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Not that I have anything against Etta James' “At Last” or Michael Buble's “Everything,” — they're both a perfect first dance song — but I've heard them both WAY too many times at weddings.
So, combining my database of musician friends (some of whom made the list) with the Offbeat Wed editorial team's tastes, we've compiled a list of totally not overused first dance songs… from the silly, to the romantic, to the extremely controversial! Because when the newlyweds step onto the dance floor, we want to keep things unique!
The goal here is to share wedding songs that you might not have heard too many times. We love the likes of Jason Mraz, Ed Sheeran, John Legend, Adele, Jack Johnson, and Frank Sinatra too, but if you want your guests to feel surprised at your reception, you might want to go for one of these more unusual first dance songs.
Oldies but Goodies — classics along the same lines of “At Last” or Righteous Brothers “Unchained Melody”
- The Beach Boys “God Only Knows” (hear it)
- Shuggie Otis' “Strawberry Letter 23” (hear it)
- Marvin Gaye's “Let's Get it On” (hear it)
- Otis Redding's “That's How Strong My Love Is” (hear it)
- Van Morrison's “Sweet Thing” (hear it)
- The Zombies' “This Will Be Our Year” (hear it)
- The Kinks “Waterloo Sunset” (hear it)
- Toussaint McCall's “Nothing Takes The Place Of You” (hear it)
- Al Green's “Love and Happiness” (hear it)
Sexy Romantic with great lyrics
- (Ariel's) Me'Shell Ndegéocello's “Love Song #1” (hear it)
- Ben Folds' “The Luckiest” (hear it)
- Peter Gabriel's “In Your Eyes” (hear it)
- Massive Attack's “One Love” (hear it)
- Mazzy Star's “Fade Into You” (hear it)
- Portishead's “All Mine” (hear it)
- Lou Reed's “Perfect Day” (hear it)
Wonky and Fun
- Adam Sandler's “I Wanna Grow Old With You” (hear it)
- The “Family Matters” theme song “As Days Go By” (hear it)
- Doris Day's “A Bushel And A Peck” (hear it)
- The Velvet Underground's “I'm Sticking with You” (hear it)
- The Band's “Cripple Creek” (hear it)
- Toto's “Africa” (hear it)
- Sam Hart's “Mario Kart Love Song” (hear it)
- Rick Roll those bitches!
Indie
Make the first dance less nerve-wracking: GROUP DANCE!
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- (Megan's) Pavement's “We Dance” (hear it)
- Jon Brion's “Here We Go” (hear it)
- Neko Case's “This Tornado Loves You” (hear it)
- Sufan Stevens' “The Dress Looks Nice On You” (hear it)
- Wilco “I'm the Man Who Loves You” (hear it)
- The Cure's “Friday I'm in Love” (hear it)
- Bright Eyes' “First Day of my Life” (hear it)
- Nick Drake's “Northern Sky” (hear it)
- The Pixie's “La La Love You” (hear it)
SUPER Indie
Have your first dance right at the altar
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- Bird and the Bee “My Love” (hear it)
- Obi Best “Nothing Can Come Between Us” (you can get a free mp3 here)
- The Moldy Peaches' “Anyone Else but You” (hear it)
- The Mountain Goats' “No Children” (hear it) — yes, some people find this song controversial!
- Jeff Mangum's “I Love How You Love Me” (hear it)
- She & Him's “I Was Made For You” (hear it)
- Captain Beefheart's “I'm Glad” (hear it)
Jazzin' — along the same lines of Michael Buble, Nat King Cole, or Louis Armstrong
- Sara Gazarek's “Makes Me Feel This Way” (hear it) or her version of “You Are My Sunshine” (hear it)
- Harry Connick Jr.'s “Come By Me” (hear it)
- Kurt Elling's “I Feel So Smoochie” (hear it)
- Jamie Cullum's “I Think, I Love” (hear it)
- Renee Olstead's ” A Love That Will Last” (hear it)
Upbeat Swingin'
- (Shrie's) Chuck Barry's “You Never Can Tell” (hear it)
- Barry Louis Polisar's “All I Want Is You” (hear it)
- Sly & the Family Stone's “You Can Make It If You Try” (hear it)
- Huey “Piano” Smith's “Little Liza Jane” (hear it)
Laidback Easy-Peasy
- Mayer Hawthorne's “Make Her Mine” (hear it)
- Cat Power's version of “Sea of Love” (hear it)
- Peter Gabriel's “Book of Love” (hear it)
- Air's “Playground Love” (hear it)
- The Fruit Bat's “When U Love Somebody” (hear it)
Dark and Romantic
7 First Dance Alternatives for Dance-shy Couples
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- Judas Priest's “Angel” (hear it)
- Rammstein's “Ohne Dich” (hear it with English translation)
- Type O Negative's “Love You to Death” (hear it)
- Stone Temple Pilots' “Still Remains” (hear it)
- Incubus' “Monuments and Melodies” (hear it)
- Killswitch Engage's “My Curse” (hear it)
- HIM's “Join Me In Death” (hear it)
Oh, you want more?
About the Author: Megan Finley Horowitz
When Megan's not writing, traveling, and sleeping, she's eating like the fate of the world depends on it. (You're welcome, world!) You can snoop into her personal life over on her website The Dash and Dine!
I’ve always caught goosebumps when I’ve heard Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic”.
I don’t know if its over used at weddings because I haven’t been to that many, but it surely gets my vote as a smooth love anthem.
I love love LOVE the comments on this! My guy and I are doing either “The Ship Song” by Nick Cave or “Pistol” by Dustin Kensure (the lead singer of thrice)
“Pistol” is SUCH a great song! My fiance has played and sang this song for me many a time. It’s so cute 🙂
I’m planning on using ‘Eyes on You’ from the Final Fantasy 8 soundtrack. Followed with a slightly more upbeat song called ‘Love Songs’ by Anjulie.
I Know this is off topic, but the dress that girl is wearing at the top of the page is AMAZING! Does anyone know where she got it?
To contact the bride and ask her about the dress, just click the picture.
Loveley tonight by joshua radin…it has such perfect lyrics
I need you to know
This won’t be broken
And all that we said
Will not be lost into the dawn
And you would be
The last thing I saw coming
I’m still surprised
You are lovely tonight
You, dear, will guide me
Into the morning light
You are lovely tonight
Lay here beside me
I see the rest of my life
With youAlone we are fine
But when we are two
We are eterna
lThe moons aligned
Our separate lives
Here become one
And you would be
The last thing I saw coming
I’m still surprised
You are lovely tonight
You, dear, will guide me
Into the morning light
You are lovely tonight
Lay here beside me
I see the rest of my life With you
All my life I’ve lived alone without you
All this time, I couldn’t find where to belong
And you are lovely tonight
You, dear, will guide me
Into the morning light
You are lovely tonight
Lay here beside me
I see the rest of my lifeWith you
What about “Promise to me” by Mirah? It’s achingly pretty, if you like gentle slow songs for first dances, and the lyrics are full of sweetness and devotion.
My fiance and I knew it would be our first dance song long before we even got engaged (read: the first time I played it for him!).
I am going to get really corny – Still the One by the Doobie Brothers. Not very “danceable” but maybe something good to walk into? Not a big Doobie Brothers fan, however, the lyrics are great!
My fiancee and I will be dancing to “Shine On” by Eric Bibb. SO wonderful.
