Originally published at The Knot here by Melanie Haid on September 9, 2021
Bridal and wedding showers are a fantastic way to get together with the bride-to-be's close friends and family to celebrate the upcoming wedding—and creating a playlist of bridal shower songs is definitely a must. If you've been assigned the role of "bridal shower playlist creator", you'll want to play a healthy mix of love songs and dance songs to keep the festivities going. Wedding planning can be stressful, so hopefully this brunch helps get the guest of honor excited for the big day.
As for finding that perfect curator of bridal shower songs, The Knot Marketplace has plenty of options near you to help make the bridal shower absolutely perfect. After all, music sets the tone for any event, so make sure your playlist suits the bride's taste.
"I Wanna Dance With Somebody," Whitney Houston
Lyrics you'll love: "I need a man who'll take a chance/On a love that burns hot enough to last/So when the night falls/My lonely heart calls/Oh, I wanna dance with somebody/I wanna/feel the heat with somebody/Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody/With somebody who loves me"
One of her earlier (and biggest!) hits, Houston just wants to dance with somebody (who loves her). Gather the bridesmaids and sing along to this one!
"Who Run The World," Beyoncé
Lyrics you'll love: "This goes out to all my girls/That's in the club rocking the latest/Who will buy it for themselves and get more money later"
The answer? Girls. Take a moment to recognize the women in the bride-to-be's life while listening to this song—and don't forget to add it to the bachelorette party playlist as well.
"Wouldn't it Be Nice," The Beach Boys
Lyrics you'll love: "Happy times together we've been spending/I wish that every kiss was never ending/Oh, wouldn't it be nice?"
Whether you're throwing a bridal shower near the beach or just love the sweet sounds of the Beach Boys, this song is the perfect addition to the playlist.
"Sweet Caroline," Neil Diamond
Lyrics you'll love: "But now I look at the night/And it don't seem so lonely/We fill it up with only two/And when I hurt/Hurtin' runs off my shoulders/How can I hurt when holdin' you"
Another undeniable classic, "Sweet Caroline" will have everyone singing along. Like any great love song, it's also catchy and upbeat—perfect for a bridal shower.
"DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love," Usher
Lyrics you'll love: "Yeah, baby tonight, the DJ got us falling in love again/So dance, dance, like it's the last, last night of your life, life/Gonna get you right/Cause baby tonight, the DJ got us falling in love again"
This fun club song is a great, upbeat addition to your bridal shower playlist, or really any wedding event. Guests will be up and dancing for sure!
"Best Day of My Life," American Authors
Lyrics you'll love: "I'm never gonna look back/Whoa, never gonna give it up/No, please don't wake me now/This is gonna be the best day of my life "
This easy-listening pop song is one most people will recognize, and it's one of those songs that just make you feel good. After all, what's a bridal shower if not (one) of the best days of the bride's life? This song could also easily be played at a wedding reception.
"I'm Yours," Jason Mraz
Lyrics you'll love: "So I won't hesitate no more, no more/It cannot wait, I'm sure/There's no need to complicate/Our time is short/This is our fate, I'm yours"
This uber-romantic song is great if you want to slow things down, but still keep the mood upbeat. We love the touches of humor in this catchy tune.
"Best Friend," Rex Orange County
Lyrics you'll love: "And that's because I wanna be your favorite boy/I wanna be the one that makes your day/The one you think about as you lie awake/I can't wait to be your number one/I'll be your biggest fan and you'll be mine"
The bride and her best friend are officially tying the knot—might as well celebrate with a sweet song! This lovely number starts off slow, but picks up and adds a bit of indie pop to the bridal shower playlist.
"She Will Be Loved," Maroon 5
Lyrics you'll love: "It's not always rainbows and butterflies, it's compromise that moves us along, yeah/My heart is full and my door's always open, you come anytime you want, yeah/I don't mind spending every day/Out on your corner in the pouring rain"
There's always going to be conflict, but strong love is the best way to work through it all. This Maroon 5 song is one of their most popular, and the most-streamed from their 2002 album, Songs About Jane.
"(I've Had) The Time of My Life," Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
Lyrics you'll love: "Just remember/You're the one thing/I can't get enough of/So I'll tell you something/This could be love because I've had the time of my life"
Fans of Dirty Dancing will love to incorporate this song into any part of their engagement and wedding. Attempt Baby and Johnny's famous lift if you dare.
"Better Together," Jack Johnson
Lyrics you'll love: "Love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart/Like why are we here? And where do we go?/And how come it's so hard?/It's not always easy and/Sometimes life can be deceiving/I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together"
This 2005 hit is Johnson's most popular, with beautiful, poetic lyrics and heartfelt, easy-love tones throughout. After all, "it's always better when you're together," and now the bride and her love will be together forever!
"This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)," Natalie Cole
Lyrics you'll love: "Loving you is some kind of wonderful/Because you showed me just how much you care/You've given me the thrill of a lifetime/And made me believe you've got more thrills to spare, oh!"
Nothing tops that feeling of being in love, and this upbeat '70s hit is a great tribute to a long-lasting love. And yes, if the bride-to-be is a fan of The Parent Trap (and really, who isn't?) this is a must-play.
