Music Archives | Wedding ETC

In Advice

15 Most requested first-dance songs to help you turn up the romance!

August 2, 2022 No Comments

You’ve walked down the aisle, you’ve said “I do,” and now it’s time to get down and boogie! The first dance as a married couple is deeply personal and oh-so-romantic, so making sure you have the right song to sway back and forth to is sure to keep those wonderful wedding day memories alive.

If you’re looking for the most romantic songs out there, you’ll be happy to know that a survey conducted by The Black Tux found the perfect playlist thanks to over 900 married couples from all age groups revealing their favourite tunes.

The most requested first-dance song, you ask? “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers with classic love songs from Etta James, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley also making the list.

If you’re stumped on what to play as the MC welcomes you as newlyweds, why not take a peek at the 15 most requested first-dance songs:

1. “500 Miles,” by Sleeping at Last

Loved-up Lyrics: “But I would walk 500 miles/And I would walk 500 more/Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles/To fall down at your door.”

2. “Unchained Melody,” by The Righteous Brothers

Lyrics of Love: “Oh, my love, my darling/I’ve hungered for your touch”

3. “Amazed,” by Lonestar

Lyrics of Love: “I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side/Forever and ever”

4. “Perfect Duet,” by Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé

Lyrics of Love: “But darling, just kiss me slow/Your heart is all I own/And in your eyes, you’re holding mine”

5. “All of Me,” by John Legend

Lyrics of Love: “Give your all to me/I’ll give my all to you/You’re my end and my beginning”

6. “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” by Aerosmith

Lyrics of Love: “The sweetest dream will never do/I’d still miss you, babe/And I don’t want to miss a thing”

7. “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” by Jasmine Thompson

Lyrics of Love: “So I’m gonna love you/Like I’m gonna lose you/I’m gonna hold you/Like I’m saying goodbye”

8. “The Way You Look Tonight,” by Frank Sinatra

Lyrics of Love: “There is nothing for me but to love you/And the way you look tonight”

9. “At Last,” by Etta James

Lyrics of Love: “At last my love has come along/My lonely days are over and life is like a song, oh yeah”

10. “Sons and Daughters,” by Allman Brown

Lyrics of Love: “And I, I’ll wrap myself/Around your heart/I’ll be the walls of his heart”

11. “Yours,” by Russell Dickerson

Lyrics of Love: “I came to life when I first kissed you/The best me has his arms around you/You make me better than I was before/Thank God I’m yours”

12. “Kiss Me,” by Ed Sheeran

Lyrics of Love: “And your heart’s against my chest, your lips pressed in my neck/I’m falling for your eyes, but they don’t know me yet/And with a feeling I’ll forget, I’m in love now”

13. “Escapade,” by Janet Jackson

Lyrics of Love: “Come on baby, let’s get away/Let’s save our troubles for another day”

14. “Sweetest Thing,” by Allman Brown

Lyrics of Love: “You’re the sweetest thing that I ever did see/Like a bird taking way/Tears that set you free”

15. “Speechless,” by Dan + Shay

Lyrics of Love: “And I’m speechless/You already know that you’re my weakness/After all this time I’m just as nervous”

Feature Image: Pinterest

In Music

15 Of the best first dance songs for an unforgettable celebration

November 15, 2021 No Comments

The first dance as a married couple is the highlight of the wedding. It’s the perfect opportunity to show off your dance moves before the celebration really kicks off and gets have the chance to celebrate a little with you. The vows are done and dusted and the stress seems to melt away. However, for some couples choosing the first song to dance to as man and wife is an easy choice. Perhaps it was that Elton John song that was playing when you first bumped into each other at that charming coffee shop, but for others finding the perfect first song to boogie to can be a challenge.

Thankfully, a little survey conducted by The Black Tux of over 900 married couples from all age groups revealed a few of the most requested first-dance songs. Here’s a list of the top 15:

Sons and Daughters, by Allman Brown
Moon River, by Frank Sinatra
At Last, by Etta James
Time After Time, by Cyndi Lauper
Amazed, by Lonestar
500 Miles, by Sleeping at Last
Your Song, by Elton John
I’m Yours, by Jason Mraz
Perfect Duet, by Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé
The Way You Look Tonight, by Frank Sinatra
Escapade, by Janet Jackson
My Best Friend, by Tim McGraw
That’s When I Knew, by Alicia Keys
Falling Like the Stars, by James Arthur
This Kiss, by Faith Hill

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If you’ve been wondering what the perfect song to get down on one knee is, make sure you check out Spotify’s ultimate engagement playlist.

