Lyla Dejesus
Music is an integral part of weddings, with songs being played at various points throughout the day, from the processional to the reception. The Book of Love is a popular choice for weddings, with several couples expressing their desire to include it in their wedding. The song has been covered by various artists, including Peter Gabriel, whose version is one of the most famous ones. However, the songwriter, Stephin Merritt, has expressed puzzlement over its popularity as a wedding song, attributing its success to its versatility.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Stephin Merritt, Peter Gabriel, The Monotones, The Magnetic Fields, Mike Doughty, Regina Spektor, The Beatles, Deborah Pardes, Catherine Anne Davies, 2CELLOS, Slim Whitman, Pat Benatar, Lord Tanamo and the Skatalites, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Cocteau Twins, Sarah Harmer, Train's Pat Monahan, Adam Sandler |
| Lyrics | "The book of love is long and boring/No one can lift the damn thing/It’s full of charts and facts and figures/And instructions for dancing/But I, I love it when you read to me/And you, you can read me anything/The book of love has music in it/In fact that’s where music comes from/Some of it is just transcendental/Some of it is just really dumb/But I, I love it when you sing to me/And you, you can sing me anything/The book of love is long and boring/And written very long ago/It’s full of flowers and heart-shaped boxes/And things we’re all too young to know/But I, I love it when you give me things/And you, you ought to give me wedding rings/I, I love it when you give me things/And you, you ought to give me wedding rings" |
| Genre | Indie, pop/rock, jazz, soul, blues, R&B, country |
| Mood | Romantic, funny, gentle, dreamy, raw, soulful, sweet, light, intimate, finger-clicking, sentimental, soft, lush, spare, pretty, smart, indie-ish |
| Occasions | Weddings, funerals |
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What You'll Learn
'The Book of Love' as a wedding song
"The Book of Love" is a popular choice for weddings, with several couples choosing it as their processional song. The song has been covered by various artists, including Peter Gabriel, whose version is one of the most famous ones. Another popular cover is by the band The Magnetic Fields, with frontman Stephin Merritt expressing puzzlement over why his version is chosen for weddings, given the song's theme of the ambivalence and ambiguity of love.
Despite this, Merritt is happy that the song has become a wedding standard, and many couples have made it their own, with one bride choosing to walk down the aisle to a piano version of Gabriel's cover. The song's popularity is such that it has also appeared in the 2017 movie "The Book of Love," with a version by Atlanta band The Shadowboxers, who were composed and supervised by Justin Timberlake.
"The Book of Love" is not the only song by The Magnetic Fields that has been used in weddings. Other songs from their album "69 Love Songs" have also been used for weddings and funerals, including "Epitaph for My Heart" and "I Don’t Want to Get Over You." The versatility and charm of these songs, despite their experimental nature, have resonated with fans, who have found personal meaning in them.
Ultimately, the choice of wedding songs is a personal one, and couples often choose songs that hold emotional meaning for them. "The Book of Love" has become a popular choice, with its various covers offering a range of styles to suit different tastes. Whether it's the dreamy version by Catherine A.D. or the lush and pretty indie style of Mike Doughty's cover, "The Book of Love" has become a modern classic for weddings, with its own unique appeal.
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The song's meaning and sentiment
The song "The Book of Love" has been used in weddings and has become a wedding standard. However, Stephin Merritt, the songwriter, has expressed puzzlement at why people consider it a suitable wedding song, stating that it is about the ambivalence and ambiguity of love. The song's lyrics include: "The book of love is long and boring/No one can lift the damn thing. It’s full of charts and facts and figures and instructions for dancing".
Despite Merritt's intentions, the song has taken on a life of its own, with couples choosing it as their processional song and walking down the aisle to various versions, including those by Peter Gabriel, Regina Spektor, and The Beatles. The song's popularity as a wedding tune may be due to its dreamy, orchestral, and pretty sound, or perhaps couples relate to the lyrics in a way that the songwriter did not intend.
The song is versatile, with a straightforward melody that belies its humor. It is an experiment in genre, written in dark bars, and not meant as an expression or an ode to love. However, fans have taken the song to heart, and it has endured beyond its initial experimental purpose, becoming a staple at weddings, funerals, and for broken hearts.
While Merritt may be puzzled by the song's popularity for weddings, it is not the only song that has taken on a life of its own in this way. Other songs that have become wedding standards include "Real Love" by Regina Spektor, "We Belong" by Pat Benatar, and "Stand By Me," a well-known classic that appeals to all ages and keeps the mood light. Couples also choose songs with cosmic-scale expressions of love, such as Train's gentle, meandering, acoustic ballad, or opt for soulful grooves, Disney romance, or country-infused bops.
In conclusion, while "The Book of Love" may not have been written as a wedding song, its versatility, dreamy sound, and relatable lyrics have made it a popular choice for couples looking to add a unique and personal touch to their wedding day.
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The song's popularity at weddings
"The Book of Love" is a popular wedding song, with some brides choosing it as their processional song. The song has been covered by several artists, including Peter Gabriel, whose version is one of the most famous ones. Other popular covers include those by Regina Spektor, Deborah Pardes, and The Shadowboxers. The song's popularity as a wedding song has puzzled its writer, Stephin Merritt, who has said that the song is about the ambivalence and ambiguity of love, which doesn't seem like an appropriate sentiment for a wedding. However, the song's versatility and charm have likely contributed to its popularity.
