Rhiannon Hendricks
Music is an integral part of a wedding reception, and choosing the right songs to play is crucial. While some songs are classic wedding staples, others can be inappropriate, overly sexual, or cheesy. Creating a do-not-play list is essential to avoid unpleasant surprises and ensure the event remains a celebration of love and happiness. From cliche to overplayed, and even songs with negative messages about love, there are several tunes to steer clear of on your big day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheesy | Chicken Dance, Macarena, Cha Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle, Electric Boogie, Gangnam Style, Wobble, Back Got Back, "Celebration", "We Are Family", "Love Shack", "Happy", "I Gotta Feeling", "Sweet Caroline", "Get Low", "Baby Shark", "The Hokey Pokey", "Old Town Road", "Shape of You", "YMCA", "Cotton Eye Joe", "Single Ladies", "My Way", "Let Her Go", "I'll Be Watching You", "Bittersweet Memories", "Make You Feel My Love", "If You Like It, Then You Should've Put A Ring On It", "The Sweetest Thing", "Little Sister", "Fake Love", "Suspicious Minds", "Gold Digger", "Can't Stop the Feeling", "I Got a Feeling" |
| Overplayed | "Old Town Road", "Shape of You", "Gangnam Style", "Celebration", "Get Low", "Sweet Caroline", "I Gotta Feeling", "Cotton Eye Joe", "YMCA", Chicken Dance, "Baby Shark", "The Hokey Pokey", "Fake Love", "Gold Digger", "Can't Stop the Feeling", "I Got a Feeling" |
| Inappropriate | "I'll Be Watching You", "Make You Feel My Love", "If You Like It, Then You Should've Put A Ring On It", "Little Sister", "Fake Love", "Suspicious Minds", "Gold Digger", "Can't Stop the Feeling", "Why Do I Love You", "I Hate Everything About You", "Armed and Crazy", "Take This Job and Shove It", "Loving You Isn't the Right Thing to Do" |
| Negative messages about love | "I'll Be Watching You", "Bittersweet Memories", "Make You Feel My Love", "If You Like It, Then You Should've Put A Ring On It", "The Sweetest Thing", "Little Sister", "Fake Love", "Suspicious Minds", "Gold Digger", "Why Do I Love You", "I Hate Everything About You", "Armed and Crazy", "Take This Job and Shove It", "Loving You Isn't the Right Thing to Do" |
| Artists with controversial histories | Chris Brown, R. Kelly, Cee Lo Green, Kanye West |
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What You'll Learn
Songs with negative messages about love
When planning a wedding, it's important to consider the songs that will be played during the reception. While some songs may be catchy or popular, they may also contain negative messages about love that could put a damper on the happy occasion. Here are some examples of songs with negative messages about love that are best avoided at a wedding reception:
Breakup Songs
Some songs may seem like love songs at first glance, but upon closer inspection, they are actually about breakups or lost love. For example, "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve, which includes the lyrics, "Bittersweet memories, that is all I'm taking with me. So goodbye, please don't cry. We both know I'm not what you need." Similarly, "Make You Feel My Love" by Adele could be interpreted as being about desperate attempts to win back an ex-partner, with lyrics like, "I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue, and I'd go crawling down the avenue. No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do to make you feel my love."
Stalking and Obsession
Songs that romanticize stalking or obsessive behavior can send a very negative message. "Every Breath You Take" by The Police, with lyrics like "I'll be watching you. Every breath you take, every move you make, every bond you break, every step you take," can come across as creepy and uncomfortable in the context of a wedding celebration.
Mistrust and Dysfunction
Playing songs that focus on mistrust or dysfunctional relationships can be a buzzkill at a wedding. "Suspicious Minds" by Elvis Presley, for example, is about a mistrusting and dysfunctional relationship, with lyrics like "We can't go on together with suspicious minds, and we can't build our dreams on suspicious minds." Similarly, "Fake Love" by Drake explores the idea of "fake people showing fake love," which is not exactly the message you want to send at a wedding.
Anti-Marriage
Some songs may even be interpreted as being anti-marriage or celebrating the end of a relationship. For example, "Little Sister" by Idol is about a girl the singer loves, who is marrying someone else. This could be seen as celebrating the end of a relationship rather than the beginning of a new chapter.
