The music you choose for the ambience of your dinner date can make or break your chances at getting dessert, if you know what I mean. Choosing the perfect mix is essential because it can set the mood and make you feel more at ease. Music has the ability to alter your emotions, which makes it the perfect wingman for any date.
When picking songs to play during your dinner date, you need to find ones that are subtle yet powerful. It needs to affect both you and your partner, without distracting you from connecting with each other.
Romantic music vs. sensual music
If you’re dining with a significant other, the playlist should be a little bit romantic. You’re aiming for a love-filled ambience, so it’s best to choose songs that are meant to be played in the presence of lovers.
The music you play during dinner is meant to make you feel warm and comfortable. The music you play when you’re fooling around is meant to intensify your passion. Combining the two is not recommended.
Don’t mistake dinner music for bedroom music. You don’t want your partner to feel awkward while they’re shucking an oyster. Go for sounds filled with love, not s*xual innuendos and lyrics about getting it on.
What type of music should I play during dinner?
Do not play upbeat music. It’s distracting, and it can affect the relaxed mood and setting. Make sure that the music you choose doesn’t have a bridge or hook that can make you dance and bob your head to the beat.
Do not play sad music, either. No matter how distracted you are with each other, someone singing about a lost love can kill the mood and the rest of your evening. So, if you’re a Sam Smith fan, avoid playing “Not the Only One” at all costs.
We recommend playing classical music, but only if you and your partner are into it. An R&B playlist is also okay, but only if the songs are not about s*x. The best types of music to play would be deep house mixes that don’t have any bass drops. You can play some mellow indie pop music, as well.
The most popular and most effective dinner music selection, however, is bossa nova. You will always win with a combination of bossa nova and food. A little jazz won’t hurt, either. So, choose the music that you like and love. If your partner really likes you, they wouldn’t care even if you played death metal during the main course, anyway.
LovePanky dinner date hits
We love listening to music, but we’re more inclined to choose a list that has a mix of the genres mentioned above. If you manage to create the perfect combination and playlist transition similar to ours, you won’t have to worry about having an inconsistent dinner date music playlist.
Here are our top choices and when you should play them:
For appetizers
Start off with some of these tunes that can fade into the background as you start your conversation.
#1 Aguas de Marco by Stan Getz and João Gilberto
#2 Wave by Paul Desmond
#3 Triste by Elis Regina
#4 Izaura by Stan Getz
#5 Garden of Delight by The Jan Lundgren Trio
#6 Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae
#7 Can’t Let You Go by Freenoise
#8 Dreams by Soft Velvet
#9 Midnight City by M83
#10 Habits (Stay High) by Tove Lo
Dinner
Now that the initial small talk and chit chat is out of the way, it’s time for the main course, where you’ll alternate between enjoying your meal and enjoying the company of your partner.
#1 Love Me Like You by Ellie Goulding
#2 I’ll Let you Know by David Hazeltine
#3 The Man I Love by Marcus Roberts
#4 The Nearness of You by Norah Jones
#5 Who You Love by John Mayer feat. Katy Perry
#6 Sara Smile by Daryl Hall & John Oates
#7 Lost Without U by Robin Thicke
#8 Gravity by Sara Bareilles
#9 Lovesong by Adele
#10 Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
Dessert
The sweetest course should obviously be accompanied by the sweetest tunes.
#1 Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
#2 Don’t Know Why by Norah Jones
#3 On and On by Erykah Badu
#4 Journey Into the Melody by Stanley Turrentine
#5 The First Taste by Fiona Apple
#6 Crazy Love by Van Morrison
#7 Ukiyo by Hermitude
#8 Under by Aosoon
#9 Permission to Love by Hayden James
#10 Say My Name by ODESZA
Coffee
Let your meals digest as you settle down and enjoy this assortment of songs with your coffee.
#1 Magic by Coldplay
#2 Nothing’s Real but Love by Rebecca Ferguson
#3 Like a Star by Corinne Bailey Rae
#4 Stardust by Ben Webster
#5 Waiting for You by Isobel Anderson
#6 Chill Bay by Deeper Sublime
#7 Innocence by Jo Manji
#8 More Than Anyone by Gavin DeGraw
#9 When the Stars Go Blue by Ryan Adams
#10 Adorn by Miguel
Wine and post-dinner drinks
This part of your dinner is where you up the romantic ante. Sip on your wine, flirt a little, and maybe indulge in a little dancing… among other things.
#1 Believe by Mumford & Sons
#2 Gravity by John Mayer
#3 Come Away with Me by Norah Jones
#4 The Nearness of You by Bill Charlap
#5 Can’t Help Loving by Beegie Adair
#6 New York City by The Peter Malick Group feat. Norah Jones
#7 Feels So Good by Karen Souza
#8 If the Stars Were Mine by Melody Gardot
#9 In My Life by Sarah Menescal
#10 When a Man Loves a Woman by Rui Drumond
Make sure that you play these at a reasonable volume. The songs might be mellow, but yelling over the quiche is not a good way to start the date.
When should you start playing your dinner music?
As soon as you walk through the door, start the music. If you’re at home already and your date isn’t there yet, the music should be playing already. Make sure that the table is set and the only thing left to do is serve the food.
Let your guest settle in with a glass of wine so that they can appreciate all the effort you put into the night. The appetizer music is perfect for the pre-dinner conversation, so make sure it’s already on before settling down at the table.
However, despite all your planning, don’t choreograph the night according to your playlist. These songs are suitable for any part of the night, so don’t feel the pressure to start switching playlists after each course. Just hit play and enjoy the rest of your night with your special someone.
No matter which music you choose for your dinner date, the important thing is that you and your partner get along with or without any music. Who knows, if your date goes well, you might end up playing some of these songs on your next anniversary!
