My friend Amy is looking for a few songs to play at her wedding. She and her fiance, Joe, are going off by themselves to get married on an island, which means I will not get to dance, cry or eat cake at Amy’s wedding. But I love her anyway, so I thought I’d try to help her out with the song situation.
Here’s a little glimpse into her dilemma:
I told Joe today that I wanted to play the Allison Krause song, “When You Say Nothing at All.” My clueless fiance looked up the song on iTunes while we were on the phone together. Next thing I know, he was mumbling something about purple blue jeans, gun racks and the NRA. Then I told him to look up, “Feels Like Home” by Chantal Kreviazuk. After this one, he started laughing.
I think “When You Say Nothing at All” is a pretty song, even though it is very country. I’ve never heard “Feels Like Home,” though. I have a pretty good feel for Amy’s taste in music, but I don’t really know what Joe likes. So these suggestions were compiled using a formula of one part songs I like, one part songs I thought Amy would like and one part songs that I guessed Joe might endure.
Mushaboom, Fiest
The lyrics might not entirely match up with Amy and Joe’s situation — “Second floor living without a yard / It may be years until the day / My dreams will match up with my pay” — but it’s a sweet song anyway.
Better Together, Jack Johnson. I’m pretty sure Amy likes Jack Johnson, and they are getting married on a beach.
Northern Sky, Nick Cave. “It’s been a long time that I’m waiting.” This one isn’t quite as bright and cheery as some of the others, but I think it speaks to the two of them having held out for the Right One to come along.
Pecan Pie, Golden Smog. This would be a great song for a recessional.
Center of Gravity, Yo La Tenga. This song is a wee bit sappy, but it’s sweet and nice. Just like Amy. (Ha! I kid because I love.)
If Not for You, Bob Dylan. If I’d heard this song before our wedding, I would’ve found a place for it. The lyrics — “Without your love I’d be nowhere at all / I’d be lost if not for you / And you know it’s true” — are doubly true for us because I have a rotten sense of direction and frequently call on Rockford to guide me to my destination.
Concrete and Clay, 2+2. This one, I had heard and did find a place to use.
At My Most Beautiful, REM. This is a lovely song.
Rockford suggested “Everything I Own,” “You Ain’t Going Nowhere,” “Golden” and “It Beats 4 U.” I’m not sure what formula he used. I think it was something like “4 parts stuff Rockford likes.”
We used the soundtrack from “Rushmore” in our wedding, with “Concrete and Clay” as the recessional. It still makes me happy when I hear that song. What songs were (or will be or would be) in your wedding?