Slow dances used to be a rite of passage. A way to flirt without words, to hold someone close without having to utter a syllable. This ritual used to be in such high demand that, per The Honest Broker, men would literally buy into the ritual, potential scandals be damned. Unfortunately, the slow dance, once integral to intimacy and courtship, may be dying out.
Recent reporting indicates that Gen Z and Gen Alpha have categorically rejected this tradition, partly because the thought of letting one’s guard down willingly is seen as “too intimate and scary.” Their loss, honestly. They’re missing out on the magic of the perfect slow dance moment.
There’s something truly transportive about couples or other romantically inclined parties coming together on the dancefloor to move and sway as one. In my former life as a mobile DJ, slow dances had this unique power to bring an entire room together, allowing them to reminisce about sacred memories or fantasize about creating new ones. There’s nothing like it.
In this post, I highlight 30 of my favorite songs that soundtrack such moments. Many of these rank as some of the best slow dance songs of all time, while others are deeper cuts that are underappreciated romantic gems. From pop to rock to R&B, there’s something here for everyone.
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Let’s begin:
1. "All My Life" (1997): The Makeout Start That Made K-Ci & Jojo 90s R&B Royalty
Is there a better way to start this list? I think not.
This track, written by Joel "JoJo" Hailey and Rory Bennett, ticks all the boxes of a swoon-worthy R&B ballad. Soaring harmonies, a karaoke-ready chorus, and a seductive rhythm that keeps those hips moving. It’s no wonder “All My Life” became K-Ci & Jojo’s most successful single, topping the Hot 100 and selling over three million copies.
I’ve seen it result in full make-out sessions in the middle of a packed dancefloor—now that’s power.
2. "At Last" (1960): Etta James’ Gold Standard for Sultry Soul Ballads
Originally written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the 1941 musical Sun Valley Serenade, “At Least” later became Etta James’ signature love song, which is saying a lot. Lest we forget, the album of the same name, released in 1960, includes other all-timers like “Sunday Kind of Love” and “I Just Want To Make Love To You.” But, on “At Last,” there’s something about her sultry, powerhouse vocal that gets me every time.
Despite only peaking at No. 47 on the Hot 100 in 1961, this track was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and joined the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2009.
3. "At This Moment" (1981): Billy Vera & The Beaters’ Show-Stopping 80s Slow Dance Revival
This song is the definition of a slow-burner in pop culture. It stalled out at No. 79 on the Hot 100 when it was released in 1981, but found new life with audiences later that decade when it was featured in Family Ties. As Michael J. Fox later remarked, “Tracy [Pollan] and I couldn't get on the dancefloor anywhere in the world in the first ten years of our marriage without them playing ‘What did you think…’”
Fun fact: Jimmy Fallon of all people did an excellent cover version of this smooth, vulnerable classic in 2018.
4. "Back at One" (1999): One of Brian McKnight’s Most Seductive Vocals Ever
Brian McKnight is flat-out one of the best R&B singers I’ve ever heard. Any era. Any context. Just one of the greats. If you need documented proof of his range and unparalleled ability to get you completely wrapped up in the moment emotionally, look no further than “Back at One.” His voice is liquid silk, guiding you through a tender, candlelit swaying session with incredible control.
When you have that heart-stopping falsetto, you can’t not be a sex symbol, amirite?
5. "Because You Loved Me" (1996): Celine Dion’s Gratitude-Filled Power Ballad
The lead North American single off her 1996 album Falling Into You, “Because You Loved Me,” gives Céline Dion one of her career-defining crescendo moments. Written by Diane Warren and David Foster, it’s an unabashedly sentimental track that’s perfect for an arms-around-waist moment that will make your partner feel like they’re the one behind your every win.
Also, sneer at the Céline aesthetic all you want, but this song absolutely crushed it commercially. It’s sold well over two million copies as a single, picked up multiple Grammy nods, and was the centerpiece of many a profitable Vegas residency show. She more than merits a spot on this list.
6. "Can't Help Falling in Love" (1961): Elvis Presley’s Eternal Moonlit Serenade
Leave it to the King of Rock and Roll to turn a French melody originally penned in the 1700s into a hit ballad.