I’m thinking of walking down the isle to the Vitamin String Quartet’s version of Sigur Ros’ Hoppipolla, but I don’t know if I’ll make it more than a step without crying…
My mother wrote a song for me & my fiancee for our wedding… that’s gonna be my first dance song! 🙂 And I’m planning on singing and recording it for the first dance (with my mum playing it on her guitar), without his knowledge.
So my first dance song is me singing a love song to him. Perfectly sappy, isn’t it? <3
Oh It Is Love by Hellogoodbye is a great one to dance to, at my wedding my journalism teacher from high school’s son Walker played it on the ukelale. It was quite romantic.
We’re having Foo Fighters – Everlong, although struggling to find a way to dance to it. Any Ideas?
Led Zeppelin – All of my Love
Paolo Nutini – No Other Way (“I’m home, so love me” – perfect line!)
The Beatles – All My Loving
Love the list and the suggestions!
My fiance and I are going to be dancing to The Origin of Love from Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
I wanted to do this soon, but my man isn’t much of a dancer and it’s like 5 minutes! Are you cutting it at all?
We had our first dance to Derek and the Domnioes Bell Bottom Blues, and used the Beatles She came in through the bathroom window for our recessional.
Hard to Concentrate- Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Ten Million Years- Black Lab
Wherever I Stand- Taproot
Your Guardian Angel- The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
All I Need- Radiohead
Nothing Better- the Postal Service (has a lot of meaning for us, but some people probably would think it was depressing and dark)
Metaphor- In Flames
Inflatable- Gavin Rossdale
And for beautiful guitar with no lyrics but full of emotion… Buckethead.
This list is so full of great suggestions!
We are still narrowing down choices for our first dance–but at the top of our list is “Come Live with Me” by Ray Charles and “It is you (I have loved)” by Dana Glover (which is slightly less appealing if only because it’s the song from Shrek).
I’ve definitely used this list to help fill out my iPod library, though. Great songs!
For the jazz songs, try “When I Fall In Love” or “I’m Glad There Is You” both by Carmen McRae.
I did Voltaire’s Anniversary. It is an amazing song.
I can’t decide between Magnetic Fields’ It’s Only Time and Peter Gabriel’s Book of Love for our first dance, but can always throw the loser into the prelude music mix.
How about another one from the Juno soundrtack; Barry Louis Polisar – All I Want Is You
Two songs I’m seriously considering – “Heavenly Day” by Patti Griffith and “Hold Us Together” by Matt Maher.
Can’t help but feel that “Stellar” by Incubus would be better than “monuments and melodies”, the acoustic version of “stellar” would be great if you have some musical guests too.
I haven’t looked through the 17 pages of comments before adding my own (I hope that’s okay!), but I’m a HUGE Broadway geek and I rarely hear about some of the excellent songs from the stage as first dance songs. And there are so many! Just a few:
-RENT: I’ll Cover You (I did see this somewhere)
-Phantom of the Opera: All I Ask Of You (we’ll probably use this one)
-Cabaret: Married (though I’d recommend learning the whole story before using it, as pretty as it is on its own)
-Wicked: As Long As You’re Mine
-Pippin: Love Song
-1776: Yours, Yours, Yours
we are dancing to you send me by sam cooke:)
I like the Nick cave song, and i think it would be nice to use in our civil ceremony. I am in the UK and the registrars wont allow any music with references to god or religion in ANY way! I really wanted The Sacrement by Him but it contains the words ‘god’ ‘chruch’ and ‘Angel’ Slightly off topic of first dance songs though!
“Walking to Do” by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists will be our first dance in about 10 days. We are so excited!
“Can’t Stop Falling” – Great Big Sea (fun, upbeat, bouncy)
“Boston and St. John’s” – Great Big Sea (slow, bittersweet and so fitting for a couple that’s coming out of a long distance relationship)
“Good Thing” – Reel Big Fish (sweet, fun ska)
“Be Mine” – David Gray (easy to dance to, personally in love with the man’s voice)
“I Love You” – Barenaked Ladies (fun, jazzy, light-hearted)
Nthing “Love You Madly” – Cake
“That Face” – The Producers (excellent if you love musicals and would love an excuse for an elaborate dance in the middle)
Old:
Oh my love – John Lennon
Maybe I’m amazed – Paul McCartney
Love – John Lennon
Something – The Beatles
We’ve only just begun – The Carpenters
I won’t last a day without you – The Carpenters
For all we know – The Carpenters
Annie’s Song – John Denver
Time in a Bottle – Jim Croce
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
She’s got a way – Billy Joel
Your Song – Elton John
By Your Side – Sade
Your Love Is King – Sade
New-ish:
More than Anyone – Gavin DeGraw
Let It Go – Gavin DeGraw
Follow Through – Gavin DeGraw
Love will find you – Findlay Brown
Need You Around – The Smoking Popes
Running – No Doubt
Tonight Tonight – Smashing Pumpkins
etc. etc. so much more, so hard to pick – but first choice is Oh my Love by John Lennon.
hope ya’ll get ideas from this list.
The fiancé and I are going to have to play spin the bottle on our short list of First Dance songs…we’ve got –
Forever May Not Be Long Enough by Live (used in the Mummy Returns, but has been on my playlist since it was first released)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHNBW4G4RJM – It is a beautiful song, with great tempo changes. For those not familiar with it, it’s about love spanning lifetimes, which for the pair of us, is very apropos.
Breathe by Abney Park – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsxDOFWTbk0 – I adore this band, and this song, well…it’s just beautiful.
I Alone by Live – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHnGWX0kYgc&p=EFC26A8FEB763AD6&playnext=1&index=6 – ok, so I have a “thing” for Live…>;)
But now, I’m going to have to throw a RockRoll in!
I can see a night of PostIt Notes, bottles of very drinkable white, YouTube, and rolling around on the floor in our future! Thank you OBB, I’ll let you know the outcome of the “Spin The Bottle “First Dance As Married GrownUps” Song Contest” ^_^
Hugs and Bright Blessings to all.
Kat
We had our first dance to Incubus’ “Dig”. Hubby’s a huge Incubus fan and has converted me along the way.
“We’ll always have each other when everything else is gone.” 🙂
We may choose “Hysteric” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs (acoustic version). Love this song!
We weren’t able to have dancing at our wedding (Last minute venue change) but our planned song had been Cake’s Love You Madly.
I think I will have to have a kick-ass 5th anniversary party! Man, I wish I had known about this site when I was getting married- I faced SO much pressure to be traditional! (Actuall, that last minute venue change saved my tuckus!)
We’re playing 80s music at the reception so were considering dancing to “Somebody” by Depeche Mode. I’m torn because my current favorite “I Was Made For Sunny Days” by The Weepies has an 80s vibe and would be perfect too.
oh my god i cried and got goose bumps when i played Sandler’s Grow Old With You. haha
What about offbeat bride music that can actually be waltzed to? Both my fiance & I ballroom dance, and we want to find something that is whimsical and not utterly cloying that’s in 3/4 time (no, 6/8 won’t cut it – trying to viennese waltz is too much pressure!). The rainbow connection is really adorable, but I don’t think I’ll be able to convince him to dance to a muppet! >.< The only other one I've come up with after extensive searching is Kiss From A Rose by Seal, which is pretty good, but still not quite right. Ideas, everybody?
P.S. I'm stoked to have figured out the ceremony music though – my friend will be playing the soundtrack to Amelie adapted to piano… which is just beautiful and completely perfect for us!!
