Rhiannon Hendricks
Music is a crucial part of setting the mood for your wedding day, and choosing the right songs can be a daunting task. While you want to keep your guests entertained, there are certain songs that are best avoided. From overplayed hits to songs with problematic messages, it's important to be mindful of the lyrics and the energy they bring to your special day. Curating a do-not-play list for your wedding reception is essential to ensure your guests stay on the dance floor and to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Overplayed | "Single Ladies", "Happy", "Party Rock Anthem", "Every Breath You Take" |
| Childlike or annoying | "The Chicken Dance", "The Macarena", "Cotton Eye Joe" |
| Inappropriate lyrics | "I like big butts and I cannot lie", "You're So Vain", "Suspicious Minds", "Love Stinks", "Every Breath You Take", "You Give Love a Bad Name" |
| Negative messages about love | "Love Stinks", "Bittersweet Memories", "Nothing Else Matters", "You Give Love a Bad Name" |
| Reminders of past relationships | "Our song" from a previous relationship |
| Reminders of deceased relatives | Songs from deceased relatives |
| Sexually explicit | Depends on the family |
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What You'll Learn
Overplayed songs
When it comes to your wedding, there are a lot of songs that sound perfect for your first dance but might not have the right lyrics to suit the occasion. Many popular songs contain negative messages about love, breakups, infidelity, stalking, or desperation, or they could be overtly sexual, which may make some guests uncomfortable.
Some songs that are not necessarily overplayed but are still considered inappropriate for weddings due to their negative themes or lyrics include "Suspicious Minds" by Elvis Presley, which references an unhealthy and rocky relationship; "Love Stinks" by the J. Geils Band, which features love triangles and unrequited feelings; "Every Breath You Take" by The Police, which is about stalking; "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi, which is about rejecting your lover; and "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon, which is about an ex-lover.
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Songs with negative messages about love
Many popular wedding songs actually have negative messages about love. Even if they're catchy and get your guests dancing, they may be about breakups, infidelity, stalking, or desperation. Here are some songs with negative messages about love that you may want to avoid playing at your wedding:
"Every Breath You Take" by The Police
While this song seems sweet, the lyrics are actually creepy: "I'll be watching you. Every breath you take, every move you make, every bond you break, every step you take." This song is not a love song; it's a breakup song.
"You're So Vain" by Carly Simon
Although it's catchy, your future spouse might raise an eyebrow if it's played at your wedding. The second verse of this song is about actor and filmmaker Warren Beatty and his reputation as a lover to 13,000 women.
"Suspicious Minds" by Elvis Presley
This Elvis ballad is about a mistrusting and dysfunctional relationship. Do you really want this ringing in your ears on your wedding night?
"You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi
Just because it was Bon Jovi's first #1 hit, that's not a good reason to have your guests dance to a song about rejecting your lover.
"Single Ladies" by Beyoncé
While this can be a nice tribute to single guests at your wedding, it's been overplayed at weddings for over 15 years now.
"Love Stinks" by The J. Geils Band
This song covers love triangles, unrequited feelings, romance turned sour, and divorce. Not exactly the type of love you want to be celebrating on your wedding day!
"Gold Digger" by Kanye West
This song explores the possibility of slipping out the back, breaking free, and dropping off the key. Not exactly a vote of confidence in the strength of your new relationship!
"Fake Love" by Drake
While Drake is a great artist, "Fake Love" is probably one to skip at your wedding. You don't want your special day associated with "fake people showing fake love."
"The Sweetest Thing" by U2
Although Bono wrote this as an apology to his wife for forgetting her birthday, the lyrics may not be how you want to kick off your marriage: "I'm losing you."
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Songs with inappropriate lyrics
Many popular wedding songs actually have negative messages about love, breakups, infidelity, stalking, or desperation, or they could be overtly sexual. Here are some songs with inappropriate lyrics that you may want to avoid playing at your wedding:
"Every Breath You Take" by The Police
Although it sounds sweet, the lyrics are pretty creepy: "I'll be watching you. Every breath you take, every move you make, every bond you break, every step you take." It's perceived as a love song, but the intent is sinister and has major stalker vibes.