Recorded for his 1961 film Blue Hawaii, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” has become Presley’s most enduring love song, one that’s never been topped despite the countless covers released by other artists, both well-known and obscure. According to Marie Claire, it’s also the most popular wedding first dance song ever.
Fun fact: In the film, Elvis doesn’t actually sing the song to his love interest but rather to the female lead’s grandmother. The look on both of their faces as he’s lip-syncing through the material tells you all you need to know.
7. "Endless Love" (1981): Diana Ross and Lionel Richie’s Romantic Duet Masterpiece
I think it’s safe to say that Diana Ross and Lionel Richie started a hugely bankable 80s trend with “Endless Love.” Big, lush, dramatic duets became a blueprint that many other artists used to create massive pop hits. From Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes to Mike Reno and Ann Wilson, the list is extensive. But, to their credit, none of those top the grace and elegance Diana and Lionel serve up here.
Here’s an incredible “Endless Love” stat: For three weeks in September 1981, the single spent three weeks simultaneously atop the Billboard Hot 100, R&B, and Adult Contemporary charts. Talk about crossover success.
8. "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" (1991): The Ballad That Became Bryan Adams’ Biggest Hit
This Bryan Adams cut is easily the one I got the most slow dance requests for as a DJ. Part of the reason may be that few ballads attain the level of ubiquity this one did, hitting No. 1 in 19 different countries (!) and selling more than 15 million copies, becoming Adams’ biggest commercial success.
Side note: I’m not sure why, but piano-driven ballads were all the rage for most of the 90s. Per Billboard, many artists parlayed this noticeable taste preference into hit singles, including Mariah Carey, Vanessa Williams, Whitney Houston, and Elton John.
9. "Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star (1993)
Some of the best slow dances are slow burns. Deliberate, repetitive melodies, gentle instrumentation, and quietly affecting vocals all ache with longing and a desire to connect. In this vein, few songs have been as eternal-sounding as Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You.”
This song is also well-suited for those looking for a more nuanced sonic setting for a slow dance. The lyrics aren’t exactly a downer, but they don’t runneth over with giddy proclamations of love, either. “I wanna hold the hand inside you/I wanna take the breath that's true,” begins singer-songwriter Hope Sandoval. “I look to you and I see nothing/I look to you to see the truth.”
10. "Have I Told You Lately" by Rod Stewart (1991)
Originally written and recorded by Van Morrison in 1989, the definitive version of this classic ballad has to go to Rod Stewart. His cover first appeared on his 1991 album, Vagabond Heart, but would gain widespread popularity two years later after his live performance of it for the MTV Unplugged series was parlayed into a Top 5 hit in the U.S. and the UK.
One of the reasons I love Rod’s 1993 version is how warm and earnest his vocals are. The gravelly crooning is complemented perfectly by the stripped-back, straightforward instrumentation, giving you just enough rhythmic incentive to pull your dance partner even closer.
11. "How Deep Is Your Love" by the Bee Gees (1977)
This 1977 hit from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack exemplifies that, underneath that sparkling disco veneer, the Bee Gees were, in their heart of hearts, unabashed romantics. The trio wrote their share of tender ballads (see: “Too Much Heaven,” “Emotion”), but this one hits the slow jam sweet spot like nothing else in their catalog.
All pillowy harmonies and whispered declarations of love, this classic makes every embrace feel like the deepest of promises. In the context of the film, the song’s lyrics are ironic, underscoring the doomed nature of the central romance. However, as a standalone single, a few 70s classics sweep you off your feet like this one.
12. "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston (1992)
Yes, Dolly Parton originally wrote and recorded this song, and it’s a perfectly nice ballad, but, in the hands of Bodyguard-era Whitney Houston, it became a global juggernaut. It spent 14 weeks at the top of the Hot 100, a record at the time, and spent multiple weeks holding the peak position on almost every other international singles chart. It also earned Whitney a Grammy in 1994 for Record of the Year.
What else can you say about her vocal performance? It’s one of the most revered and imitated achievements in pop and R&B—a towering reminder of her all-world singing chops, especially when that key change comes in after a perfectly-placed pause that builds anticipation. Nothing short of legendary all around.
