Like Rick Astley, but without the Meme
June 25, 2013 2:14 PM Subscribe
I'm getting married next week. Eeep! I've scoured the archives, but am still looking for the right song to end the ceremony. Special snowflake details inside.
We want to end our ceremony on a sing-along. We've seen previous posts, but still haven't found it.
Ideally, we want a pop hit that pretty much everyone knows. We'll err on the side of cheesy in order to get people to stand up and sing. We've ruled out "When I'm 64" because it's not really a pop hit. "Here Comes the Sun" is more our speed, but reminds us too much of laundry detergent commercials.
Something from the 80s or later would be great, but it doesn't really matter as long as it's something people could easily sing and definitely not a break-up song. We're also not into disco songs, but we do want it to be upbeat and signal that the ceremony is over and it's time to start drinking, eating, and generally being at a party.
Honestly, "Never Gonna Give You Up" would be perfect, but we don't really want to reference the meme.
Can anyone think of something in that vein, but not previously used to torment the internet?
We want to end our ceremony on a sing-along. We've seen previous posts, but still haven't found it.
Ideally, we want a pop hit that pretty much everyone knows. We'll err on the side of cheesy in order to get people to stand up and sing. We've ruled out "When I'm 64" because it's not really a pop hit. "Here Comes the Sun" is more our speed, but reminds us too much of laundry detergent commercials.
Something from the 80s or later would be great, but it doesn't really matter as long as it's something people could easily sing and definitely not a break-up song. We're also not into disco songs, but we do want it to be upbeat and signal that the ceremony is over and it's time to start drinking, eating, and generally being at a party.
Honestly, "Never Gonna Give You Up" would be perfect, but we don't really want to reference the meme.
Can anyone think of something in that vein, but not previously used to torment the internet?
"Get Lucky" by Daft Punk
posted by 4ster at 2:18 PM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by 4ster at 2:18 PM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
Last.fm suggests some 'similar tracks':
posted by robertc at 2:19 PM on June 25, 2013
- Rick Astley - Together Forever
- Culture Club - Karma Chameleon
- Wham! - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
- Spandau Ballet - True
- Starship - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now
- Cutting Crew - (I Just) Died in Your Arms
posted by robertc at 2:19 PM on June 25, 2013
If I were you, I would probably do Madonna's "Like a Prayer," though it kind of errs toward religiosity if that's not your bag.
posted by gone2croatan at 2:25 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by gone2croatan at 2:25 PM on June 25, 2013
Response by poster: Like a Prayer is a great song! I'm pretty at peace with my Catholic upbringing at this point, but I can't hear that song and not think about blow jobs. Seeing our parents, aunts and uncles sing it to us might make me giggle so hard that I fall over in my dress.
posted by ohisee at 2:34 PM on June 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by ohisee at 2:34 PM on June 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
Best answer: heaven is a place on earth or mad about you by Belinda Carlisle?
I would personally find danger zone by Kenny Loggins to be hilarious in this context.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 2:34 PM on June 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
I would personally find danger zone by Kenny Loggins to be hilarious in this context.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 2:34 PM on June 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
All You Need is Love is perhaps a bit on the nose, but popular and fun. I don't know if this is Boston specific, but anything by Journey always brings the house down here - Don't Stop Believing, maybe?
posted by hungrybruno at 2:38 PM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by hungrybruno at 2:38 PM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
On Like a Prayer... and Madona, it got me thinking to an old list I saw so I dug it up...
Here is a list of Twenty Songs You Should Not Play at a Wedding. I originally misremembered Like a Prayer on the list; however, it was Papa Don't Preach.
posted by Nanukthedog at 2:39 PM on June 25, 2013
Here is a list of Twenty Songs You Should Not Play at a Wedding. I originally misremembered Like a Prayer on the list; however, it was Papa Don't Preach.
posted by Nanukthedog at 2:39 PM on June 25, 2013
I know these are not "pop hits" but some of Frank Sinatra's memorable stuff might fit the bill. "My Way" or "Strangers in the Night" or even "Fly Me to the Moon" - appropriate, fun, definitely plausible for a sing-along...
posted by RedOrGreen at 2:43 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by RedOrGreen at 2:43 PM on June 25, 2013
What's so Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding? --Elvis Costello
posted by pompelmo at 2:46 PM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by pompelmo at 2:46 PM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
I would lose my shit if I was at a wedding and the couple chose this as their walk-out song:
Pat Benatar - We Belong
posted by missjenny at 2:51 PM on June 25, 2013 [6 favorites]
Pat Benatar - We Belong
posted by missjenny at 2:51 PM on June 25, 2013 [6 favorites]
My best friend actually did use Hootie And the Blowfish for the recessional at her wedding. No singalong, but it was kinda sweet.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:12 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:12 PM on June 25, 2013
I was thinking along the lines of Hall & Oates, but I don't know if their best songs are about successful relationships. Haha.
If it doesn't need to be about love, necessarily, maybe Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi or Don't Stop Believing by Journey.
Maybe a Disney song from Aladdin or Lion King? Doesn't everyone knows those?
I feel like everyone knows "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston and it will let everyone really belt it. But of course, it's a slower song.
You could do an ironic song like "We Are The Champions" by Queen, like you've won life by finding each other? Haha.
