1997 was a year that offered up something for everyone who was searching for the perfect wedding song. There are choices from James Taylor, Elton John, and Tim McGraw to make your wedding day one to remember.

Best 1997 Wedding Songs

Something About the Way You Look Tonight – Sir Elton John

Released in September 1997 on the album The Big Picture

Sir Elton John followed up his success on the Lion King soundtrack with this sweet piano love ballad, a song that expresses the depth of a man’s emotion for his beautiful partner. The song is used in weddings as a part of the processional, and brides have even played it when they walk down the aisle.

Lyrics To Inspire You:

But it’s something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
The way you look tonight

How Do I Live – LeAnn Rimes

Released in May 1997 on the album You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs

LeAnn Rimes had possibly the biggest hit of her career with this 1997 love song that captures the need for one partner for another. The slow tempo of the song makes it suitable for many parts of a wedding ceremony, but most couples prefer to save it for that magical first dance together.

Lyrics To Inspire You:

How do I breathe without you if you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive
How do I, how do I, oh, how do I live

As Long as You Love Me – The Backstreet Boys

Released in September 1997 on the album Backstreet Boys

Few boy bands evoke the sense of nostalgia for 90s kids as well as The Backstreet Boys, and this was one of their biggest hits of the decade. Young couples that were born in this era like to add the song to their wedding reception playlist, and it also works well for introducing the married couple for the first time.

Lyrics To Inspire You:

Who you are
Where you’re from
Don’t care what you did
As long as you love me

Go the Distance – Michael Bolton

Released in May 1997 on the album Hercules Soundtrack

“Go the Distance” is one of the essential songs from the musical catalog of Michael Bolton, and it was used in the animated film Hercules. It is a song that speaks of how willing partners must be to create a new life together, and it is a reminder that going above and beyond for your new spouse is attached to the promises you will make on your wedding day.

Lyrics To Inspire You:

But to look beyond the glory is the hardest part
For a hero’s strength is measured by his heart

Like I Love You – Amy Grant

Released in September 1997 on the album Behind the Eyes

Amy Grant is a favorite for wedding couples who want to use wholesome music in their wedding ceremonies, and this song from 1997 captures the essence of true love like few others. It is often played while the wedding guests are seated, and it can also be saved for the cutting of the wedding cake.

Lyrics To Inspire You:

Ain’t nobody gonna make you cry
Ain’t nobody ever really tried to love
Like I love you

It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

Released in May 19997 on the album Everywhere

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have one of the most enduring romances in music, and they blend their voices into this beautiful 90s love ballad. The simple lyrics of the song are a straightforward dedication from one lover to another, and the song has been used as an alternative to the traditional wedding march.

Lyrics To Inspire You:

It’s your love
It just does something to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can’t get enough

Love Is the Right Place – Bryan White

Released in July 1997 on the album The Right Place

All couples want something meaningful to dance to at their wedding reception, and this song by country megastar Bryan White serves that purpose well. It’s a fun, lively love song that reaffirms how you and your new spouse have found a love that will keep you both secure as you move through life together.

Lyrics To Inspire You:

Now I wanna stay and everyday of my life I realize
That I’m in the right place, love is the right place

You’re Still the One – Shania Twain

Recorded 1997 – Released in January 1998 on the album Come On Over

This song from Shania Twain is often used in wedding ceremonies by couples who want to stress the forever vows that are made on their wedding day. Years later you will look back on this song fondly as you celebrate your wedding anniversaries with the growing assurance that you found the love of a lifetime.

Lyrics To Inspire You:

You’re still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You’re still the one I want for life

Here in My Heart – Chicago

Released in September 1997 on the album The Heart of Chicago 1967-1997

The majestic sound of the band Chicago is on full display in this classic love song sung by the band’s keyboardist, Bill Champlin. It is a song that will fill the wedding sanctuary with positive vibes of devotion, and couples generally prefer to incorporate it in the early parts of the wedding ceremony.

Lyrics To Inspire You:

What I’ve been feelin’ I can’t explain
Lost in the muse of your eyes
An’ I’m fallin’ so hard
Just like the rain

Love Is All We Need – Mary J. Blige feat. NAS

Released in March 1997 on the album Share My World

Mary J. Blige has many songs that are suitable for a wedding day playlist, and you will want to include this one as a dance tune at your reception. Now that you have found your lifetime love, what more do you need to navigate the challenging waters of life?

Lyrics To Inspire You:

Love is all we need (said it’s all we need)
To make everything complete
All we need is L-O-V-E

Truly Madly Deeply – Savage Garden

Released in March 1997 on the album Savage Garden

This song is perhaps the biggest hit recorded by Savage Garden, a duo that owned the 90s with tender love songs. Songs like this one are perfect wedding choices because they are so versatile and easily applied to wedding processionals, recessionals, and celebratory toasts to the new bride and groom.

