Wedding Rings

Top 200 Wedding Songs

Question:

> Well, I counted, and there were a grand total of 7 songs on this list that > I would even allow to be played at my wedding. The rest would have surely > made a "Do Not Play Under Penalty of Death" list for me!! > Just goes to show how different people’s tastes in music can be. > I wonder if DJ’s will ever clue in to this fact??? > iant (& jawno)  Aug 6, 1995

As a former long-time wedding DJ, I feel it neccesary to add my two cents into the discussion. Lists like the "Top 200" are not indictive of the DJ’s entire collection. He’s not going to show up at a wedding and play only those songs listed; I carried about 5,000 titles to a wedding.  Song lists are created for the bride and groom’s benefit, to be used as helpful suggestions.  Most people are interested in other things and may not remember 200 or so songs that they and their guests would like to hear on the most important day of their lives. These lists are compiled from years of having the bride and groom picking the same songs over and over. By all means, have a unique first dance — my fiance and I are dancing to a Concrete Blonde song that maybe 10% of the guests will know. But don’t complain that the DJ’s don’t have a clue.  They work extremely hard to make your day as special as it can be. Eric Marcoullier Formerly of DJ Tunes of Florida 1-888-DJ-TUNES —

Response:

> >Well, I counted, and there were a grand total of 7 songs on this list that >I would even allow to be played at my wedding. The rest would have surely >made a "Do Not Play Under Penalty of Death" list for me!! >Just goes to show how different people’s tastes in music can be. >I wonder if DJ’s will ever clue in to this fact???

The Top 200 list (from Mobile Beat Magazine) lists what DJ’s have been playing the most over the last year or so.  These songs were voted on by several hundred mobile DJ’s across the country.  As a mobile DJ myself, I’ve seen most of the songs listed played at jobs.  Not all work at every reception/party.., but, many do.  I don’t live by the "list" at jobs.  But, this list reflects, overall, what songs have been popular.  Sure, YMCA may not be wanted by some people, but, is enjoyed by many others. Musical tastes vary widely.  You might notice that the music styles on the list ALSO vary widely.  Personally, I’d probably only put a handful of those songs on any tape I’d play in my car.  BUT, I do play most of them at jobs.   Remember, your reception will include 100 different music tastes.  Your best friend has slightly different tastes than you do.  Now imagine your mother, grandmother, uncle Bob, Cousin Joe from out of town…. YOU might hate country, 20 other people are dying to "boot scoot boogie."  You may DETEST 70’s disco, half your crowd want to do YMCA.  You might think the chicken dance is the stupidest thing around, your mother and her friends love it. I’m not saying that the top 200 list is a bible for DJ’s.  I play hundreds of titles a year that don’t appear on that list.  There are also songs on that list I have NEVER played.  But, if you attended 50 weddings a year like many DJ’s do, you would find that these songs are played most.  Not because WE (the DJ’s) like them, but because the crowd reacts well to them.  I have heard Wonderful Tonight and Unforgettable probably more times that most people ever will.  I also know that when they’re played, the floor is packed. I also respect the wishes of the bride & groom.  If they say no chicken dance, I play no chicken dance.  My last bride said no Celebration or Old Time Rock & Roll.  But said YMCA MUST be played.  But, if I was told that 193 of those Top 200 songs were NOT to be played, I might refer the job elsewhere.  Someone else may deal with it, but I can’t justify playing "background" music all nite to an empty floor.  I KNOW the dance floor would be vacant most of the night if I couldn’t play the songs PROVEN to pack the floor. Don’t get me wrong.  I’m in no way trying to say I know every thing that will work at every job.  BUT, I caution brides and grooms from trying to "program" the ENTIRE night.  Rarely does this work.  More often than not, the crowd leaves early and the DJ gets blamed for being boring (usually followed by a "My DJ was Awful" post in this group).  Yes, some DJ’s ARE clueless, but most have been in this business long enough to learn the best ways to cater to the WHOLE crowd. MOST of the receptions I play are about 75% songs from that list and 25% requests and specifics from the bride and groom.  Of that 75%, usually half of it is requested by the bride/groom or guests. The DJ’s job is to entertain the crowd.  I being paid to keep the floor moving and make the night enjoyable for as MANY guests as possible.  THOSE are the top 200 songs that have done just that.  35 years later, The Twist still wows ‘em. *     Tim Fitzpatrick  –  Batavia, IL       * * http://www.inil.com/users/timfitz/home.htm *

Response:

Have you Marc Cohen fans actually listened to the words of "True Companion"?  I can never decide if it’s really romantic or if it’s about a stalking. ("Don’t you dare try to walk away…") Jennifer

Response:

Cyberperson, you must be eating a lemon to be this sour on everything! I’m from the south – and yes, many of my clients still like most of the songs you dissed! If they want it, I’ll play it and love it.  It their money, their reception, and their life.’ Life’s too short. Keep on dancin’, The Boogie Man – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >Well, I counted, and there were a grand total of 7 songs on this list that > >I would even allow to be played at my wedding. The rest would have surely > >made a "Do Not Play Under Penalty of Death" list for me!! > >Just goes to show how different people’s tastes in music can be. > >I wonder if DJ’s will ever clue in to this fact??? > The Top 200 list (from Mobile Beat Magazine) lists what DJ’s have been playing > the most over the last year or so.  These songs were voted on by several > hundred mobile DJ’s across the country.  As a mobile DJ myself, I’ve seen most > of the songs listed played at jobs.  Not all work at every reception/party.., > but, many do.  I don’t live by the "list" at jobs.  But, this list reflects, > overall, what songs have been popular.  Sure, YMCA may not be wanted by some > people, but, is enjoyed by many others.