13. "If I Ain’t Got You" by Alicia Keys (2004)
By blending vintage soul sensibilities and a contemporary polish, Alicia Keys created a modern slow jam classic. It’s not flashy or manipulative. It’s about cutting through the fronts people put up and getting to the core of what makes a rock-solid romance. That desire for everlasting connection is what’s helped this track that the test of time.
Musically, I’ve always admired how stripped-down the aesthetic is. The piano-driven melody, which is sumptuous and catchy on its own, frames a beautifully modulated lead vocal, equal parts tender and matter-of-fact. When those strings swell behind her, you know you’re in the safe hands of someone who’s going to take care of you for the next three-plus minutes.
14. "Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel (1977)
This Billy Joel classic is another example of how, sometimes, our peers know us better than we do. “Just The Way You Are” was written about Joel’s first wife, Elizabeth Weber, and, at least initially, was disliked by both him and the band. It was only after some prodding from several contemporaries, including Linda Ronstadt and Phoebe Snow, that he added it to The Stranger’s tracklist. The rest, as they say, is history.
Like a few other songs on this list, Joel doesn’t dress up the central sentiment to the point where it could’ve become cloying or disingenuous. Instead, it’s a timeless-sounding song, totally free of artifice. He’s just telling it like it is.
15. "Lady in Red" by Chris de Burgh (1986)
Is this the cheesiest song on this list? You could make that case. But, in the end, what’s the issue with that being the case? Love can be cheesy. Those over-the-top gestures of romantic grandeur are what make nights soundtracked by this Chris de Burgh hit stick in your memory long after they’ve passed.
I’ve never been the biggest fan of de Burgh’s creative oeuvre, but his performance is exactly what the track needs. Whispery, kind of fragile, but never not sincere about how taken he is with the titular lady in the red dress. With the latter quality, I don’t think you’d be left with a ballad that, in hindsight, sounds like late-80s soft rock distilled into a single, wispy slow dance.
16. "Let It Be Me" by The Everly Brothers (1960)
“Let It Be Me” isn’t necessarily the first Everly Brothers ballad that comes to mind when putting a list like this together, but it’s arguably the love song of theirs that’s held up the best more than six decades since. Simple. Earnest. Heartfelt. It harkens back to a more innocent time, when first dances at high school events carried a lot more weight.
Fun fact: This cut is actually an English-language cover of “Je t'appartiens”, a French song that had been most notably recorded and released by Gilbert Bécaud in 1955. A modest hit in Europe, the Everly Brothers’ version would crack the Top 10 of the Hot 100 and spawn a plethora of similar covers after the fact.
17. “A Love So Beautiful” by Roy Orbison (1989)
One of the standout songs on his powerful posthumous LP, Mystery Girl, “A Love So Beautiful” may be the most cinematic ballad in Roy Orbison’s canon, which is saying a lot. His voice floats just above a tear the entire time, fragile but unwavering. The young love he pines for isn’t based purely on the physical, either.
Like the man himself, this track encapsulates love that’s remembered with reverence and, admittedly, a touch of regret. By the time this classic saw the light of day, Orbison had succumbed to a heart attack at age 52. He’d never get a chance to make good on the career upswing that was waiting in the wings post-Blue Velvet.
18. "Say You Won’t Let Go" by James Arthur (2016)
One of the most-streamed love songs of the 21st century (over 5 billion and counting on YouTube and Spotify combined), “Say You Won’t Let Go” was a popular wedding first dance song choice back when I was playing DJ gigs almost every weekend. James Arthur’s raspy, pleading vocals pull you in, with those soft guitar chords giving your swoon the softest of landings.
Regardless of whether Arthur will end up being known primarily as a one-hit wonder, that one hit may have been one of the last slow dance chart blockbusters on either side of the Atlantic. On top of rising to the rank of top-selling British male artist in 2016, this song has been certified Diamond in the United States, with well over 10 million copies sold to date.
19. "Someone to Hold" by Trey Lorenz (1992)
Best known for his Jackson 5 cover with Mariah Carey that topped the Hot 100 in 1992, Trey Lorenz is one of the most unsung talents of 90s-era R&B. His velvety, soulful voice conveyed an unparalleled sense of tenderness, particularly on his biggest solo success, the ballad “Someone to Hold.”