Pciture: Pexels

In Advice

Sweet songs to slow dance to on your big day

January 20, 2021 No Comments

They say music can convey emotions we struggle to voice ourselves. If this is the case, your choice of song on your wedding day is crucial.

At some point in the evening, you’ll probably want to have a special slow dance with your new spouse. Hold them close and sway away to one of these romantic songs.

Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley

Make You Feel My Love – Adele

Unforgettable – Nat King Cole

Come Away With Me – Norah Jones

Comfortable – H.E.R

At Last – Etta James

All My Life – K-Ci and JoJo

You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker

Perfect – Ed Sheeran

The Way You Look Tonight – Tony Bennet

Your Song – Elton John

Best Part – Daniel Caesar

Lucky – Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat

Butterflies – Casey Musgraves

A Thousand Years – Christina Perry

Speechless – Dan + Shay

Picture: Pexels

In Advice

Gender-neutral wedding songs to play at your LGBTQI+ wedding

January 7, 2021 No Comments

Your first dance as a married couple is a special moment, and you need to the perfect soundtrack. Music is highly personal, and the songs that are chosen to play at a wedding often speak to the unique couple.

There is a large amount of popular music that is gender-specific. For a couple not into pronouns, this may not be the right fit. Luckily, there are also just as many gender-neutral songs about love that will sum up your relationship.

Here are a few of our favourites:

– “Love Me Like You Do,” by Ellie Goulding

– “At Last,” by Etta James

– “Butterflies,” by Kacey Musgraves

– “I’m Yours,” by Jason Mraz

– “Lucky” by Chelsea Cutler

– “Come Away With Me,” by Norah Jones

– “Thinking Out Loud,” by Ed Sheeran

– “Love on Top,” by Beyoncé

– “Let’s Stay Together,” by Al Green

– “I Like Me Better,” by Lauv

Picture: Pexels

In Music

Top streamed wedding songs on Spotify

December 15, 2020 No Comments

Music can make or break an event and with a party as important as your wedding, you better make sure you play the right beats.

Some songs reign supreme in the wedding world, and have done so for decades. According to data from Spotify, these songs are still on the top of the list for couples tying the knot.

Spotify recently exclusively shared with Brides their most streamed songs of 2020 at weddings and wedding-related events.

Of course, classics like “At Last” by Etta James, “Your Song” by Elton John and “Thinking out Loud” by Ed Sheeran made the playlists.

Ed Sheeran topped the list as the most globally streamed artist for weddings and related events in 2020, followed by Bruno Mars and Dan + Shay.

Top 20 Songs From Bachelorette Party-Themed Playlists:

“Wannabe” – Spice Girls
“Jumpin’, Jumpin”– Destiny’s Child
“Truth Hurts”– Lizzo
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper
“WAP (feat. Megan Thee Stallion)” – Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion
“Crazy In Love (feat. Jay Z)” – Beyoncé, Jay-Z
“We Can’t Stop” – Miley Cyrus
“Glamorous” – Fergie, Ludacris
“Run the World (Girls)” – Beyoncé
“Any Man of Mine” – Shania Twain
“SexyBack (feat. Timbaland)” – Justin Timberlake, Timbaland
“Yeah! (feat. Lil Jon & Ludacris)” – Lil Jon, Ludacris, Usher
“No Scrubs” – TLC
“Bootylicious” – Destiny’s Child
“Buttons” – The Pussycat Dolls
“Get Low” – Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, Ying Yang Twins
“I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” – Whitney Houston
“Fancy” – Charli XCX, Iggy Azalea
“Super Bass” – Nicki Minaj
“Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” – Beyoncé

Top Songs From Bachelor Party-Themed Playlists:

“Post Malone (feat. RANI)” – RANI, Sam Feldt
“Shotgun (The Wild Remix)” – George Ezra, The Wild
“Higher Love” – Kygo, Whitney Houston
“Body” – Brando, Loud Luxury
“Wow.” – Post Malone
“South of the Border (feat. Camila Cabello & Cardi B) – Cheat Codes Remix” – Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Cheat Codes, Ed Sheeran
“Ride It – Jonas Blue Remix” – Jonas Blue, Regard
“Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd
“SICKO MODE – Skrillex Remix” – Skrillex, Travis Scott
“I Don’t Care (with Justin Bieber) – Loud Luxury Remix” – Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Loud Luxury
“Insomnia – King Arthur Remix” – Daya, King Arthur
“High Hopes – Don Diablo Remix” – Don Diablo, Panic! At The Disco
“SOS (feat. Aloe Blacc)” – Aloe Blacc, Avicii
“The Rhythm of the Night” – Corona, Sean Finn
“Better Now” – Post Malone
“Ni**as In Paris” – JAY-Z, Kanye West
“Low (feat. T-Pain)” – Low (feat. T-Pain)
“Old Town Road – Diplo Remix” – Billy Ray Cyrus, Diplo, Lil Nas X
“Sweet but Psycho – Morgan Page Dance Remix” – Ava Max, Morgan Page
“Everytime We Touch – Radio Edit” – Cascada

Top 20 Most Streamed Songs in Father & Daughter-Themed Playlists:

“Father and Daughter” – Paul Simon
“I Loved Her First” – Heartland
“You Are My Sunshine” – Johnny Cash
“Wildflowers” – Tom Petty
“My Little Girl” – Tim McGraw
“Sweet Pea” – Amos Lee
“Daughters” – John Mayer
“First Man” – Camila Cabello
“My Wish” – Rascal Flatts
“Landslide” – Fleetwood Mac
“Butterfly Kisses” – Bob Carlisle
“Don’t Blink” – Kenny Chesney
“It Won’t Be Like This For Long” – Darius Rucker
“Fathers and Daughters” – Kristin Chenoweth
“You’ll Be In My Heart” – Phil Collins
“Daddy’s Little Girl” – Michael Bolton
“The Way You Look Tonight” – Frank Sinatra
“Daddy Dance with Me” – Krystal Keith
“Lights” – Journey
“God Gave Me You” – Blake Shelton

Top 20 Most Streamed Songs in First Dance-Themed Playlists:

“Conversations in the Dark” – John Legend
“You Are the Best Thing” – Ray LaMontagne
“Yours – Wedding Edition” – Russell Dickerson
“Beyond” – Leon Bridges
“At Last” – Etta James
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Haley Reinhart
“Marry Me” – Train
“How Would You Feel (Paean)” – Ed Sheeran
“Thinking out Loud” – Ed Sheeran
“Greatest Love Story” – LANCO
“How Long Will I Love You – Bonus Track” –Ellie Goulding
“From the Ground Up” –Dan + Shay
“Speechless” –Dan + Shay
“Perfect” –Ed Sheeran
“I Won’t Give Up” –Jason Mraz
“Everything” –Michael Bublé
“Say You Won’t Let Go” –James Arthur
“Then” –Brad Paisley
“I Don’t Dance” – Lee Brice
“Your Song” – Elton John

Picture: Unsplash

In Advice

50 of the best wedding entrance songs to get the party started

October 30, 2020 No Comments

Making your first entrance as a married couple at your wedding reception is a big deal, and you need the perfect soundtrack to back it up.

The song you choose to punctuate your steps will set the tone for the rest of the evening. What kind of story do you want to tell? It’s important to pick something that is true to you and your partner. The best thing to do is to match the song to your personality.

Whether you make your debut as a married couple to an upbeat song or a tear-jerker, there is no right or wrong answer. There is a wealth of options to choose from, here are a few of the top tracks people have been loving.

Linger – The Cranberries
Best Part – Daniel Caesar
Love Me Like You Do – Ellie Goulding
You Make My Dreams Come True – Hall and Oates
Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe – Barry White
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) -Whitney Houston
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gay and Tammi Terrell
All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
Best Day of My Life – American Authors
Sex on Fire – Kings of Leon
Raise Your Glass – P!nk
What I Like About You – The Romantics
Riptide – Vance Joy
On Top of the World – Imagine Dragons
Lucky – Chelsea Cutler
Cheerleader – Omi
Crazy in Love – Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
Cake by the Ocean – DNCE
This Is What You Came For – Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna
How Will I Know – Whitney Houston
Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
We Belong – Pat Benatar
Waiting For A Girl Like You – Foreigner
I.F.L.Y – Bazzi
You’re The One That I Want – The Grease soundtrack
Beyond – Leon Bridges
Shut Up and Dance – Walk the Moon
I Wanna Have Your Babies – Natasha Bedingfield
Always Be My Baby – Mariah Carey
Stuck With You – Ariana Grande feat. Justin Bieber
Dangerously In Love – Destiny’s Child
We’ve Only Just Begun – The Carpenters
Marry You – Bruno Mars
My Girl – The Temptations
You Make Me Feel Like Dancing – Leo Sayer
It’s Tricky – Run DMC
We Are Family – Sister Sledge
What I Like About You – The Romantics
Let’s Hear It for the Boy – Deniece Williams
T.N.T. – AC/DC
You Sexy Thing – Hot Chocolate
Dear Future Husband -Meghan Trainor
Get Your Number – Mariah Carey
Stuck On You – Lionel Richie
Kiss Me – Sixpence None The Richer
This Is How We Do It – Montell Jordan
Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) – Stevie Wonder
Crazy in Love – Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z

