60 Songs Not To Play At A Wedding
Weddings are a time for a celebration of love. There are songs to avoid at your reception. Irony aside, no one will get your inside joke. Avoiding songs is smart for a lot of reasons. You don’t want to play “your song” from another relationship, a song that talks about cheating or a breakup, or songs that contain explicit lyrics.
Weddings are a time to celebrate the marriage of two people in love with one another. Wedding music sets the mood for the wedding ceremony and wedding reception. Not every song is appropriate for a wedding ceremony and reception.
What Songs Should I Avoid At My Wedding?
Be sure the music selected fits the theme and style of the wedding and reception. Classical background music would not be appropriate for a country-themed reception. If at all possible, we recommend having the widest range of music types as possible. This will keep the majority of the guests happy. Music entertainers must be given as much leeway on music selections for the dancing portion of the wedding reception. This is their specialty – to get guests dancing!
- Do not play music with explicit lyrics. We do not list any songs below in this category as this is self-explanatory. Be sure your music entertainer has the radio version of all songs played at your wedding.
- Do not play songs that pertain to death or reference suicide. Songs in this category include “Don’t Close Your Eyes” by Kix and “Jumper” by Third Eye Blind.
- Do not play music that is suggestive or offensive. David Lee Roth’s cover of “Just A Gigolo” is a great song for the garter removal or garter placement. However, is this song really appropriate for a wedding? We’re saying no. Other song considerations with inappropriate meaning include “Love Stinks” by J Geils Band, “Mother-In-Law” by Ernie K-Doe, and “Relax” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood.
- Songs that refer to the stressful wedding planning process. A Song example is “I’m In A Hurry (And Don’t Know Why)” by Alabama.
- Please add stalking songs to your do not playlist. Song examples include the Police’s “Every Breath You Take” and “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell.
- Songs played that have extended playing time. The average song length is about 3 1/2 minutes. Extended length songs include “American Pie” by Don McLean and “Paradise By The Dashboard Light “by Meat Loaf.
Create a Do Not Play List for Your Reception
Creating a “Do Not Play List” for your wedding reception is key — especially if you’re DIYing your wedding. Professional DJs and wedding planners may know these song pitfalls already. However, if there are songs that bring up bad memories, be sure to compile that list as well.
What songs should you avoid personally? Songs to include would be “our song” from a previous marriage or relationship. The last thing you want to do is think about that person or remind your new spouse of an old love. Don’t forget favorite songs from close relatives who have passed. Unless you intentionally want to honor that person, this will definitely hit home on an already emotional day. If your family is especially religious, you may want to avoid songs that are sexually explicit.
Any songs that you — like a wedding couple — come up with will help your entertainer decide their playlist. If you do not want hokey group dance songs, then put it on the list. Explicit instructions are needed for your favorite type of music. With that said, your DJ’s job is to keep the dance floor full with your wedding guests.
Should We Include Group Dance Songs At Our Wedding?
Group dance songs are good for single people at your wedding or mismatched couples. (If your aunt can’t dance with her husband, she’ll bug all of the cute guys at the wedding.) We know some people do not like such dances as they consider them goofy and/or well overplayed at wedding receptions. We get it. Some of the group songs are so lame. Your DJ won’t know this. It’s up to you, as the wedding couple, to let him know.
Popular group dance songs played at many wedding receptions include the “Macarena” by Los Del Rio, the “Chicken Dance,” and the “Hokey Pokey.” If you’d rather not do the electric slide one more time, then add group songs to your do not playlist. If you’d rather pass, then add them to the songs to avoid the list.
Do We Need A Dollar Dance At Our Wedding?
Like most traditions surrounding a wedding, it’s up to the wedding couple. For those not used to the culture behind it, they feel the money/dollar dance is inappropriate. Asking for money in the dollar dance can appear distasteful or greedy — especially since guests are expected to bring presents.
You can switch it up, though. The Knot suggests using flower petals, fake money, or — better yet — well wishes. You can do this with same-sex weddings as well. Like any detail at your wedding reception, talk to your wedding coordinator and professional DJ. Depending upon the theme the song choice could be really fun.
