The song that you choose for your first dance should say something really important about you as a couple, as it will be “your song” for the rest of your life.
Setting the tone for married life is really important, and as much as having a great beat to sway to together is vital, lyrics (and their meaning) are crucial too. Luckily, we have an expert DJ, Mark van den Berg of Mighty Fine Entertainment, on hand to take us through the classic tunes that couples often mistake for love songs.
The Police – Every Breath You Take
This might sound like a great love song, but listen closely. A song about a jilted ex threatening to keep tabs on his former love every waking moment is more sinister than romantic.
In a BBC interview, Sting was horrified to learn that this was a popular wedding song, saying, “I think the song is very, very sinister and ugly and people have actually misinterpreted it as being a gentle little love song.”
The La’s – There She Goes
It has a cute and catchy beat, and the lyrics seem innocent enough, but this is definitely a song about drug use, and not about true love!
Pixies – Here Comes Your Man
Alternative couples love this song, it brings up feelings of nineties nostalgia and sounds an awful lot like it’s about a girl waiting for her boyfriend. However, Frank Black (who wrote the song) revealed it was actually about homeless people dying in a big earthquake in California. That doesn’t exactly say “congratulations to the newlyweds”.
REM – The One I Love
Yet another jilted ex song. Sure, the first line sounds incredibly romantic, but if you listen to the rest of the song it’s decidedly less mushy!
Bruno Mars – Marry You
This has to be one of the most popular wedding songs around. Unfortunately it’s about an ill-considered shotgun wedding that’s described as “something dumb to do” when “trashed”. Is this the right song to mark the beginning of a lifetime commitment? I don’t think so.
Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On
What’s that I hear? Is that the sound of a massive ship sinking? If your relationship is truly unsinkable, this is a song to avoid.
Billy Idol – White Wedding
This is a song in which Mr. Idol urges someone not to get married. While reports say it was about his displeasure with his sister’s fiancé, he has denied this saying it’s all fiction. Whatever the motive, it sure ain’t a love song.
Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You
This is a break-up song. Sure, the chorus makes it sound like the ultimate love song, but the verses tell a very different story. “So goodbye, please don’t cry, we both know I’m not what you need”. Yep, definitely a break-up song.
Wham – Careless Whisper
Guilty feet sure have no rhythm, and romantic love songs generally don’t contain lyrics about apologising for cheating.
Bon Jovi – Always
What could be more romantic than promising to love someone “always”? Oh, wait, it’s another break-up number!
In at number one, it’s the power ballad with the epic chorus that’s just perfect for a wedding first dance. And the verses about an angsty break up leaving our poor Romeo to bleed, drown and face a wholly unpleasant future alone and pining for his ex. We would advise against it.
