This blog loves to write about special songs for your wedding day. There are so many of them out there! Today let’s look at some inappropriate wedding songs that aren’t really suitable for your wedding day.
“Make You Feel My Love”
Inappropriate wedding songs are typically defined by inappropriate lyrics or themes. For example, Bob Dylan wrote a song that became a big hit for multiple artists titled, “Make You Feel My Love.”
In addition to Dylan, it was covered by Garth Brooks, Billy Joel, Kelly Clarkson and others. Adele had a monster hit with it in her 2008 debut album, “19.” Take a listen …
What’s inappropriate about the song? The theme of the gut-wrenching aftermath of a break-up. Lyrics like these just aren’t a good fit for a wedding celebration:
I’d go hungry; I’d go black and blue And I’d go crawling down the avenue No, there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do To make you feel my love
“Breakin’ Up is Hard to Do”
Let’s face it, breaking up is hard to do, which leads to the next song in our hit list of inappropriate wedding songs: Don’t play Neil Sedaka’s signature song, “Breakin’ Up is Hard to Do” at your wedding celebration.
Sedaka had a huge hit when it first came out in 1962. Listen to the original version which the All Music Guide characterized as “two minutes and sixteen seconds of pure pop magic:
Sedaka slowed it down in a 1975 reboot and had an even bigger hit with it in ballad format, complete with a schmaltzy key change. What a song for a slow dance, but not at a wedding!
“Stormy Weather”
Notice how Mr. Sedaka segued into another classic song towards the end of ‘Breakin’ Up?’ Make note: Stormy Weather is another no-no at weddings. You’ve heard of the ‘no-fly list,’ right? Well Stormy Weather belongs on the ‘no-wedding list.’
True, it’s a classic torch song, but torch songs about unrequited love just don’t fit into a wedding vibe which is all about REQUITED love, that is, love that is fulfilled.
Check out Christina Aguilera’s take on this classic …
… and save it for a rainy day, but not your wedding day!
“I Will Always Love You”
This leads us to one of the most popular love songs ever, “I Will Always Love You,” written by Dolly Parton
This song is so good that it has been covered by scores of different vocal artists.
This song is so good, that Dolly’s vocal version hit #1 on Billboard’s list of Hot Country Songs not once, but twice! Could anyone possibly top Dolly? Yes. Whitney Houston recorded one of the most electrifying songs ever with her take on this classic. She sang it in the 1992 movie, “The Bodyguard.”
But there’s a problem with “I Will Always Love You:” it’s a break up song. Just check out these lyrics:
Bittersweet memories That is all I’m taking with me, So good-bye, Please don’t cry, We both know I’m not what you, you need.
Yes, this is an awesome song. Whitney Houston takes it over the top. And yes, the key change at the 3:10 mark is high drama. And yes, you’ll have a lump in your throat and tears in your eyes. But add it to the list of inappropriate weddings songs.
Sorry. Weddings are about the beginning of a journey, not the end.
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