1989 was the final year of one of music’s greatest decades. The era was powerfully closed by artists such as Quincy Jones, Taylor Dayne, Madonna, and Cher. Though the 80s music now can be defined as classic, here are some timeless 1989 wedding songs that will add nostalgia to your special day.
Best Wedding Songs of 1989
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Don’t Know Much – Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville
September 1989, Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind
You could say that Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville were born to sing together given the perfection that they created with this iconic love song. It says everything that a couple could want to express on their wedding day, and it should be used as a focal point of the ceremony.
I don’t know much
But I know I love you
And that may be
All I need to know
Every Day (I Love You More) – Jason Donovan
August 1989, Ten Good Reasons
Jason Donovan was a popular Australian singer in the 1980s. This huge hit for the young superstar is made for dancing at your wedding reception, and it also works well as a send-off song when you and your partner depart the festivities.
Don’t you know by now
My love is real
Oh every day
My love is stronger
And every day in every way
I love you more
Young Love (Strong Love) – The Judds
February 1989, River of Time
The Judds were one of country music‘s all-time great duos, and they poured their heart and soul into the lyrics of this tender ballad that follows the love affair of a couple as they grow old together. If ever you wanted the perfect song for the first dance with your partner, this is it.
Young love, strong love, true love
It’s a new love
Their gonna make it through the hard times
Walk those lines
yeah these ties will bind
If Tomorrow Never Comes – Garth Brooks
August 1989, Garth Brooks
Country superstar Garth Brooks’ early career was defined by this tender ballad about the importance of showing a partner love. It’s a song that will remind you to make the most of each day with your new spouse.
If tomorrow never comes
Will she know how much I loved her?
Did I try in every way to show her every day
That she’s my only one?
All I Want Is Forever – Regina Belle and J.T. Taylor
1989, Tap
Regina Belle and J.T. Taylor joined together on this soulful and slow-moving ballad from 1989. Many couples choose a song like this for their wedding recessional instead of the traditional music, and it could also find a place on the reception playlist.
I don’t need much you see
Just need eternity
Yeah to be with you
Yes to be with you
Forever
If You Asked Me To – Patti LaBelle
June 1989, Be Yourself
Patti LaBelle delivered the perfect 1989 wedding song with this hit that has also been covered by Celine Dion. Don’t be surprised to find out that many brides elect to have their wedding party enter the chapel while this song plays before the Bridal March.
If you asked me to
I just might give my heart
And stay here in your arms forever
Soul Provider – Michael Bolton
June 1989, Soul Provider
Michael Bolton is never a bad idea if you need a recorded piece of music for your wedding. “Soul Provider” is about a partner’s promise to take care of the one they love, and it is often used in the wedding ceremony before unity candles are lit.
Baby, I wanna be soul provider
Baby, I wanna stay that way for the longest time
One – The Bee Gees
June 1989, One
This Bee Gees classic is all about what it means to find the person that you want to be with forever. It is appropriate for many parts of your wedding, but it especially makes a great processional if you are looking for something non-traditional.
Like the wind that feeds the fire, two souls become entwined
Someday baby you and I should be one
After All – Cher and Peter Cetera (Love Theme from Chances Are)
February 1989, Heart of Stone
Have you stopped to think about all of the twists and turns that led you to this special moment when you will join another in matrimony? This song by Cher and Peter Cetera expresses how low truly conquers all, and it is soft enough to be played just before you say your vows.
After all that we’ve been through
It all comes down to me and you
I guess it’s meant to be, forever you and me, after all
With Every Beat of My Heart – Taylor Dayne
October 1989, Can’t Fight Fate
Every wedding reception needs some lively dance music, especially ones that relate to love everlasting and true. Taylor Dayne sings about loving someone with her whole being, just the kind of message that you want to convey on your wedding day.
With every beat of my heart now
I know we’re getting closer
To love with every beat
Cherish – Madonna
August 1989, Like a Prayer
No one defined the 80s like Madonna, and this hit from the pop goddess has been a favorite for weddings since it was released. It’s a little too upbeat for the main part of a wedding ceremony, but it makes a great recessional song.
Cherish the thought
Of always having you here by my side
Oh baby, I cherish the joy
You keep bringing it into my life
When I See You Smile – Bad English
September 1989, Bad English
Power ballads were a creation of 80s music, and Bad English had one of the biggest with this song penned by legendary songwriter Diane Warren. Warren’s lyrics and John Waite’s vocals combine to deliver the perfect wedding song.
When I see you smile
I can face the world
Oh oh, you know I can do anything
When I see you smile
It’s the Real Thing – Angela Winbush
May 1989, The Real Thing
Angela Winbush might not be a familiar name, but her song from 1989 is still chosen by wedding partners for their reception. The song is an affirmation of true love and the sincerity of emotions that fill a wedding day.
Just hold on tight and make it last
Hold on tight and make it last
It’s the real thing
Your Sweetness – The Good Girls
1989, All for Your Love
This tune from The Good Girls is a little bit on the racy side, so couples will probably want to include it in their wedding wisely. Nothing is wrong with a little bit of steam when it comes to celebrating after you say your vows.
Something about your love
It drives me crazy
It daze me
Church on Cumberland Road – Shenandoah
January 1989, The Road Not Taken
Country band Shenandoah will bring a little bit of fun to your reception when you have the DJ spin this 1989 hit. It’s a song that is made for group dances, and it pokes a little bit of fun at wedding day jitters.
Cutest little girl that I ever have known
Waitin’ at the church on Cumberland Road
A Woman in Love – Ronnie Milsap
September 1989, Stranger Things Have Happened
Many people don’t know that country artist Ronnie Milsap began his career as a doo-wop musician in the 1950s. He brings that vibe to this song which perfectly describes how a woman will feel on her wedding day.
