We're going to a wedding in May and my other half was asked to sing a song by the bride (his best friend). We've been wracking our brains for weeks about the right song to sing for this occasion but nothing seems to fit.
The couple (man and woman) are in their thirties and kinda mainstream/pop/eighties inclined musically speaking. Also German is their first language and 90% of the people there are going to be German so the song would have to be quite well known.
Thought about all sorts of songs -from oldies like Stand by Me to newer 'classics' by artists like The Pretenders, INXS and Cyndi Lauper.
Any ideas?
Oh.. -and it needs to be something he can sing along to an acoustic guitar. :)
I did this very thing myself. I wrote and recorded a wedding song for a friend. People cried. End of auto-back patting.
So it's your guy on acoustic singing a song about love for the newlyweds and their guests? These uncomplicated 80's songs about people in love ought to work well for that occasion:
Wind Beneath My Wings on an acoustic guitar is quite lovely. It'll please young and old alike. The writer, Lee Greenwood, had a country hit with it, then some time later Bette Midler had a hit with it as well.
It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that's your way.
You always walked a step behind.
So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.
Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you.
Did you ever know that you're my hero?
You're everything I wish I could be.
I could fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
Did I ever tell you you're my hero?
You're everything, everything I wish I could be.
Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
Oh, the wind beneath my wings.
You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings.
Fly, fly, fly away. You let me fly so high.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.
Fly, fly, fly high against the sky,
so high I almost touch the sky.
Thank you, thank you,
thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.
Just Like Heaven -- The Cure (slow it down and get creative with the chords)
The one that makes me scream" she said
"The one that makes me laugh" she said
And threw her arms around my neck
"Show me how you do it
And I promise you I promise that
I'll run away with you
I'll run away with you"
Spinning on that dizzy edge
I kissed her face and kissed her head
And dreamed of all the different ways I had
To make her glow
"Why are you so far away?" she said
"Why won't you ever know that I'm in love with you
That I'm in love with you"
You
Soft and only
You
Lost and lonely
You
Strange as angels
Dancing in the deepest oceans
Twisting in the water
You're just like a dream
Daylight licked me into shape
I must have been asleep for days
And moving lips to breathe her name
I opened up my eyes
And found myself alone alone
Alone above a raging sea
That stole the only girl I loved
And drowned her deep inside of me
You
Soft and only
You
Lost and lonely
You
Just like heaven
You Mean More To Me -- Lionel Ritchie (they won't see this one coming but a soulful rendition will hook even the first time listener)
than words can ever say
Just to hold your hand
and to know our love will stay
feels so right
you're in my arms, my love
tonight
Oh you,
You mean more to me
than any love I've ever known
And I want to give you all my love
just you alone
Oh
You're all my dreams come true
there's so much joy in your eyes
and all the love you give
you've finally made me realize
you're all I need
Oh you
You mean more to me
than words can ever say.
I wouldn't do a song that's overly specific in its narration. It needs to be about love and lovers in general... so everyone can feel it. Making a lasting emotional impact (a positive one--don't play anything by Savatage) is the only mission at hand.
Something by Air Supply might go over well.
I went lyric for lyric with Air Supply and had trouble finding something ideal.
My first thought was Even The Night Are Better and Lost in Love but the stories they tell didn't feel right.
Did you have any songs in mind, Wicht?
GAAAAAH! AirSupply?!? Oh, its for a wedding. ok (I guess).
How about the last minute and a half of "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meat Loaf? HA!
Ill come back with a serious answer after Ive had some dinner.
...as far as recognizability goes, most of the songs mentioned here so far draw a blank for me (I might recognize them if I heard them though).
How's your other half's German? "Er gehört zu mir" would be rather curious song with acoustic guitar :)
...as far as recognizability goes, most of the songs mentioned here so far draw a blank for me (I might recognize them if I heard them though).
How's your other half's German? "Er gehört zu mir" would be rather curious song with acoustic guitar :)
Well, he’s a Brit like me but was one of those army kids so he’s lived all over the world –he’s been speaking German since the age of fourteen or something (now 33). I asked if he’d sing something in German but he would be too self conscious I think what with everyone else being native.
We got the guests to sing, "My Ding-a-ling" by Chuck Berry at our wedding. Not romantic, but very funny, especially since the bar had been open for a while.
That’s got to be one of the most suggestive songs ever! :D
I did this very thing myself. I wrote and recorded a wedding song for a friend. People cried. End of auto-back patting.
So it's your guy on acoustic singing a song about love for the newlyweds and their guests? These uncomplicated 80's songs about people in love ought to work well for that occasion:
Wind Beneath My Wings on an acoustic guitar is quite lovely. It'll please young and old alike. The writer, Lee Greenwood, had a country hit with it, then some time later Bette Midler had a hit with it as well.
** spoiler omitted **
Just Like Heaven -- The Cure (slow it down and get...
Great advice –cheers! That Lionel Ritchie track has perfect lyrics! Thanks a ton.
How about the last minute and a half of "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meat Loaf? HA!Ill come back with a serious answer after Ive had some dinner.
Heh, Meatloaf -that guy has been echoing around the outskirts of my life since I was born! The crowd may be a little young for him but great tip. My uncle died last year -he was an old school rocker and he had I would do anything for love played and dedicated to his wife, it was one of the most emotional things I've ever experienced.
Thanks everyone -got plenty to work with now methinks. ;)
They say every song ever written is about love, yet who would have thought it would be so hard to find a song that fits a wedding?! :O
I would like Closer by NIN sang to me if I ever get married but all sweet and ballady. ;) I can imagine the looks upon the faces of Auntie Doris and Uncle Alec now lol! -So worth it. :D