The Best 2015 Prom Song Playlist

Prom is the biggest night of the year for many in high school. It needs a great music playlist. This is a 25 song list of current hits and a few classics to balance the night. 

01
of 25

Walk the Moon - "Shut Up and Dance"

Walk the Moon - Shut Up and Dance
Courtesy RCA

Cincinnati band Walk the Moon are exploding into the pop mainstream with this hit. With a melody that instantly kicks in, this is the perfect song for beginning the evening. "Shut Up and Dance" looks set to be one of the biggest pop hits of summer 2015.

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02
of 25

Maroon 5 - "Sugar"

Maroon 5 - Sugar
Courtesy Interscope

Maroon 5's midtempo plea for expression of love is one of the biggest pop hits of 2015 so far. It is a perfect song for slowing things down on the dance floor just a bit. This is Maroon 5's eight consecutive top 10 pop hit.

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03
of 25

Rihanna - "We Found Love" featuring Calvin Harris

Rihanna - We Found Love featuring Calvin Harris
Courtesy Def Jam

Rihanna went to #1 with this dance classic back in 2011. The uplifting lyrics coupled with a huge sounding Calvin Harris backing mix will have the entire room dancing instantly.

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04
of 25

Zedd - "I Want You To Know" featuring Selena Gomez

Zedd - I Want You To Know featuring Selena Gomez
Courtesy Interscope

The combination of Zedd with singer Selena Gomez is an instant hit for the dance floor. The expression of love and appreciation in the lyrics makes it a perfect song for prom as well. Zedd's powerful dance mix will make it one of the top songs of the night.

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05
of 25

Sam Smith - "Stay With Me"

Sam Smith - Stay With Me
Courtesy Capitol

This is the song that made Sam Smith a star. It was a top 10 pop smash hit around the world, and it also won this year's Grammy Award winner for Song and Record of the Year. "Stay With Me" is a perfect song for a slow dance. 

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06
of 25

Ariana Grande - "One Last Time"

Ariana Grande - One Last Time
Courtesy Republic

Ariana Grande is one of the hottest pop artists of the past two years. Her latest single "One Last Time" is a smooth dance-pop hit. Lyrically, it is a breakup song, but it all goes down so easy. French dance music master David Guetta co-wrote the hit.

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07
of 25

Mark Ronson - "Uptown Funk!" featuring Bruno Mars

Mark Ronson - Uptown Funk feat. Bruno Mars
Courtesy Columbia

With more than 10 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 this year, Mark Ronson's breakthrough US hit is a must for 2015 playlists. 80s pop-funk is instantly brought up to date with the vocals of Bruno Mars.

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08
of 25

Lillywood and Robin Shulz - "Prayer In C"

Lillywood and Robin Schulz - Prayer In C
Courtesy Warner Bros.

Need a song that will cool things down a bit but will also keep everyone moving and engaged? "Prayer In C" is that song. It was a #1 pop hit single in most countries around the world and topped the dance songs chart here in the US. 

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09
of 25

Bon Jovi - "Livin' On a Prayer"

Bon Jovi - Livin' On a Prayer
Courtesy Mercury

Any prom celebration can use a few classic songs to balance out the playlist, and few songs have more universal appeal than this #1 smash by the New Jersey band Bon Jovi. Although originally released in 1986, "Livin' On a Prayer" has sold more than three million digital copies.

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10
of 25

Taylor Swift - "Style"

Taylor Swift - Style
Courtesy Big Machine

No 2015 prom would be complete without Taylor Swift. Her latest top 10 smash "Style" is animated by a throbbing dance beat that will get the room moving late in the evening. Lyrically, the song celebrates a relationship that never goes out of "Style."

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11
of 25

Nick Jonas - "Jealous"

Nick Jonas - Jealous
Courtesy Island

Nick Jonas is no longer simply the youngest Jonas Brother. He is a pop star in his own right. "Jealous" exploded into the top 10 late last year and remains a party favorite. The massive chorus is infectious, and many in the room will relate to the emotional drama in the words.

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12
of 25

Pitbull and Ne-Yo - "Time Of Our Lives"

Pitbull and Ne-Yo - Time Of Our Lives
Courtesy RCA

Pitbull knows how to celebrate. His latest hit is a collaboration with stylish R&B singer Ne-Yo. They have taken the song all the way to the top 10 on pop charts while going straight to #1 on the dance chart. This will be one of the peak moments of the night.