Lyrics To Inspire You:

I’ll be your dream, I’ll be your wish, I’ll be your fantasy
I’ll be your hope, I’ll be your love, be everything that you need
I’ll love you more with every breath truly, madly, deeply

Valentine – Martina McBride and Jim Brickman

Released in September 1997 on the album Evolution

Martina McBride and Jim Brickman combined for some powerful 90s love songs, but this one is most often selected as a wedding tune by newlyweds. It speaks of how every day with the one you love is like Valentine’s Day, and if you happen to be saying your vows on February 14th there is no better wedding day choice.

Lyrics To Inspire You:

Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart
Until the end of time
You’re all I need, my love, my Valentine

Little More Time with You – James Taylor

Released in May 1997 on the album Hourglass

The soothing voice of James Taylor has been a wedding day favorite for many years, and he is at his finest on this 1997 classic. Taylor’s songs are often used as a part of the formal wedding ceremony because of their laid-back vibe, but this one has also been chosen for a dance between the bride and her father at the reception.

Lyrics To Inspire You:

I get high, I go lost and found, I get high oh I oh I,
Gotta spend just a little more time with you, I’ll be walking in the light

You Should Be Mine (Don’t Waste Your Time) – Brian McKnight feat. Mase

Released in August 1997 on the album Anytime

Brian McKnight is mostly known for slow-tempo love songs, but this hip-hop tune from 1997 is perfect for the wedding reception. It’s a song that will encourage everyone to dance, but the lyrics retain all the sentimentality that you want your wedding day song choices to have.

Lyrics To Inspire You:

I wanna love you like you need to be loved
(I won’t ever let you down
I’ll always be around)
And you should be mine

What About Us? – Total feat. Missy Elliott and Timbaland

Released in August 1997 on the album Soul Food Soundtrack

The girl group Total benefited from guest vocals by Missy Elliott on this dance tune that couples like to groove to on the wedding day. Every wedding needs a few lively songs, and this one has even been used for a send-off when the celebration draws to a close.

Lyrics To Inspire You:

What about you, what about me
What about us, what we gon’ do

One More Time – Real McCoy

Released in March 1997 on the album One More Time

This song was one of the few hits for the German dance band Real McCoy, and it is a favorite of couples that want to include some techno-pop in their wedding receptions. The song is a great choice to play as you and your new partner are introduced for the first time as a man and wife.

Lyrics To Inspire You:

I’ll put a spell on you baby
I will make you come and play me
I’m gonna make you mine
Let’s do it one more time

Your Woman – White Town

Released in January 1997 on the album Women in Technology

Those who want something a little bit different for their wedding day will want to consider this song by White Town, an often-overlooked band of the 1990s. Many brides like to use it for a special dance selection with their new spouse on their wedding day.

Lyrics To Inspire You:

Well I guess what you say is true
I could never be the right kind of girl for you
I could never be your woman

Tip

Next, see a list of the best 1998 wedding songs.

Celebrating weddings in 1997. Where were you and what was happening?

If you were one of the weddings in 1997

Congratulations on your wedding of 1997. You share your anniversary with the following events.

Music Highlights of 1997

Grammy’s Song of 1997: Change The World – Eric Clapton
Toni Braxton – I Don’t Want To
Sheryl Crow – Everyday Is A Winding Road
Ginuwine – Pony
White Town – Your Woman
Chumbawamba – Tubthumping
Various Artists – The Jock Jam
Montell Jordan – What’s On Tonight
Bruce Springsteen – Secret Garden
Seal – Fly Like An Eagle
Mr. President – Coco Jamboo
Aqua – Barbie Girl
DJ Kool – Let Me Clear My Throat
Elton John – Candle In The Wind 1997
Jewel – You Were Meant For Me
Puff Daddy – I’ll Be Missing You
Puff Daddy – Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down
R Kelly – I Believe I Can Fly
Mark Morrison – Return Of The Mack
LeAnn Rimes – How Do I Live
Spice Girls – Wanna Be
Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)
Hanson – MMMBop
Monica – For You, I Will
Usher – You Make Me Wanna
Third Eye Blind – Semi-Charmed Life
Duncan Sheik – Barely Breathing
Notorious B.I.G. – Mo Money Mo Problems
Verve Pipe – The Freshman
Savage Garden – I Want You
Robyn – Do You Know (What It Takes)
Boyz II Men – 4 Seasons Of Loneliness
Freak Nasty – Da’ Dip
Paula Cole – Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?
Shawn Colvin – Sunny Came Home
Tim McGraw And Faith Hill – It’s Your Love
Gina G – Ooh Aah…Just A Little Bit
98 Degrees – Invisible Man
Foxy Brown – I’ll Be
Journey – When You Love A Woman

Celebrity Weddings of 1997

Gary Oldman and model Donya Fiorentino
Jennifer Lopez and Ojani Noa
Sarah McLachlan and Ashwin Sood
In Las Vegas, The band Oasis’ Noel Gallagher married Meg Mathews at the Little Church of the West.

News Highlights of 1997

The Simpsons surpassed The Flintstones as the longest-running prime-time animated series.
Tara Lipinski, 14, becomes the youngest women’s world figure skating champion.
Diana, Princess of Wales, is killed in a car crash.
The domain of Google is registered.
Telecoms WorldCom and MCI Communications announce a merger to form MCI WorldCom (the largest merger in US history).