Photo credit: 123RF
A slow dance is a type of partner dance in which a couple dance slowly, swaying to the music. This is usually done to very slow-beat songs, namely sentimental ballads. For younger generations, slow dancing often consists of holding each other close and simply swaying along to the music. While this is acceptable in most social circles, it is also fun to learn some basic steps to more traditional slow dancing. The former is known as the “hug and sway”, while the latter consists of more organized steps. The box step is an introductory slow dance step that is used in many styles of ballroom dancing including the rumba and the classic waltz. It is also appropriate in casual slow dancing that is free from any official style.
Sometimes, as a teen growing up in the sixties, you may remember going to park dances in the summer or in winter inside of a small crowded dance hall (with one of those mirrored balls hanging from the ceiling). Most times locals depended upon a young adult to spin records.
I thought it would be a good idea to begin listing some of our favorites we’d like to dance with our mate, dates, girl/boy friends or even when meeting someone new.
Recently I listened to about (125) songs that were considered “slow-dancing” songs. For your enjoyment, here are eight of my personal favorites:
“Ooh Baby Baby” – 1978 (Linda Ronstadt) https://youtu.be/zhkKVhEZV5k?feature=shared
Photo credit: Kobo sheet music
“Wonderful Tonight” – 1977 (Eric Clapton) https://youtu.be/UprwkbzUX6g?feature=shared
Photo credit: Genius
“Every time I Close My Eyes” – 1996 (Babyface) https://youtu.be/GbrSO81KhBY?feature=shared
Photo credit: Qobuz
“Always and Forever” 1976 (Heatwave) https://youtu.be/9tXVK7fh-kI?feature=shared
Photo credit: Spotify
“I Only Have Eyes for You” 1959 (The Flamingos) https://youtu.be/1_urvud-Oi0?feature=shared
Photo credit: Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame
“Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” 1965 (Mel Carter) https://youtu.be/MwIJJ3mvTyQ?feature=shared
Photo credit: Home Decor with Wall Art
“End of the Road” 1991 https://youtu.be/zDKO6XYXioc?feature=shared
“When a Man Loves a Woman” 1966
https://youtu.be/KwPxhWU1koE?feature=shared
Photo credit: Art Desk
Just in case you want more, the following represents another list of (60) more slow dancing songs that I believe are very good and worth listening/dancing to:
“Close to You” 1970 (The Carpenters) https://youtu.be/M268Csnue9I?feature=shared
“At Last” 1960 (Etta James). https://youtu.be/1qJU8G7gR_g?feature=shared
“In My Room” 1966 (The Beach Boys) https://youtu.be/EdrSbHU3-Ak?feature=shared
“Knights in White Satin” 1967 (The Moody Blues) https://youtu.be/066HZlam91Y?feature=shared
“If You Leave Me Now” 1976 (Chicago) https://youtu.be/-9_d-sFhmRM?feature=shared
“When I’m with You” 1982 (Sheriff) https://youtu.be/la–7Rf7u1A?feature=shared
“We’ve Got Tonight” 1978 (Bob Seger) https://youtu.be/KNMikVzs1-c?feature=shared
“You Got It Bad” 2001 (Usher) https://youtu.be/o3IWTfcks4k?feature=shared
“I Wanna Know” 1999 (Joe) https://youtu.be/dJ8VjyPw0qY?feature=shared
“Somebody to Love” 1995 (Jon B – Babyface) https://youtu.be/3geit04i9DY?feature=shared
“Saved the Best for Last” 1992 (Vanessa Williams) https://youtu.be/5EdmHSTwmWY?feature=shared
“I Will Be Here” 1989 (Steven Curtis Chapman) https://youtu.be/DqD7aq-7PWc?feature=shared
“Hard Habit to Break” 1984 (Chicago) https://youtu.be/h4Khmgvj5J4?feature=shared
“Unchained Melody” 1965 (Righteous Brothers) https://youtu.be/Zv8czIoAw5w?feature=shared
“Baby Can I Hold You” 1988 (Tracy Chapman) https://youtu.be/DqoLMGSBGYc?feature=shared
“To Know Him is to Love Him” 1958 (Teddy Bears) https://youtu.be/vDIXRWLUHA0?feature=shared
