We gathered up 25 of our favorite nonbinary first dance songs, free from pronouns and assumptions.
Your first dance is iconic. It’s memorable, personal, a perfect photo op and one of the few ways
to infuse a ton of personality and meaning, without chipping away at your budget. Whether you s tart the reception off with something sentimental and sweet, or you get the party moving with something fun and upbeat, there’s no end to great choices. While gender stereotypes tend to permeate every aspect of the wedding industry, there are so many amazing gender-neutral song choices. Even many classic hits don’t bother with pronouns, freeing them from preconceived meanings. We pulled together a list of nonbinary first dance songs, mixing new favorites with old standbys, that are perfect for everyone, no matter their gender identity.
For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder
You absolutely cannot find a more fun, joyful song than this classic by Stevie Wonder. Your entire reception will be moving by the time this song wraps up.
Favorite Lyrics:
For once in my life, I won't let sorrow hurt me
Not like it's hurt me before (Not like it's hurt me before)
For once, I have something I know won't desert me
I'm not alone anymore (I'm not alone anymore)
For once I can say, “This is mine, you can't take it”
As long as I know I have love, I can make it
For once in my life, I have someone who needs me
MAJOR’s This is Why I Love You is simple yet soaring with perfectly paired piano accompaniment. MAJOR’s old-school soul has all the romantic vibes.
Favorite Lyrics:
I found love in you
And no other love will do
Every moment that you smile
Chases all of the pain away
Forever and a while
In my heart is where you'll stay
Yours by Ella Henderson is simply stunning. The British singer lists Adele and Amy Winehouse as inspiration.
Favorite Lyrics:
‘Cause I, I feel like I'm ready for love
And I wanna be your everything and more
And I know every day you say it
But I just want you to be sure
That I am yours
That I am yours
It’s You I Like by Allison Young
Trust us on this one. Allison Young has a stunning voice with a dreamy, vintage quality to it and her cover of Mr. Rogers’s (yes, that Mr. Rogers) It’s You I Like is as sweet and sentimental as it gets.
Favorite Lyrics:
The way you are right now,
The way down deep inside you
Not the things that hide you,
Not your toys
They're just beside you.
But it's you I like
Every part of you.
Your skin, your eyes, your feelings
Whether old or new
Latch by Disclosure ft. Sam Smith
Of course Sam Smith would be on this list. That’s the easy part. Picking just one of their songs? Much harder. We finally landed on the acoustic version of Latch, which is such a wonderful depiction of finding real love and holding on tight.
Favorite Lyrics:
You lift my heart up when the rest of me is down (‘nother)
You, you enchant me even when you're not around (‘nother)
If there are boundaries, I will try to knock them down (‘nother)
I'm latching on, babe, now I know what I have found (‘nother)
You Make Me Feel by Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae is a national treasure, and if you’re a couple who is silly, sexy, and ready to kick off a great night, make an incredible entrance with You Make Me Feel!
Favorite Lyrics:
It's like I'm powerful with a little bit of tender
An emotional, sexual bender
Mess me up, yeah, but no one does it better
There's nothin' better
That's just the way you make me feel
Lou Reed’s Perfect Day manages to be melancholy, sentimental, hopeful, and sweet all at the same time. This would also make a great choice for a wedding party dance, or a last dance to end the reception.
Favorite Lyrics:
Oh it's such a perfect day
I'm glad I spend it with you.
Oh such a perfect day,
you just keep me hangin on,
you just keep me hangin on
Queen Bey has given us so many gifts, not the least of which is her Grammy Award-winning Love on Top (which actually was the theme of our print issue launch party in 2022!), which builds using multiple key changes and Beyonce’s powerful vocal range to make it an unforgettable song choice.
Favorite Lyrics:
Baby, it's you
You're the one I love
You're the one I need
You're the only thing I see
Come on, baby, it's you
You're the one that gives your all
You're the one I can always call
When I need you, make everything stop
Finally, you put my love on top (Baby)
Love in Real Life by Beth Ditto
There’s no mistaking the voice of indie powerhouse, Beth Ditto. Her song, Love in Real Life is a celebration of finding true love, not in the movie moments, but in the honest, true imperfections you find in real life.
Favorite Lyrics:
What more could we ask for?
Some kind of fantasy
There's no one I want more
More than anything
We're always coming up roses
And that's alright
‘Cause that's what happens when you love in real life
Celebrate the journey you’re taking together, and the way a strong relationship allows for change and evolution with Ben Platt’s Grow as We Go.
Favorite Lyrics:
You won't be the only one
I am unfinished, I've got so much left to learn
I don't know how this river runs
But I'd like the company through every twist and turn
Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
For as many love songs as The Beatles came out with, none of them are as optimistic and bright as Here Comes the Sun, especially for the couple who has overcome obstacles to get to this point.
Favorite Lyrics:
Little darlin', it's been a long, cold, lonely winter
Little darlin', it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, doo-doo-doo-doo
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's alright
Little darlin', the smile's returning to their faces
Little darlin', it seems like years since it's been here
Loving is Easy by Rex Orange County
Sometimes falling in love really does feel like softly falling, easily and without drama. If this feels familiar, Loving is Easy by Rex Orange County is the perfect song to celebrate the start to your marriage.
Favorite Lyrics:
Loving is easy
You had me fucked up
It used to be so hard to see
Yeah, loving is easy
When everything's perfect
Please don't change a single little thing for me (Yeah)
So This is Love by Gerphil Flores
You don’t have to dream of marrying a price to swoon when you hear So This is Love from Cinderella. We especially love this cover by Gerphil Flores. If you like this but want something slightly darker, try the Lana Del Rey cover of Once Upon a Dream.
