Some songs take you straight back to a school dance, a wedding reception or a radio playing softly in the next room. The best 70s love songs still have that pull: warm voices, memorable melodies and enough space to hold someone close.
For a wedding shortlist, start with Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together, Elton John’s Your Song and Carpenters’ We’ve Only Just Begun. For a brighter celebration, try Natalie Cole or The Emotions. Below are 30 picks grouped by the moment they suit, from a first dance to the last part of the party.
A note on dates: Years refer to the selected recording’s initial album or single release, not necessarily its chart peak. Roberta Flack’s The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face is included as a clearly marked 1972 hit whose recording predates the decade.
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Choose your song by the moment
| For this moment | Start with | The feel |
|---|---|---|
| A relaxed first dance | Let’s Stay Together — Al Green | Warm soul with a gentle groove |
| A quiet, personal declaration | Your Song — Elton John | Intimate piano ballad |
| A traditional wedding mood | We’ve Only Just Begun — Carpenters | Soft, hopeful classic pop |
| A waltz-style sway | Annie’s Song — John Denver | Lilting acoustic romance |
| A joyful entrance | This Will Be — Natalie Cole | Bright, energetic celebration |
| A relaxed outdoor reception | Is This Love — Bob Marley & The Wailers | Easygoing reggae |
The best 70s love songs for a first dance
1. Al Green — Let’s Stay Together (1971)
A warm groove and a promise of commitment make this our first pick for couples who want soul without a huge, theatrical ballad. There is enough movement for a relaxed two-step, but nothing demands complicated choreography.
2. Elton John — Your Song (1970)
The slightly bashful delivery makes this piano ballad feel personal. Choose it if you want your first dance to sound like an honest declaration rather than a grand performance. The original recording leaves plenty of room for a simple sway.
3. Carpenters — We’ve Only Just Begun (1970)
Few choices fit the idea of starting married life quite so directly. Karen Carpenter’s warm vocal and the song’s hopeful outlook suit a traditional first dance, especially if you want something gentle that gradually opens up.
4. Stevie Wonder — You Are the Sunshine of My Life (1972)
Light, affectionate and rhythmically buoyant, this is a lovely alternative to a very slow ballad. It suits couples who would rather smile and move together than stand in the spotlight looking solemn.
5. Billy Joel — Just the Way You Are (1977)
A song about accepting the person you love, carried by electric piano and a soft saxophone sound. It is an easy fit for an understated first dance, although you should listen to the full lyric to decide whether its wording feels like you.
6. Bee Gees — How Deep Is Your Love (1977)
The close harmonies and soft pulse offer the romantic side of the Bee Gees. Despite its connection to Saturday Night Fever, this is a gentle ballad, well suited to an unhurried first dance or a quiet moment late in the reception.
7. John Denver — Annie’s Song (1974)
Acoustic warmth and sweeping imagery give this one an outdoorsy, intimate feel. Its lilting triple meter makes it especially appealing if you like a waltz-style sway. Try dancing to the recording before deciding on your steps.
8. Jim Croce — I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song (1973)
For anyone who finds big speeches awkward, this is a wonderfully fitting choice. The delicate guitar and compact arrangement keep the moment intimate. Pick it for a short, tender dance with very little fuss.
9. Paul McCartney — Maybe I’m Amazed (1970)
This starts with tenderness and grows into a much bigger emotional performance. It suits a couple who love rock as much as romance. Rehearse the transition into the stronger sections so the change in energy feels intentional.
10. Carpenters — (They Long to Be) Close to You (1970)
Dreamy and softly orchestrated, this recording brings a distinctly early-70s sweetness. It works beautifully if your taste runs toward classic pop, though its spacious feel favors small, comfortable movements over an elaborate routine.
Soul, duets and soft ballads for slow dancing
11. Roberta Flack — The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (1972 hit)
Flack’s hushed delivery makes this an unusually intimate slow-dance choice. Her recording first appeared in 1969, so it is the deliberate exception to our release-year rule: its breakthrough as a single came in 1972. Allow for its exceptionally slow pace.
12. Al Green — I’m Still in Love with You (1972)
Choose this when you want the room to feel relaxed rather than hushed. The silky vocal and gently rolling rhythm make it a natural follow-up to Let’s Stay Together, although spacing the two out gives the playlist more variety.
13. The Stylistics — You Make Me Feel Brand New (1973)
Tender gratitude is the heart of this lush soul ballad. The contrasting voices give it a distinctive shape, while the strings supply plenty of occasion. It is a strong pick for an anniversary dance as well as a romantic evening.
14. Minnie Riperton — Lovin’ You (1974)
The light accompaniment and striking upper register create an airy, almost weightless mood. Use it during a quiet stretch of the evening, when the vocal can be heard. It works better as an intimate pause than as a party starter.
15. Commodores — Three Times a Lady (1978)
A stately ballad with a swaying, waltz-like feel, this is one for couples who enjoy an openly sentimental moment. Check which recording your DJ has: an extended album version can feel very different from a shorter single edit.
Listen: YouTube · Spotify (single version)
16. Heatwave — Always and Forever (1976)
The sustained vocal lines and unhurried arrangement give this soul ballad a beautifully spacious feel. It is a strong choice for a couple comfortable taking their time. The recording appeared on the group’s 1976 debut album before becoming a 1977 single.