“Come Softly to Me” 1959 (The Fleetwoods) https://youtu.be/Dkf-Dhihdrc?feature=shared
“Are You Lonesome Tonight” 1960 (Elvis Presley) https://youtu.be/9XVdtX7uSnk?feature=shared
“Our Day Will Come” 1963 (Ruby and the Romantics) https://youtu.be/i6FpsXojEoQ?feature=shared
“Soul and Inspiration” 1966 (Righteous Brothers) https://youtu.be/mzrPs-hLKmM?feature=shared
“How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” 1971 (Bee Gees) https://youtu.be/kL9wJAND1WI?feature=shared
“My Eyes Adore You” 1975 (Frankie Valli) https://youtu.be/V7Ggn1JPYJc?feature=shared
“You’re the Inspiration” 1984 (Chicago) https://youtu.be/CRfy1yorkec?feature=shared
“True Love” 1983 (Elton John and Kiki Dee) https://youtu.be/z0qW9P-uYfM?feature=shared
“Just the Way You Are” 1977 (Billy Joel) https://youtu.be/HaA3YZ6QdJU?feature=shared
“Lady in Red” 1986 (Chris DeBurgh) https://youtu.be/T9Jcs45GhxU?feature=shared
“Feels So Right” 1981 (Alabama) https://youtu.be/J2Q0gHA9vXY?feature=shared
“Amazed” 1999 (Lonestar) https://youtu.be/x-skFgrV59A?feature=shared
“Miracle of Love” 1986 (Eurythmics) https://youtu.be/yOGD1WkJJok?feature=shared
“Without You” 1971 (Nilsson) https://youtu.be/8dnUv3DUP4E?feature=shared
“After the Lovin” 1976 (Engelbert Humperdinck) https://youtu.be/SiKEuqfacJE?feature=shared
“Oh Girl” 1972 (Chi-Lites) https://youtu.be/6fBJuYf9m8E?feature=shared
“Only You” 1956 (The Platters). https://youtu.be/5p2k55F-uag?feature=shared
“Sleepwalk“ 1959 (Santos and Johnny). https://youtu.be/YBRCvVpknvg?feature=shared
“Color My World” 1970 (Chicago) https://youtu.be/cWkXmx-0phc?feature=shared
“When I Fall in Love” 1956 (Nat King Cole). https://youtu.be/GfAb0gNPy6s?feature=shared
“Til the End of Time” 1958 (Earl Grant) https://youtu.be/BlyDWaFhFRM?feature=shared
“Truly” 1982 (Lionel Richie). https://youtu.be/kX-uh1MqAI4?feature=shared
“Heavenly”. 1959. (Johnny Mathis). https://youtu.be/DG8gtzdiqGY?feature=shared
“Sixteen Candels” 1958 (The Crests). https://youtu.be/qeEeyCON2cU?feature=shared
“Hey Jude”. 1968. (The Beatles). https://youtu.be/A_MjCqQoLLA?feature=shared
“Puppy Love” 1960 (Paul Anka). https://youtu.be/gyshr1hhv3E?feature=shared
“Last Date”. 1960. (Floyd Cramer). Instrumental. https://youtu.be/OPss6C_-QUA?feature=shared
“Amazed” 1999. (Lonestar). https://youtu.be/x-skFgrV59A?feature=shared
“In the Still of the Night” 1956. (The Five Satins). https://youtu.be/AwbXeB-Hpss?feature=shared
“You Were Always on My Mind” 1982. (Willie Nelson). https://youtu.be/R7f189Z0v0Y?feature=shared
“Easy” 1977 (The Commodores). https://youtu.be/LMyhMUXROMw?feature=shared
“Goodnight Sweetheart” 1954. (The Spaniels). https://youtu.be/fhe1zoKGqFQ?feature=shared
“Going in Circles” 1969 (Friends of Distinction). https://youtu.be/v2kwzUgLwxg?feature=shared
“My True Love” 1958. (Jack Scott). https://youtu.be/u5EsYoe-HCA?feature=shared
“All This Love”. 1982. (Debarge). https://youtu.be/WhOoHtwrt8A?feature=shared
“Goodnight My Love” 1959. (Jessie Belvin). https://youtu.be/24jpHhaQy4g?feature=shared
“Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” 1959 (The Platters). https://youtu.be/vfBboBz3yoc?feature=shared
“Hey Paula”. 1961. (Paul and Paula). https://youtu.be/gelDMULPQL4?feature=shared
“My Girl” 1965. (The Temptations). https://youtu.be/y3KJ7d2qBoA?feature=shared
“These Eyes”. 1969 (The Guess Who). https://youtu.be/xcLdbsrSngA?feature=shared
“Sea of Love”. 1959. (Phil Phillips). https://youtu.be/G9_oASbbiPQ?feature=shared
“Don’t Close Your Eyes” 1988 (Keith Whitely). https://youtu.be/5rF_jr4RGe0?feature=shared
“Take It to the Limit”. 1975 (The Eagles). https://youtu.be/tJkW0Clsvrk?feature=shared
“Misty”. 1958. (Sarah Vaughn). https://youtu.be/-PvOCziJ0UY?feature=shared
All-Time Greatest Music 