Featuring a songwriting and background vocal credit for Carey, this track is a terrific showcase for Lorenz’s talent behind the mic. Every word is infused with the joyous sense of finding one’s soulmate, inviting your dance partner to get even closer while moving to the solid synth-laden groove. If there’s any hidden gem to listen to, it’s this one.
20. "Something" by the Beatles (1969)
As far as classy, introspective love songs go, you can’t do much better than “Something.” Of all the ballads Lennon and McCartney have penned over the years, many of which I’m fond of, I don’t think there’s a Beatles song that hits me in the feels quite like this George Harrison-penned ditty. The beauty in its simplicity is breathtaking.
A No. 1 hit in the US that also reached No. 4 in the UK, Harrison later clarified the song wasn’t about his ex, Pattie Boyd (more on her shortly). “I just wrote it, and then somebody put together a video [with] some footage of me and Pattie, Paul and Linda, Ringo and Maureen [and] John and Yoko […] everybody presumed I wrote it about Pattie, but actually, when I wrote it, I was thinking of Ray Charles.”
21. "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran (2014)
When “Thinking Out Loud” began climbing the charts as a single, I remember how undeniable its power was. As a DJ, I’d get asked to play it over and over again (not the last time one of Sheeran’s songs forced my hand during a gig), and as I was preparing for my wedding in August 2023, I stumbled across this song again.
Listening with fresh ears, I found it far more captivating than ever. He’s riffing on blue-eyed soul reminiscent of Van Morrison and Daryl Hall to create an incredibly heartfelt vocal performance. I’m not the only one who enjoys it, either. “Thinking” has over 4 billion streams worldwide as of this writing, as well as Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance Grammys.
22. "Through the Fire" by Chaka Khan (1985)
Here’s a name that hasn’t come up yet but is worth mentioning in the context of iconic slow jams: David Foster. His work with Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Celine Dion, and Brandy, to name just a few, has cemented his legacy as a master of the adult contemporary ballad. But one of his less-famous collaborations that deserves more love is Chaka Khan’s “Through the Fire.”
Chaka’s voice stretches and soars over top of a gorgeous bed of synths and gated drums, making you internalize the love-at-all-costs lyrics. Her performances always radiate this singular energy that’s difficult for me to describe. There’s this heat, an intensity in her delivery that gives the illusion your skin is glowing by the time the song ends.
23. "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper (1984)
One of the final songs recorded for her debut studio album, “Time After Time,” has come back around culturally. Once memed for its 80s kitsch, this diary entry of a love song pulses like a heartbeat. Her near-whisper vocals strike a chord with visual metaphors like a “suitcase of memories.” Even if it brings a tear to your eye, the song still entices you to pull someone in close.
The label was so impressed with the last-minute addition to the LP that they wanted this track to be the lead single over “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.” Lauper rejected this, arguing that kicking off the album cycle with a ballad would pigeonhole her as just that and nothing else. “Girls” crushed it, “Time After Time” was released as the second single, and the rest is history.
24. “Turn Me On” by Norah Jones (2002)
Originally written by John D. Loudermilk and first made famous by Nina Simone, “Turn Me On” is up there with my favorite slow-burn love songs. It simmers instead of soars, quickly and effectively building an atmosphere that’s soft, seductive, and just the right amount of wistful. Throw in the jazzy haze Norah Jones has built a career on, and you get to a place of lovelorn nirvana.
“Turn Me On” was the fourth and final single from Come Away With Me, Jones’ out-of-nowhere adult contemporary blockbuster. I forgot how incredibly popular that album was until I went back and looked at the numbers again, but, seriously: wow. With an estimated 28 million copies sold, it’s one of the most successful albums of the SoundScan era and the 21st century’s highest-selling debut album in any genre.
25. "The Way You Look Tonight" by Tony Bennett (1958)
Originally composed by Jerome Kern and written by Dorothy Fields for Fred Astaire, “The Way You Look Tonight” won an Oscar for Best Original Song in 1936. It’s since been covered by every crooner worth his salt, from Frank Sinatra to Michael Bublé. However, if I had to pick a definitive version of the song, it’s got to be the one sung by the late, great Tony Bennett.
