Cheesy Wedding Songs Not To Play (Corny To Overplayed)

When thinking of cheesy wedding songs, particular songs will always come to mind. The issue is that the meaning of cheesy means different things to different people.

When most people think of cheesy songs, they think about how the songs make them do stupid things like the Hokey Pokey and the Chicken Dance.

While others love the group interaction and the fun created when the Hokey Pokey and the Chicken Dance are played. Therefore, the issue is this.

If you want to see a complete list of songs to avoid, see our list of Do Not Play Songs at Weddings.

What makes Cheesy Wedding Songs?

According to the Urban Dictionary, cheesy is trying too hard, unsubtle, and inauthentic. Basically, songs that make you do actions that you do not want to do can be portrayed as being cheesy. Cliche songs are also seen as being cheesy due to them being overplayed at most weddings.

ongs that reflect a fake emotion are also determined to be cheesy. As a result, cheesy is in the eye of the beholder.

So, here is a list of some songs that we would categorize as cheesy wedding songs.

Cheesy Wedding Songs

Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On
This song is well overplayed and about living without a loved one that passed on.

Love was when I loved you
One true time I’d hold to
In my life, we’ll always go on

Baha Men – Who Let The Dogs Out
This song falls under being corny and inappropriate for a wedding.

Who let the dogs out?
Who, who, who, who, who?
Who let the dogs out?
Who, who, who, who, who?

Village People – Y.M.C.A.
The song has been played everywhere for every sporting event. There’s plenty of new dance songs to fill the dance floor.

They have everything for you men to enjoy
You can hang out with all the boys
It’s fun to stay at the YMCA

The spotlight should be on the bride and groom throughout their wedding. However, do you want the spotlight on you while performing these children’s songs?

The Emeralds – The Chicken Dance (Bird Dance)
Instrumental

Ray Anthony – The Hokey Pokey

Now put your right foot in
Your right foot out
Right foot in
Then you shake it all about

Los Del Rio – The Macarena
The pitfall of the Macarena was the sheer amount of times played on the radio and at every public event just to get public participation.

Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Hey Macarena

Brooks & Dunn – Boot Scootin’ Boogie
Most people who know how to line dance learned from this song while practicing over and over. The same goes for the song being played at weddings.

Oh Cadillac black Jack baby meet me outback we’re gonna boogie
Oh get down turn around go to town boot scootin’ boogie

Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive
Part of being cheesy is being fake. I will survive is about surviving after a breakup. No better example of a fake wedding song.

I should have changed that stupid lock, I should have made you leave your key
If I’d known for just one second you’d be back to bother me

Jive Bunny – Swing The Mood, and Grease Megamix
Most people love to hear their favorite songs, not just 15 seconds of it. If you are going to play a song at a wedding, don’t fake it play it in its entirety.

Any Milli Vanilli Song would be inappropriate at a wedding.
Milli Vanilli – Girl You Know It’s True

Yes, you know it’s true
Ooh, ooh, ooh, I love you

Any pre-recorded live music played at a wedding should be played by the band or music performers. Live pre-recorded songs should never be played at a wedding. You are not a concert and to do so would be cheesy.

Jazz music is great for background music for weddings. However, true Jazz fans do not consider Kenny G as a true Jazz artist but rather new age. So if you are looking for Jazz music, you may skip Kenny.

Staying away from hardcore rock and hardcore hip hop would also be a good idea. Try not to stray away too far from popular music. The worst wedding songs are the ones no one knows and will be seen as cheesy.

Final Thoughts

Discuss with your band or DJ what music makes you cringe so that the music is not played. However, keep in mind your guests too. If there is a song that will pack the dance floor (even the Chicken Dance) let the DJ play the song and guests will remember they had a great time at your wedding.