Similar song lists for further reading:
Songs To Add To Your DO NOT PLAY List
We provide the songs to avoid at your wedding as a guide. Even though many of the songs to avoid are popular, our experience says it’s not worth it. So, talk to your wedding planner and DJ and, as always, use your best judgment. Your wedding should be remembered for the right reasons, not the faux pas.
This “Songs Not To Play At Weddings” list is curated by Matthew Campbell
Last Updated: January 4, 2021
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| Song | Amazon Link | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Seconds Of Summer Why Won't You Love Me 2018, Pop Break-up song |  | |
| AC/DC Highway To Hell 1979, Rock inappropriate meaning | | |
| Adele Hello 2015, Pop inappropriate meaning | | |
| Alessia Cara Out Of Love 2018, Pop Break-up song | | |
| Billie Eilish i love you 2019, Alternative Rock Break-up song | | |
| Black Eyed Peas My Humps 2005, Dance Break-up song | | |
| Blues Brothers Who’s Making Love 1980, Rock inappropriate meaning | | |
| Bon Jovi You Give Love A Bad Name 1986, Rock inappropriate meaning | | |
| Bruno Mars Grenade 2010, Pop inappropriate meaning | | |
| Bruno Mars When I Was Your Man 2002, Pop inappropriate meaning | | |
| Carly Simon You’re So Vain 1972, Rock inappropriate meaning | | |
| Cars My Best Friend’s Girl 1978, Rock inappropriate meaning | | |
| Clash Should I Stay or Should I Go 1982, Punk inappropriate meaning | | |
| Cole Swindell Break Up In The End 2018, Country Song Subject | | |
| Cole Swindell Reason to Drink 2018, Country Song Subject | | |
| David Lee Roth Just A Gigolo 1985, Rock inappropriate meaning | | |
| Dean Lewis Be Alright 2018, Pop Break-up song | | |
| Dierks Bentley Drunk On A Plane 2014, Country inappropriate meaning | | |
| Divinyls I Touch Myself 1990, Pop Suggestive | | |
| Doors The End 1967, Rock inappropriate meaning | | |
| Drake Fake Love 2016, Hip Hop inappropriate meaning | | |
| Eagles Lyin’ Eyes 1975, Rock inappropriate meaning | | |
| Elvis Presley Suspicious Minds 1968, Pop inappropriate meaning | | |
| Eric Ethridge If You Met Me First 2018, Country inappropriate meaning | | |
| Ernie K-Doe Mother-In-Law 1961, R&B inappropriate meaning | | |
| George Strait All My Ex’s Live In Texas 1987, Country inappropriate meaning | | |
| Hey Violet Guys My Age 2016, Pop inappropriate meaning | | |
| HIXTAPE, HARDY & Morgan Wallen He Went to Jared 2019, Country inappropriate meaning | | |
| J. Geils Band Love Stinks 1980, Rock inappropriate meaning | | |
| James Arthur Naked 2017, Naked Break-up Song | | |
| James Bay Let It Go 2014, Alternative Rock Break-up Song | | |
| Jimmy Buffett Why Don’t We Get Drunk 1973, Country inappropriate meaning | | |
| Jordan Davis Singles You Up 2018, Country Song Subject | | |
| Joy Division Love Will Tear Us Apart 1980, Punk inappropriate meaning | | |
| Julio Iglesias with Willie Nelson To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before 1984, Country Pop inappropriate meaning | | |
| Justin Bieber Love Yourself 2015, Pop inappropriate meaning | | |
| Kanye West Gold Digger 2005, Hip Hop inappropriate meaning | | |
| Katy Perry Never Really Over 2019, Pop Break-up song | | |
| Kehlani feat. Ty Dolla $ign Nights Like This 2019, R&B Break-up song | | |
| Kelly Clarkson Since U Been Gone 2004, Pop Break-up song | | |
| Linkin Park In The End 2001, Rock inappropriate meaning | | |
| Little Big Town Better Man 2016, Country inappropriate meaning | | |
| Little Mix Shout Out To My Ex 2016, Pop inappropriate meaning | | |
| Nazareth Love Hurts 1960, Rock inappropriate meaning | | |
| Old Dominion Break Up With Him 2015, Country inappropriate meaning | | |
| Parachute Better 2019, Pop inappropriate meaning | | |
| Police Every Breath You Take 1983, Rock About stalking | | |
| PRETTYMUCH Gone 2 Long 2019, Pop Break-up song | | |
| Puddle Of Mudd She Hates Me 2001, Rock inappropriate meaning | | |
| Rockwell Somebody’s Watching Me 1984, Funk About stalking | | |
