6 Slow Dance Songs That Should Be Played During Prom

To the young teenage mind, there is nothing more magical or romantic than the slow dance during prom. With prom rapidly approaching, boys and girls alike are highly anticipating the ultimate slow dance. Dozens of questions and worries will run through everyone’s mind as the most intimate experiences of their lives (so far) approaches. “God I hope I don’t step on his/her feet.” “Do I smell bad? I hope I don’t smell bad.” “I hope I’m not too sweaty” “Do I put my hand on her shoulder or hip?” “Do I stare into his/her eyes or will that be too weird?” “Am I moving too fast?” However, the most important question that will be on everyone’s mind is definitely the one that will make or break the entire experience: What song are they going to play?

There are plenty of romantic ballads that could set the perfect tone for your slow dance, but prom DJs seem to only cycle the same material at every event where a slow dance appears. Thinking Out Loud, Can’t Help Falling In Love, and A Thousand Years are fine love songs that are perfect for slow dances at weddings, school dances, and prom, but they tend to lose their magic and can dull the overall experience (with the exception of the Elvis Presley classic perhaps).

As prom gets closer with each passing day, I thought I would suggest a few romantic ballads to soundtrack your special moment that you should request the DJ to play.

Jessie Ware - Till The End

Starting off this list is a lesser-known song from the Me Before You soundtrack. If you can actually recall, Me Before You is a film from last year starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin about the blossoming romance between an upbeat caretaker and a wealthy paraplegic. The movie’s soundtrack brought about a beautiful song that creates a soothing, romantic atmosphere thanks to the soft percussion and Jessie Wares’ smooth, sensual vocals. The song is perfect to slow dance to, with the lyrics detailing a love that last until the end of time (and if you have seen the movie, you’ll understanding just how hauntingly beautiful that sentiment is).

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzCJNB5dGW8

Mary Lambert - When You Sleep

Another romantic piano ballad, this time by lesbian singer-songwriter Mary Lambert, who you may recognize her as the singer behind the hook of the 2013 hit Same Love with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Lambert’s delicate vocals singing about wanting to be your one and only.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tac81bRvfC4

Lana Del Rey - Love

The most recent song on this list, Love by Lana Del Rey has the singer singing about the simple yet wonderful pleasure of being young and in love. Her soft, vintage vocals over a bass line that leads into mellow synths and ethereal drums set a perfect tone for a night that is to be remembered long after its passing.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-NTv0CdFCk

Selena - Dreaming Of You

I’m not entirely sure how often Selena is played at prom, but for the sake of including this song on the list I’m just going to pretend that it isn’t utilized as much as it should be. Released posthumously, Dreaming Of You has the late Latina icon singing of her lover and hoping he is thinking of her while she dreams of him in her sleep. It is a truly romantic pop ballad that utilizes Selena’s voice beautifully and definitely deserves to soundtrack your slow dance at prom (or any occasion, really).

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRU2qs82DAg

Green Day - Last Night On Earth

This piano-led rock ballad was written about lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong’s wife,

The vocal effects on Armstrong’s vocals along with the tentative drum beat and airy guitars create a hazy atmosphere, as if the band were performing in outer space while the Earth is being destroyed by a raging inferno. This may not be the imagery you want to envision when slow dancing this song, but don’t fret; you and your date managed to escape and are now slow dancing in a crater on the moon, and what’s more romantic and memorable than that?

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg_Y7Or_hWM

Halestorm - Break In

One of Halestorm’s most vulnerable songs to date, this piano ballad has lead singer Lzzy Hale pouring her heart out over someone who has managed to break through her emotional walls. Despite her flaws and insecurities, this person is able to look past all of that and see her for who she truly is. Hale’s tender vocals over the piano and accompanying strings later in the song create a beautiful track that will make your night.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wnPXaojnbY

Hopefully these songs will give you more variety for your prom night and make it a night to remember. Whether you go with a date or with your friends, prom is supposed to be a magical time that you will look back on fondly in the future. The right song can make a moment last an eternity, and I hope these songs do that for you.