My husband and I love to dance. In fact, that was how we first met but I’ll save that kooky story for another blog (grin). What I don’t love is those awful crowd-participation songs at weddings. ( Note: If you love these types of songs, perhaps it’s better that you read next month’s blog because the rest of what I’m gonna write is probably going to be offensive! lol)
I’m sorry…but can the DJ please allow me (or not!) to do the Macarena, The Dollar Wine, The Cotton Eye Joe, The Chicken Dance, the YMCA, Hokey Pokey, Jump and Wave from soca songs past, or any other inane thing on my own time?
And what is doubly bad is all those people who just can’t get enough of those crowd-participation dances. You know what I mean - like the guy who nearly poked your eye out trying to be John Travolta-esque to “Stayin Alive”, or how about the time you were railroaded by a herd of wilderbeast-like wedding guests blindly moving from “the left to the right?” Or better yet, remember when some weirdo with sweaty palms grabbed your waist for the conga line? Eeww…
And lastly, what about those lip-sync-ers? The folks who know the lyrics to every song at weddings and then proceed to sing it to the tippy-top of their voices. Enough already.
I mean…watching these people are like watching a train wreck – so bad, you just have to watch or…do what I do - take a bathroom break.
Some songs are simply bad choices. Think about it, do you honestly think you can stomach your grandparents dancing to Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.” Hmmm..I didn’t think so.
There are some songs that just plain irritate me at weddings, they’re so overdone and so predictable in their timing. Here’s what I would avoid:
Celebration Time by Kool and the Gang
I mean how long did they take to write that song, 2 minutes? There’s just no substance to it. I swear every time I hear the refrain “Ce –la-bray-shion – time- c-mon. It’s a cela-bray-shion!” I feel like hurling.
My heart will go on – Celine Dion.
Tell me, does this lyric make sense? “Love was when I loved you, one true time I hold to, in my life we’ll always go on.” Er…nope. This song needs to hit an iceberg and make like the Titanic.
Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden.
Apart from the fact that the male lead singer sounds like a girl and the lyrics are cheesy, they’re also tragic, remember these? “I want to stand with you on a mountain, I want to bathe with you in the sea, I want to lay like this forever, until the sky falls down on me.” Now, who wishes that the sky would fall down on them? Hmmm..
A Whole New World from Disney’s Aladdin soundtrack.
Somebody give me that flying carpet …now!
Love Shack by the B52s – songs that are featured in Flintstones movies should stay in the Flintstones movies. That’s all I have to say.
Most of the angst-ridden songs by Alanis Morrisette ( Alanis – I love her just not at weddings)
But there are, however, some songs that are flat-out my favourites, no matter how over-played they are:
Trini to the Bone – by David Rudder. If this song doesn’t get your party started, I don’t know what will.
Frankie – Sister Sledge. A fun song that seems to be appreciated by all generations. Remember: "Frankie, do you remember me? " and you won't be able to get it out of your head!
I Need You – LeAnn Rimes ( I had a vocalist sing this song for my husband at our wedding…awww)
December ’63 (Oh what a night!) - the Four Seasons.
Anything by Shurwayne Winchester ( can't help it, I'm a big fan)
The Way you look Tonight – Frank Sinatra ( a nostalgic melody with lovely lyrics)
Conga – Miami Sound Machine
Anything by Abba ( who can resist “Dancing Queen?” cmon)
Twist & Shout – The Beatles
Anything by Fleetwood Mac ( my all-time favourite group)
Mambo # 5 – Lou Bega
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You - Elvis Presley ( classics don't go out of style)
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
Anything by the Gypsy Kings
Fade Into You - Mazzy Star ( a dreamy, modern ballad)
Of course, you can come up with your own list or even better yet, devise a DNP ( do not play) list for your DJ. This way, you’ll be sure to rock your reception!
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1 comment:
I agree with you that a Do Not Play List ought to be submitted to the DJ. Top of my husband and my list was any song by Kenny G. Sure I have the guy's greatest hits CD in my collection, but come on - how many times do I have to hear "Songbird" while waiting for the arrival of the bride and groom at a wedding? Second to that was any song by Celine Dion, though I'm sure that while I was waiting in the limo I heard "Because You Loved Me" - I let that one slide cause I like the song.
As for the crowd participation songs? Hey - if the crowd's having a wild time why not? I've been to too many weddings lately where the crowd sits at the tables after dinner just chatting with one another or looking bored while the DJ tries his best to get folks out on the dance floor. I'm happy to say that my wedding didn't suffer the same fate and our guests were just waiting for the speeches to wrap up so they can spill out onto the dance floor and before I knew it a Conga line was in full swing to the "Bump & Grind" by Spice. I'd rather see my guests partying and looking like fools on the dance floor as they try to do the Macarena or dance the Robot as opposed to looking at their watches wondering if they could just get their piece of cake and leave.
Our Must Play list however, did include 80's dance music such as "Frankie" and "Head to Toe" by Lisa Lisa & CultJam and of course you must have Noel's "Silent Morning" - I never tire of seeing the guys gather in a circle to do the electric slide to that one. A few of my girlfriends actually called me to tell me that their dry cleaning bill was a bit higher after our nuptials as their significant others were doing "the worm" and breakdancing on the floor! As a matter of fact a lot of our music was Old School - hip hop, dancehall, reggae, dub, soca. We actually found that the crowd appreciated hearing Machel's "Big Truck" more than they did this year's offerings from him. I guess you just can't keep a good classic tune down.
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