Cheating and Infidelity
Songs that glorify or make light of cheating and infidelity are definitely not appropriate for a wedding. "It Wasn't Me" by Shaggy is a humorous take on a man caught cheating on his partner, but it sends a negative message by encouraging lying and denying wrongdoing. Similarly, "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke, "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood, and "Breaking Dishes" by Rihanna all touch on themes of infidelity and physical confrontations, which are not ideal topics for a wedding celebration.
In conclusion, while it's important to curate a fun and enjoyable playlist for your wedding reception, it's also crucial to consider the lyrics and messages conveyed by the songs. Avoiding songs with negative messages about love will help ensure that your special day is filled with positive and uplifting vibes!
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Songs with creepy lyrics
When it comes to wedding receptions, certain songs are considered inappropriate or overplayed. Couples may want to avoid songs with creepy lyrics that are about breakups, infidelity, stalking, or desperation, or those that are overtly sexual or controversial. Here are some examples of songs with creepy lyrics that are best avoided at wedding receptions:
"Every Breath You Take" by The Police is a popular example of a song with a dark message. Despite its upbeat melody, the lyrics "I'll be watching you. Every breath you take, every move you make, every bond you break, every step you take" are about stalking and control rather than romantic devotion.
"My Sharona" by The Knack has suggestive lyrics that celebrate relationships with younger partners: "'Always get it up for the touch of the younger kind'".
"Stray Cat Blues" by The Rolling Stones includes predatory lyrics about a 15-year-old girl: "I can see that you’re just fifteen years old, no I don’t want you’re ID. There’ll be a feast if you just come upstairs."
"Under My Thumb" by The Rolling Stones has been criticised for sounding like "grooming".
"Little Sister" by Idol is about a girl the singer loves, who is marrying someone else. Dissecting the lyrics reveals this song is about as anti-marriage as they come, which makes us wonder why it is played so often at weddings.
"Do What U Want" by Lady Gaga and R. Kelly has been described as "absolutely horrifying and indefensible" due to its explicit lyrics and music video, which normalise sexual misconduct and non-consensual encounters.
"Oliver's Army" by Elvis Costello contains lyrics that mirror the words Cromwell used to describe the Irish population, and these have been deemed offensive.
"Baby Shark", "Old Town Road", "Shape of You", "YMCA", "Celebration", "Get Low", "Gangnam Style", and "Sweet Caroline" are also frequently mentioned as songs to avoid at wedding receptions, due to being overplayed, annoying, or controversial.
While some of these songs may be enjoyable in other contexts, it is important to consider the sentiments expressed in the lyrics and how they might be perceived by guests at a wedding celebration. Couples should aim to create a playlist that captures the happy occasion and avoids songs that could remind guests of negative relationship experiences.
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Overplayed songs
When it comes to wedding receptions, there are a plethora of songs that fall into the overplayed category. These are songs that, although once popular, have become tired and clichéd choices for wedding celebrations. Couples planning their wedding reception should be mindful of these overplayed songs to ensure their special day stands out and doesn't blend into the myriad of other weddings their guests have attended.
One of the most important considerations when selecting music for a wedding reception is the lyrics of the songs. Many popular songs, while catchy and danceable, may have negative messages about love, breakups, infidelity, or stalking. For example, "Suspicious Minds" by Elvis Presley is about a mistrusting and dysfunctional relationship, and "Single Ladies" by Beyoncé may not be appropriate if it evokes feelings of a partner who put a ring on it. Similarly, "Gold Digger" by Kanye West sends a message that may not be conducive to a celebration of love and commitment.
Additionally, some songs that were once chart-toppers have now become overplayed and even annoying to wedding guests. "Old Town Road," a highly requested reception song in its heyday, may now come across as passé. "Gangnam Style," with its viral dance moves, has been overplayed to the point of becoming cringe-worthy. "Get Low," once a go-to party anthem, now feels like an obvious and tired choice.
It's also worth noting that certain songs, while seemingly sweet or romantic, may have underlying meanings that are less than ideal for a wedding celebration. For example, "Little Sister" by Idol is about a girl who is marrying someone else, which is not exactly a pro-marriage sentiment. "The Sweetest Thing" by U2 was written by Bono as an apology to his wife for forgetting her birthday, which may not be the best way to kick off a marriage.
To ensure a unique and memorable wedding reception, couples should carefully curate their playlists, steering clear of these overplayed and potentially inappropriate songs. By consulting with their band or DJ, they can find fresh replacements for these tired tunes, creating a more engaging and personalized atmosphere for their special day.
