8 Best Slow Dance Songs for Rock Bands to Play in Bars

Rock bands that play in bars are expected to play some slow songs in between the faster numbers. This is a list of 8 of the best slow dance songs for rock bands to play in bars.

Wonderful Tonight

This slow rock song is probably the number one slow rock song that rock bands play in bars. It was written by Eric Clapton and was on Clapton's album Slowhand released in 1977.

Angel Eyes

Written by John Haitt and Fred Koller and was on Jeff Healey's first album See the Light in 1988. The song was performed on the movie Roadhouse in 1989.

Have I Told You Lately (That I Love You)

Written and first recorded by Van Morrison in 1989. Four years later Rod Stewart recorded his version that became one of Rod's classic hits.

Love Me Tender

Well maybe not all rock bands would want to do this one, but it goes over well with the Elvis Presley fans. A very old song published in 1861 and adapted from the song "Aura Lee". Elvis Presley performed the song on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1956 just before the movie by the same title was released.

Saving All My Love For You

Actually a jazz song that many rock bands may not have the talent to perform. This Whitney Houston song was released in 1985. The complexity of it's chord structure is usually too complex for most rock musicians. With a good enough female singer it goes over very well for a slow song in rock bars.

(Everything I Do) I Do It For You

Bryan Adams recorded this song in 1991. It held a number one position breaking a new record of seven weeks.

When A Man Loves A Woman

I have played in many rock bands that scoffed at playing a Percy Sledge song. If the band is willing this song usually goes over well in rock bars and makes a great slow dance song.

Open Arms

If a rock band has a singer with a good voice in the right range this song works as a slow dance song in rock bars. Written by Steve Perry and Johnathan Cain (both members of Journey) it was first performed by Journey in 1981. Considered a "Chick" song it is always a hit with the girls wanting to slow dance in the rock bars.

Most of these 8 best slow dance songs for rock bands to play in bars are from the old school of rock. There are some good slow dance songs from the later years, but they still are not as common for rock bands to play in bars as these 8 slow rock songs.

Sources: Personal Experience