It’s easy to see why soul and Motown is one of the most popular genres for a first dance. With sweet and sentimental lyrics from world-famous artists like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and The Temptations, not only have these songs stood the test of time, but are some of the most romantic songs ever written.
To help you choose the perfect tune, we’ve collated our favourite soul and Motown first dance songs. We’ve thrown in some songs from outside of the Motown label as well to give you as much choice as possible. Many are the perfect pace to dance to, all are super romantic and any will make the ideal first dance song. You just need to choose your favourite!
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(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons – Sam Cooke
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Ain’t No Stopping Us Now – McFadden & Whitehead
As – George Michael & Mary J. Blige
At Last – Etta James
Baby I Need Your Loving – Four Tops
Be My Baby – The Ronnettes
Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me – Gladys Knight & The Pips
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) – Frank Wilson
Endless Love – Lionel Ritchie & Diana Ross
Everlasting Love – Love Affair
For Once In My Life – Stevie Wonder
For The Love Of You Pts. 1 & 2 – The Isley Brothers
Forever – Jason Nelson
Guess I’ll Always Love You – The Isley Brothers
Heatwave – Martha & The Vandellas
Here and Now – Luther Vandross
Higher And Higher – Jackie Wilson
Hold Me – Stevie Wonder
Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me – Mel Carter
How Sweet it Is (To Be Loved By You) – Marvin Gaye
I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – Four Tops
I Found A Love – Wilson Pickett
I Get The Sweetest Feeling – Jackie Wilson
I Love Every Little Thing About You – Stevie Wonder
I Was Made To Love Her – Stevie Wonder
If I Could Build My Whole World Around You – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
I’ll Always Love You – The Spinners
I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
I’m Gonna Make You My Wife – The Whispers
I’m In Love – Aretha Franklin
I’m In Love – Bobby Womack
Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
It Takes Two – Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston
Just The Two Of Us – Bill Withers
Knocks Me Off My Feet – Stevie Wonder
Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
Love, Need and Want You – Patti LaBelle
My Cherie Amour – Stevie Wonder
My Girl – The Temptations
My Guy – Mary Wells
Needle In A Haystack – The Velvelettes
Nothing Can Change This Love – Sam Cooke
Oh! What A Love I Have Found – Gladys Knight & The Pips
Overjoyed – Stevie Wonder
Pledging My Love – Johnny Ace
Reach Out I’ll Be There – Four Tops
Respect – Otis Redding
Ribbon In The Sky – Stevie Wonder
Sea Of Love – Phil Phillips & The Twilights
She Is My Lady – Donny Hathaway
Signed, Sealed Delivered – Stevie Wonder
So Amazing – Luther Vandross
So In Love – Curtis Mayfield
Stand By Me – Ben E. King
Stuck On You – Lionel Ritchie
That’s How Strong My love Is – Otis Redding
The First Time Every I Saw Your Face – Roberta Flack
The Makings of You – Curtis Mayfield
The Point Of It All – Anthony Hamilton
They Can’t Take That Away From Me – Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstorng
This Old Heart Of Mine – The Isley Brothers
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
Three Times A Lady – Commodores
To Be Loved – Jackie Wilson
Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers
When A Man Loves A Woman – Percy Sledge
When You Tell Me You Love Me – Diana Ross
You And I – Stevie Wonder
You Are (My Destiny) – Lionel Ritchie
You Are Forever – Smokey Robinson
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder
You Really Got A Hold On Me – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
You To Me Are Everything – The Real Thing
You’re All I Need To Get By – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
You’re The First, My Last, My Everything – Barry White
Your Precious Love – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Want to really bring the party to your wedding reception? Why not hire one of our incredible soul and Motown bands?
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