Often performed live with just piano as accompaniment, the scaled-back tempo and arrangement play to Bennett’s strengths as a vocalist. His smooth, smoky delivery perfectly encapsulates the sensation behind the lyrics of a man who knows his infatuation will be burned into his memory forever.
26. "When a Man Loves a Woman" by Percy Sledge (1966)
No disrespect to Michael Bolton, but the definitive version of this all-time ballad is the one helmed by Percy Sledge, one of soul music’s most underrated crooners from the 1960s. His appeal comes from the fact that there’s no subtlety on display here. Sledge is laying his whole heart on the line, ready and willing to hand it over to the woman of his dreams.
Released on Atlantic Records in 1966, “When a Man Loves a Woman” became the first No. 1 single recorded in Muscle Shoals, topping both the Hot 100 and the Billboard R&B charts that year. Interestingly, it wasn’t the version label head Jerry Wexler wanted to release, but someone at Atlantic mixed up this tape with one where the horns were in tune. Go figure.
27. "When We’re Dancing Close and Slow" by Prince (1979)
Longtime readers of this newsletter know that I’m a Purple One superfan, which means he wasn’t not getting a song on a list of the greatest slow jams of all time. Again, lots of possibilities throughout his catalog, from “International Lover” to “Adore” to “Insatiable.” But my pick throws it all the way back to 1979 for this gem, “When We’re Dancing Close and Slow.”
On this sleeper, deeply sensual cut, Prince dials back the theatrics and instead moves in a slower, far more deliberate rhythm. The way his voice caresses every space left by the slinky groove and the piano melody, one that lingers on the one note so precisely, it’s all sublime. To think he crafted this song when he was 19 is nothing short of astonishing.
28. "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton (1977)
Described by Billboard in 1978 as “perhaps Clapton's prettiest and mellowest love ballad,” “Wonderful Tonight” more than holds up as a gorgeous ballad. The melody is catchy, the guitar playing straightforward yet marvellously expressive, and the harmonies, including a contribution from Yvonne Elliman, are melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Clapton famously wrote this song about Pattie Boyd, who’d taken up with the guitarist after splitting up with Harrison. As she told Taylor Swift in an interview (yes, that was a real thing): “I came downstairs with trepidation thinking [Eric] was going to be so angry that I’d taken far too long [to get ready], and instead he said, ‘Listen, I’ve just written this song.’” The rest, as they say, is history.
29. "You’re Still the One" by Shania Twain (1997)
I’m on the record as an out-and-out Shania Twain fan, especially her genuinely game-changing run of success during the back half of the 90s. During that period, she released her share of defiant, feminist cruisiers, but she also had a softer side. When she let her guard down and spoke openly about her love life in her music, her words became transcendent, like on 1997’s “You’re Still the One.”
Conceived as a tribute to her marriage to producing partner (and, ironically, when she performs it in concert now, ex-husband) Robert John “Mutt” Lange, it’s a wonderful tribute to the person you’re continuously in awe of. The one who sticks by you and supports you with a love that’s built to last. Couples that stay together? This song’s dedicated to you.
30. "Your Song" by Elton John (1970)
Along with his writing partner, lyricist Bernie Taupin, Sir Elton John is behind some of the most recognizable love songs of the last 75 years. From the ubiquitous “Tiny Dancer” to his Disney soundtrack success “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” there was plenty of material to choose from for a spot on this list. But, in my heart of hearts, I had to go with the ballad that initially put him on the map, “Your Song.”
The track has a fascinating backstory. Three Dog Night recorded the song before Elton did, but they never released it as a single out of deference to the budding star. It was also first shipped as the B-side to “Take Me to the Pilot,” but the songs soon swapped positions after radio disc jockeys took an instant liking to “Your Song.” It would go on to peak at No. 8 on the Hot 100, scoring Elton and Bernie their first Top 10 hit, and sell over 3 million copies as a single.
What’s your all-time favorite slow jam? Shout it out in the comments.