Must-Have Songs on Your Setlist That Hit Every Time
Whether you’re playing a wedding, a coffee shop, a festival, or a Friday night dive bar, there are a few songs that always get a reaction. We call these “The Big 10”—the songs that people instantly recognize, sing along with, and remember you for. These crowd-pleasers transcend genre, age, and vibe. You just need to adjust the tone, rhythm, or instrumentation to fit your setting.
Here are ten must-have songs we almost never leave off a setlist—and why they work every time.
1. “September” – Earth, Wind & Fire (1978)
Why it hits: Joyful, funky, nostalgic. That brass? Instant vibe.
Best for: Festivals, weddings, outdoor shows
Pro tip: Start your second set with this to jolt people to the dance floor.
2. “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey (1981)
Why it hits: Everyone knows the words. Everyone believes.
Best for: Bars, breweries, big crowd sing-alongs
Pro tip: Slow-build intro keeps the room locked in. Let them sing that final chorus with you.
3. “Tennessee Whiskey” – Chris Stapleton (2015)
Why it hits: Soulful, smooth, emotional. If you’ve got the vocal chops—this is your moment.
Best for: Intimate venues, acoustic sets, late-night slow-down
Pro tip: Extend the ending with a tasteful guitar solo or vocal riffing to really lean into the mood.
4. “Dreams” – Fleetwood Mac (1977)
Why it hits: Timeless. Chill. Still trending with every generation.
Best for: Coffeehouses, wine bars, slower sections of a set
Pro tip: You can loop the beat or keep it stripped down—either way, people will vibe.
5. “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake (2016)
Why it hits: Pure serotonin. Feel-good energy every time.
Best for: Family events, street festivals, daytime gigs
Pro tip: Great opener or closer—gets people clapping and dancing without fail.
6. “I Want It That Way” – Backstreet Boys (1999)
Why it hits: Boy band nostalgia at its best.
Best for: 90s-themed nights, high-energy gigs, sing-along moments
Pro tip: Let the audience take a verse—trust us, they want it that way.
7. “Blank Space” – Taylor Swift (2014)
Why it hits: Recognizable pop gold. Works solo or full band.
Where it works: Mixed-age crowds, wine bars, coffee shop sets
Pro tip: Stripped-down guitar or piano version lets the lyrics shine.
8. “Country Roads” – John Denver (1971)
Why it hits: Pure Americana sing-along. People light up.
Where it works: Anywhere in the U.S.—especially the South and Midwest
Pro tip: Keep it simple and sweet. Let them sing the chorus with you.
9. “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison (1967)
Why it hits: Catchy, happy, nostalgic. Every generation knows it.
Where it works: Festivals, casual restaurant gigs, weddings
Pro tip: It’s a great transition song—use it to shift from acoustic to upbeat.
10. “My Girl” – The Temptations (1965)
Why it hits: Smooth, romantic, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Where it works: Cocktail hours, first dances, mellow acoustic sets
Pro tip: Add harmonies to capture that Motown magic.
How We Adapt These Songs for Any Setting
We’ve played these at coffee shops, festivals, private events—you name it. The secret? Adapting the style to the venue. Slower tempo for intimate settings. Funked-up grooves for party crowds. Acoustic or full-band, these 10 songs never let us down.
For a deeper look into how we build a balanced setlist, check out our post:
👉 How We Build a Setlist for Live Shows
How We Stay Organized: Setlist Tools We Love
- We use Planning Center to build and schedule our sets
- We rely on the Music Stand app to access our chords and lyrics on the fly
- And we use our iPads and phones on stage, mounted securely with:
Trust us—these simple tools save time and stress before every gig.
Want More Music Tips?
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