The Jon Brion song that I listed above is in 3/4.
If the lyrics were different it’d be perfect, but it has a little too much of a depressing feel to it, esp with the lines “you’ve gotto know there’s more to this world than what you’ve seen”. It’s a kinda difficult balance that I’m looking for – a waltz that’s not depressing, but not so mushy it feels like it’s gone all schmoozy. (yes, I’m making up words again…!)
Did you see Sam and Justin’s wedding and dance to Ben Fold’s “The Luckiest?”
I think it’s in 4/4 time but you could do rhumba or foxtrot. Anyway, it may give you some ideas.
Have you tried “Catch the Wind”? It’s an old folk song; I love the version sung by Joan Baez & Mimi Farina.
My old social dance prof has a page of a few songs he liked to use for class:
http://socialdance.stanford.edu/discography.htm
If your wedding hasn’t happened yet…
There’s a waltz version of “If I Should Fall Behind” on “Live in Dublin.”
http://www.amazon.com/Live-Dublin-Bruce-Springsteen-Sessions/dp/B000P1KTVY/ref=sr_1_14?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1297626414&sr=1-14
I’m giving a copy of the single to my parents this year for their 35th; my mom is a huge Springsteen fan, and my dad loves folk.
I literally looked through all the comments. Thanks for all the suggestions for new music. I don’t think I saw “Mellow Mood” by Slightly Stoopid on here but one of the lines is “One time, you know I love you with your funky-ass style”. My boyfriend has me play that almost every time we get in the car. It’s really cute and I think OBB’s would appreciate it.
Also, “Wedding Dress” and “Come On Get Higher” by Matt Nathanson are relatively new and perfect wedding songs.
“Landslide” by Stevie Nicks (or Smashing Pumpkins, or Dixie Chicks, etc.) would be a good father/daughter song.
Almost forgot: “Mellow Mood” and “Landslide” can be lengthy and that put me off a bit but they should both (especially MM) be easy to cut.
I saw two people mention, Voltaire’s “Anniversary”. It is a top contender for me, although it has made me cry a few times!
Some lyrics from the middle:
So we make it into a ring
And make a mold
And we melt above the flames
The whitest gold
When hot and cold collide
What’s left in place
Is forever and ever
And they said our love would fade
It gets stronger everyday
And they say that beauty fades
You’re more beautiful than ever
They said we’d drift away
We’re still standing here
And it feels like every day’s
Our Anniversary
Some say things worth having
Take some time
As they get older
They get better
& on the “They said we wouldn’t last” note, a friend used Shania Twain’s “Still the One”. ;p
My husband to be and I are going to dance to Dave Matthew’s “You and Me”. It’s sweet and romantic, but it’s not stick a finger down my throat and puke sweet. It’s upbeat and good for someone who sucks at dancing! (me!)
Holy crap, I love this blog…
We’ve switched off a few times (wedding is years away, after grad school), but we’re currently going to dance to Nat King Cole’s “Let There Be Love.”
Magnetic Fields’s “Nothing Matters When We’re Dancing” and “Together We are Beautiful” (Kinky Boots version) were also under consideration.
We’re inviting everyone to join us on the dance floor for the first dance, “Baby Hold On” by Eddie Money.
18 pages and no Elvis Costello?!?
I got married way back in 2000 and our first dance was to Sandler’s “Grow Old With You” (the DJ thought we were absolutely nuts) and since it is short my husband added “She” by Elvis Costello. We were both managers at a movie theater and Notting Hill was such a sweet film the song stuck with us.
My fiance and I and thinking about dancing to Anyone else but you by the moldy peaches but there are a few lines in it we arent sure of, so this list helped out a lot. Gave us a few new options:) thank you
Any suggestions in the funk department? We want to get out there and really go wild with some funky dance moves.
Thanks so much!
“Diamond”- Steven Kellogg and the Sixers
Epic first dance song— “requiem for a dream” by clint mansell, i think lol just youtube “the epic song”
My fiance and I are planning to use the song Define Dancing from Wall-e because one, awesome movie, and two, we’re kinda like Wall-e and Eve (the lovable “loser” and the bitch who he teaches to love).
I am stoked to see “Firday Im in Love” by the Cure <3. My fiance & I decided to get married on a Friday just so we could use that song, then decided to make it our first dance a few weeks ago (before I saw it o this list)!!
2 of our besites just got married a month ago & they danced to "As the World Falls Down" from Labyrinth (one of our mutual FAVE movies).
My fiancee is from Boston and a huge Dropkick Murphys fan. One song we contemplated using is the Murphys’ “Forever”
Along the same punk vein, Social Distortion’s cover of “Ring of Fire” is fast beat, a fun cover.
I think we are going to go with an upbeat first dance song, like “I believe when I fall in love” by Stevie Wonder or “Hallelujah, I love her so,” by Ray Charles
We had They Might be Giants New York City because if you replace New York City with Blackpool (which is where we met) it pretty much describes the first part of our relationship. Also it’s funky and upbeat and after going through all the other meaningful songs that didn’t mean anything to us I said what the hell, we like it, we’re having it! : )
Ref songs for first dance, I have loved this particular song since I was a kid and thought about having it as a first dance. BUT last year, a really popular local TV show in New Zealand (where I live) played it at a wedding where someone was stabbed at the end. Not cool, but if you don’t live in NZ, may I recommend Oughta Be in Love by Dave Dobbyn http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dave+dobbyn+oughta+be+in+love&aq=4
OMG Zero 7’s “Sommersault” is the ultimate wedding song.
I’m trying to convince my FH that our first dance should be Tim Minchin “If I didn’t have you” but he’s worried our families won’t get it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeZMIgheZro
Try Randall Douglas Matson’s “In My Soul”.
http://www.amazon.com/In-My-Soul/dp/B00420UKZY/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1291420641&sr=8-11
wait…explain the mountain goats song to me?! i read the lyrics and was like wtf but maybe i’m missing something…i really want to know why this would be a good song!
I always have to defer back to my friend Billy’s comment about this song, which can be seen here.
We’re using Iron & Wine’s “Flightless Bird, American Mouth”…my best friend’s first dance was The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, “Your Guardian Angel”
HIM when love and Death embrace and My chemical romance’s The only hope for me is you
i have a couple that i’d pick from if i got married (i’ll know i have the right guy if he wants one of these songs too!)
the flaming lips “when you smile”
townes van zandt “if i needed you”
moxy fruvous “fell in love”
more questionable as love songs, but still awesome:
mountain goats “i love you let’s light ourselves on fire”
pixies “hey”
Listen to “I Have and I Always Will” by Dave Barnes. Really sweet slow wedding song.
We’ve been searching and searching… reading through all these posts and it hit us…
“The Origin of Love” from the movie “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” – its PERFECT!
No country? Uncle Kracker Smile, Darius Rucker Alright, Sara Evans Real Fine Place to Start
My fiance and I have finally agreed that we will dance to Pearl Jam – Just Breathe. They are his all time favorite band and it is a beautiful song. We are also walking out of our ceremony to Stone Sour – Say You’ll Haunt Me. A favorite of mine as Corey Taylor is a God! And he also wrote this song about how much he craves his wife. If it had been slower, it would have been our first dance song.
