One of our daughters is getting married next year, finally, and I was searching the internet for good wedding songs. I was flattered that she asked me to do Paul Stookey's, "Wedding Song (There Is Love), which is 45 years old and was still popular when we got married. A lot has changed since and a lot hasn't. Anyway, I found a thread in the 2004/2005 Archives on the same topic and thought a reply to the last post would bring it up, but I couldn't figure out how to do it.
Some of the comments are serious and some are just outrageous, (like Cliff's "if she wears lots of makeup and has a long tongue" regarding a Kiss suggestion), just like the good old days. It was worth checking out just for the memories. I had to find some of the songs I never heard of, but I probably did the same thing back then. Was YouTube around back then?
Posted 2015-08-12 5:23 PM (#514277 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: January 2002 Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch
Robert Earl Keen, " it's the little things "
Harvey Reed, " the Goodyears"
Turnpike Troubadours "Quit while I'm ahead"
Steve Sutton "She got under him before I got over her"
Beal Cayman "Both my girl friends (are seeing other guys)"
Posted 2015-08-12 6:13 PM (#514279 - in reply to #514277) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: December 2014 Posts: 1713
Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota
cwk2 - 2015-08-12 5:23 PM
Robert Earl Keen, " it's the little things "
Harvey Reed, " the Goodyears"
Turnpike Troubadours "Quit while I'm ahead"
Steve Sutton "She got under him before I got over her"
Beal Cayman "Both my girl friends (are seeing other guys)"
I have only heard the last one, but it sure will make everyone sit up and listen!!!! LOL!!!!!
Posted 2015-08-12 6:20 PM (#514280 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2005 Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho
If I Google Beal's list will there be any chance that I find that last one? I remember the Sutton song was in the earlier thread. Doesn't sound like one I should sing about my daughter. Heartland's "I Loved Her First" is much more appropriate.
Posted 2015-08-13 9:59 AM (#514294 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: August 2011 Posts: 887
Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah
Looking at all the words for follow me it seems just a touch sexist?? I love the song but is a woman only an extension who is supposed to subsume her own life and interests in order to "follow" her beloved?? Just wondering. Am I reading too much in??
Posted 2015-08-13 10:13 AM (#514295 - in reply to #514294) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: December 2014 Posts: 1713
Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota
I was thinking the same thing NerdyDave as I was thinking about the song last night, but in one of the versions he recorded, or maybe a recorded concert, he changed the last line to; "Take my hand, and I will Follow You."
Posted 2015-08-13 11:16 AM (#514296 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: August 2011 Posts: 887
Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah
Sweet. And it's good to know that a liberated woman such as yourself was also thinking along the same lines as this sometimes misguided soul!! I do like that other closing line so much better!!
Posted 2015-08-13 12:39 PM (#514299 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2005 Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho
Nancy, since I'm paying for the booze, I hope people don't drink enough to appreciate "Why Don't We Get Drunk". My 90 year old mother would think it's funny, but forget about it 5 minutes later. My daughter and her new inlaws might not.
Posted 2015-08-13 1:54 PM (#514300 - in reply to #514299) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: December 2014 Posts: 1713
Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota
Mark in Boise - 2015-08-13 12:39 PM
Nancy, since I'm paying for the booze, I hope people don't drink enough to appreciate "Why Don't We Get Drunk". My 90 year old mother would think it's funny, but forget about it 5 minutes later. My daughter and her new inlaws might not.
Posted 2015-08-14 10:29 AM (#514325 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2005 Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho
What? You can't picture me with a 'Fro, vest, an bell bottoms? My wife might be able to find some blackmail pictures of the singing group I was in during college. It was more Up With People than Commodores, but the outfits weren't much different.
Damon, I think I'll be limited to one song and the rest of the music will be played by a DJ in his 20s, so the playlist will probably be much younger than you, even. I've been looking at lists of the most popular wedding songs for the last few years and lots of them are worse than some of the suggestions on this thread.
Posted 2015-08-14 12:00 PM (#514329 - in reply to #514324) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: December 2006 Posts: 6995
Location: Jet City
Waskel@Work - 2015-08-14 8:15 AM {snort!} Sorry. I was just picturing Mark (or many of us, really) playing "Brick House" solo on an acoustic guitar....
I do 'Little Red Corvette' on an acoustic. I'm working on Sir Mix Alot's 'Baby's Got Back'. I think Mark can pull it off.
Posted 2015-08-16 9:37 PM (#514382 - in reply to #514367) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2013 Posts: 359
Location: undisclosed
damon67 - 2015-08-16 8:57 AM
HA! I love it.