"Wannabe," Spice Girls
Lyrics you'll love: "If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends/(Gotta get with my friends)/Make it last forever, friendship never ends"
While the bride-to-be is celebrating her love, the bridal shower is also the perfect time to celebrate friendship. This song is all about girl power and the everlasting bond between pals.
"Party in the USA," Miley Cyrus
Lyrics you'll love: "So I put my hands up/They're playing my song, the butterflies fly away/I'm noddin' my head like, yeah/Movin' my hips like, yeah/I got my hands up, they're playing my song"
If you're going for an upbeat bridal shower celebration, this song is the ultimate party anthem.
"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," Cyndi Lauper
Lyrics you'll love: "But girls they wanna have fun/Oh girls just wanna have/That's all they really want"
Of course, what bridal shower would be complete without the girls having some fun? This iconic '80s hit is a staple party song even today, and for a bridal shower, it's almost a necessity.
"Thinking Out Loud," Ed Sheeran
Lyrics you'll love: "Take me into your loving arms/Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars/Place your head on my beating heart/I'm thinking out loud/Maybe we found love right where we are"
It wouldn't be a love song playlist without Ed Sheeran, and this romantic ballad is a perfect addition to any and all wedding events.
"Crazy in Love," Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
Lyrics you'll love: "Such a funny thing for me to try to explain/How I'm feeling and my pride is the one to blame/'Cause I know I don't understand/Just how your love can do what no one else can"
This song encapsulates the feeling of being in love. No one will be able to resist busting a move to this bop.
"Cuz I Love You," Lizzo
Lyrics you'll love: "I thought that I didn't care/I thought I was love-impaired/But baby, baby/I don't know what I'm gonna do/I'm crying 'cause I love you"
This dramatic, swooping pop song has catchy, classic Lizzo vibes and adds a fun and lively touch to any bridal shower song playlist.
"Build Me Up Buttercup," The Foundations
Lyrics you'll love: "But I love you still/I need you (I need you)/More than anyone, darling/You know that I have from the start"
This feel-good song is the perfect addition to a bridal shower playlist. After a few mimosas, everyone will be dancing along—whether the party includes a dance floor or not!
"No Scrubs," TLC
Lyrics you'll love: "I don't want no scrub/A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me/Hanging out the passenger side/Of his best friend's ride/Trying to holler at me"
No bridal shower is complete without this iconic song! There's no room for "scrubs" in the bride-to-be's life anymore, and now, she doesn't have to keep looking—and that's worth celebrating!
"Sunday Best," Surfaces
Lyrics you'll love: "Ay, feeling good, like I should/Went and took a walk around the neighborhood/Feeling blessed, never stressed/Got that sunshine on my Sunday best."
Everything about this song is upbeat and positive. Play this lighthearted tune while enjoying some bridal shower games or other activities.
"Just the Way You Are," Bruno Mars
Lyrics you'll love: "When I see your face/There's not a thing that I would change/'Cause you're amazing/Just the way you are/And when you smile/The whole world stops and stares for a while"
Bruno Mars never disappoints with his love songs. Not only is this one of our favorites for a bridal shower song playlist, it also makes a great first dance song for the big day!
"Love Me Like You Do," Ellie Goulding
Lyrics you'll love: "You're the light, you're the night/You're the color of my blood/You're the cure, you're the pain/You're the only thing I wanna touch/Never knew that it could mean so much, so much"
This song from the 50 Shades of Gray soundtrack has over 100 million streams on Spotify, and rightfully so. Goulding's voice is unique, and the song is incredibly catchy.
"Respect," by Aretha Franklin
Lyrics you'll love: "Hey, what you want/Baby, I got/What you need/Do you know I got it?/All I'm askin'/Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)"
A bridal shower playlist is not complete without this female empowerment anthem. Guests of all ages will be singing along to this one.
"Signed, Sealed, Delivered," by Stevie Wonder
Lyrics you'll love: "Like a fool, I went and stayed too long/Now, I'm wondering if your love's still strong/Ooo baby, here I am/Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours"
Play this Stevie Wonder classic as guests are entering the bridal shower. It's sure to kick things off with the right upbeat vibe—and makes a great wedding song, too.
"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)," by James Taylor
Lyrics you'll love: "With sweet love and devotion/Deeply touching my emotion/I want to stop and thank you, baby/I wanna stop and thank you baby, yes I do"
A sweet and romantic song that is beloved by guests of all ages, this is an ideal song to play as the bride-to-be and her loved ones are enjoying brunch or dessert. Add this one to the wedding playlist, too.
"Man! I Feel Like a Woman," by Shania Twain
Lyrics you'll love: "Oh-oh-oh, get in the action/Feel the attraction/Color my hair, do what I dare/Oh-oh-oh, I wanna be free/Yeah, to feel the way I feel/Man! I feel like a woman!"
Let's go girls. This anthem is a bridal shower favorite and for good reason—it's impossible to resist singing along. Don't forget to add this tune to the getting-ready playlist for the wedding day, too.
"Chapel of Love," by The Dixie Cups
Lyrics you'll love: "Goin' to the chapel and we're gonna get married/Goin' to the chapel and we're gonna get married/Gee, I really love you/And we're gonna get married/Goin' to the chapel of love"
Fans of the movie Father of the Bride will surely recognize this song. It makes a particularly ideal song to close out the shower, as you send the bride-to-be to her "chapel of love."
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