Very helpful post and comments! I believe we’re going with ‘Love You to Death’ by Type O. More ideas a bit on the symphonic rock/metal side: ‘Nighttime Birds’ by The Gathering (runs a bit long, but pretty!), ‘Into Your Light’ by Leave’s Eyes, and ‘Nymphetamine’ by Cradle of Filth. The first 2 are good if you want a ‘heavier’ song without scaring the grandparents. The 3rd song will probably scare the grandparents!
We’re going to do the Toadies. “Pressed Against the Sky.” It has wonderful memories attached to it. :>
This is my cousin! lol I was just looking around for ideas for my wedding and stumbled across this. Way to go Em! 😀 Loved your ideas.
In lieu of the Tim Minchin song, I think I’m going to lobby hard for this mash-up. It’s the Commodores “Easy Like Sunday Morning” mashed with the Cure “Just Like Heaven”.
The songs go amazingly well together.
I LOVE the idea of doing “Love You to Death” by Type O Negative, but I’m not sure I could really deal with dancing for 7 minutes 😉
Richelle, I totally agree! But there is a shorter version of it on their “Least Worst Of” album. Also, if you’re having a DJ, he/she could maybe edit/shorten the song for you. No harm in asking.
We are dancing to Must Be Doing Something Right by Billy Currington
Another good song is Rocky Votolato – Suicide Medicine
The chorus is the whole reason really “Oh god I love you I mean forever I left my body behind to break the news”
Yay for Billie Holiday! “How Deep is the Ocean” is a great song. Another one: “Fever” (Peggy Lee did the original recording, but there are lots of good covers out there). And friends of mine danced to “It’s You I Like” by Mister Rogers 🙂
We are walking in with my man’s original composition “Homecoming”, and our first dance could be either Aerosmith’s “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” or something from Edwin McCain (“I’ll Be” or “I Could Not Ask For More”)
We aren’t having a first dance song, as neither of us dance, but if we were, I might like Kenny Chesney and Mac MacAnally’s “Down The Road”- it would also be a good father-daughter song. Or maybe Josh Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance”. Those are the main two I can think of right now.
I’ve been meaning to reply to this thread for ages, so here goes! I’ve scanned through some of the previous posts, but my huge apolgies if i am repeating anything!!!
Peaches and Cream – John Butler Trio
This is a really sweet, blues and rootsy song that’s really easy to get your groove on to. It would be well suited to someone that already has a child as some of the lyrics say “you and your mum infront of me, you’re peaches and cream to me” but my fave part is at the end when it says, over and over “all i know is all i know and i love you, yes i love you”. Me and my fiance say this to each other tall the time! You can listen to it here: http://jbtserver.com/blog/music/sunrise-over-sea-2004/
Another by John Butler is I’d Do Anything (Soldier’s Lament), which, obviously, would be really good for anyone that has a partner in the army/navy/etc. Fave line is “cos you know you rock oh yeah, and i love that we roll” and then it says something like “i’d do anything just to be with you girl”
On a completely different note, a really upbeat fun tongue-in-cheek song is I Do by Placebo, with lyrics that include:
I wanna be a girl like you
The way you swing your hips in jeans
I wanna wear my face like you
Shiseido MAC and Maybelline
I wanna paint the town with you
And tickle you until you scream
I wanna fall in love with you
I wanna say I do
and
I wanna be much more like you
The way your smile lights up the room
I’ll kick back as men flirt with you
To jealousy I’ll stay immune
There’s confidence in me and you
There’s hope that you and I will bloom
I wanna fall in love with you
I wanna say I do
If my boy hadn’t previously had some issues on the subject, i would LOVE to use Wasted by Angus and Julia Stone. Its a bit of a double meaning, “i’m wasted on you”, but i see it as in i’m high on you –
I don’t know just what I’ll do
Everytime you walk into the room
Oh my head is spinning around
And I can’t see clearly right now
I’m wasted
I’m so wasted on you
and
Red and yellow pink and green purple and orange and blue
All of the colours I see my love everytime I see you.
You can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twnqSCKAsqE&ob=av2el
Another Aussie band (hey they almost all are!) is Birds of Tokyo and me and my boy met at one of their gigs, so we’ve been tying to decide which of their songs to play- none of them are particularly romantic (although one of them does say ‘i want your finger deep’ haha) but the song Violet is pretty sweet, “you take my breath away again” and “but you and i together sounds like bliss”. You can listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAcVViKa46c
I’ll be back with more!
Nick Cave – Into My Arms
is another one we’re considering. Love it to bits!!
here is my list of favorites so far (I starred the onces I didn’t think were mentioned yet)-
Iron & Wine’s version of Such Great Heights
Iron & Wine- Naked as We Came
Iron & Wine- Love and Some Verses*
Death Cab- Follow You into the Dark
Postal Service- Brand New Colony*
M. Ward’s version of Here Comes the Sun Again*
M. Ward’s version of Let’s Dance
Ben Folds- The Luckiest
Magnetic Fields- Book of Love
Bright Eyes- First Day of My Life
The Decemberists- Hazards of Love 4
The Zombies- This Will Be Our Year
Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Maps
Ryan Adams version of Wonderwall
Coconut Records- Slowly*
I wish this article had been out when I got married 7/21/07. I would have danced to the Mario Kart Love Song if it had existed back then.
Amazing Song to Walk down The Isle or As First Dance is:
“E isso ai ” by Ana Carolina & Seu Jorge ! (Youtube)
So much Soul and emotions! Enjoy
I have spent hours reading every single post, looking up some of the suggestions on You Tube, and generally loving this community! Oh, what did we do before the inter-ma-net?
Here are my choices (I’ve avoided ones already mentioned):
All Over Again – Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings (can’t believe I haven’t seen her on anyone’s list!)
Big Jumps – Emiliana Torrini
If I Were A Carpenter – Johnny Cash and June Carter
Comes A Time – Neil Young
Harvest Moon – Neil Young
One of These Things First – Nick Drake
Good Feeling – Violent Femmes
Easy Heaven (BRAT mashup) – The Commodores & The Cure
Just Like Honey – The Jesus and Mary Chain
Heaven – The Ravonettes
Plainsong – The Cure
Us – Regina Spektor
Real Love – Regina Spektor (cover of John Lennon)
Feeling Sentimental – The Waifs
One Crowded Hour – Augie March
Big love to everyone x
Yay! For “If You Were a Carpenter”
We are using Johnny Cash’s “Flesh and Blood”
Edward Sharpe and the Electric Zeros “Home” is a pretty awesome song. Especially when you are a travelin’ couple.
Hey… for anyone to wants to kick it middling-old-school and a little offbeat, how about This Picture — “All I Believe In” (from the album “A Violent Impression)? It’s not too fast, but not to slow, and the lyrics are gorgeous and poetic:
Every breath is sacred now,
Every second blessed
And all the time I’ve spent with you
Is heaven unconfessed…
You are all I believe in, worth waiting for,
All I believe in, everything and more…
and, towards the end:
To lie with, cry with, sleep, dance and fly with,
We can soar through the heavens if we choose…
Makes me ache (in a good way!) every time I hear it!
Rouge Wave covers “Maps” by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and its nothing short of goose bumps and brilliance. It’s our first dance song and has me in tears everytime I hear it <3
For me it will have to be something by Muse…not sure what yet but we have so many amazing memories that involve their many songs!
Marc Broussard’s “Wanderer” or “I Wanna Be Where You Are” his voice is like Butta!! 😉
Otis Redding “These Arms of Mine” or “Try a Little Tenderness”
Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars” is SOOO Good!!
