WEDDING SONGS: THE TOP 10, AND ALTERNATIVES
Whether you’re having some trouble deciding on which wedding songs to play, or trying to fill an empty slot on your playlist, these songs will always be a good choice. Along with our good friend and professional musician, Amanda Tee, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 wedding songs being played today. From timeless classics to romantic pop hits, this list can be used as your main playlist, or a reliable backup.
1 – ALL OF ME
Artist: John Legend
Album: Love in the Future
Released: 2013
Genre: R&B/Soul
“I’m on your magical mystery ride
And I’m so dizzy, don’t know what hit me, but I’ll be alright”
With lyrics that speak of love even through hard times, this is a perfect song for couples ready to face the unknown future together.
2 – COUNT ON ME
Artist: Bruno Mars
Album: Doo-Wops & Hooligans
Released: 2010
Genre: Pop
“If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can’t see, I’ll be the light to guide you”
An honest song, it perfectly complements any wedding. In sickness and in health, for better or for worse, I’ll be there. You can count on me.
3 – I’M YOURS
Artist: Jason Mraz
Album: We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.
Released: 2008
Genre: Singer-Songwriter, Pop
“Open up your plans and damn you’re free
Look into your heart and you’ll find love, love, love, love”
About a casual and comfortable relationship, it’s also fun. It’s a reminder that familiarity does not have to mean boring.
4 – A THOUSAND YEARS
Artist: Christina Perri
Album: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1
Released: 2011
Genre: Pop
“Darling, don’t be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more”
Slow-paced, and with a simple, catchy melody, this song of eternal love is modern, with the feel of a classic.
5 – BEAUTIFUL IN WHITE
Artist: Westlife
Album: solo release
Released: 2010
Genre: Pop
“So as long as I live I love you, Will have and hold you
You look so beautiful in white”
Literally about a wedding, this boy band ballad carries all the emotion that comes with marrying someone. A perfect wedding song.
6 – THINKING OUT LOUD
Artist: Ed Sheeran
Album: x
Released: 2014
Genre: Pop
“Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars”
This song ticks all the boxes for a dream marriage. Passionate romance? Check. The mysteries of the human heart? Check. Love enduring into old age? Check. Remembering the taste of his love? …check.
7 – AT LAST
Artist: Etta James
Album: At Last!
Released: 1960
Genre: R&B/Soul
“I found a dream, that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own”
A love song of dreams come true, this is the perfect song to slow-dance to.
8 – CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE
Artist: Elvis Presley
Movie: Blue Hawaii
Released: 1961
Genre: Pop
“Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be”
A song about love that was meant to be, it’s a good one for those hopeless romantics.
9 – YELLOW
Artist: Coldplay
Album: Parachutes
Released: 2000
Genre: Britpop/Alternative
“Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And everything you do”
Detailing a love that feels like warm, yellow sunlight, this catchy, pulsing song serves as a great dance track, or march-in song.
10 – WONDERFUL TONIGHT
Artist: Eric Clapton
Album: Slowhand
Released: 1977
Genre: Classic Rock
“So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed
And then I tell her, as I turn out the light
I say, “My darling, you were wonderful tonight”
A quiet, caring song, this is a great one to send your guests off to, after a long night.
ALTERNATIVES
Looking for something different? Maybe you want the music to better reflect you and your fiancé’s personalities, or you’re just tired of hearing the same songs at every single wedding. Well, here are ten great alternative wedding songs to consider.
1 – THE WAY I AM
Artist: Ingrid Michaelson
Album: Girls and Boys
Released: 2006
Genre: Indie/Alternative
“Cause I love the way you say good morning
And you take me the way I am”
‘The Way I Am’ is a song about acceptance. It’s a promise to keep on loving your partner, even if their hair all falls out.
2 – HEROES
Artist: David Bowie
Album: Heroes
Released: 1977
Genre: Rock
“Oh we can beat them, for ever and ever
Then we could be Heroes, just for one day”
Hopeful and triumphant, it’s the perfect song for the one day you get to be king and queen.
3 – (IT’S ONLY A) PAPER MOON
Artist: Ella Fitzgerald
Album: solo release
Released: 1945
Genre: Jazz
“You say it’s only a paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn’t be make believe if you believed in me”
To Ella Fitzgerald, love is the only real thing, piercing through the falseness of the world. More relevant than ever, it’s a great one for newlyweds to dance to.
4 – FADE INTO YOU
Artist: Mazzy Star
Album: So Tonight That I Might See
Released: 1993
Genre: Indie/Alternative
“You put your hands into your head
And then smiles cover your heart”
Hopeful and nostalgic, this is one for those lovers standing together despite all circumstances.
5 – HAPPY
Artist: Pharrell Williams
Album: Happy
Released: 2013
Genre: Pop
“Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth”
Pure, distilled, cheerfulness. Pop it on to get everyone clapping along.
6 – BETTER TOGETHER
Artist: Jack Johnson
Album: In Between Dreams
Released: 2005
Genre: Singer-songwriter
“Love is the answer
At least for most of the questions in my heart.”
A light, casual love song. I’m Yours with better grammar and more harmonica.
7 – ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
Artist: The Beatles
Movie: Magical Mystery Tour
Released: 1967
Genre: Rock, Pop
“All you need is love, love
Love is all you need”
You can’t go wrong with the most popular band in the world. And according to them you can’t go wrong, period, as long as you have love.
8 – COME AWAY WITH ME
Artist: Norah Jones
Album: Come Away With Me
Released: 2002
Genre: Pop
“And I want to wake up with the rain
Falling on a tin roof
While I’m safe there in your arms”
A gentle piano ballad, this cozy song works great as a slow-dance track as well as a send-off.
9 – JUST LIKE HEAVEN
Artist: The Cure
Album: Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
Released: 1987
Genre: New Wave
“You, soft and lonely
You, lost and lonely
You, just like heaven”
Exhilarating and longing, you’ll want to listen to this leaning on the arm of your fiancé.
10 – HOW LONG WILL I LOVE YOU
Artist: Ellie Goulding
Album: Halcyon
Released: 2012
Genre: Pop
“How long will I love you
As long as stars are above you
And longer if I may”
A simple love song with a simple promise: I will love you forever.
BACK BUTTON MEDIA X AMANDA TEE
As mentioned above, this article would not have been possible without our friend and collaborator, Amanda Tee. A professional musician with over a decade’s worth of experience, she’s played venues ranging from bars and weddings to the SG50 Countdown, and the F1 Grand Prix. If you’re looking to see her perform, you can find her on these days, at these venues, during these times:
Mondays – Timbre @ The Substation, 8pm
Tuesdays – Timbre+, 7.45pm
Fridays – Hood Bar & Cafe, 9.30pm (Bilingual)
Saturdays – CM-PB at Dempsey, 8.30pm
And if you’re looking for a videography company to document your splendid march in, look no further! (We’ll also film the rest of your wedding.) Finally, if you liked this article, you might want to check out our other ones, chock full of information and advice.