17. The Isley Brothers — For the Love of You (1975)
A floating keyboard texture and relaxed groove make this ideal for the point when the evening begins to settle. There is romance here without a dramatic climax, which helps it sit naturally between other mellow soul records.
18. Barry White — You’re the First, the Last, My Everything (1974)
This is the livelier option in the group: a deep vocal, sweeping strings and an insistent beat. Use it to move from close dancing into a fuller floor, or choose it for a first dance with a little swagger.
19. Billy Preston & Syreeta — With You I’m Born Again (1979)
A restrained opening grows into a rich vocal duet. It is a lovely option if you want two voices sharing the emotional weight of the song. Let the arrangement guide the dance rather than trying to fill every quiet moment.
20. Peaches & Herb — Reunited (1978)
The soft groove makes this an inviting slow dance, but its story is specifically about getting back together. That may make it especially meaningful for some couples. For others, it belongs in the general playlist rather than the ceremony spotlight.
Brighter love songs for the wedding reception
21. Natalie Cole — This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) (1975)
Bright piano, punchy horns and an exuberant vocal make this a natural celebration record. Use it for an entrance, a joyful walk back up the aisle, or the moment you invite everyone onto the dance floor.
22. Stevie Wonder — Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours (1970)
Its brisk groove is a strong fit for a celebratory entrance or an energetic couple’s dance. The story includes returning after mistakes, so listen beyond the hook if you plan to make it the musical centerpiece of your ceremony.
23. The Emotions — Best of My Love (1977)
Sparkling harmonies and an energetic rhythm make this an excellent bridge into a disco-leaning set. Choose it when you want affection and excitement in the same record. This is The Emotions’ hit, not the Eagles song with the same title.
24. Captain & Tennille — Love Will Keep Us Together (1975)
Bouncy, cheerful and easy to sing along with, this suits a reception that favors fun over formality. It also makes a useful change of texture after several orchestral soul tracks or slower piano ballads.
25. Wings — Silly Love Songs (1976)
The prominent bass line keeps this moving while the vocals make the sentiment unmistakable. It is a playful pick for couples who enjoy a little self-awareness with their romance. The full version gives dancers time to settle into the groove.
26. Orleans — Still the One (1976)
This is a particularly good match for longtime couples: affectionate, upbeat and comfortable with the everyday reality of a relationship. Put it into an anniversary party set or use it to bring some guitar-driven pop into the reception.
27. James Taylor — How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) (1975)
Taylor’s recording gives this earlier Marvin Gaye song an easygoing 70s warmth. It works well over dinner or as a relaxed dance-floor choice. Select this specific version if you want to keep the sound of the playlist within the decade.
28. Barry White — Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe (1974)
The spoken opening, rich arrangement and steady groove make this a confident romantic choice. It has enough drive to keep people moving without the sudden jump in intensity that a harder disco track might bring.
29. Bob Marley & The Wailers — Is This Love (1978)
A relaxed reggae rhythm offers a welcome change of pace. Its picture of sharing everyday life makes it appealing for an informal wedding, a garden reception or a couple who want a first dance that feels easy and unforced.
30. Donna Summer — Love to Love You Baby (1975)
Save this sensual disco choice for the late-night part of the reception. It is less suitable for a formal family moment, and the extended album recording is much longer than a typical dance. Ask for the edit you actually want.
Listen: YouTube · Spotify (single version)
Beautiful ballads that need a lyric check
A slow tempo does not automatically make a song a good wedding choice. I Will Always Love You in Dolly Parton’s 1974 recording is a farewell; If You Leave Me Now by Chicago is a plea against separation; and Me and Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul describes an affair. They can belong on a love-song playlist, but their stories deserve a second thought before a first dance.
How to turn these songs into a wedding playlist
Choose the exact recording. Album versions, single edits, live performances and later remakes can have different introductions and lengths. Send your DJ or band the artist, title and specific version, then agree on an ending instead of leaving the fade to chance.
Practice once from beginning to end. A song that feels short while you are listening may feel much longer on an empty floor. If you prefer a shorter spotlight, arrange a fade or invite other couples to join you at an agreed point.
Give the evening some movement. Try Your Song for the first dance, Let’s Stay Together when other couples join, and This Will Be to lift the mood. Later, Best of My Love can lead into a livelier set. These are suggested transitions, not a strict running order.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best 70s love song for a wedding first dance?
Our all-round pick is Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together: it combines commitment with a comfortable groove. For something quieter, try Your Song; for a more traditional wedding sentiment, choose We’ve Only Just Begun. The best choice is the one whose words and rhythm feel natural to both of you.
Which 70s love songs work for a simple slow dance?
How Deep Is Your Love, Always and Forever and I’m Still in Love with You all suit a relaxed close dance. Try the original recordings together before deciding. Very slow songs can be harder to move to comfortably than records with a slightly stronger pulse.
Can you mix 70s love songs with newer wedding music?
Yes. Group songs by mood and energy rather than release date. A short run of warm soul can sit comfortably between newer pop songs, while a single 70s ballad can give the first dance its own distinct atmosphere.
Which song takes you back? Tell us the title and artist in the comments, especially if it was your first dance or the record you always hoped someone would play.
