Musicians listen carefully to song lyrics and often are “walking encyclopedias” of songs. They also have a sense of humor or irony. For those reasons, you might want to avoid these four words when talking to your wedding musician or DJ.
Hey, Kathy!
Thanks for sharing with us that you are a musician who is familiar with many genres of music so you’re the one I’ll ask. We’re planning our wedding and meeting with several professional musicians. Is there anything we shouldn’t say to them? Are there any songs we should avoid playing because of the lyrics?
–Thanks!
Kate, Confused in Corvalis, Oregon
Hey, Kate!
Those are great questions!
First, there are four words you should never say to a musician:
“Play anything you want.”
Why?
Musicians often have a highly developed sense of humor or irony…and might play “Maneater” as the bride walks down the aisle.
Second, for assorted reasons, you might avoid songs with lyrics which might offend or shock your guests.
In addition, there are songs with themes or subjects which might not be appropriate for your wedding.
Helpful hint:
You can check out the lyrics to any song on AZ Lyrics, Genius, or other websites. One couple deleted the “Macarena” from their playlist after they read the lyrics and found out that it is about a woman who dances in clubs to retaliate against her cheating boyfriend.)
Other songs to avoid may include:
- unrequited love (“Iris,” “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” “Keep on Lovin’ You,” “Grenade,” “It Should Have Been Me”)
- negative vibes (“You’re So Vain, ”My Heart Will Go On,” “Suspicious Minds,” “Highway to Hell,” “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” “Every Breath You Take,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” or “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”)
- Probably not a good fit for a wedding… (“White Wedding,” “Don’t Marry Her,” “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” “With or Without You,” “I Don’t Love You,” “Cotton Eye Joe,” ”You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” “Satisfaction,” “Marry You”)
- infidelity (“Before He Cheats,” “November Rain,” “Take It on the Run,” “Macarena,” “I Heard It through the Grapevine,” “I Write Sins Not Tragedies,” )
- love triangles (“Jessie’s Girl,” “Always,” “You’re Beautiful,” “If That’s Your Boyfriend,” “She Will Be Loved”)
- romance which turned sour (“Bad Romance,” “Single Ladies,” “I will Always Love You,” “I Will Survive,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Good Riddance,” ”Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours,” “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Fake Love,” “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” “Love Stinks,” “Tainted Love,” “Please Release Me”)
- particular people (“Mother-in-Law”)
- divorce (“All My Ex’s Live in Texas.” “D-I-V-O-R-C-E”).
There is one important question to ask your musician: Do they have a sync license so that they can perform copyrighted songs like the ones listed above here. Any professional musician should know that they need a license in order to perform music protected by copyright.
If you have additional questions, reach out to me. I’m happy to help!
Your friend in the wedding business,
Kathy Bazan
The images above are courtesy of Pixabay.com.
The images below are courtesy of the Ainsworth House & Gardens Wedding Gallery.
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