Loudest show I've ever been to was Motorhead at the Keystone Berkeley
84? 85? My ears are still ringing.
Loudest one for me was Robin Trower in a Seattle club. I was in a R and B band that opened for him and had to listen from outside as the paint peeled off the walls. His roadies stole our rhythm guitarist's black face fender deluxe when they found him passed out with bleeding ears backstage..... or something like that, only a fool would go back inside.
For a wedding how about a Irish Traditional tune like Bungle Rye?
Now Jack was a sailor who roamed on the town
And she was a damsel who skipped up and down
Said the damsel to Jack as she passed him by
Would you care for to purchase some
Quare bungle rye roddy rye?
Fol the diddle rye roddy rye roddy rye
Thought Jack to himself, "Now what can this be?
But the finest of whiskey from far Germany
Smuggled up in a basket and sold on the sly
And the name that it goes by is
Quare bungle rye roddy rye?
Fol the diddle rye roddy rye roddy rye"
Jack gave her a pound and he thought nothing strange
Said she, "Hold the basket till I get you your change"
Jack looked in the basket and a baby did spy
Oh, Begorrah, said Jack, this is
Quare bungle rye roddy rye?
Fol the diddle rye roddy rye roddy rye
Now to get the child christened was Jack's first intent
For to get the child christened, to the parson he went
Says the parson to Jack, "What will he go by?"
Begorrah, says Jack, Call him
Quare bungle rye roddy rye?
Fol the diddle rye roddy rye roddy rye
Said the parson to Jack, "That's a mighty queer name"
Says Jack to the parson, "It's a queer way he came
Smuggled up in a basket and sold on the sly
And the name that he'll go by is
Quare bungle rye roddy rye?
Fol the diddle rye roddy rye roddy rye
Now all you young sailors who roam on the town
Beware of those damsels who skip up and down
Take a look in their basket as they pass you by
Or else they may sell you some
Quare bungle rye roddy rye?
Fol the diddle rye roddy rye roddy rye
Posted 2015-08-17 3:56 PM (#514412 - in reply to #514411) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: January 2009 Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw
Yes, Alison. I played that at my friend's wedding and it fit perfectly (I also played The Wedding Song, but it's so overdone)
Another nice one I played at a wedding is "You And I", by Stevie Wonder https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7oxc-UtUFE I only played verse #1 tho.
Here we are on earth together,
It's you and I,
God has made us fall in love, it's true,
I've really found someone like you
Will it say the love you feel for me, will it say,
That you will be by my side
To see me through,
Until my life is through
Well, in my mind, we can conquer the world,
In love you and I, you and I, you and I
Posted 2015-08-24 10:37 AM (#514677 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2005 Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho
Moody, I'll do the Wedding Song at her request. It was overdone, but I haven't heard it in years and it wasn't on most of the top wedding song lists that I reviewed.
I'd really like to do I Loved Her First for her first dance. Grow Old With Me is great, too, but it should be from him to her or vice versa. I'll try to talk her into singing it to him. I like Glen's version with the electric solo. That would be fun on the VXT.
"Sebastian" is a song on the same Paul Stookey album as the Wedding Song.
Posted 2015-08-24 5:37 PM (#514700 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2005 Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho
Moody, I think of that song as a bit of a warning, maybe that's why my daughter didn't like it. Bob, I assume you don't have daughters. If you do, I hope you aren't their real father.
Posted 2015-08-24 5:47 PM (#514703 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: January 2009 Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw
Actually, I tried to delete that post after thinking about it, but the time had expired. So I waited to see if it (hopefully) was just ignored. Unfortunately YOU caught it. I apologize, Mark...completely out of line. It was meant as a fun poke at Moody, but could see where it might be taken wrong.
Posted 2015-08-24 9:13 PM (#514708 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2005 Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho
No problem. My response was too harsh. This next generation seems to think that marriage is something they do after they buy a house and love together for a few years.
Posted 2015-08-25 12:57 AM (#514718 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: August 2011 Posts: 887
Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah
But then again I am happy you are doing Wedding Song. I may have indicated that it was my #1 preference! And it was done at the wedding of myself and my current betrothed!! And we are still married most of the time!!
Posted 2015-08-26 4:13 PM (#514756 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: January 2002 Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch
Do "Beauty and Light", by Matt Smith. And then have him do some nice instrumentals and a little mandolin. Sounds like a plan. I'll let you know how it turns out......