Maybe I’m just a clueless photographer, but I also like music (a lot) and really don’t hear much of the music listed on the top 200 mobile D.J. list played at any Bars I go to. Now with a child, I don’t get out to Bars as much as I used to, however I’m a regular on Friday nights at a few LOTO Denver Bars (Pool night!). People dance, the DJ entertains, and I guarentee if they played YMCA, someone would most likely throw the DJ out of the BAR (plus they would not work again). I do not know anyone (that’s everyone I know young/old) that enjoys DISCO of the late 70’s/early 80’s. I do believe that the Bride/Groom/Family/Guests at the reception should have the chance to request music. However, since a DJ is hired by the couple, he should do his best to honor their musical taste. If it’s not in Their best interest, so be it. I adopt this approach with photography. I do not insist on Formals if the couple does not want any. DJ’s keep in mind who hired you. I’ve watch many DJ’s attempt to pick up the reception, and in doing so really pissed off the couple (their employeer for the evening). The Good DJ’s I’ve worked with are able to please the couple, and the guests.  When in doubt, ASK the BRIDE!       — Ron Mirror Image Photography

Response:

>6. Can You Feel the Love – Elton John                       >Yes- this is my second choice for our 1st dance

Brian and I fell in love to this song… >7. WIld Nights – John Mellencamp                 >No.  Van Morrison’s is better.

I agree!!! >8. Theme from friends -Remembrandts             >How sick of this song do we have to get before radio stops playing it? And >Cortney Cox’s hairdo sucks!

No comment on this one… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->TOP 1st   >DANCE SONGS   >2. Have I Told You Lately – Rod Stewart / Van Morrison           > Van! Van! Van!   >3. Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton                 >Ever REALLY listen to the words?  You better drive, I’m trashed! Burp! >4. I Swear – All-4-One/J.M. Montgomery             > I swear we won’t play it >5. Here & Now – Luther Vandross                   >Not here and never anywhere >7. Just You & I – Eddy Rabbit & Crystal Gayle                 >Bet not just you and I hate this one >8. Forever In Love – Kenny G.                                 >No.  You can now afford a last name, Kenny.  Vana will sell you the vowels. >9. Always – Atlantic Starr                                           >Never >11. Power of Love – Celine Dion                             >Good wedding song.  Not overplayed. >12. Alladin (Whole New World) – Peobo Bryson             > Didn’t Columbus find the New World in 1492?  A neausiatingly saccharine >duet. .   >14. True Companion – Marc Cohn                           >Great lyrics.  Tough to dance to.  A wedding band would kill this one.

Actually, my stepsister and her husband danced to this one, played by a band, and it sounded great!!! >17. Grow Old With Me – M. Chap. Carpenter                             >A soon-to-be classic– and radio doesn’t overplay it.

I love this song!!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->18. Celene Dion – Because You Loved Me                         >Good parent dance. >PARENTAL   >DANCE SONGS   >1. Daddy’s Little Girl – Al Martino (Bride & Father)                     >The "princess"  anthem.  No way! >2. Turn Around – Harry Belefonte (Bride & Father)                         > Day-o No >4. Times of Your Life – Paul Anka                                     >No Kodak commercials at my wedding! >5. Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Middler                 >Talk about a sickeningly, artificially sweet cliched overplay!  Be >original! >6. Unforgettable – Nat/Natalie Cole                         > Nat only.  No duet.  This is overplayed and is’ "Unforgivable" >7. What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong                       >Yes!  Possible parent dance.

It’s what my dad and I danced to… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->8. Through the Years – Kenny Rogers                                     >Maybe >9. Song For My Son – Micki Viereck (Groom & Mother)               >Has anyone ever actually heard this song? >TOP 25   BALLADS   >1.  Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton                             >The Designated Driver Song >4.  Can’t Help Falling In Love With You – Elvis                   >I think we’re using this for our first dance >6.  I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston                   > No Whimpy Useless >7.  Have I Told You Lately – Rod Stewart                         > We want Van!  Van’s original was great.  Rod sounds like Carol Channing >with testosterone. >8.  Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler                   >Bette’s a Fat kvetchy stereotype.  Bad song.  No. >14. When A Man Loves a Woman – Bolton/Sledge       >             Let’s take a Sledge to Michale Bolton’s balding head. >Original (Sledge) was great! >15. Always & Forever – Heatwave                           >Never >18. Always – Atlantic Starr                                   >Never.  Sickly syruppy.  Cliche.  Did Mommy select this for you? >21. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes – Platters           > At our non-smoking wedding? >22. That’s What Friends Are For – D. Warwick & Friends         >Noooooooh!  The worst overplayed "everybody form a circle and sway" gagger! >And as long as you’re actually still reading this one,   >PLEASE DO NOT PLAY ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SONGS OR ARTISTS UNLESS BEGGED AND >EVEN THEN, ONLY WITH BRIDE AND GROOM’S APPROVAL:   >Any Kool & The Gang (especially Celebrate)   >Hands Up >Makarena >Alley Cats   >Chicken Dances   >Hokey Pokeys   >Village People (especially YMCA)   >The Hussle   >Anything from Saturday Night Fever (esp. "Staying Alive" or "Disco >Inferno")   >Michael Bolton   >Johnny Mathis   >Always (Atlantic Starr)   >Always & Forever (Heatwave)   >Michael Jackson   >George Benson   >James Ingram   >Whitney Houston (especially "I’m Every Woman")   >Luther Vandross   >Bette Midler (especially Wind Beneath My Wings) >Any Duets (unless otherwise noted — esp. "Whole New World", "You and I", >"Endless Love", etc.)   >Lionel Ritchie/Commodores   >Richard Marks   >Gloria Estefan (except for "Conga" — do not use "Hot Hot Hot" as conga >line song)   >Mariah Carey   >George Michael   >

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