Favorite Lyrics:
My heart has wings, mm
And I can fly
I'll touch every star in the sky
So this is the miracle
That I've been dreaming of
Mm
Mm
So this is love
We’re pretty sure TEEKS could sing a grocery list and make it sound romantic and soulful. His song First Time is a beautiful tribute to any couple who has waited and worked to get to this day.
Favorite Lyrics:
Can you take me through
Touch me on my face (my face)
Kiss me on my hand (kiss me on my hand)
Take me to a place where we find love
Show me what it means and how it's supposed to feel
You got all I need
Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur
James Arthur proves anything can be a meet cute when you put it to music, even drinking too much and throwing up on a first date. Seriously though, this song is perfect—simple, funny, honest, and romantic.
Favorite Lyrics:
I'm gonna love you 'til
My lungs give out
I promise 'til death we part like in our vows
So I wrote this song for you, now everybody knows
That it's just you and me 'til we're grey and old
Just say you won't let go
Just say you won't let go
What a Wonderful World by Sam Cooke
The best love songs don’t take themselves too seriously and Sam Cooke’s classic What a Wonderful World is charming, funny and will have your whole reception singing along.
Favorite Lyrics:
Don't know much about history,
Don't know much biology,
Don't know much about a science book,
Don’t know much about the French I took,
But I do know that I love you,
And I know that if you love me too,
What a wonderful world this would be.
There’s honestly something romantic about the fact that this song was inspired by COVID lockdown. Ben Rector’s It Would Be You finds joy in the stability of one person, even if the world around you is falling apart.
Favorite Lyrics:
If there was anyone I'd want to spend about 100 days with,
layin' in the yard,
staring up at stars wondering where all the planes went…
It would be you. Only you.
We might not have forever.
No time for taking chances.
It would be you, and always you.
And when the lights go out, we'll just keep on dancing in the dark.
Love You for a Long Time by Maggie Rogers
Maggie Rogers Love You for a Long Time is an exuberant celebration of love in all its forms—perfect for beginning your marriage with all of your friends and family who have supported you along the way.
Favorite Lyrics:
And in the morning when you wake me up
I know that forever could never be enough
I feel it in my body, know it in my mind
Oh, I, I'm gonna love you for a long time
I'm gonna love you for a long time
I'm gonna love you for a long time
For a long time
Oh, I'm gonna love you for a long time
Can’t Help Falling In Love Haley Reinhart
There have been so many covers of Elvis Prestley’s iconic Can’t Help Falling in Love, but Haley Reinhart’s is especially amazing. Just try not falling deeper in love while dancing together to this classic.
Favorite Lyrics:
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help
Falling in love with you
Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
Promising to love someone no matter what life brings or how things change is such a beautiful thing. Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud looks beyond falling in love to a future of landing in love.
Favorite Lyrics:
When my hair’s all but gone and my memory fades
And the crowds don’t remember my name
When my hands don’t play the strings the same way,
I know you will still love me the same.
Dumb In Love, by Dreamer Isioma
Dumb in Love is a synthy, dreamy song about loving someone so much it simply defies all logic. It builds to a metallic crescendo but is still easy to sway and dance to with your partner.
Favorite Lyrics:
You can have my breath and half of my heart
(You can have my breath and half of my heart)
But tuck it away, you have to guard it
(But tuck it away, you have to guard it)
Hold my fears, I'll hold yours
I can handle it (I can handle it)
I can handle your world (I can handle your world)
Woah, you are my world
I Choose You by Sara Bareilles
Sara Bareilles manages to create an uplifting, joyful song that not only celebrates the happy and joyful aspects of love, but love’s imperfections as well. What’s even better, she wrote this song specifically in response to a fan request to use it for their wedding!
Favorite Lyrics:
I am not scared of the elements
I am under-prepared, but I am willing
And even better
I get to be the other half of you
Tell the world that we finally got it all right
I choose you, yeah
Take Me With You by Skylar Kergil
We can’t wait to hear more from trans singer/songwriter Skylar Kergil, whose simple lyrics and guitar capture our hearts! Take Me With You is a particularly good option for a first dance song.
Favorite Lyrics:
Good morning in early morning
the sun comes and touches your skin
You've caught my, my attention
and so I move in your direction
So take me with you
Oh take me with you
Hold You Til We’re Old by Jamie Miller
Welsh singer Jamie Miller’s Hold You Til We’re Old is not only fun, catchy, and danceable, it’s message of committing to each other for life and all that entails, is absolutely perfect for a wedding.
Favorite Lyrics:
I'll hold you 'til we're older
Love you when I'm sober
Be there 'til the air stops
Pumping out your lungs
Kiss me like the first time (the first time)
Even at the worst times (the worst times)
Even when it hurts, I swear you keep mе up
I'll hold you 'til we're old
You’re My Best Friend by Queen
If your love story is a friends-to-lovers tale; or if you just, simply really like the person you love, Queen’s classic You’re My Best Friend is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Favorite Lyrics:
Ooh, you make me live.
Whatever this world can give to me,
it's you, you're all I see.
Ooh, you make me live now, honey.
Ooh, you make me live.
Oh, you're the best friend that I ever had.
I've been with you, such a long time.
You're my sunshine,
And I want you to know that my feelings are true,
I really love you.
Oh, you're my best friend
Cover photo by Ezlan Powers Studio from Alix and Angie's Queer Nonbinary Bookstore Wedding
Related