Picture: Pexels

In Emotional

Minister breaks out into song mid wedding ceremony

October 26, 2020 No Comments

Wedding ceremonies have always kind of followed the same script, where the couple exchanges vow, put rings on each other’s finger, say ‘I do’ and then seal it with a kiss. It is seen as unconventional to do anything else.

That seemingly did not apply to the minister who was officiating Olivia and Fred Mancuso’s wedding ceremony. He did something that took them by surprise.

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In a video uploaded a video on TikTok celebrating their one year anniversary, the pair showed what happened when they said their wedding vows. Just before being announced as husband and wife, the minister veered off script and broke out into song.

The song was a short verse that had hallelujah five times before anyone could make sense of it, she announced that they may kiss. It was a shocking but most memorable moment from their day.

@_olivia_mancuso_In honor of it almost being our one year wedding anniversary, I give you my most popular video ##Boo ##BBMAs ##FootlongShuffle ##hellofall ##yikes ♬ original sound – _olivia_mancuso_

Speaking to Today, Olivia said: “It was pure shock. We didn’t put any sort of singing in our meticulously planned script so it caught us off guard.

“We did not talk to her about it afterward. We really just wanted to start celebrating with our friends and family.

She added: “Though we were a little upset, it was a small snafu in an otherwise perfect day.”

Pictures: Unsplash

In Advice

Should you have a live band or a DJ at your wedding?

October 13, 2020 No Comments

Music is one of the important parts of your wedding reception, because people come together on the dance floor. It’s the music that truly has the power to make or break the wedding reception so choosing what should be played at your wedding is a big decision to make.

At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference and costs, so here’s a look at the pros and cons of a live wedding band or DJ.

A live band

In South Africa, a live band at a private function like a wedding costs roughly R 12 000 to R30 000. Prices vary based on your location and other factors, like the size of the band.

Pros

– Live song requests – people and the couple can ask the band to play their favourite songs

– It is more personal than a DJ

– It appeals to younger and older guests

– You and your guests will experience the pleasure of a live performance

Cons

– The big disadvantage of hiring a band is that they tend to be a tad expensive

– Bands also take up more space than a DJ

– The travelling cost and accommodation might be your responsibility if the band is not local

– A band might have one genre of music throughout

A DJ

Private function DJs can cost anywhere between R6500 to R12 000, while celebrity DJ prices range from R20 000 to R45 000. Plenty of couples hire a wedding DJ and prefer the diversity of music over a live band.

Pros

– A DJ can play different genres of music to appeal to a larger crowd

– They don’t require much space to set up

– They are usually local unless you want a celeb DJ

Cons

– Your wedding reception lives and dies depending on the DJ

– Since DJ equipment is usually a bit more “techy” it comes with a lot of wires – and sometimes it can look a little messy

– The equipment could crash and that would be the end of music and the vibe it brings

Some people prefer to have both, a DJ and a live band, to cater to everyone. The band is usually reserved for the romantic first dance. If this is the kind of vibe you want, then you should look into the cost of it all.

Pictures: Unsplash

In Advice

Beautiful love songs to inspire your wedding vows

August 28, 2020 No Comments

Your wedding vows is a time to express how much you love your partner. Now is the time to be as honest and heartfelt as possible.

However, being so emotional is not easy for everyone. So why not refer to the experts? If you’re in need of inspiration, simply turn to your favourite musician. There is a wealth of love songs that perfectly explain your deepest feelings.

