It's oftentimes said that music is a universal love language. No matter where you live in the world, the songs you hear have the ability to connect people, which is why music serves as a powerful tool at almost every wedding. "The right music at a wedding is so important to create a memorable day," shares Talia Kraines, senior editor of Pop at Spotify. "Music can cross generations and languages. [It] has the power to evoke memories, and the music played on your special day helps create the best, long-lasting memories for you and your guests." In other words, the songs you play on the big day can either make or break your celebration.
As we slowly enter the new year, we're excited to hear the newest tracks—from artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Burna Boy—that are set to be unleashed on every reception dance floor. But before we officially dive into the exact songs for the year, it's important to understand the trends that will help shape the world of wedding music in 2023. So, with the continued expert advice of Kraines, here are the top wedding music trends for couples to look out for these next 12 months.
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According to Kraines, 2023 will be the year of music-evoked individualism. “As for wedding playlists on Spotify in 2023, we’re expecting to see a lot more individuality in song choices as weddings become more relevant for the Gen-Z age group. This is a generation that wants to express themselves through their music choices," she shares.
This should come as no surprise as there has been a steady shift away from standard wedding traditions (in every aspect of wedding planning), to couples embracing their personal preferences and styles on the big day. "Expect to hear lots of new Taylor Swift ('Sweet Nothing') and Harry Styles ('Love of My Life') at weddings in 2023 as first dances," Kraines adds.
Another trend: nostalgia. Though the focus will be placed on new and emerging songs, couples will continue to honor past classics and play pieces that they deem as sentimental. "Nostalgia remains a key trend, with the re-discovery of 80s and 90s music at the forefront on Spotify." shares Kraines. “'Kiss Me' by Sixpence None The Richer and 'Fade Into You' by Mazzy Star are great examples of love songs that have found a brand new audience in 2022, and will delight the married couple as well as their parents."
Ultimately, it's the old mixed with the new for 2023, but with a strong emphasis on "new". And to help kickstart this season of nuptials, we've put together a list of 30 new tracks everyone is sure to hear at weddings this year. Read on below.
80 Modern Love Songs to Play at Your Wedding
01of 30
“Love of My Life,” by Harry Styles
Lyrics of Love: "Baby, you were the love of my life, woah/Maybe you don't know what's lost 'til you find it"
02of 30
“Nervous,” by John Legend
Lyrics of Love: "When you walk through the door and you look in my eyes/Yeah, it feels, yeah, it feels like the very first time/I can fall for you forever, I'm certain/'Cause I still get nervous"
03of 30
"Hold Tight," by Maverick City Music, Kirk Franklin, Ryan Ellis, Lizzie Morgan
Lyrics of Love: "You're the air that I breathe/And You're holdin' all things/Yeah, I know that Your love is better"
04of 30
"Hrs and Hrs," by Muni Long
Lyrics of Love: "When I met you, I knew this was it/I've never been in love like this"
05of 30
"Thank God," by Kane Brown
Lyrics of Love: "Don't know how I got you/But I couldn't ask for more/Girl, what we got's worth thanking God for"
06of 30
"If I Fall In Love," by Ali Gatie
Lyrics of Love: "'Cause your smile takes me places I've never been/It could travel continents, in our love I'm confident/'Cause your eyes make me see things I've never seen/Baby, it's just you and me, you're part of my destiny"
07of 30
“Sweet Nothing,” by Taylor Swift
Lyrics of Love: "They said the end is coming/Everyone's up to something/I find myself running home to your sweet nothings"
08of 30
“Fall Into Me,” by Forest Blakk
Lyrics of Love: "I'd fall for you twice if that's what you wanted/I'd give you my life from now till forever/I'm falling in love with you/Over and over again"
09of 30
"WAIT FOR U," by Future, Tems, Drake
Lyrics of Love: "Early in the morning, late at night (I will wait for you)/It don't even matter what time it is (I will wait for you)"
10of 30
"Symphony," by Imagine Dragons
Lyrics of Love: "This life is one big symphony/So glad I've got you next to me/I'm the chords and you're the melody"
11of 30
"For My Hand," by Burna Boy, Ed Sheeran
Lyrics of Love: "Whenever I'm broken, you make me feel whole/Whenever I'm lonely, you're there for my soul/Wherever you are, girl, that's where I call my home"
12of 30
"Enséñame a Bailar," by Bad Bunny
Lyrics of Love: "Mi corazón no es de arena, pero tú tas dejando tus huella'"
13of 30
“You,” by Dan + Shay
Lyrics of Love: "I got you, ooh, ooh/For the rest of my life/And if all else goes wrong, baby/I'll be alright/'Cause I got you"
14of 30
"Skate," by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak
Lyrics of Love: "I never fall, but tonight you got me fallin' for you/And only you, you"
15of 30
“Tennessee Orange,” by Megan Moroney
Lyrics of Love: "I met somebody and he's got blue eyes/He opens the door and he don't make me cry/He ain't from where we're from/But he feels like home, yeah"
16of 30
"Hate Our Love," by Big Sean, Queen Naija
Lyrics of Love: "Boy, I love you on your worst day/Still see you how I saw you on the first day (first day)"
17of 30
"Melt," by Kehlani
Lyrics of Love: "Wish I could build me a cute apartment/One-bedroom right where your heart is"
18of 30
"Hold Me Closer," by Britney Spears, Elton John
Lyrics of Love: "Hold me closer, tiny dancer"
19of 30
"Somebody’s Son," by Tiwa Savage, Brandy
Lyrics of Love: "Somebody's son go love me one day"
20of 30
"Coast," by Hailee Steinfeld, Anderson .Paak
Lyrics of Love: "Baby, all I wanna do is coast (coast)/With you (with you)/Frequency of all we know (yeah)"
21of 30
"Nonsense," by Sabrina Carpenter
Lyrics of Love: "I don't want no one else (don't want)/Baby, I'm in too deep (too deep)"
22of 30
"Woke Up in Love," by Kygo, Gryffin, Calum Scott
Lyrics of Love: "You went and saved my life/You picked me up/Thank God I woke up in love"
23of 30
"Golden Hour," by JVKE
Lyrics of Love: "I was all alone with the love of my life/She's got glitter for skin/My radiant beam in the night/I don't need no light to see you"
24of 30
"Miami," by Wisin & Yandel, Jennifer Lopez
Lyrics of Love: "Todo lo mío es pa' ti"
25of 30
"Emiliana," by CKay
Lyrics of Love: "Kiss me through the cellular, kiss me through the phone/Can't you see I'm into ya? Can't you see I'm in love?"
26of 30
"Chasing Cars," by SOFI TUKKER
Lyrics of Love: "All that I am/All that I ever was/Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see"
27of 30
"Jireh," by Limoblaze, Lecrae, Happi
Lyrics of Love: "But for God, His loving can afford you/He set His love lavishly upon ya/And makes His glory shine so bright upon you"
28of 30
"Dandelions," by Jackson Lundy
Lyrics of Love: "If nothing else is true/I'm so in love with you/And when life has got you down/And you're far away/I'll sing to you"
29of 30
"Sunshine," by Tyga, Jhené Aiko, Pop Smoke
Lyrics of Love: "I could be your sunshine/Let me light the way/I could be a brighter day/And you'll be my sunshine"
30of 30
"Left and Right," by Charlie Puth, Jung Kook of BTS
Lyrics of Love: "I can feel you over here, I can feel you over here/You take up every corner of my mind/Your love stays with me day and night"