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Songs by artists accused of misconduct
When planning a wedding, it's essential to create a "do-not-play" list to ensure the reception's music is enjoyable for all guests and captures the happy occasion. While some songs may be catchy or great to dance to, their lyrics may be inappropriate, overly sexual, or even creepy.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson's songs are widely played and beloved, but the artist has been accused of molesting underage boys. His songs may not be suitable for a wedding celebration due to the seriousness of these allegations.
R. Kelly
R. Kelly's music has been implicated in the Lifetime documentary "Surviving R. Kelly," which outlined the singer's alleged misconduct, contributing to his arrest. Playing his songs at a wedding could be seen as ignoring the reports against the artist and contributing to a power structure that enables such crimes.
Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams, a singer-songwriter, has faced allegations of misconduct outlined in a damning New York Times story. Including his songs in a wedding playlist could be uncomfortable for guests aware of these allegations.
Win Butler, Arcade Fire
Win Butler has been accused by four people of sexual assault or misconduct and by a fifth woman of emotionally manipulative behavior. While Arcade Fire's songs may be enjoyable, playing them at a wedding could be insensitive to survivors of sexual assault and those affected by emotional manipulation.
XXXTentacion
XXXTentacion's music has resonated with fans due to its raw emotion, but the artist has been charged with robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and domestic violence. His songs may not align with the joyous atmosphere typically desired at wedding receptions.
When creating your wedding playlist, it is essential to consider not only the enjoyment of your guests but also the message conveyed by the artists and the impact it may have on others.
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Songs with anti-marriage themes
While songs about love and romance are often played at weddings, there are plenty of songs with anti-marriage themes that you might want to avoid on your big day. These songs can range from being cheesy, overly sexual, inappropriate, or just plain annoying. Here are some examples of songs with anti-marriage themes that you might want to leave off your wedding playlist:
"I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor is an empowering anthem for women who have gone through a breakup. While it may be a great song for a girls' night out, the lyrics "I will survive" and "I'm stronger on my own" may not be the best message to send at a wedding celebrating the union of two people.
"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" by Beyonce is another song that might not be the best choice for a wedding. While it's a fun and catchy tune, the lyrics "put a ring on it" and "if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it" can come across as pressuring and outdated, as some people may interpret them as promoting the idea that a woman's worth is tied to her marital status.
"Suspicious Minds" by Elvis Presley is a famous ballad about a mistrusting and dysfunctional relationship. While it's a classic hit, the lyrics "We can't go on together with suspicious minds/And we can't build our dreams on suspicious minds" don't exactly paint a picture of trust and harmony, which are essential elements of a healthy marriage.
"Gold Digger" by Kanye West is probably not the best choice for a wedding celebration. The song's message about a woman being interested in a man primarily for his money doesn't exactly align with the ideals of love and commitment that a wedding celebrates.
"Needle in the Hay" by Elliott Smith is not your typical uplifting wedding tune. While Smith's music is beloved by many, this particular song might be a bit too sombre and melancholy for a day that's supposed to be filled with joy and celebration.
"Heartbeats" by Jose Gonzalez (or the original by The Knife) might seem like a good choice for a wedding at first glance. However, its inclusion in an "anti-wedding" playlist suggests that there might be something in the lyrics or the overall vibe of the song that doesn't quite fit the joyous occasion.
In addition to these examples, there are plenty of other songs that might be considered inappropriate for weddings due to their themes of breakups, infidelity, or desperation. It's important to pay attention to the lyrics and overall sentiment of a song before including it in your wedding playlist to ensure that it aligns with the happy occasion.
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Frequently asked questions
It is important to curate a "do-not-play" list to avoid songs with negative messages about love, infidelity, stalking, desperation, or overtly sexual themes that may make guests uncomfortable.
Some songs that are commonly placed on a "do-not-play" list include "Baby Shark," "Old Town Road", "Shape of You", "YMCA", "Celebration", "Get Low", "Gangnam Style", "Sweet Caroline", "Single Ladies", "Cotton Eyed Joe", "Chicken Dance", "I Gotta Feeling", "Gold Digger", "Little Sister", and "My Way."
It is best to avoid songs with negative or inappropriate messages about love, relationships, or breakups. Songs that are overly sexual, cheesy, or controversial should also be avoided.
When working with a wedding band or DJ, it is essential to communicate your "do-not-play" list clearly and politely. Provide them with your list of songs or themes to avoid and discuss any requests from guests to ensure they align with your preferences.