…just to name a few! 😀
A friend of mine had ‘Set Fire to the Third Bar’ by Snow Patrol which is lovely.
We’re going to use ‘Start Wearing Purple’ by Gogol Bordello. I know there are different meanings for it, but Johnny and I think of it as a ‘live your life now, don’t wait’ kinda thing.
I love taj mahal’s lovin in my babies eyes:)SOOOOOO perfect!
My first dance song will be
‘Anniversary’ by Musician/animator/writer/artist Voltaire.
It’s beautiful, romantic, great to dance to, and entirely unexpected.
We’ll probably dance to Daniel Lemma’s If I used to love you. Real feel good soul that sounds like it came out of Motown 45 year ago, but it’s actually a Swedish dude.
Sarah Harmer’s Open Window (Wedding Song). Really beautiful lyrics.
Ben’s Brother “Stuttering”
For two music nerds soon to be married, it amazes me that we haven’t talked about this. First choice would be Blaqk Audio (the band that brought us together) but they’re more sex or loss, no good love songs unless they drop a new album. Same problem with my fave Pet Shop Boys and Scissor Sisters. He mostly likes more punk stuff which isn’t suitable. I think we’re trapped into Bowie or The Cure though Boris has been mentioned in the past. (how conveniently Japanese are they!)
I love this. Might I add
“I’m Yours”–The Script (Boy and I vetoed this as it mentions a best friend’s death, but it’s super romantic and still “our” song)
“This is Home”–Switchfoot Yes, it’s about God, but as with most praise songs, it’s a pretty sweet love song too. We’re thinking of this being our transition, invite everyone on the dance floor song. (Boy said it reminded him of me *Swoon*)
But our “first dance” song will likely be something super sappy because if you’re going to go sappy..go big or go home is my attitude. 🙂
i am in love with stpehen lynches halliugh it is amazing but due to maybe giving my grnadma and his mum a fit when they here the lyrics ….. ‘how i be loving those big big titties of yours….they dont even fit in my hand…i will still love you when there down to the floor…’ i am seriously thinking of having it as last dance as even with some lyrics its amazing and the melody stunning.i would love it for first dance but seriously my poor grandma!!!!
forgot to mention we settled on micheal baubles feeling good as its big band and loud and wont have anyone chocking on their champagne!!
We danced to “Beautiful Freak” by The Eels 🙂
hey, found this site while searching for a dif song for my first dance, realised there arent many reggae/ conscious type songs here. Being from the caribbean i’d love to recommend Tessanne Chin ft Kees “loving you” (hear it), and jah cure’s “unconditional love” a beaaautiful song we are considering. (hear it)
Even Jason Mraz’s version of Im Yours ft Jah Cure etc is fun. Oh, and Modern English “Melt with you” (hear it)
My hubby and I danced to “Lay your World on Me” By Ozzy Osbourne…Then to Ozzy’s “Woman” they were perfect for us…>Especially since his fav band EVER is Ozzy
“I don’t care if you’re contagious”-Pierce The Veil? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBtvfDSaEc4
Michael Buble: “You and I”
Not well known, originally done by Stevie Wonder, and he does a gorgeous rendition! Love it
-or-
Brad Paisley: “Then”
🙂
Has anyone done M.Ward’s Never Had Nobody Like You? It’s short; quirky without being obnoxious, mercifully short and I think that we can junior-high-school-box-step to it.
Stumbled across this one randomly and I love it! Been searching for the perfect song and this is it. “Another Minute” by Sahaj Ticotin…definitely worth checking out!
We’re going to be dancing either to Radiohead’s “Creep” or Deathcab for Cutie’s “I’ll Follow You Into the Dark.”
I’m leaning toward dancing to “IFYITD” and singing “Creep.”
Currently planning our summer backyard,laid-back, romantic, indie, kinda hippie wedding and working on music – we’ll have lotsa folky stuff, LOTS of Indie, some Beatles… The song I’m currently goose-bumpily-stuck-on is “For You” by Angus & Julia Stone. The lines “…If you love me, I’ll make you a star in my universe…” Give me ridiculous goosebumps and heart palipitations. In a good way. But we’re still 3 months away, and I will discover a lot of new music between now and then, so who knows???
I’m kind of besotted with the Whitlams’ “Thank You (For Loving Me At My Worst)”.
And the Rickroll suggestion? Pure gold. 😀
Awesome collection. I`ll just add the song You my the first, my the last, you my everthing by Barry White.
Matt Nathanson- Wedding Dress
My top 5 picks are all on this list!
This version of ‘The Book of Love’ is plainly… outstanding and breathtaking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CKat0z07kw
So beautiful! My friend sang that at my cousin’s wedding and I couldn’t find a version that competed with his, but this is close (if only because of the orchestra)
Under the Dark and Romantic column
Stand Inside our Love by the Smashing Pumpkins. If you’re unsure, listen to the lyrics. This is what we’ve chosen for our first dance.
That is freakin awesome. Those lyrics give me the goosebumps. I also tried to convince my sister Angie to play that when she shot down “Angie” by the Rolling Stones…. I think the build up in STand Inside your Love nearing the end of the song is soooooo fantastic. Great choice!! 🙂
“Send His Love To Me” or “To Bring You My Love” by PJ Harvey or “Thank You” by Led Zeppelin. Personally I love Tori Amos’s version the best. I tried to convince my sister Angie to play “Angie” by the Rolling Stones at her wedding….Got the eye roll. My other sister had “A lighter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum as she walked down the aisle. It was really beautiful!!!!
We’re doing “Impressed” by Charlie Sexton because we’re arrogant bastards. He’s walking in to “All My Days” by Alexi Murdoch, and our father/daughter dance is “I Got the Girl” by Bon Jovi (he wrote it for his daughter and my dad and I love them).
Also Consider “Thank you” by Led Zepplin or an AMAZING cover by Chris Cornell. Red Hot Chili Peppers “Hard to Concentrate” is also a great one that i believe Anthony Kedis wrote for Fleas Engagement.
“the luckiest” by benfolds on this list made me smile and “i’ll Cover you” comment from the rent soundtrack is fabulous!
I’ve looked at this thread at least a dozen times now hoping that something perfect would pop out that I didn’t see before and I can’t believe it hasn’t been mentioned yet…
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J7J_IWUhls&w=560&h=349%5D
Paramore- The Only Exception
I come from a single parent home and my FH’s parants divorced when he was young. This suits us very nicely. Also our first date was supposed to be a Paramore concert but I backed out. We joke now about how “Had I only known then what I know now…” I could have at least gotten a free concert out of him <3
“On Your Arm” by Schuyler Fisk
You always felt like home
You knew my favorite song
And I love the way you say my name
I love just about everything
Wake up to your morning face
Love you a little bit more everyday
Love the way you walk into the room
It’s just the little things
Cause on your arm I could fall asleep
And on your arm it’s the best of me
And on your arm I go anywhere
Cause I know that you’ll be there
Counting a million ways to stay
On your arm
I can’t believe you belong to me
I guess I must have done something right
How did we get here and where did we start?
You follow my heart
And on your arm I could fall asleep
And on your arm it’s the best of me
And on your arm I go anywhere
Cause I know that you’ll be there
Counting a million ways to stay
On your arm
Oh my love could you take me?
