Friday, November 9, 2012

Worst Wedding Reception Songs.






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?  

25 comments:

  1. 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!

    Another 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?

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  2. "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:

    Im 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

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  3. Alyx, i had not thought about "White Wedding." Thanks

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  4. EB, That achieves real creepiness.

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  5. Two I have heard at weddings:

    "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.

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  6. 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?

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  7. I 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.

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  8. I'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.

    I heard a radio interview with Sting where he said he was appalled that people played Every Breath You Take at weddings. Me too!

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  9. Robert, I love If I was a Moose. It's right up there with Cows with Guns.

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  10. Gloria, I attended one reception where the bride asked the DJ to play rap music that was full of curse words at ear-bashing volume.

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  11. Great 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
    In 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!"

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  12. Oh yes, Auntie Knickers,

    I remember that song. Not one I'd want at my wedding reception.

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  13. 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.

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  14. Good example. In a movie I cannot remember Dustin Hoffman sings a horrible song to a couple on their 50th wedding anniversary.

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  17. I 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.

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  18. I 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.

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  19. I totally agree with you... Although most of the guests don't pay attention to the lyrics, still couples should choose suitable wedding songs.

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  20. Great 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.

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  21. 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. father daughter dance songs

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  22. Awesome thing to help out Yeshua’s disciples getting married! I sent back a top-of-mind list to her.top wedding songs

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