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13
of 25

Jason Derulo - "Want To Want Me"

Jason Derulo - Want To Want Me
Courtesy Warner Bros.

Jason Derulo's "Talk Dirty" was one of the party hits of last year, and he is back just in time this year for prom. "Want To Want Me" cleverly pays homage to 80s R&B with the star moving back and forth from falsetto to full voice on the chorus.

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14
of 25

Cyndi Lauper - "Time After Time"

Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time
Courtesy Epic

This Cyndi Lauper ballad may be 30 years old, but it is timeless. Nominated for a Grammy Award for Song of the Year when released, this #1 hit landed on the dance club chart again just last year. 

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15
of 25

Fifth Harmony - "Sledgehammer"

Fifth Harmony - Sledgehammer
Courtesy Epic

There are likely more than a few hearts at prom beating like a "Sledgehammer." The girls of Fifth Harmony are right there with you. The thumping beat will get the entire room moving and singing along.

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16
of 25

Ed Sheeran - "Thinking Out Loud"

Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud
Courtesy Atlantic

For those romantic moments of the night look no further than Ed Sheeran's huge ballad hit "Thinking Out Loud." Having spent eight weeks at #2 on the pop chart, it is the biggest hit of Ed Sheeran's career so far. This will be the key slow dance of the night.

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17
of 25

John Legend - "All Of Me"

John Legend - All Of Me
Courtesy Columbia

John Legend's huge #1 pop ballad "All Of Me" is simply one of the most beautiful slow dance songs in recent memory. It is a powerful expression of love and acceptance. Save this one for one of the top slow dances of the evening.

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18
of 25

Fetty Wap - "Trap Queen"

Fetty Wap - Trap Queen
Courtesy RGF

Hip hop artist Fetty Wap is one of the most explosive new artists of 2015. His hit "Trap Queen" celebrates his girlfriend and life in general. The language is a bit rough in places, but this is one of the biggest breakout hits of the year so far.

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19
of 25

Natalie La Rose - "Somebody" featuring Jeremih

Natalie La Rose - Somebody featuring Jeremih
Courtesy Republic

Dutch singer Natalie La Rose is one of the breakout new artists of 2015. Her first hit "Somebody" is a blend of R&B and hip-hop that is headed straight for the top of the charts. Jeremih's "I wanna rock with somebody" on the chorus is instantly infectious.

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20
of 25

DJ Snake and Lil Jon - "Turn Down For What"

DJ Snake and Lil Jon - Turn Down For What
Courtesy Columbia

Want to get the entire room moving? This huge party hit is guaranteed to make that happen. "Turn Down For What" was a big hit more than a year ago, but it has lost none of its power to move a crowd. This is the song that made trap music mainstream.

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21
of 25

Echosmith - "Cool Kids"

Echosmith - Cool Kids
Courtesy Warner Bros.

Family group Echosmith broke into the pop charts last year with this hit, and it still sounds great. It also never fails to make listeners think about the words. "Cool Kids" is a great mid-tempo song for the playlist.

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22
of 25

Meghan Trainor - "Dear Future Husband"

Meghan Trainor - Dear Future Husband
Courtesy Epic

Meghan Trainor's retro girl group sound is very familiar after two big top 10 smash hits. Her latest hit provides a list of instructions for that future husband and is likely to raise more than a few smiles of recognition while the room is singing along.

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23
of 25

Justin Timberlake - "Not a Bad Thing"

Justin Timberlake - Not a Bad Thing
Courtesy RCA

For romantic moments, few artists are better than Justin Timberlake. "Not a Bad Thing" combines smooth R&B inflected pop with romantic lyrics. Although the beat is midtempo look for some close slow dancing with this song.

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24
of 25

Flo Rida - "G.D.F.R." featuring Sage the Gemini

Flo Rida - G.D.F.R. featuring Sage the Gemini
Courtesy Atlantic

Rapper Flo Rida is back in the upper reaches of the pop charts, and it is an instant party classic. Everyone will be shouting along, "It's goin' down for real!" This is Flo Rida's biggest hit in three years.

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25
of 25

MKTO - "Classic"

MKTO - Classic
Courtesy Columbia

This celebration of classic R&B from Motown to Prince will have the room singing along while dancing. "Classic" was a top 10 pop radio hit a year ago. Celebrating classic music, the song has its own "Classic" feel.

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