Oh my love just take me on your arm
On your arm
Cause on your arm I could fall asleep
And on your arm it’s the best of me
And on your arm I go anywhere
Cause I know that you’ll be there
Counting a million ways to stay
On your arm
On your arm
On your arm
I’m torn between Mute Math’s “You are Mine” and The Beatles’ “When I’m Sixty-Four” they’re COMPLETELY on different ends of the spectrum but I love them both equally and just cannot seem to make up my mind!! GAHH!!! Any thoughts?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4s2wr3eR3k
I have been thinking “Twilight” ~Squirrel Nut Zippers. So so easy to dance to, and I doubt anyone’s used it before. ^-^
We’re going to dance to This Heart of Mine by Pain of Salvation. I’ve got a whole list of indie/rock music to play at our reception and I will for sure be adding some of theses suggestions to it!
Another great HIM song that would make a perfect first dance song: In Joy and Sorrow.
My fiancee and I are contemplating that song, because its our song as well.
I really like “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder. We’re also considering “I’m Your Moon” by Jonathan Coulton, which is a great one for couples who have had adversity in their lives, or had friends/family who didn’t initially understand the couple’s union.
I know I’m a bit late to this particular party, but just wanted to say thanks for all the tips. I have never wanted to dance to a cheesey Mariah Carey-esque song which means absolutely nothing to me and has been done at a million other weddings. My boyfriend and I were planning on doing a jokey song but he’s now getting worried that people won’t get it, so the hunt is on once more for a first dance song. Unfortunately, his taste in music isn’t all that great, but I’ve got lots of ideas now. Also, just wanted to say that I love how different songs have different meanings to people – either because of a sentimental reaso or memory they evoke, or because people take different meanings from the lyrics and music – and isn’t that what interpretation is all about?
I am loving the Eddie Vedder ukulele cover of “Dream a Little Dream of Me”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twv7z0_STCM
I’m a big fan of The Kooks “Always where I need to be”
“cause I’m always where I need to be
Yeah, and I always thought I would end up
With you, eventually”
It’s such a fun bouncy song
Snap! We’re having this song as our entrance song at the reception. Describes us well – we were friends for 2 years before finally getting together!
Everlasting Light from the Black Keys!!!
Here’s another suggestion for a goofy, fun song: Lovers of Loving Love by The Aquabats. It won’t be our first dance, but it will most definitely be at our wedding, probably with us signing along loudly, and badly.
I haven’t read all 21 pages of comments, but wanted to add our song, and maybe some suggestions…we’re going with Jonathan Richman’s “Me and Her Got a Good Thing Going, Babe” which is just very us. His “My Baby Love Love Loves Me” is also awesome.
We also short-listed Camera Obscura’s cover of “I Love How You Love Me” and Jose Gonzalez’s cover of “Heartbeats”.
“No one’s gonna love you” by Band of Horses and “Into the Mystic” by Vann Morrison should be on this list somewhere 🙂
We danced to Billy Joel’s “You May Be Right (I may be crazy”. We learned how to swing and all of our guests loved it. We decided early on that we didn’t want to just sway for 3 minutes and we were super happy with the way it turned out.
Gonna Make You Love Me, Ryan Adams
I’m Gonna Be, The Proclaimers
You never see songs like this at a wedding…you can tell how much a couple loves each other by how they dance together, esp to such fun songs like these.
Warm Love, Van Morrison
our first dance song is going to be wait for you by atreyu. one of our fave bands. and we are using lyrics from another of their songs in our vows
We’re going with Ingrid Michaelson’s “You and I”. Several people have told me it’s too fast, but we think it’s adorable!
Thanks to everyone for sharing their suggestions. We will definently be playing a few of them at our wedding! The Ray LaMontagne You Are the Best Thing is my fave new discovery. But we finally decided on the Israel Kamakawiwo’ole version of Somewhere over the Rainbow… We love to travel and once spent a blissed-out two weeks in Hawaii. I can’t wait to be dancing to this very chilled out tune during our wedding 🙂
That “Mario Cart Song” is so sweet and fun. Been havin a tricky time tryin to figure out what to do for our first song since me and my FI listen to different types of music. I dunno why, but I’ve thought of “Accidentally in Love” from the Shrek 2 soundtrack. it was so quirky but cute. and it suited our relationship. 🙂 but that “mario cart song” may have beaten it.
Forever by Ben Harper is one of the most romantic i’ve ever heard!
This is our first dance song too! My partner and I absolutely love it.
How funny to be reading this list 39days from our day. We had chosen “In Your Eyes” before we saw the list. Our music guru is taking out about 2min of the 5min 39 sec song, because I am not dancing alone with my groom for 5 minutes.
Our goal after that is to have our music guy say “the bride and groom would like everyone who wants to, to join them for this next song” and then start right up into “Nice and Easy” by Frank Sinatra. Everyone has heard it if they are over 30, the moms and dads and kids can get up and go, and so can the oldsters! I can’t wait!
I love that I’m being introduced to new songs and reminded of others! I’d like to throw Elbow’s “Starlings” and “One Day Like This” into the mix.
My parents had an off beat wedding in the 80s and I’ve always loved their pick: “Beautiful” by Gordon Lightfoot.
My love & I are planning to bust our first dance moves to Ani Difranco’s Way Tight! <3
Perfect choice!
My fiancè and I plan to dance to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. It’s one of my favorite songs of all time, and I’ve never, ever heard it played as a first dance. How’s that for originality :-).
I’ve read all 22 pages, and this hasn’t been mentioned yet!
The song is Diamond by Steven Kellogg and the Sixers.
Lyrics:
Honey, honey have you done your good deed today?
You open up my heart with the things that you say
Your melody’s strong so your song never ends
Though the drama has changes, you are still my best friend
You’re my diamond, you’re my diamond
Darlin, darlin life’s short and it’s hard and it’s great
You make me see love where I’m inclined to hate
Your way with the boys, how you settle us down
You cut through the noise in my head I have found
You’re my diamond, dancing diamond
Just hold me close and don’t ever let go
Lady, lady hush hush, cause the world can be sad
If it starts to scare you think of all that we’ve had
And the aisle we walk has no regrets
As long as you are with me, you know I’m all set
Singing diamond, You’re my diamond
You’re my sweet beauty diamond, miracle diamond
Sweet honey diamond, miracle diamond
Baby, Baby come come, keep it close to home
A saxophone and a slide trombone
I hope we die the same night when we’re ninety-nine
I hope we go in our sleep as my diamond girl shines
Singing Diamond, you’re my diamond
Sweet beauty diamond, miracle diamond
Diamond, you are my diamond
Sweet honey diamond, miracle diamond
You’re my miracle.
Every night and day, all the things you’ve ever said
You’ve always been my miracle
My FH came up with this idea, our first dance is going to be “Shiawase no Iro”, which is the theme from the anime “Ah my Goddess”, we have found an english fandub that is amazing, there are even bagpipes! 🙂
We’re entering the reception to REM’s “The end of the world (as we know it)” because we both swore we would NEVER get married again.
I disagree with “Perfect Day.” It is usually used in TV shows/movies when something bad is going on (like Trainspotting) and has a creepy tone. “You’re going to reap just what you sow” is at the end. But “The Luckiest” was our song and is awesome! Like the list otherwise!
of course for each his/her own so if you dig it, go for it.
But the lyric that “you’re gonna reap just what you sow” is in direct response to the fact that the beloved in the song “…Made me forget myself. I thought I was someone else. Someone good.”
