genre.

I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor (1978)

Few songs get a bigger reaction at a wedding. The chorus is a guaranteed singalong and the build from quiet verse to full-throttle chorus mirrors the energy of a good wedding evening. 245 bands play this one.

Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry (1976)

Pure energy from start to finish. Works particularly well with bands that have a brass section or a strong guitar presence. 230 bands include it in their set lists.

Blame It on the Boogie – The Jacksons (1978)

Criminally underused at weddings. 222 bands play it and crowds respond every time. A strong alternative to the more obvious disco picks if you want your dancefloor moment to feel slightly less predictable.

Dancing Queen – ABBA (1976)

Instantly recognisable from the first few bars. Works for all ages and all energy levels. 191 bands play it. Use it mid-evening to keep the floor packed or save it for a big singalong moment.

Le Freak – Chic (1978)

Nile Rodgers' guitar work on this track is iconic. One of the most reliable dancefloor songs from any decade. 180 bands include it in their repertoire.

The Last Song of the Night

The closer matters more than couples expect. It's the moment guests remember on the way home. From the 70s, three reliable approaches:

For a euphoric ending, Don't Stop Me Now builds to exactly the kind of arms-aloft finish a wedding deserves. For a pure singalong send-off, I Will Survive has everyone shouting the chorus arm in arm. And if your venue requires a softer finish, Lovely Day works as a warm wind-down rather than a crescendo.

Tell your band in advance which mood you want the night to end on. Most will build their final set towards it.

70s Songs to Think Twice About

Some 70s classics sound romantic until you listen to the words. A few to reconsider before adding them to your must-play list:

Escape (The Piña Colada Song) – Rupert Holmes. A song about two people planning to cheat on each other. They end up staying together, but it's a strange story to soundtrack your wedding.

If You Leave Me Now – Chicago. Gorgeous melody, but it's a plea to a partner who is walking out the door.

You're So Vain – Carly Simon. A brilliant song aimed squarely at an ex. Best saved for a different occasion.

Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac. Worth knowing: this is a breakup song, written mid-divorce. 113 bands still play it because the chorus is irresistible, and most guests won't think twice. But if lyrics matter to you, skip it.

The exception that proves the rule is I Will Survive. It's a breakup anthem, but it has fully crossed over into singalong territory. Nobody on a dancefloor is thinking about the lyrics.

Honourable Mentions

A few more 70s tracks worth considering:

• We Are Family – Sister Sledge (1979) — 181 bands
• Boogie Wonderland – Earth, Wind & Fire (1979) — 162 bands
• Rock with You – Michael Jackson (1979) — 156 bands
• Hotel California – Eagles (1977) — 143 bands
• Hot Stuff – Donna Summer (1979) — 111 bands
• Don't Stop Me Now – Queen (1978) — 91 bands
• Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen (1975) — 87 bands

What Surprised Us in the Data

A few findings genuinely caught us off guard.

Bohemian Rhapsody, one of the most famous songs ever recorded, appears in just 87 set lists, fewer than half the number that play Blame It on the Boogie. The likely reason: it's six minutes long, nearly impossible to perform well live without a large lineup, and it stops a dancefloor rather than filling one.

Don't Stop Me Now, regularly voted Britain's favourite feel-good song, is played by only 91 bands. Again, it's a demanding song to sing. The bands that can pull it off tend to use it as a closer rather than mid-set.

Meanwhile, the deep cuts of disco quietly dominate. Blame It on the Boogie and Play That Funky Music both out-rank Dancing Queen, despite ABBA's far greater fame. When it comes to live wedding performance, groove beats recognition.

What Type of Wedding Band Plays 70s Music?

Nearly 70% of bands on FixTheMusic include at least one 70s song in their set list. But some types of bands are much stronger for this era:

• Wedding Bands – 571 with 70s songs in their set list
• Wedding Singers & Acoustic Duos – 214
• Wedding Bands With Female Vocals – 204
• String Quartets & Classical – 133
• Jazz & Swing Bands – 119
• Bands with Sax – 114
• Soul, Motown & Funk Bands – 102

Soul, Motown and funk bands tend to have the deepest 70s repertoires. If you want a night heavy on Stevie Wonder, Al Green and Earth, Wind & Fire, this is the category to browse.

String quartets play 70s songs too. 133 of them include tracks like Your Song, Wonderful Tonight and Killing Me Softly in their repertoire. If you're booking a string quartet for the ceremony, there's a good chance they already know these songs.

363 bands on FixTheMusic cover all three 70s genres: disco, soul and rock. You don't have to pick one lane. The best 70s wedding bands blend them all.

How Much Does a 70s Wedding Band Cost?

Based on our booking data, bands with strong 70s repertoires (five or more 70s songs in their set list) typically charge between £2,200 and £5,000 in the UK. That's around 30% more than the average wedding band, which tends to sit between £1,700 and £3,800. Read more in our post on the average cost to hire a wedding band.

The difference usually comes down to size. The bands with the deepest 70s repertoires tend to be larger acts: soul wedding bands, showbands and funk groups with more musicians on stage. If you're booking a solo wedding singer or acoustic duo, you'll pay less but still get the core 70s songs.

70s Wedding Songs: FAQs

If you want to hear these songs performed live, browse our soul and Motown bands for hire or take a look at the best wedding bands in the UK for a broader starting point. You might also find our guide to songs to walk down the aisle to useful if you're still planning your ceremony music.