Today’s wedding advice is simple: don’t be a music snob. Or perhaps a more positive way to put it is: keep an open mind to music from different eras. That’s why Amazon’s 100 greatest wedding songs list proves helpful. It exposes young and old wedding attendees to a nice selection of wedding songs from different eras.
For younger wedding attendees, you’ll be shocked to know that “old music is killing new music”, according to music historian, Ted Gioia. Writing in the The Atlantic, he notes:
“Old songs now represent 70 percent of the U.S. music market. Even worse, the new music market is actually shrinking.”
Look at the Amazon’s top ten greatest wedding songs:
- At Last
- Can’t Help Falling in Love
- What a Wonderful World
- Maybe I’m Amazed
- The Way You Look Tonight
- (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher
- Love is Here to Stay
- My Girl
- The Story
- It Had to be You
Only one of the songs was written in the 21st century: Brandi Carlile’s masterpiece, “The Story.”
Older attendees need to keep an open mind for the great new songs coming out. Phil Hanseroth, Carlile’s bandmate, song wrote the song . Brandi’s powerful delivery brings the great lyrics to life:
“All of these lines across my face,
Tell the story of who I am,
So many stories of where I’ve been,
And how I got to where I am.
But these stories don’t mean anything,
When you’ve got no one to tell them to, it’s true,
I was made for you.”
Good stuff. Check it out:
The Story sung by Brandi Carlile
Younger attendees will know many of the songs on this list. But #6, “Higher and Higher,” got our attention simply because we don’t run across it as much as some of the others.
It’s a great song, originally released by R & B singer, Jackie Wilson in 1967. Ever heard of him, or this song? Well, he was inducted into the Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and “Higher and Higher” was a #1 hit song for Smith on the R & B charts. Take a listen:
Higher and Higher by Jackie Wilson.
A decade later, Rita Coolidge covered it at a more moderate tempo, becoming a #1 hit on the Cashbox charts. Take a listen:
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher by Rita Coolidge
The title alone ensures that this is a great dance song at any wedding.
So as you plan your wedding take some time reviewing Amazon’s 100 Greatest Wedding Songs. Keep an open mind as you check out these varied hits from different eras. Then consider three advantages Electra Entertainment brings to your Maryland celebration:
- We play the original versions of these songs, you know, the way your guests prefer to hear their favorite tunes.
- Our sound balance is a work of art. Loud enough to let the dance floor rock. Calibrated enough for guests to converse when they’re not dancing.
- Your party will be MCed by a pro who knows how and when to make announcements so your party flows like Swiss clockwork.
One last thing, and this important: click this link right here to see if we’re available for your event. No pressure, but couples book up popular dates quickly. Thanks!