She’s a lady, she’s a child
She’ll make you crazy, she’ll drive you wild
Do you give in or do you just give up
You never know with a woman in love
You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
May 1989, Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two
A few songs from the 1980s were specifically written as wedding songs, and this hit from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is one of them. The lyrics speak of the magical memories that you and your partner will make together as the years go by.
Tomorrow’s the day
My bride’s gonna come
Oh, oh, are we gonna fly
Down in the easy chair
I’ll Be Good To You – Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan, and Ray Charles
September 1989, Back on the Block
Three of the most iconic R&B voices joined together on this musical promise of love. Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan, and Ray Charles are a trio that can bring chills to wedding guests with this lyrical promise to have and to hold from this day forward.
Good to you, good to you, good to you
I’ll be good to you, I’ll be good to you, good to you
Here We Are – Gloria Estefan
December 1989, Cuts Both Ways
Gloria Estefan could easily be named the most powerful female vocalist of the 80s, and her talents are on full display in this moving ballad. It is a song about a couple finding themselves on the edge of eternity and moving forward in love and trust.
Baby when you’re loving me
I feel like I could cry
‘Cause there’s nothing I can do
To keep from loving you
Right Here Waiting – Richard Marx
June 1989, Repeat Offender
Richard Marx sang to the best of his ability on this seminal hit from 1989, a song that declares the intention of a man to always be there for his bride. It can be used in a number of settings, but most couples prefer to have it played as a part of the formal wedding ceremony.
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you
I Drove All Night – Cyndi Lauper
April 1989, A Night to Remember
Cyndi Lauper had a hit in 1989 with this song that later became a staple of Celine Dion’s Las Vegas residency. The song is about the lengths one will go to in order to be with the one they love.
Could taste your sweet kisses
Your arms open wide
This fever for you is just burning me up inside
I Will Be Here – Steven Curtis Chapman
October 1989, More to This Life
Contemporary Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman wrote this song especially for couples saying their wedding vows. It has an enduring appeal and is a high point of weddings today where it is often spoken instead of play with music.
I will be here when the laughter turns to cryin’
Through the winning, losing and tryin’
We’ll be together ’cause I will be here
Also, check out our list of the best 1980s wedding songs.
Celebrating wedding songs of 1989. Where were you and what was happening?
If you were one of the weddings in 1989…
Congratulations on your wedding of 1989. You share your anniversary with the following events.
Celebrity Weddings of 1989
- Dorothea Hurley wed Jon Bon Jovi
- Hugh Laurie wed Jo Green
- George Clooney wed Talia Balsam
- Camilla Malmquist wed Morten Harket
- Cynthia Rhodes wed Richard Marx
News Highlights of 1989
- Lieut. Col. Oliver North goes on trial for the Iran-contra coverup.
- On Tuesday, January 3, the Arsenio Hall Show premieres.
- Baseball great Pete Rose is permanently banned from the game of baseball by Commissioner A Bartlett Giamatti.
- Germans begin to dismantle the Berlin Wall, starting a process that will end in the unification of East and West Germany.
- The worst oil spill in U.S. history occurs when the tanker Exxon Valdez hits a submerged reef in Prince William SOund, Alaska.
- On October 17, an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter Scale rocks the San Francisco Bay area.
1989 Sports Champions:
- The Oakland A’s win the World Series over the San Francisco Giants.
- Super Bowl XXIII – San Francisco 49ers won 20-16 over the Cincinnati Bengals.
- The Detroit Pistons win the NBA Title over the Los Angeles Lakers.
- The Calgary Flames win the Stanley Cup over the Montreal Canadiens.
Music Highlights of 1989
- Grammy’s Song of 1989: Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
- Will To Power – Baby, I Love Your Way
- Paula Abdul – Cold Hearted
- Poison – Every Rose Has It’s Thorn
- Milli Vanilli – Girl You Know It’s True
- Anita Baker – Giving You The Best That I Got
- Chicago – Look Away
- Janet Jackson – Miss You Much
- Bobby Brown – My Prerogative
- Paula Abdul – Straight Up
- Phil Collins – Another Day In Paradise
- Mike + The Mechanics – The Living Years
- Debbie Gibson – Lost In Your Eyes
- The Bangles – Eternal Flame
- Roxette – The Look
- Fine Young Cannibals – She Drives Me Crazy
- Paula Abdul – Forever Your Girl
- Bon Jovi – I’ll Be There For You
- Madonna – Like A Prayer
- Michael Damian – Rock On
- New Kids On The Block – I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)
- Milli Vanilli – Baby Don’t Forget My Number
- Fine Young Cannibals – Good Thing
- Simply Red – If You Don’t Know Me By Now
- Richard Marx – Satisfied
- Martika – Toy Soldiers
- Gloria Estefan – Don’t Wanna Lose You
- New Kids On The Block – Hangin’ Tough
- Richard Marx – Right Here Waiting
- Roxette – Listen To Your Heart
- Michael Bolton – How Am I Supposed To Live Without You
- Bad English – When I See You Smile
- Milli Vanilli – Blame It On The Rain
- Billy Joel – We Didn’t Start The Fire
- Paula Abdul – Opposites Attract
Entertainment Highlights of 1989
- Best Picture: Rain Man: Mark Johnson
- Best Actor: Dustin Hoffman – Rain Man
- Best Actress: Jodie Foster – The Accused
Top Television Shows:
- A Different World, America’s Funniest Home Videos, Cheers, The Cosby Show, Empty Nest, The Golden Girls, NFL Monday Night Football, Rodeanne, 60 Minutes, The Wonder Years
Learn more about 1989 on Wikipedia. Thank you for visiting our page – wedding songs of 1989.
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