36 Vintage Love Songs From the 1910s to the 1950s

Set the stage for your vintage wedding with these hit songs from your favorite decade.
Vintage Love Songs From the 1910s to the 1950s
Photo: Bob Krist / Getty
justine lorelle blanchard the knot wedding planning expert
by
Justine Lorelle Blanchard
justine lorelle blanchard the knot wedding planning expert
Justine Lorelle Blanchard
Wedding Planning Expert
  • Justine Lorelle LoMonaco is an Editorial Consultant for Motherly.
  • Justine is a writer, editor, social media expert, and digital engagement specialist.
  • Justine served as an Editorial and Community Assistant and Assistant Editor for The Knot.
Updated Nov 18, 2024

Vintage love songs bring a timeless, romantic charm to any wedding, making them a perfect addition to your special day. These songs, often filled with soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics, evoke the magic of a bygone era, creating an elegant backdrop for any wedding.

Whether you're looking for jazz love songs from the 1950s or the sound of George Gershwin's keys in "Someone to Watch Over Me," we've laid out vintage music that'll set the tone for an intimate and unforgettable celebration. Incorporating these classics will not only delight your guests, but also add a sophisticated feel to your vintage wedding soundtrack.

1910s Music

Vintage music from the 1910s brings a nostalgic, charming feel to any celebration, perfect for adding a hint of nostalgia to your wedding day. This era was known for early jazz, ragtime, and romantic ballads—so if that sounds up your alley, have a listen to the following tracks.

1. "You're My Baby," by A. Seymour Brown and Nat D. Ayer (1912)

2. "For Me and My Gal," by Edgar Leslie, E. Ray Goetz, and George W. Meyer (1917)

3. "The Wedding Glide," by Louis Hirsch (1912)

4. "To Have, to Hold, to Love," by Darl MacBoyle and Ernest R. Ball (1913)

5. "You Made Me Love You," by James Vincent Monaco and Joseph McCarthy (1913)

6. "All That I Ask of You Is Love," by Edgar Selden and Herbert Ingraham (1910)

7. "The Aba Daba Honeymoon," by Arthur Fields and Walter Donovan (1914)

1920s Music

The 1920s, often called the Jazz Age, is a fantastic decade to pull music from for a vintage celebration—like a Great Gatsby-themed wedding, for instance. This era is known for the rise of jazz and swing, with artists like George Gershwin and Irving Berlin creating timeless tunes that still hold up today.

8. "The Man I Love," by George and Ira Gershwin (1924)

9. "It Had to Be You," by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn (1924)

10. "Someone to Watch Over Me," by George Gershwin (1926)

11. "I Wanna Be Loved by You," by Herbert Stothart, Harry Ruby, and Bert Kalmar (1928)

12. "Blue Skies," by Irving Berlin (1926)

13. "I Can't Give You Anything but Love," by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields (1928)

1930s Music

1930s music was filled with swing, big band sounds and classic romantic ballads, making it a fabulous decade for adding a sophisticated vibe to your vintage wedding songs playlist. Check out our picks below.

14. "Cheek to Cheek," by Irving Berlin (1935)

15. "Night and Day," by Cole Porter (1932)

16. "Let's Fall in Love," by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler (1934)

17. "I Won't Dance," by Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II, Dorothy Fields, and Jimmy McHugh (1934)

18. "All I Do Is Dream of You," by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed (1934)

19. "A Fine Romance," by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields (1936)

20. "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," by Irving Berlin (1937)

1940s Music

Continuing the golden age of swing and big band songs, 1940s music is a truly fantastic place to start if you want to add equal parts elegance and energy to your wedding. Send these to your wedding DJ, stat.

21. "Shoo Shoo Baby," by Phil Moore (1943)

22. "Swinging on a Star," by Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen (1944)

23. "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons," by William Best and Deek Watson (1944)

24. "Almost Like Being in Love," by Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner (1947)

25. "It's Magic," by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn (1948)

26. "I'm Beginning to See the Light," by Duke Ellington, Don George, Johnny Hodges, and Harry James (1944)

1950s Music

The 1950s was the time for romantic ballads, early rock and roll and smooth crooners, making it a wonderful decade to draw music from for your wedding. Artists like Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole and The Platters brought a sense of timelessness with love songs that you can listen to below.

27. "Love Me Tender," by Elvis Presley (1956)

28. "Unchained Melody," by The Righteous Brothers (1955)

29. "Only You (And You Alone)," by The Platters (1955)

30. "Earth Angel," by The Penguins (1954)

31. "At Last," by Etta James (1959)

32. "Young at Heart," by Frank Sinatra (1953)

33. "That's Amore," by Dean Martin (1953)

34. "In the Still of the Night," by The Five Satins (1956)

35. "True Love," by Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly (1956)

36. "You Send Me," by Sam Cooke (1957)

Vintage Music Playlist

Listen to our picks with The Knot's Vintage Wedding Music playlist on Spotify.

Additional reporting by Brittany Barber.

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