wedding music

[LumpyGravy]

ok, I got the balls to post this. My Rock band will be playing a wedding in the future. I have played quite few with other bands. We are trying to brainstorm and pick some easily workable tunes. Any ideas??? We are a 4pc with a female singer/keyboardist, guitar, drums and bass. I think we are mostly trying to keep people on the floor, ages range from kids to mid 60's adults. Thanks!

[Jim Breece]

"The Chicken Dance". Sorry, but there it is. "The Twist", old Elvis, "Brick House", the inevitable "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Mustang Sally". "What's Up" and "Redneck Woman" always seem to go over, and you have a woman singer. Whatever seems obvious and overdone to musicians usually plays well. "Wonderful Tonight" for that magical slow dance when the couple starts out alone on the floor. Older folks know they're supposed to like pre-rock stuff and will act like they do whether they remember the song or not. Louis Prima is good for this. Can you work up "The Electric Slide"? Weddings are a blast if you have the right attitude, torture if not. Hit the buffet on the first break. Be wary of people who want to take the mic to sing a special song to the couple, especially women in groups.

[John Wentzien]

Bring on the "CHEESE_WHIZ)
A 50's medely works good.
Cheezy 60's songs- "GLORIA", "WILD THING" (you get the idea)
The more familiar the better---anything that was a #1 hit..
Any Beatles songs will go over great also.
Crowd participation songs.

[LumpyGravy]

Originally Posted by Jim Breece

"The Chicken Dance". Sorry, but there it is. "The Twist", old Elvis, "Brick House", the inevitable "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Mustang Sally". "What's Up" and "Redneck Woman" always seem to go over, and you have a woman singer. Whatever seems obvious and overdone to musicians usually plays well. "Wonderful Tonight" for that magical slow dance when the couple starts out alone on the floor. Older folks know they're supposed to like pre-rock stuff and will act like they do whether they remember the song or not. Louis Prima is good for this. Can you work up "The Electric Slide"? Weddings are a blast if you have the right attitude, torture if not. Hit the buffet on the first break. Be wary of people who want to take the mic to sing a special song to the couple, especially women in groups.

Thanks. Most of what you mentioned came up. "What's Up" is be Edie Brickell???????

[LumpyGravy]

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

Bring on the "CHEESE_WHIZ)
A 50's medely works good.
Cheezy 60's songs- "GLORIA", "WILD THING" (you get the idea)
The more familiar the better---anything that was a #1 hit..
Any Beatles songs will go over great also.
Crowd participation songs.

We do a version of Gloria. Ous singer usually pulls lyrics and poems and holds them up in front of the guitarist/singer. Lots of fun.

[Lesfunk]

Twist and shout
i will survive
Celebration
Have i told You Lately that I love You
old time rock and roll
Runaround sue
Etc.Etc.

[LumpyGravy]

my god, you are bringing back those (awful) songs. THanks. I had forgotten some of those.

[rodl2005]

+1 any song that was a No. 1 hit & ppl will remember........ Mustang Sally- or in Aus we call it Monaro Barry!!! Or even MORE Ozzie Monaro Bazza! ;-)
Knock on Wood, My Sharona , Jump , I shot Sherrif, Any poular Stones song, Beatles, My Doona- sorry... Madonna Holiday, That song she did from Austin Powers suits a 4 piece, Son Of a bitcha man(preacher Man) Bacharach songs are good 4 weddings--- I just don't know what to do with myself, or The Look of Love..etc... say a li'l prayer..... Whats going on-4 non blondes one AND Marvin Gaye one!!!!!!
Basically- some from the 50's- rocknroll-Johnny B.Goode, 60's Stones Beatles, Kinks etc, 70's T-REX, Disco-We R family etc... 80's JUmp, Fire-Pointer sis. 90's - etc.....

[ibanezshredder]

good old motown

[smakbass]

Lots of good ones there also I HATE to say it but ppl seem to love Brown eyed girl (cringe)....