Here are a few special songs that give us all the feels:

Your Song – Elton John

Best line: ‘I hope you don’t mind / That I put down in words / How wonderful life is while you’re in the world’

Best Part – Daniel Caesar

Best line: ‘You’re the coffee that I need in the morning / You’re my sunshine in the rain when it’s pouring’

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Roberta Flack

Best line: ‘The first time ever I saw your face / I thought the sun rose in your eyes’

Stuck on You – Lionel Richie

Best line: ‘Stuck on you / I’ve got this feeling down deep in my soul that I just can’t lose’

Dangerously in Love – Destiny’s Child

Best line: ‘Baby, I love you, you are my life / My happiest moments weren’t complete if you weren’t by my side / You’re my relation in connection to the sun / With you next to me there’s no darkness I can’t overcome’

At Last – Etta James

Best line: ‘At last my love has come along / My lonely days are over and life is like a song, oh yeah’

I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz

Best line: ‘I won’t give up on us / Even if the skies get rough / I’m giving you all my love / I’m still looking up’

Waiting For A Girl Like You – Foreigner

Best line: ‘I’ve been waiting for a girl like you to come into my life / I’ve been waiting for a girl like you, your loving will survive / I’ve been waiting for someone new to make me feel alive’

(They Long To Be) Close To You – The Carpenters

Best line: ‘On the day that you were born the angels got together / And decided to create a dream come true / So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue’

Back At One – Brian McKnight

Best line: ‘One / You’re like a dream come true / Two / Just want to be with you / Three / Girl, it’s plain to see / That you’re the only one for me’

Make You Feel My Love – Adele

Best line: ‘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’

All of Me – John Legend

Best line: ‘‘Cause all of me / Loves all of you / Love your curves and all your edges / All your perfect imperfections’

Songbird – Fleetwood Mac

Best line: ‘To you I would give the world / To you I’d never be cold / ‘Cause I feel that when I’m with you / It’s all right I know it’s right’

Come What May – Moulin Rouge soundtrack

Best line: ‘Seasons may change, winter to spring / But I love you until the end of time’

Such Great Heights – The Postal Service

Best line: ‘I am thinking it’s a sign / That the freckles in our eyes / Are mirror images / And when we kiss they’re perfectly aligned’

Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

Father-daughter dance songs to sway away to

March 24, 2020 No Comments

A wedding day is always meaningful, but one of the most memorable moments for many is the father-daughter dance. If you’ve got a special relationship with your dad, you’ll want a beautiful moment on your big day to encapsulate it.

To help you find that perfect tune, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite songs guaranteed to bring some tears to your guests eyes when you take to the floor with your pops.

Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder

Favourite lyrics: “We have been heaven blessed / I can’t believe what God has done / Through us he’s given life to one / But isn’t she lovely made from love”

Father and Daughter – Paul Simon

Favourite lyrics: “I’m gonna watch you shine / Gonna watch you grow / Gonna paint a sign / So you always know / As long as one and one is two / Ooh ooh / There could never be a father / Love his daughter more than I love you”

My Girl – The Temptations

Favourite lyrics: “I’ve got so much honey the bees envy me / I’ve got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees”

I Loved Her First – Heartland

Favourite lyrics: “From the first breath she breathed / When she first smiled at me / I knew the love of a father runs deep”

Slipping Through My Fingers – ABBA

Favourite lyrics: “Slipping through my fingers all the time / I try to capture every minute / The feeling in it”

Make You Feel My Love – Adele

Favourite lyrics: “When the evening shadows and the stars appear / And there is no one there to dry your tears / I could hold you for a million years / To make you feel my love”

Have I Told You Lately That I Love You – Rod Stewart

Favourite lyrics: “Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness / Ease my troubles, that’s what you do”

You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker

Favourite lyrics: “You’re everything I hope for / You’re everything I need / You are so beautiful to me”

Unforgettable – Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole

Favourite lyrics: “Never before has someone been more / Unforgettable in every way / And forevermore (and forevermore) / That’s how you’ll stay (that’s how you’ll stay)”

(They Long to Be) Close to You – The Carpenters

Favourite lyrics: “On the day that you were born the angels got together / And decided to create a dream come true / So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue”

Daddy – Beyoncé

Favourite lyrics: “Even if my man broke my heart today / No matter how much pain I’m in I would be okay, oh / ‘Cause I got a man in my life that can’t be replaced / Father’s love is unconditional, it won’t go away”

Your Song – Elton John

Favourite lyrics: “I hope you don’t mind / That I put down in words / How wonderful life is while you’re in the world”

Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion

Favourite lyrics: “You were my strength when I was weak / You were my voice when I couldn’t speak / You were my eyes when I couldn’t see / You saw the best there was in me”

Feature image: Unsplash