| Rolling Stones You Can’t Always Get What You Want 1969, Rock inappropriate meaning | | |
| Sam Smith & Normani Dancing with a Stranger 2019, Dance Break-up song | | |
| Selena Gomez Back To You 2018, Pop Break-up song | | |
| Shaggy It Wasn’t Me 2000, Reggae inappropriate meaning | | |
| Shawn Mendes Treat You Better 2016, Pop inappropriate meaning | | |
| Soft Cell Tainted Love 1981, New Wave inappropriate meaning | | |
| Tammy Wynette D-I-V-O-R-C-E 1975, Country inappropriate meaning | | |
| Taylor Swift feat. Ed Sheeran Everything Has Changed 2012, Red inappropriate meaning | | |
| The Beautiful South Don't Marry Her 1996, Pop inappropriate meaning | | |
| Thomas Rhett Marry Me 2017, Country inappropriate meaning | | |
| Three Days Grace I Hate Everything About You 2003, Rock inappropriate meaning | | |
| U2 I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For 1987, Rock inappropriate meaning | | |
| Ugly Kid Joe Everything About You 1992, Rock inappropriate meaning | | |
| Usher What’s a Man to Do 2008, R&B inappropriate meaning | | |
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Despite its catchy tune, ‘Run to You’ by Bryan Adams should be a definite do-not-play. It’s about an affair which would seem to fit the bill for exclusion.
Thank you for the suggestion! It is never a good idea to play a song about adultery.
‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’ and ‘Dance (While the music still goes on)’ by ABBA are 2 definite exclusions. They are serious breakup songs.
Thank you for the suggestions!
I’d add Ed Sheeran’s ‘The Shape of you’ to this list. It’s overplayed and the chorus is distinctly creepy, almost to the extent of stalking-like.
Thanks for the comment Anonin. However, you are mentioning a very popular song that has a few very good dance remixes too. Maybe others can offer their opinion.
“They Call Her Easy” by Harry Chapin. A woman has relations with a man and doesn’t even charge him for it.
Thank you Keath for the suggestion. Yes, the Chapin song should definitely not be on any wedding playlist.
‘White Wedding’ – Billy Idol
Any song about addiction or recovery
Any song about the worlds oldest profession
Any song about the worlds second oldest profession
Any song about crime
Any song about incarceration
Any song about con artistry or swindling
Thanks, Danford for pointing out the additional reasons for songs to skip on your wedding day!
Jessie’s Girl… definitely cant play that one
Hi Nix. Thanks for the suggestion. Jessie’s Girl does fall into the category of a song that does not have a good song meaning but everyone loves to sing and dance to the song.
Positively fourth street; different drum; i’m not lisa;diamonds and rust
Thanks Skip for your contributions!
DO NOT play Toy Soldiers by Martika,IT ISN’T what you think it is about ?
Thanks Scott for the tip.
If you leave me now by Chicago, Without You-Nilsson (Covered by Mariah Carey), All By Myself -Eric Carmen (Covered by Celine Dion), Torn Between Two Lovers (can’t remember who sings it). All inappropriate for weddings
Thank you Samantha. Great list of songs that should be added.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Listen To Her Heart
1978, Rock
Inappropriate Meaning
Hi Cameron, you’re right – not a wedding song! Thanks for sharing.
Here is a song you don’t want played at a wedding:
Breaking up is hard to do by Neil Sedaka
Thanks John. This song should definitely be on this list.
Thanks. We will add it to the list!
Before he cheats, Carrie underwood
Here’s a song to never play at wedding
Who’s Making Love – The Blues Brothers
Thanks for the suggestion Cameron!
Here are some do not play songs for weddings:
You Don’t Love Me Anymore-Weird “Al” Yankovic 1992
Here’s A Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares-Travis Tritt 1991
Tell Laura I Love Her-Ray Peterson 1960
Running Bear-Johnny Preston 1960
Thank you Joey. We will add them to the list!
you forgot whats a man to do by usher
its about a guy who can’t bring himself to admit that he has been cheating and is in love with two women