What is a cheesy song? I would say it’s cheesy if it’s

• Silly

• Over-the-top

• Everybody knows the lyrics inside and out
  

But does cheesy automatically mean bad?

Most cheesy songs are literally just bad - they don't get people moving anymore (I’m looking at you, Mambo No.5). I avoid these songs entirely, unless the couple specifically requests them.

But there are a few cheesy songs that are so perfect for weddings that I continue to keep them at the top of my playlists (as a Calgary-based wedding DJ).

Weddings are all about nostalgia, reliving shared memories, and bringing people together. These songs do just that.

So with that in mind, here are 5 cheesy wedding songs that will bring people together like a nice fondue.

1. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond

This song has aged like Parmesan. And most people love Parmesan. 

Is it predictable? Yes.

Is it overplayed? Also yes.

Do people scream “BA BA BAAA” at the top of their lungs pretty much every single time?

Absolutely.

This is a late-night weapon.

You don’t play it at 8:30pm.

You play it when people are cozy, comfortable, and nostalgic.

It creates giant circles and group singalongs that feel like the end of a playoff hockey game.

Do I play it in my car? Never. 

But at a wedding, when the time is right, absolutely. 

Party in the U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus

It’s been stuck in my head since 2009.

This one hits millennials right in the nostalgia receptors and pulls Gen Z in without hesitation. It works across generations.

It’s versatile. You can drop it early as a warm-up or later when the floor is already moving — it works either way.

Big chorus. Big energy. One of the best sing-alongs ever made. And it’s here to stay.

3. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen

We've all heard it a million times. But hey, who's counting?

It brings back all the memz.

It’s euphoric, has a big build up, a huge drop, and massive sing-along power. 

It encourages people to stop taking themselves so seriously.

Also, it’s made here in Alberta, and became a worldwide sensation that still gets played all the time. That's pretty sweet.

Like every song, especially the cheesy ones, it really depends on who is on the dance floor. It you’re looking for a pro DJ who can read the room and make sure the time is right for this one…call me maybe ☎️

4. Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex

Some of y’all are going to hate this one.

Understandable.

But I have to say it:

Cotton Eye Joe is a barn-burner.

When it hits the right crowd, people get fired UP.

I totally get why a lot of couples put this on their Do Not Play list — and I always respect their choice. It is a ridiculous song.

But it can get the whole room bouncing real quick.

OR it can totally kill the vibe. 

You gotta read the room first.

5. We Like to Party! (The Vengabus) – Vengaboys

If you get it, you get it. 

If you don’t...that's fair.

This song does not hold back. It’s full on.

For millennials (like me), Gen X, and boomers who enjoyed peak 90s dance music — this is a masterpiece. 

Even kids who haven’t heard it before look around and join in, because it’s so much fun.

It’s not subtle. It’s not refined. It’s not “cool”.

It’s peak 90s Euro-dance magic, and I'm here for it.

When it works, you’ll see people:

• Starting conga lines

• Dance-floor choo choo trains

• Cartwheeling

• Laughing uncontrollably

  
  

It’s not for every crowd.

But for the right crowd?

It’s money.

Why (Good) Cheesy Songs Work at Weddings

A wedding dance floor is about uniting as may people as possible.

These songs pull people out of their heads and into the moment.

They:

• Lower social pressure

• Encourage group singing

• Invite spontaneous choreography

• Help everyone bond, even people who don’t know each other

And that’s when weddings become memorable.

You don’t need a whole night of pure cheese.

But some well-timed, unapologetically ridiculous tracks can completely transform the energy of a room.

Final Thought

If you’re planning a wedding and submitting your music requests…it may be wise to trust your DJ and allow a little bit of cheese….

One thing is for sure — the people make the party. A good DJ feeds that vibe by playing the best songs at the right time.

Sometimes that song is cool, current, and trendy.

Sometimes it’s unapologetically cheesy.

It’s all about what the people need in that moment.

— Mico