The song's lyrics, which include references to the "book of love" being "long and boring" and "full of charts and facts and figures," as well as more romantic lines such as "I love it when you give me things/And you, you ought to give me wedding rings," may resonate with couples who want a song that reflects the complexities and joys of love.
The song's appearance in the 2017 movie "The Book of Love" starring Jason Sudeikis, Maisie Williams, and Jessica Biel may have also contributed to its popularity as a wedding song. The version in the movie, composed and music-supervised by Justin Timberlake, had a subtle but familiar sound that may have appealed to couples looking for a modern yet pretty wedding song.
"The Book of Love" is just one example of how a song can take on a life of its own, separate from its creator's original intent. Its popularity as a wedding song shows that fans can interpret and relate to songs in their own unique ways, creating new meanings and associations.
While some couples opt for traditional and classic wedding songs, others prefer to choose more unique and modern options like "The Book of Love." Ultimately, the choice of wedding song depends on the couple's personal preferences, the tone they want to set for their celebration, and the specific moments they want to highlight, such as the processional or the first dance.
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The song's writer, Stephin Merritt, and his thoughts
Stephin Merritt, the writer of "The Book of Love", has expressed puzzlement at the song's popularity as a wedding standard. He has stated that the song is about the ambivalence and ambiguity of love, which doesn't seem like an appropriate sentiment for a wedding. Merritt wrote the song as an exercise in genre rather than as an expression of his feelings. He has described the process of writing it as something he did in dark bars, and the lyrics themselves refer to the book of love as "long and boring" and "full of charts and facts and figures and instructions for dancing".
Despite this, Merritt is happy that the song has become a wedding standard, even if he is somewhat baffled by it. He has performed the song at a few weddings himself, and it has also been used in films and on television, which has likely contributed to its popularity as a wedding song. The song's basic, timeless melody and conversational lyrical style may also have something to do with its appeal for couples looking for a unique and meaningful wedding song.
Merritt's writing process is an interesting one. He writes in bars every day, sometimes producing up to nine songs in one day, two of which he considers good. He has a bookshelf full of notebooks dating back to 1988, as well as two drawers of blank ones for future use. When he starts writing a record, he sifts through these notebooks to find inspiration or material to work with. This method of writing may contribute to the experimental and versatile nature of his songs, which fans have taken and made their own, as with "The Book of Love".
While Merritt may not have intended "The Book of Love" to be a wedding song, its popularity as such speaks to the universal nature of love and the different ways it can be expressed and interpreted. The song's appearance in films and on television has likely contributed to its association with weddings, and its simple yet effective melody and lyrics have resonated with couples looking for a unique and meaningful song to walk down the aisle to.
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Other popular wedding songs
Stephin Merritt, the creator of 'The Book of Love', is puzzled as to why the song has become a wedding standard. He believes that the song is about the ambivalence and ambiguity of love, which doesn't seem like an appropriate sentiment for a wedding. However, the song's popularity as a wedding song may be due to its humour and versatility.
Now, here are some other popular wedding songs:
- "Real Love" by Regina Spektor: A unique take on the original Beatles song, this version has become a favourite for wedding processionals.
- "Love is Like Jazz" by The Magnetic Fields: This song is a playful rumination on genre, toeing the line between silly and genius.
- "Papa Was a Rodeo" by The Magnetic Fields: A yee-haw pastiche that showcases the band's versatility and experimental nature.
- "Underwear" by The Magnetic Fields: A delightful sleaze that showcases the band's ability to blend humour and emotion.
- "Love On Top" by Beyonce: This song has become a millennial wedding anthem, offering a throwback vibe that resonates with couples.
- "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers: A popular choice, especially for white weddings, this song has become a staple of wedding celebrations.
- "Madarangiyalli" from "Milana": A traditional folk song from the Southern state of Karnataka in India, specifically about weddings.
- "Seetha Kalyana Vaibhogame" from "Kaantara": A classical piece from Karnataka, India, that celebrates the beauty of a wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
'The Book of Love' has been a popular choice for weddings, with several couples choosing it as their processional song. The song has also appeared in the 2017 movie 'The Book of Love', starring Jason Sudeikis, Maisie Williams, and Jessica Biel, and has been covered by several artists, including Peter Gabriel, whose version is a favourite for weddings. However, the writer of the song, Stephin Merritt, has expressed puzzlement at why people consider it a suitable wedding song, given its theme of the ambivalence and ambiguity of love.
Stephin Merritt is known for his experimental approach to songwriting, and his songs often toe the line between silly and genius. Some of his other popular songs include "Love is Like Jazz", "Papa Was a Rodeo", and "Underwear" from the album '69 Love Songs'.
Absolutely! There are many songs that are commonly chosen for weddings, including classics like "Stand By Me", "L-O-V-E", and "Real Love". Couples may also choose songs from movies, such as "The Wedding Singer" or "The Greatest Showman".
Certainly! For couples seeking a unique or indie sound for their wedding, there are plenty of options. Some lesser-known wedding songs include "Indian Love Call" by Slim Whitman, "We Belong" by Pat Benatar, and "I'm in the Mood for Ska" by Lord Tanamo and the Skatalites.
In addition to the specific songs chosen, couples should also consider the overall style and tone of the music. It is important to select songs that reflect the couple's personal preferences, set the desired atmosphere for the celebration, and honour the reason for the wedding—their love story.