I think Groom and I sow the seeds of each others’ goodness in our own eyes. Isn’t that super cheesy. We’re not perfect people, but we’re perfect for each other, and when we’re together, we’re better than we are when we’re apart. It’s all in how you listen to the song. If you reap what you sow, and what you sow is love and goodness, how is that bad?
And on the same note “I’ll Be Your Mirror” (also by Lou Reed) is the same vein.
“I find it hard
to believe you don’t know
the beauty you are,
but if you don’t
let me be your eyes
and enter your darkness
so you won’t be afraid.
“When you think the night has seen your mind,
That inside you’re twisted and unkind,
Let me stand to show that you are blind.
Please put down your hands, ’cause I see you.”
Perfect complimentary songs, especially for people who feel like their relationship makes them better people.
I just wanted to say, this thread has exposed to so much great music (Adele’s version of Make You Feel My Love.. which we are playing during the ceremony). I really appreciate it! We actually are probably going to wind up going with “Angel” by Jack Johnson or “To Know Love” by Little Big Town because they work best for us.
I did want to point out a few Avett Brothers songs that I discovered tonight that might work well for others! “Swept Away”, “Offering, “Walking for You”, and “A Lover Like You.” Those are all great!
Thanks again!
We got married at a park with the only music being from the ducks in the weir. However, at our reception, the first song my husband played was Can I Sit Next to You, Girl by AC/DC. There are far worse Acca Dacca songs, believe me. He’s Australian/English so it could have been worse. (I vetoed Up There, Cazaly)
Elvis, Buddy Holly, or Queen’s “You’re So Square (Baby I Don’t Care)”
Great list. I will be adding some of these to my playlists :=)
‘Nothing Else Matters’ by Apocalyptica =)
My promised and I are dancing to Paramore’s acoustic version of Only Exception.
After being introduced a mere 48 hours prior, he shared this song with me and followed that up with that an unofficial proposal and told me he loved me! lol It seems only fitting we dance to it. 😉
Also, the song that will play when he and I have our first kiss as husband and wife, the latter half of Matt Maher’s Hold Us Together will start playing!
If you want to hear it, we’d have it start playing at 2:08 and run it through to the end, “This is the first day of the rest of your life!” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvnVjLX_hRE
We’re having our first dance be “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica. Love the lyrics and one of our favorite bands ever.
Our first dance is going to be ‘Live’ by Paul and Storm. Oh sooooo geeky, and so very sweet and appropriate for us!
Tempted with – ‘how’d you like me now?’, the heavy (awesome bass line) – at the moment what with family politics. but also toying with fleetwood mac – songbird (I know, I know), the black keys – never gonna give you up (bit stalkeresque?)
excellent thread btw – thanking you!
I think my guy and I will probably end up dancing to “Love Me Dead” by Ludo.
Me and my Fiance will be dancing our first dance to REO Speedwagon’s “Keep on Loving You” in a month. Slow enough to have a slow dance to, but fun at the same time.
How has no one suggested “Parabol” and “Parabola” by Tool, or “Brena” and “Magdalena” by A Perfect Circle?
“Brena” would be awesome, and “Magdalena” would be for a super sexy, nighttime wedding. Maynard’s voice is just magical.
I can’t believe you don’t have our song on here, I totally thought it would be in your Wonky N’ Fun Section. We are getting married in April and planning on “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen… everyone needs a little Freddie Mercury at their wedding 😉
For our first dance I really want to use Perfect day, and then go into “Never Can Tell” and do the pulp fiction dance, but boyfriend/fiance wants a different song I think than “Perfect Day”. BOO.
I’m making a CD for a friend’s wedding, and this blog has been a huge help!
A couple of songs I love:
Thin Air – Pearl Jam
Truly, Truly – Grant Lee Buffalo
Your Song – Kate Walsh
Real Love (John Lennon cover) – Regina Spektor
Never Tear Us Apart – INXS (can’t believe I’m the first one to list this)
Thank You (Led Zepp cover) – Duran Duran (I like this cover almost better than the original)
Love Is Here To Stay – Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald
AND my favorite, that will be my wedding song…
Keepin’ It Real – Mason Jennings
My Brother Already Called Dibs on “Stay With You” by John Lennon. What an Amazing Song. Ever since the first time I heard that song, I can’t get it out of my head and how PERFECT it is.
#1 Crush/Garbage and I Feel You/Depeche Mode are both dark/romantic-ish. Oh, and Something About Us/Daft Punk….not sure what category to put that one, though.
I stopped reading at like page 10 of the comments, so i dont know if this has been mentioned yet, but my fiance and i are going to have Social Distortions Angel Wings- acoustic version as our first dance song. My fiance is a huge social distortion fan and the lyrics to this song are amazing. In particular the part that says “i dont care what people say, i want to marry you someday”. it actuallys makes me cry a little everytime i hear it.
Here are a couple of [MOSTLY INDIE] ideas floating around my head:
Coldplay – Yellow
Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop – Landon Pigg
Stolen – Dashboard Confessional
Sweet Pea – Amos Lee (you’ll recognize this – it’s used in some kind of commercial)
Strange & Beautiful – Aqualung
Clair de Lune – Debussy
Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise – The Avett Brothers
This Modern Love – Bloc Party (this would be a fun FAST or choreographed first dance)
Girl From the North Country – Bob Dylan
Re: Stacks OR For Emma – Bon Iver
How Can I Tell You? – Cat Stevens (or a cover of same)
Sunshower – Chris Cornell
Waiting For My Real Life to Begin – Colin Hay
Cannonball – Damien Rice
The One I Love – David Gray
Movie Script Ending – Death Cab
Thirteen – Elliot Smith
Pure Imagination – Gene Wilder (from Charlie & the Chocolate Factory!)
Love & Some Verses, Each Coming Night OR Passing Afternoon – Iron & Wine
You Give Me Something – James Morrison
Honey & the Moon OR You’re So True – Joseph Arthur
One Safe Place – Marc Cohn
Around & Around – Mark Kozelek (beautiful, beautiful singer that few know about – check him out!)
Ride it On – Mazzy Star
Say Hey (I Love You) – Michael Franti & Spearhead (fun, fast dance, great if you’re a Bob Marley fan)
Inside of Love – Nada Surf
Saturday Sun OR Northern Sky – Nick Drake
Just in Time – Nina Simone
That’s How Strong My Love Is – Otis Redding
Solsbury Hill – Peter Gabriel
Have You Forgotten – Red House Painters (“I can’t let you be, ‘cos your beauty won’t allow me …”)
Eyes – Rogue Wave
You Send Me – Sam Cooke
Old Friends (Bookends) – Simon & Garfunkel
Leather & Lace – Stevie Nicks & Don Henley
The Promise – Tracy Chapman
Best of luck! Hope some of these suggestions are helpful to you!
I’m leaning towards “Wild is the Wind” by David Bowie.
Our first dance is “Haunted” by Shane McGowan/Sinead OConner/The Pogues. I am surprised not to see more Pogues songs on this list! Who is more romantic than Shane McGowan??
We’re most likely dancing to “Like the Angel” by Rise Against. 😛
I also thought about using The Early November Cover of “Power of Love” which is really beautiful.