Posted 2015-08-26 4:43 PM (#514763 - in reply to #514756) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: December 2014 Posts: 1713
Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota
cwk2 - 2015-08-26 4:13 PM
Do "Beauty and Light", by Matt Smith. And then have him do some nice instrumentals and a little mandolin. Sounds like a plan. I'll let you know how it turns out......
Congratulations Beal!!! Enjoy your Special Day, you have waited a very long time for it!
Posted 2015-08-26 10:10 PM (#514775 - in reply to #514773) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: December 2014 Posts: 1713
Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota
Beal is very Private, but he left a couple of clues in this post about his own wedding coming up soon!
Matt Smith is playing at his wedding, and he will let us know how it goes!!!!
If you have heard Beal's new CD, there is a song on there, "Laurel's Song" that actually brought tears to my eyes, there was so much honest and raw emotion in it! Beautiful and Romantic!!! And it is their Love Story!
Our Boy Beal is getting Married!!!!! I would like to wish you both the Greatest Happiness, and Love that never leaves any doubt, that you are well and completely Loved! Congratulations Beal & Laurel!!! <3 <3 <3
Posted 2015-08-27 2:35 PM (#514800 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2005 Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho
For my own selfish reasons, I hope Beal's wedding is a much bigger event than my daughter's. I think that in a few years weddings will be much cheaper because that generation won't put their cell phones down long enough to run up the bar tab. The brides and grooms will just text the vows to each other and the officiator will pronounce to all that they are husband and wife, or wife and husband, or husband and husband, or wife and wife or whatever.
Posted 2015-08-27 3:09 PM (#514802 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: August 2011 Posts: 887
Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah
He won't pronounce it. He will just text it to everyone! I, however, am capable of running up my bar tab while simultaneously using my phone (although not as much as los jovenes).
Posted 2015-08-27 5:11 PM (#514807 - in reply to #514775) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: December 2003 Posts: 852
Location: Canada
naellis58 - 2015-08-26 9:10 I would like to wish you both the Greatest Happiness, and Love that never leaves any doubt, that you are well and completely Loved! Congratulations Beal & Laurel!!! <3 <3 <3
What's the date/location and are any of the OFC VIPs being invited?
Posted 2015-08-27 5:35 PM (#514808 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2005 Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho
I think the "Ovation doesn't get the respect it deserves" theme of the OFC implies that there aren't any OFC VIPs. I've met Miles and Al and they don't act very important. I wouldn't describe them as normal, but pretty much regular guys.
Posted 2015-08-27 6:01 PM (#514809 - in reply to #514808) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: December 2014 Posts: 1713
Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota
Mark in Boise - 2015-08-27 5:35 PM
I've met Miles and Al and they don't act very important. I wouldn't describe them as normal, but pretty much regular guys.
Posted 2015-08-28 11:37 AM (#514826 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2005 Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho
I can't remember, but it might have been controlled by medication. I just remember Damon and AJ self-medicating with lots of Syrah, or Siraz in Aussie-speak.
Posted 2016-07-06 1:56 PM (#526499 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2005 Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho
I can't believe I started this a year ago. The wedding is Saturday, July 9 and I only have to set up the PA and play and sing the Wedding Song. I have that pretty well figured out and will use the OFC I, in part because it fits the blue color scheme. The one issue that I didn't plan on and should have was Seattle rain. There's a 90% chance during the wedding and it's outdoors rain or shine. People can use umbrellas, but we may have to bag the PA system.
Posted 2016-07-06 2:23 PM (#526501 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: June 2002 Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ
Mark, good luck !!! How ironic, my daughter is getting married the following weekend on the 16th. Wedding is in Roxbury, NY. Like you, I drew the short stick on musical duty. We can compare experiences afterwards.
Posted 2016-07-06 3:13 PM (#526502 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: September 2003 Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan
Good luck to both of you.
Mark... do you want my cheat sheet?... I think it's in the key of C.
.
Brian and I are playing a wedding ourselves in a couple weeks.
Two songs for the ceremony... "The Wedding Song" and "Hallelujah". Now... I advised the bride that "Hallelujah" is a dark & bitter song about failed love. But no... she still wants it.
Then, we are going to play "dinner music". Maybe 8 or 10 quieter tunes before the D.J. takes over. We'll be done and out by 7 o'clock!
.
Posted 2016-07-06 6:12 PM (#526505 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2005 Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho
Damon,
The groom is getting two pop ups, but I'll check with you if we need another. We will be driving over tomorrow.
