Worst Wedding Reception Songs
My youngest sister used to sing at weddings
and wedding receptions back when the song Endless
Love was a popular duet. I
remember her duet partners tended to fall in love with her after the song. She
may remember it differently. I also remember that, although songs participants
asked for at the wedding were usually touching, the choice of songs requested
at receptions often struck me as rather strange, given the occasion. I have compiled at list of songs I
would avoid if I were planning a wedding reception. Please feel free to add
your personal “favorites.”
Every
Breath You Take The Police
I’m
Your Puppet James & Bobby Purify, also Marvin Gaye
Bend
Me, Shape Me The American Breed
Love
The One You’re With Steven Stills
To
All The Girls I’ve Loved Before Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias
Suspicion
Terry Stafford
Cold
Cold Heart Hank Williams, Sr.
Run
For Your Life The Beatles
Where
is Love? Mark Lester from the musical Oliver
Cain’t
Say No written by Rodgers and Hammerstein
PS: My wife says the song she hates
the most to hear is The Wedding March.
Other suggestions?
I completely agree with this list, Warren, as well as your wife's dislike of the Wedding March. Let's see, on your list is stalking, polygamy, manipulation, etc. I worry for anyone who thinks those kinds of songs are romantic. I was very picky about which songs I wanted played at my wedding, because I pay very close attention to the lyrics, & I wanted only songs of love to be in there, not "White Wedding" simply because it has wedding in the title!
ReplyDeleteAnother one that gets me is You're in My Heart by Rod Stewart. Right in the song he says "And there have been many affairs & many times I thought to leave..." I mean, who wants to be (or stay) with someone who sings that song to you?
"So Help Me Jesus" by the Toadies has got to be the worst. The lyrics are written from the POV of a psychopath. Here's a sample:
ReplyDeleteIm not gonna lie
I want you for mine.
My blushing bride.
My lover be my lover yea.
Dont be afraid
I didn't mean to scare you
so help me Jesus.
I can primise you
you will stay as beautiful
with dark hair, and soft skin...
forever.
forever.
Make up your mind
make up your mind
and i'll promise you
i will treat you well,
my sweet angel
so help me Jesus
Alyx, i had not thought about "White Wedding." Thanks
ReplyDeleteEB, That achieves real creepiness.
ReplyDeleteTwo I have heard at weddings:
ReplyDelete"Two out of three ain't bad" Meatloaf
"If I were a moose" Fred Small
The latter actually makes sense (If I were a moose and you were a cow, would you love me anyhow?)
Both couples are still married.
Warren, have you ever written about your sister's wedding vocals experiences? I think you have a story there. Maybe you can even use the lyrics from E.B.'s song?
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever heard those songs at a wedding or the reception, but then at the last wedding reception I went to, it was quite lovely until the DJ started playing songs louder than any I've ever heard before. I mean louder than a jackhammer next to me would have been. Since I was plugging my ears with my fingers, I couldn't hear the lyrics.
ReplyDeleteI'll contribute one. A woman heard me play the theme from Schindler's List in church during Lent (on violin) and asked if I would do it at her wedding. I talked her out of it and did an arrangement of Ode to Joy instead.
ReplyDeleteI heard a radio interview with Sting where he said he was appalled that people played Every Breath You Take at weddings. Me too!
Robert, I love If I was a Moose. It's right up there with Cows with Guns.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the idea Paula.
ReplyDeleteGloria, I attended one reception where the bride asked the DJ to play rap music that was full of curse words at ear-bashing volume.
ReplyDeleteKaye, Thanks for the story.
ReplyDeleteGreat list -- I'm remembering a wedding back in the early 80s where the one-man band played Gordon Lightfoot's SUNDOWN. In case you don't remember it: I can see her lyin' back in her SATIN dress
ReplyDeleteIn a room where ya do what ya don't confess
Sundown ya better take care
If I find you been creepin' 'round my back stairs
As my brother remarked, "You shouldn't play cheatin' songs at a wedding!"
Oh yes, Auntie Knickers,
ReplyDeleteI remember that song. Not one I'd want at my wedding reception.
Your column reminds me of a wonderful scene in THE WEDDING SINGER, in which a drunken, bitter Adam Sandler sings "Love Stinks" at a wedding reception.
ReplyDeleteGood example. In a movie I cannot remember Dustin Hoffman sings a horrible song to a couple on their 50th wedding anniversary.
ReplyDeleteYou want to have a memorable day, not a day that you will remember as the day that destroyed your life savings. So there should be less expenditure.
ReplyDeleteI like this article! Thank you for posting and sharing this article to everyone. - gloryinn.com
ReplyDeleteI feel like the music can make or break a reception so choose wisely also avoid the songs on that list it is a very good list.
ReplyDeleteI never actually thought of a wedding playlist. Oh my! I have been busy trying to pick out the fabrics and wedding napkins for our event in October. I didn't think of songs yet. I better get going, thanks so much for the help.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you... Although most of the guests don't pay attention to the lyrics, still couples should choose suitable wedding songs.
ReplyDeleteGreat post you have here! this could be extremely useful. I'm glad I came across your diary. Also, for a live Wedding Music, i like to recommend hiring one of the live wedding funk bands from wedding. I agree. wonderful songs can extremely set the atmosphere for a pretty wedding.
ReplyDeleteI also remember that, although songs participants asked for at the wedding were usually touching, the choice of songs requested at receptions often struck me as rather strange, given the occasion. father daughter dance songs
ReplyDeleteAwesome thing to help out Yeshua’s disciples getting married! I sent back a top-of-mind list to her.top wedding songs
ReplyDeleteHello, I would like to share with you a web page that supports downloading various music files. You will easily find the songs you love. Everything is free to download. You can see details here: https://mp3tomato.com/
ReplyDelete