I have loved reading these songs! I hate the same old songs in weddings, the only 2 I have decided on so far are my guardian angel – red jumpsuit apparatus and paradise by the dashboard light – meat loaf, good laugh! 🙂
Some great ideas here. A few more:
1. “You Give Me Something”- James Morrison
2. “You Take My Breath Away”- Queen
3. “Falling Slowly”- Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
4. “The Way I Am”- Ingrid Michaelson
5. “Breathe Me”- Sia
6. “The Golden State”- John Doe
7. “God Only Knows” (1967 Rehearsal)- The Beach Boys
8. “The Very Thought Of You”- Frank Sinatra
9. “One”- Mary J Blige & U2
10. “Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair”- Nina Simone
11. “We’re All Alone”- Boz Scaggs
12. “Stay Awhile”- Journey/ 13. “Patiently”- Journey
14. “What a Wonderful World”- Tony Bennett & k.d. lang
15. “Never My Love”- The Fifth Dimension
“Breathe Me” is the song I’m thinking about playing during our first dance, which will take place in a swimming pool…
We are planning on two songs… my choice is “La vie en rose” by Edith Piaf, sort of sappy, but also a bit saucy… and a wonderful oldie… His song, well I have no idea til the reception. It’s his surprise…
Wow I totally just read through all 23 pages of comments. I found some really awesome music, thanks you guys!!!
I am walking down the aisle to Fanfarlo’s cover of Neutral Milk Hotel’s “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea”, amazingly beautiful 😀
Also! “Lover” by Devendra Banhart! A little racy, but not overtly. Can’t believe no one mentioned it!!!!
We “walked down the aisle” (down a path to the lake) to Adele’s To Make You Feel My Love. First dance? Eric Clapton’s You Look Wonderful Tonight! ?
What about Lemon Demon’s “Geeks in love”?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbDV1afDSn0 I’m thinking about it for our first dance – along with Cohen’s “Dance me to the end of love” and Sting’s “Fields of Gold”. Although, the latter two feel cheesy when exposed to such a vast public…
As a wedding videographer, I usually hear the same first dance song about 30 times every summer (or get asked to edit to the same song in every edit… it’s a bit repetitive repetitive).
When I got married, My wedding was pretty much my mother-in-law’s dream wedding. We had a 6-piece band, I wore heels (I wanted to wear red converse hi-tops, but that got nix’d right away)… although it was a beautiful day, my friends tell me that the only part of the entire day that represented who I was was the first song– “Dig” by Incubus. The band wasnt impressed that I didnt want them to play the first dance, but I put my foot down on that one.
Some other songs that I thought were really clever from some weddings that I shot are:
“Running”- No Doubt
“I will follow you into the dark”- Death Cab for Cutie
“Her smiling face” – James Taylor
“Just like heaven”- The Cure
Cricket”- Dance Hall Crashers (my all-time favorite band!!)
I know this is an older thread, but I just wanted to chip in. I’ve heard so many suggestions for the First Dance song, but so many that just didn’t express who me and my future husband are. We decided on my favorite song of all time …
“Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica.
I have three that I can’t decide between … The more commonly used “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz, “Lucky” by Jason Mraz and Cobie Caillat, and the less used “Say Hey (I Love You)” by Michael Franti. That one just gets me up and dancing!
Rad! I just went and made a youtube playlist of all of those for chillin days.. Thnx!
Also, for my two cents I’d recommend:
Fingers of Love – Crowded House
Think (Let tomorrow be) – Sebadoh.
Actually, Sebadoh one is prolly not quite rad for a wedding as it’s a bit questioning, but all these songs made me want to listen to it. I went to mate’s wedding, doof kids from Israel, and one of their friends had made the most breataking techno wedding march for the aisle walk. Zomg, talk about not a dry eye in the place.. G’luck all!
in 3 weeks we’re dancing to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Hysteric” (the acoustic version)
I love the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and never thought about using this song. Love it!
hey what about “if we hold on together” by diana ross?
We are using When I’m 64 by The Beatles, I know Beatles can be over done, but I haven’t heard of anyone else usig that song, and I just think it’s perfect (for us)
I am planning on using Death Cab For Cutie “I Will Follow You Into The Dark”. I think it’s the perfect first dance song.
Thinking about using Sean Hayes ‘When We Fall In’. Love love the song and the video.
My FH wants “The Luckiest,” but I want something a tiny bit more upbeat, so I may ask him to use “The Day met the Night” by Panic at the Disco, because he says it reminds him of us.
I would love to see a classic rock list… I’ve tossed around Queen, It’s a Kind of Magic to my fiance but he’s not taking the bait. Maybe some Boston or something…
We used Naive Melody by the Talking Heads.
We did Newton Faulkner’s “If This is it”
This is such good advice. I am going to point all of our brides to this blog! Thanks!
Dancing to “The Promise” by When in Rome
We used Tom Waits’ “Picture in a Frame.” We actually had a friend play/sing it live and my husband and I played accordions during the second half. A little accordionography!
We’re dancing to “Time After Time” by Chet Baker. It has personal meaning for us, but I think it’s a nice, jazzy, different song. Take a listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5admWCeujg
My fiance and I are planning on dancing to Tangled Up in You by Staind
The Weepies. We are definitely using at LEAST one of their songs!!
Our first dance is to “Smile” by Uncle Kracker. It’s a super sweet song, a hint of country, a hint of pop. May not appeal to everyone.. but it really speaks to us AND it hasn’t been done to death 😛
Still debating on a song to walk down the isle to. Friends of ours did Ben Harpers “Forever” which I thought was beauitful. I love Ben Harper
We’re going to dance to “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica. Beautiful song, great sounds from the guitar and it’s not too edgy. Love it.
This song is tops on our list, too. He’s very much into hard rock, and I’m into indie rock, but somehow we both dig Metallica. It only seems right to have this song as our first dance song.
Also, Apocolyptica’s version is beautiful; I’m probably walking in to the ceremony with that playing.
I’m thinking about “Like Crazy” by Lee Bryce. My best friend is going to HATE it because she hates country but it’s exactly how I want to see our relationship to go (EXCEPT THE SIX KIDS PART!) This song just makes me smile
🙂
we’re dancing to Etta James, but not “At last.” We’re blues dancers, so this song is perfect for us. Etta James – “Something’s got a hold of me”
We had Calico Skies by Paul Maccartney for me to walk in and The Story by Brandi Carlile as our first dance. Because it was a 20th anniversary renewal, the lyrics were so appropriate…even down to “all of these lines across my face” lol.
New Model Army’s Queen of my Heart is also an outstanding alternative choice…
We’re going with “In the end” by Linkin Park – it’s our song, and we’ll be playing a Stargate tribute video at the same time (since that’s part of the wedding theme). I figure no-one wants to watch us dance the whole way through, so might as well give them something else to watch, too!
At my Halloween wedding, we played The Cure’s “Lovesong” while I walked down the “aisle,” and our first dance song was the Bee Gee’s “How Deep is Your Love.” 🙂
we are having never shout never “happy” wonderful and absolutely perfect song
Drowning in Your Eyes – Ephraim Lewis
At the Beginning – Donna Lewis & Richard Marx
– both of these songs work for the cha cha and bolero, by the way.
I absolutely LOVE that Cripple Creek made the list! Long before we ever started looking at rings or seriously planning our wedding, my boyfriend and I knew that Cripple Creek would be either our first dance song or recessional song. Love it!
My Fiance and I were torn between “This never happened before” by Paul McCartney and “To love somebody” by Nina Simone….we’ve settled on Nina….I think! 🙂