60 Songs Not To Play At A Wedding
2020
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. We provide the songs below as a guide. However, many of the songs are popular songs by many. So use your best judgment and your desired wedding. Below are our suggested
Songs To Add To Your DO NOT PLAY List
Last Updated: January 6, 2020
Why not play songs at weddings?
- 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 radio version of all songs to be played at a wedding.
- Do not play songs that pertain to death. Do not play songs that reference suicide. Songs in this category include Don’t Close Your Eyes by Kix and Jumper by Third Eye Blind.
- 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 the music that is suggestive or offensive. Just A Gigolo by David Lee Roth is a great song for the garter removal or garter placement. However, is this song really appropriate for a wedding? 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.
You must decide if both of you would like group dances to be played at your reception. Some people do not like such dances as they consider them goofy and/or well overplayed at wedding receptions. Popular group dance songs that are played at many wedding receptions include the Macarena by Los Del Rio, Chicken Dance, and the Hokey Pokey. If you feel the same, add the songs to your songs not to play at the wedding.
Creating a “Do Not Play List” for your music entertainment is a requirement for your wedding reception. The list will help your entertainer in deciding 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, but they also must have leeway to keep the dance floor full with all your wedding guests.
Embed This Image On Your Site (copy code below):
Many people feel the money/dollar dance is inappropriate at a wedding reception. The reasoning is because guests are expected to bring a present and to ask for more money in the dollar dance is greedy. If you feel the same, add the songs to your songs not to play at the wedding. However, others feel it is a great way to have multiple ones on one conversation with many guests.
Songs Not To Play At Weddings song list curated by Matthew Campbell
‘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