Maybe looking at #1 hits will help: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_number-one_hits_%28United_States%29#Hot_100_era
I'd personally go with "This Is How We Do It" by Montell Jordan. Haha.
posted by AppleTurnover at 3:23 PM on June 25, 2013
If it doesn't need to be about love, necessarily, maybe Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi or Don't Stop Believing by Journey.
Maybe a Disney song from Aladdin or Lion King? Doesn't everyone knows those?
I feel like everyone knows "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston and it will let everyone really belt it. But of course, it's a slower song.
You could do an ironic song like "We Are The Champions" by Queen, like you've won life by finding each other? Haha.
Maybe looking at #1 hits will help: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_number-one_hits_%28United_States%29#Hot_100_era
I'd personally go with "This Is How We Do It" by Montell Jordan. Haha.
posted by AppleTurnover at 3:23 PM on June 25, 2013
Best answer: We used "In My Life" by the Beatles. There was spontaneous hugging and singalong. It remains a very sweet memory for me.
posted by gnutron at 3:42 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by gnutron at 3:42 PM on June 25, 2013
I feel like everyone knows "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston and it will let everyone really belt it.
A vote against this song - if you read the lyrics, they're not really about "yay we got married and I will always love you", they're about "you're breaking up with me but I'll always love you even though we're broken up". Not so much with the wedding stuff.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:48 PM on June 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
A vote against this song - if you read the lyrics, they're not really about "yay we got married and I will always love you", they're about "you're breaking up with me but I'll always love you even though we're broken up". Not so much with the wedding stuff.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:48 PM on June 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: So many good suggestions! Thanks everyone!
Don't Stop Believing was on the list, but it takes a while to really pick up and is actually kind of melancholy.
I love Pat Benatar, but We Belong has a complicated cadence and will be hard for people who don't already know the song.
Can You Feel the Love Tonight was a strong contender, but it's really slow.
In My Life is really sweet. We were considering it for the first dance, but it's definitely a good one if we decide not to be silly with some 80s anthem.
posted by ohisee at 3:49 PM on June 25, 2013
Don't Stop Believing was on the list, but it takes a while to really pick up and is actually kind of melancholy.
I love Pat Benatar, but We Belong has a complicated cadence and will be hard for people who don't already know the song.
Can You Feel the Love Tonight was a strong contender, but it's really slow.
In My Life is really sweet. We were considering it for the first dance, but it's definitely a good one if we decide not to be silly with some 80s anthem.
posted by ohisee at 3:49 PM on June 25, 2013
I think Octopus's Garden is really fun and would strike the right light note.
posted by rmless at 4:26 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by rmless at 4:26 PM on June 25, 2013
The song you require is Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." (Also delightfully covered by Dwight Yoakam for a Gap ad.
posted by elizeh at 4:41 PM on June 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by elizeh at 4:41 PM on June 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
You are the Sunshine of my LIfe
I feel like this is the beginning,
though I've loved you for a million years....
Upbeat and perfect wedding music.
(It was part of my first wedding ceremony - lasted 5 years - YMMV.)
posted by she's not there at 5:40 PM on June 25, 2013
I feel like this is the beginning,
though I've loved you for a million years....
Upbeat and perfect wedding music.
(It was part of my first wedding ceremony - lasted 5 years - YMMV.)
posted by she's not there at 5:40 PM on June 25, 2013
I got you babe!
posted by to recite so charmingly at 6:05 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by to recite so charmingly at 6:05 PM on June 25, 2013
Our processional was "Rainbow Connection", which everyone knew.
posted by dr. fresh at 6:31 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by dr. fresh at 6:31 PM on June 25, 2013
Don't use "I Will Always Love You," it's a breakup song! And stalker anthem "Every Breath You Take" is omnipresent at weddings for some reason.
From the 80s: BILLY IDOL would like a cheesy word. Or Hall & Oates!
I will always have a soft spot for Can't Take My Eyes Off of You. Bonus if you can manage a random trumpeter to spring out.
Other soft spots: anything from The Wedding Singer. You Spin Me Round!
posted by nicebookrack at 7:05 PM on June 25, 2013
From the 80s: BILLY IDOL would like a cheesy word. Or Hall & Oates!
I will always have a soft spot for Can't Take My Eyes Off of You. Bonus if you can manage a random trumpeter to spring out.
Other soft spots: anything from The Wedding Singer. You Spin Me Round!
posted by nicebookrack at 7:05 PM on June 25, 2013
Last Dance - Donna Summer. Dramatic intro, easy to dance to, big finish. Works every time.
posted by JoeZydeco at 7:13 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by JoeZydeco at 7:13 PM on June 25, 2013
We used The Pretenders' "Don't Get Me Wrong" as our recessional.
posted by kestrel251 at 7:33 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by kestrel251 at 7:33 PM on June 25, 2013
I went to a wedding last year that used "Fever" as the recessional. And the bridal party snapped their fingers and there was much cool.
posted by rmd1023 at 7:35 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by rmd1023 at 7:35 PM on June 25, 2013
Depending on your age cohort Tenderness by General Public might be really good because Clueless ends with that song.
posted by furiousthought at 7:57 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by furiousthought at 7:57 PM on June 25, 2013
Huey Lewis & the News - The Power of Love (is there a reason I shouldn't link the six minute version? The song starts at 2:15.)
posted by juliplease at 8:53 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by juliplease at 8:53 PM on June 25, 2013
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