45 Proposal Songs for the Moment You Pop the Question

What is the best song to propose to?

The most popular proposal songs are "Marry You" by Bruno Mars, "Marry Me" by Train, "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran and "All of Me" by John Legend. If the two of you already have a song, that is almost always the best choice: hearing "your" song at the moment you kneel is what makes it unforgettable. If you do not have one yet, pick a song that sounds like the way you talk to each other.

Songs that ask the question

1. "Marry Me", Train: the gentle, sincere proposal song.
2. "Marry You", Bruno Mars: upbeat and spontaneous, made for flash-mob proposals.
3. "Marry Me", Jason Derulo: a promise about growing old together.
4. "Love Story", Taylor Swift: a fairy tale that ends with a proposal.
5. "I Do", Colbie Caillat: sweet and certain.
6. "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", Beyoncé: for a playful surprise at a party.

Romantic proposal songs

7. "Perfect", Ed Sheeran: the modern standard.
8. "All of Me", John Legend: love with every flaw included.
9. "Thinking Out Loud", Ed Sheeran: about loving each other at 70.
10. "Make You Feel My Love", Adele: quiet and heartfelt.
11. "Can't Help Falling in Love", Elvis Presley: timeless.
12. "A Thousand Years", Christina Perri: about waiting for the right person.
13. "Just the Way You Are", Bruno Mars: a compliment song.
14. "Die with a Smile", Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars: a duet about forever.
15. "That's When I Knew", Alicia Keys: about the moment you just know.
16. "Have I Told You Lately", Van Morrison: a classic of gratitude.
17. "Everything", Michael Bublé: playful and grateful.
18. "You and Me", Lifehouse: about a love that makes everything else fade.

Modern proposal songs

19. "Golden Hour", JVKE: perfect for a sunset proposal.
20. "Until I Found You", Stephen Sanchez: retro and romantic.
21. "Lover", Taylor Swift: cozy and devoted.
22. "Birds of a Feather", Billie Eilish: about wanting to be together until the end.
23. "Lucky", Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat: about marrying your best friend.
24. "Ho Hey", The Lumineers: joyful and stompy.
25. "Yellow", Coldplay: a love song that sounds like a sunrise.
26. "Better Together", Jack Johnson: easy and warm.

Country proposal songs

27. "Speechless", Dan + Shay: about being lost for words.
28. "Die a Happy Man", Thomas Rhett: needing nothing more.
29. "Amazed", Lonestar: the country love song.
30. "Bless the Broken Road", Rascal Flatts: for couples who found each other the long way.
31. "Tennessee Whiskey", Chris Stapleton: smooth and slow.
32. "Shotgun Rider", Tim McGraw: about the person you want beside you on every road.
33. "Our Song", Taylor Swift: for a couple who already has one.
34. "Love Is a Beautiful Thing", Phil Vassar: a country song about the wedding to come.
35. "Forever and Ever, Amen", Randy Travis: a classic promise.

R&B songs to propose to

36. "Spend My Life with You", Eric Benét and Tamia: a duet that sounds like a proposal.
37. "Adorn", Miguel: smooth devotion.
38. "Best Part", Daniel Caesar featuring H.E.R.: soft and intimate.
39. "Ribbon in the Sky", Stevie Wonder: love that was meant to be.
40. "Let's Stay Together", Al Green: the soul classic about forever.
41. "Love on Top", Beyoncé: joyful key changes.

Fun picks for a surprise proposal

42. "Sugar", Maroon 5: from the famous wedding-crashing video.
43. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours", Stevie Wonder: pure joy.
44. "Under Pressure", Queen and David Bowie: for the couple who will laugh about the nerves forever.
45. "You Make My Dreams", Hall & Oates: a grin in song form.

How to time the proposal song

• Know the song's structure. Kneel just before the chorus, so the biggest moment of the song matches yours.
• Use a helper. A friend with a phone and a speaker, or a musician, can start it on a signal.
• Test the volume in the real place: wind at a beach or a viewpoint eats quiet songs.
• Have a backup. Download the song so a weak signal does not ruin the moment.
• Plan the after. Choose a second, happier song for the hugs, the photos and the call to the parents.

Songs by proposal setting

At the beach

"Better Together", "Yellow" or "Golden Hour". Wind is loud near the water, so pick a song with a clear melody and bring a decent speaker.

At a restaurant

Ask the staff or a musician to play "Can't Help Falling in Love", "Make You Feel My Love" or "Have I Told You Lately" when dessert arrives.

At home

Candles, your song on the speaker and a slow dance in the kitchen: "Thinking Out Loud", "Perfect" or "Lover" set the scene.

On a hike or at a viewpoint

"Ho Hey", "Lucky" or "Shotgun Rider". Download the song first: signal is rarely good at the top.

In front of family and friends

"Marry You" or "Sugar" for a flash mob, "Love Story" for a party surprise.

What not to play when you propose

• A song with a breakup in the second verse: check every line before you choose.
• A song one of you associates with an ex.
• Something too long to finish: four minutes is plenty.
• An explicit version, especially if family is filming.

Live music or a recording?

A violinist, a guitarist or a small string group playing your song is the most cinematic option and often fits a restaurant or a garden. A recording on a portable speaker is easier for a hike, a beach or a surprise at home. For flash-mob proposals, "Marry You" and "Sugar" are the classic choices because the whole crowd can join in.

Songs to propose to her or to him

For her, many choose "Perfect", "Make You Feel My Love" or "Can't Help Falling in Love". For him, "I Do", "That's When I Knew" or "Speechless" fit well. For a same-sex couple, "Lover", "Golden Hour" and "Birds of a Feather" are popular picks. More ideas in our lists of love songs for her and love songs for him.

Proposal songs for Instagram

For the proposal video or reel, choose a few seconds that match the moment: the chorus of "Marry You" for a surprise, "Perfect" for the kneel, "Golden Hour" for a sunset. Trim the clip so the question lands on the biggest beat.

Songs for the engagement party

After the yes, the celebration needs its own playlist: "Marry You", "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours", "Love on Top" and "Lucky" keep the mood bright, and your proposal song makes a perfect first dance of the night.

A proposal song written about your story

Every song above is about someone else's love. A custom proposal song can tell yours: where you met, the first date, the moment you knew, and end with the question itself, sung with their name. Playing it before you kneel is a proposal nobody else has ever had. See our proposal song ideas, our guides to a custom proposal song for her or for him, and the best proposal ideas.

How to create your proposal song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: ballad, acoustic, pop, country, R&B and more.
2. Add both of your names.
3. Share three moments from your story, each with one concrete detail.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Make the question unforgettable: create your proposal song and hear four previews for free.