"Love Stinks" by The J. Geils Band
This trash-rock anthem covers love triangles, unrequited feelings, romance turned sour, and divorce. It's not exactly the type of love you want to celebrate on your wedding day.
"Suspicious Minds" by Elvis Presley
This song, originally by Mark James, is about a mistrusting and dysfunctional relationship. It's a popular song, but the lyrics might not be the best fit for a wedding celebration.
"You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi
While it's a catchy tune, the song is about rejecting your lover. It's not exactly the message you want to send on your wedding day.
"Single Ladies" by Beyonce
While this song can be a nice tribute to single guests at your wedding, it might be overdone and not as special as you'd like.
"The Chicken Dance"
This song and its accompanying choreography are probably ingrained in your brain from childhood. However, it might be best to leave it off your wedding playlist as it may cause guests to evacuate the dance floor.
"I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton
While the title seems fitting for a wedding, the song is actually about a breakup: "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."
"You're So Vain" by Carly Simon
This song might be fun to sing along to, but it's about an ex-lover, which may not be the most appropriate theme for your wedding day.
"Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears
This song is about a relationship gone sour: "I must confess that my loneliness is killing me now. Don't you know I still believe that you will be here?" It's not exactly the message you want to convey on your special day.
In addition to these specific songs, it's generally recommended to avoid songs that reference love triangles, unrequited love, divorce, or infidelity. It's also a good idea to steer clear of songs with objectification or overly sexual lyrics.
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Line dances
If you're looking for something a little more unique, you might want to steer clear of "Cotton Eye Joe", which is a fun and energetic country-inspired song with simple dance moves, but it might be a bit too silly for some couples. Another song that frequently appears on couples' "do not play" lists is "Boot Scootin' Boogie", a catchy country tune with an infectious beat.
For a more modern option, "The Wobble" is a popular choice, but its explicit lyrics might not be suitable for all audiences. If you're looking for a hip-hop track with clean lyrics, "Watch Me" (also known as "Whip/Nae Nae") could be a good option, as it features simple dance moves that are easy for all ages to pick up.
Lastly, while "YMCA" by The Village People is a classic line dance with straightforward moves, it might be a bit too cheesy for some couples. Instead, you could opt for a more modern pop hit like "Gangnam Style" by Psy, which has an ultra-catchy chorus and is sure to get your guests moving.
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Songs with references to exes
Many popular wedding songs actually contain negative messages about love, breakups, infidelity, and stalking. Couples should be mindful of this when selecting songs for their wedding day and avoid songs that reference exes or past relationships. Here are some examples of songs with references to exes that are best avoided on your wedding day:
"Love Stinks" by The J. Geils Band: This trash-rock anthem covers unpleasant topics like love triangles, unrequited feelings, and romance turned sour. It's not exactly the type of message you want to send on your wedding day.
"You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi: While it may be a catchy tune, this song is about rejecting a lover, which is not the most romantic sentiment for a wedding celebration.
"Suspicious Minds" by Elvis: This Elvis ballad is about a dysfunctional and mistrusting relationship. It's not the most uplifting message to have playing on your special day.
"Single Ladies" by Beyonce: Although it can be a nice tribute to single guests, this song might remind people of their exes or past relationships.
"You're So Vain" by Carly Simon: This song is about an ex-lover, and while it's a popular tune, it may not be the best choice for a wedding celebration.
"Mother-in-Law" by Ernie K Doe: This song has a lighthearted sound, but the lyrics might hit a little too close to home for some in-laws, so it's probably best avoided.
"If You Like It, Then You Should've Put a Ring on It" by Beyoncé: While it's a great dance song, the lyrics can put pressure on guests who are already feeling wedding pressures.
"Every Breath You Take" by The Police: Despite its sweet melody, this song is actually about stalking and obsession, which is definitely not the vibe you want at your wedding.
"Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve: Although it has a catchy melody, the lyrics are about a breakup and moving on, which is not the message you want to convey at your wedding.
"I'd Do Anything For You" by Meat Loaf: This song may seem like a passionate declaration of love, but the lyrics suggest a toxic cycle of breaking up and getting back together, which is not reflective of a healthy, committed relationship.
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