Dave,
A friend's daughter just got married last weekend on the beach by our cabin. The weather was perfect. I only have to do the Wedding Song. With all the other tasks, I'm glad I don't have to do more. I suppose I better stay sober enough for the toast and father-daughter dance, although I'm not a good dancer even when I'm sober.
Brad,
Our daughter has a friend who agreed to play the cello for background music until they plug in their play list for the reception. I will have to figure out how to get that through the PA system, assuming it hasn't shorted out in the rain. I am regretting not buying a Bose Compact or Fishman Solo, but I had a powered PA speaker, mics, stands and a mixer that I've never used. I'll see if it works.
Posted 2016-07-06 7:43 PM (#526507 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2013 Posts: 359
Location: undisclosed
I'd say break a leg but am worried you don't know show biz lingo and will go sliding in the wet. Battery amps are less likely to electrocute you in the rain or during a beer keg disaster.
Posted 2016-07-06 8:26 PM (#526508 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: August 2002 Posts: 633
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
Hi, Mark,
I wrote an original song for the first wedding I ever played at, because that's what the young couple wanted; so it's not something that is totally out in left field, if you are so inclined. I always get asked to just play some instrumentals that more in the classical vein, like, 'Pachabel's Canon in D Major', (my classical music teacher taught me an unusual arrangement of this one, for a 32-piece kazoo orchestra, which sounds killer, BTW!), but fortunately for me, my niece wanted me to stick with my guitar, and/or, 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring', by J.S. Bach. I leave, 'The Bridal March', to the organists. I've also played, ' The Wedding Song', by Paul Stookey, ' Follow Me', by John Denver, and would you believe, 'Just The Way You Are', by Billy Joel. It's definitely not for the beginner guitarist, because it's more of a piano-arranged ballad, but it can be done. It's just a suggestion, if you agree.
Mike S.
Ottawa, ON.
CANADA
Posted 2016-07-06 9:28 PM (#526509 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: December 2006 Posts: 6995
Location: Jet City
Mark, Since I didn't get requested to play the wedding gig I'm headed to Texas tomorrow.
Sobriety is overrated
My best to the bride (Sara says from her too)
We have another wedding to be at the following weekend. Brian (Chasen Chantz) and his gal are getting hitched over on the Kitsap Peninsula. I skipped out on another wedding invite for this past weekend in Colorado...
Posted 2016-07-12 11:23 AM (#526613 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2005 Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho
We survived! Actually, it was glorious. The Seattle clouds parted for the wedding. I had some good help setting up and my collection of unused gear worked very well. After a few bars with shaky fingers, the OFC I was flawless and I don't think my nerves showed in my singing. The ceremony was great and the reception and dancing afterward was a big hit. The reception was on the 8th floor of the Pacific Tower, which has a view of the Sound and most of Seattle. As the dancing was winding down, someone had a fireworks display, possibly at Safeco Field right outside the window. Perfect timing and I didn't have to pay for it, although I told everyone I did.
I got my cell phone stolen as I was picking up flowers for the wedding, which made the weekend even more hectic, but I got it back today. I need to sleep for a few days, but work piled up. Thanks for all the advice. I think I'm out of the doghouse for at least some of the amps, mixer, microphones and guitars that I've been collecting.
Posted 2016-07-12 1:39 PM (#526615 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2005 Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho
I had to give credit for the cloud parting to a friend who is much more of a believer than I am. When I asked her to pray for dry weather during the ceremony, she asked when and where. I told her that if her prayer worked, He would know when and where the wedding was. I should have asked her to pray for help paying the bills.
Posted 2016-07-13 10:29 AM (#526636 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2005 Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho
One of the very important things I forgot to do was tune the guitar. I didn't realize it until after the ceremony, but it was spot on. Pretty amazing considering it was tuned several days earlier in our arid climate, spent a bunch of time in the car and played in rainy Seattle.
Posted 2016-07-18 3:46 PM (#526718 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: September 2003 Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan
Just got the word that the Pastor does not approve of playing Hallelujah during the ceremony.
Can't say we didn't warn them about this.
But... the couple have written their own words to go over the melody. .... this could be bad.
Posted 2016-07-20 4:28 PM (#526780 - in reply to #514268) Subject: Re: Wedding Songs
Joined: March 2005 Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho
I forgot to mention that our daughter selected Eva Cassidy's version of Wonderful World for the father/daughter dance. That was special. The groom danced to it with his mom, who asked how long the song was. She apparently didn't like the song as much as I did.
Wedding Songs