Motown stuff is always great the thing is to mix it up a bit so there is something for everything but it all has to be danceable.

[LumpyGravy]

Originally Posted by rodl2005

+1 any song that was a No. 1 hit & ppl will remember........ Mustang Sally- or in Aus we call it Monaro Barry!!! Or even MORE Ozzie Monaro Bazza! ;-)
Knock on Wood, My Sharona , Jump , I shot Sherrif, Any poular Stones song, Beatles, My Doona- sorry... Madonna Holiday, That song she did from Austin Powers suits a 4 piece, Son Of a bitcha man(preacher Man) Bacharach songs are good 4 weddings--- I just don't know what to do with myself, or The Look of Love..etc... say a li'l prayer..... Whats going on-4 non blondes one AND Marvin Gaye one!!!!!!
Basically- some from the 50's- rocknroll-Johnny B.Goode, 60's Stones Beatles, Kinks etc, 70's T-REX, Disco-We R family etc... 80's JUmp, Fire-Pointer sis. 90's - etc.....

How about the White Stripes version of "Don't know what to do with myself"? For the younger kids???

Bang a Gong by TRex is good.
I prefer the Stones, but "Can't ya Hear Me Knocking" is it danceable?? Thanks for your input!! GReat choices!

[Lesfunk]

no

[LumpyGravy]

Originally Posted by smakbass

Lots of good ones there also I HATE to say it but ppl seem to love Brown eyed girl (cringe)....

Motown stuff is always great the thing is to mix it up a bit so there is something for everything but it all has to be danceable.

Brown Eyed Girl ... CRINGE..
Maybe Wild Nights, the Mellencamp version w/ M'chell is good.

[Phrogie]

Originally Posted by LumpyGravy

Thanks. Most of what you mentioned came up. "What's Up" is be Edie Brickell???????

"What's Up" is by 4 Non Blondes, you may be thinking "What I Am" by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians (for a wedding, I'd go with "What's Up")

You could get away with a lot of 80's cheeseball stuff too, depending on the average age of the party (think about the average age of the wedding party, mostly)

[dustdbass6]

Pretty much anything Journey.

My band played a wedding once (for the drummer), and we played "Ball and Chain" by Social Distortion. Not really for dancing but tongue and cheek for bride and groom.

[Andrew Jones]

If they don't make you learn a song for the first dance.....

Learn "At Last" Half way through invite everyone up to dance.Use the line.....

"Come on for every couple we have up here its another year of good luck for the kids........"

Right at the end go directly into the Most dance able tune you got. Ok you got them up there.....Can you keep them?


Oh yah learn...the grease medley.



Aj

[Phalex]

Celebration.

Expressway to your heart.

YMCA.

If you can pull off any Sir Mixalot, that'd be great.

And I think if you can rock the Chicken Dance you'll go over huge.

[Frank Louis]

Ask the bride and groom for a list of songs they would like to hear at the reception . . pick out a couple of these that are do-able for your band and learn them. The rest of the time play your usual stuff 'cause thats why they hired you for . . or you could do a 20 minute version of the Hokey Pokey with added drum solo ! ! ! ! !

[LumpyGravy]

Originally Posted by Phrogie

"What's Up" is by 4 Non Blondes, you may be thinking "What I Am" by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians (for a wedding, I'd go with "What's Up")

You could get away with a lot of 80's cheeseball stuff too, depending on the average age of the party (think about the average age of the wedding party, mostly)

you are right. I used to play the 4 non song with a girl that sang it really well.

[LumpyGravy]

Originally Posted by Phalex

Celebration.

Expressway to your heart.

YMCA.

If you can pull off any Sir Mixalot, that'd be great.

And I think if you can rock the Chicken Dance you'll go over huge.

We are not trying to play the cheezy stuff. The wedding party knows our bar stuff.

I don't think I could do the YMCA thing. That also makes me cringe, but thanks!