The Rolling Stones Wedding Songs: Rock Swagger and Soulful Classics
The Rolling Stones bring a unique “cool” factor to any wedding playlist. While they are world-famous for their high-energy stadium anthems, their “softer” side provides some of the most authentic and soulful moments for ceremonies and first dances. Whether you want the sophisticated groove of “Beast of Burden” or the timeless beauty of “Wild Horses,” the Stones offer a level of musical prestige that turns a wedding into an event.
- Timeless Swagger: Iconic riffs and rhythms that get every generation moving.
- Soulful Authenticity: Raw, honest lyrics that feel more personal than “polished” pop.
- The Ultimate Mix: Perfectly bridges the gap between Classic Rock, Blues, and Disco.
Soulful Ceremonies & “Cool” Processionals
- The Ethereal Arrival: “She’s A Rainbow.” With its beautiful piano opening and psychedelic-pop charm, this is a stunning, vibrant choice for a bridal processional.
- The Intimate Vow: “Wild Horses.” One of the greatest ballads ever recorded. Its message of unshakable devotion makes it an elite choice for a ceremony interlude or a heartfelt acoustic processional.
- The Triumphant Exit: “Happy.” For a high-energy recessional, nothing beats the joyful, driving horns and Keith Richards’ vocal on this track. It’s the perfect “Just Married” anthem.
- The Hidden Gem: “Loving Cup.” A soulful, gospel-tinged track about being a “loving cup” for your partner. It’s a sophisticated and deep-cut choice for a ceremony or a processional.
Sophisticated First Dances & Slow Grooves
- The “Partnership” Anthem: “Beast of Burden.” This is the definition of a “cool” slow dance. Its mid-tempo groove and lyrics about mutual support and respect make it a modern favorite for a non-traditional first dance.
- Classic Romance: “Angie.” For a bride with the name, it’s a must. For everyone else, it’s a beautiful, string-laden ballad that feels cinematic and deeply romantic.
- Soulful Devotion: “Sweethearts Together.” A rare, purely positive love song from the band with a slight Caribbean flair. It’s a perfect, lighthearted first dance choice.
- The Deep Connection: “Waiting On A Friend.” A smooth, melodic track that celebrates the foundational friendship of a marriage. Great for a relaxed first dance or a late-night slow set.
High-Energy Receptions & Floor Fillers
- The “Hype” Entrance: “Start Me Up.” Perhaps the most famous guitar intro in rock history. It is the gold standard for a high-impact wedding party grand entrance.
- The Disco-Rock Bridge: “Miss You.” With its iconic bassline and disco beat, this is a guaranteed floor-filler that connects with both rock fans and dance music lovers.
- The Sing-Along Essential: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” A universal anthem. When that fuzz-guitar riff hits, the dance floor instantly ignites with guests of all ages.
- The Late-Night Legend: “Honky Tonk Women.” A cowbell-driven masterpiece. It’s the perfect track to get the party into high gear during the peak hours of the reception.
DJ Expert Tips: Mastering the Stones Experience
- The “Satisfaction” Drop: Have your DJ play the iconic riff at full volume before the wedding party enters the room. That specific sound creates an instant Pavlovian response of excitement for guests.
- Instrumental Sophistication: If you love the Stones but want a more formal vibe for dinner, look for instrumental string covers of “Paint It, Black” or “Wild Horses.” It maintains the “cool” without the grit.
- Watch the Length: Songs like “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” are masterpieces, but can run over 7 minutes. Have your DJ start the track at the 1:00 mark (after the choir intro) or fade out early to keep the reception energy moving.
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The Rolling Stones Highest-Ranking Billboard Hits
UK
- #1 It’s All Over Now, 1964
- #1 Little Red Rooster, 1964
- #1 The Last Time, 1965
- #1 (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, 1965
- #1 Get Off of My Cloud, 1965
- #1 Paint It Black, 1966
- #1 Jumpin’ Jack Flash, 1968
- #1 Honky Tonk Women, 1969
- #2 19th Nervous Breakdown, 1966
- #2 Brown Sugar, 1971
- #3 Not Fade Away, 1964
- #3 Let’s Spend the Night Together, 1967
- #3 Ruby Tuesday, 1967
- #3 Miss You, 1978
- #5 Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadow?, 1966
- #5 Tumbling Dice, 1972
- #5 Angie, 1973
- #6 Fool to Cry, 1976
- #7 Start Me Up, 1981
- #8 We Love You, 1967
- #8 Dandelion, 1967
- #9 Emotional Rescue, 1980
- #10 It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It), 1974
- #11 Undercover of the Night, 1983
- #12 I Wanna Be Your Man, 1963
- #12 Like a Rolling Stone (Live), 1995
- #13 Harlem Shuffle, 1986
- #14 Love Is Strong, 1994
- #14 Sympathy for the Devil (Remix), 2003
- #15 Streets of Love, 2005
Wedding Hits
#1 Paint It, Black
Released in 1966 on the album Aftermath
Paint It, Black reached number one on the Billboard Top 100 in 1966. In the US, it was the first number-one single to feature the sitar instrument.
I look inside myself
And see my heart is black
I see my red door
I must have it painted black
#2 Gimme Shelter
Released in 1969 on the album Let It Bleed
A song that signified the times of the Vietnam War and violence.
A flood is threatening
My very life today
Gimme, gimme shelter
Or I’m gonna fade away
#3 Sympathy For The Devil
Released in 1973 on the album Beggars Banquet
The song looks at life from Lucifer’s point of view.
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name, oh yeah
Ah, what’s puzzling you
Is the nature of my game
#4 Brown Sugar
Released in 1971 on the album Sticky Fingers
One of the greatest guitar songs of all time too!
Brown Sugar, how come you taste so good
Brown Sugar, just like a black girl should
#5 You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Released in 1969 on the album Honky Tonk Woman (A-Side)
You can’t always get what you want but hopefully, you get what you need. A bit uplifting at the same time a slap in the face of reality.
I saw her today at the reception
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she was gonna meet her connection
At her feet was her footloose man
#6 Start Me Up
Released in 1981 on the album Tattoo You
You make a grown man cry
Spread out the oil, the gasoline
I walk smooth, ride in a mean, mean machine
Start it up
#7 Honky Tonk Woman
Released in 1965 on the album You Can’t Always Get What You Want (B-Side)
It’s the honky tonk women
Gimme, gimme, gimme the honky tonk blues
#8 Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Released in 1968 on the album Child of the Moon (B-Side)
I was crowned with a spike right thru my head
But it’s all right now, in fact, it’s a gas
But it’s all right, I’m Jumpin’ Jack Flash
#9 I Can’t Get No (Satisfaction)
Released in 1965 on the album Out of Our Heads
Not a theme for weddings but I have found it as a great sing-along song.
That’s what I say, I can’t get no, I can’t get no
I can’t get no satisfaction, no satisfaction
#10 Wild Horses
Released in 1971 on the album Sticky Fingers
One of the band’s most popular songs for the first dance for the newlyweds.
You know I can’t let you
Slide through my hands
Wild horses
Couldn’t drag me away
The Rolling Stones Spotify Playlist
Do you have a favorite Rolling Stones song? Please share your song below in the comments!
