Best Prom Songs Through the Years – A List of Favorites

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Certain Prom Songs Continue Popularity With Audiences - Photo by Debra Winstead

Every spring, a new generation of teenagers encounters that angst-laden rite of passage, the high school prom. The year on the calendar may differ. So, too, may the settings, the lights and the technology that plays the songs to which the couples dance. Despite the decade, a few select songs remain popular long after the mirror ball has stopped turning and the lights have gone out. These popular songs resurface year after year. What are the songs students continue to resurrect? What are the best prom songs of all time?

In May, 2010 Khou Television in Houston conducted a poll among its fans to determine the top prom songs. The survey's results listed 11 favorites their audiences selected as the “best prom songs of all time." Heading the list was the classic 1970s “Stairway to Heaven.”

Best 11 Prom Song Titles of All Time:

1. "Stairway to Heaven," by Led Zeppelin
2. "Forever Young," by Rod Stewart
3. "Baby, I Love Your Way," by Peter Frampton
4. "Forever Young," by Alphaville
5. "Color My World," by Chicago
6. "Unchained Melody," by the Righteous Brothers
7. "Time of My Life," from the "Dirty Dancin'" Soundtrack
8. "What a Wonderful World," by Louis Armstrong
9. "Put Your Head on My Shoulder," by Paul Anka
10. "Moon River," by Andy Williams
11. "Wonderful Tonight," by Eric Clapton

A check on prom forum boards and polls with the man on the street turned up some additional titles. Most are golden oldies. Others came about as a result of popular television programs such as “American Idol.” A few recent hits made the list, but will their popularity wane as new waves of teens take the mirror ball spotlight?

Other Favorite Prom Songs:

• “I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing," by Aerosmith
• "A Moment Like This," by Kelly Clarkson
• "Endless Love," by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross
• "Don't Stop Believin," by Journey
• "Can't Help Falling in Love," by Elvis Presley
• "Don't You Forget About Me," by Simple Minds
• "Last Dance," by Donna Summer
• "When You Close Your Eyes," by Night Ranger
• "Almost Paradise," by Mike Reno & Ann Wilson
• "Hold Me Now," by Thompson Twins
• "Sailing," by Christopher Cross
• "I Want To Know What Love Is," by Foreigner
• "Can’t Fight This Feeling," by REO Speedwagon
• "Tonight I Celebrate My Love," by Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack
• "Every Woman In The World," by Air Supply
• "For Your Eyes Only," by Sheena Easton
• "Waiting For A Girl Like You," by Foreigner
• "Open Arms," by Journey
• "Every Breath You Take," by Police
• “Single Ladies” (Put a Ring on It),” by Beyonce

Soon doors will open to venues across the country. Couples will stroll the perimeters of strobe-lit flashing lights and shiny decorations that echo their school’s current prom theme. Certain song tunes will make their way into the heads of millions of couples, but only a few will etch themselves into their hearts and souls to resonate years down the road. Couples will continue to remember their proms and with whom they danced as those long-familiar songs start to play.

Source

Khou.com of Dallas, Texas

Debra Winstead - Debra Winstead combines over three decades of teaching experience with a love of learning new things. Writing online is currently a new ...

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