Songs You Should Not Play At Your Wedding – Charleston Wedding Tips

By Mark A. Leon

Wedding season is upon us once again.  As sure as the flowers bloom in Spring, Charleston, SC continues to be a prime wedding destination for love birds around the United States and World.

With our scenic beaches, luxurious trees, natural historic backdrop and hand holding all around, Charleston is a mecca for that memorable declaration of love.

As a way to provide some relief from the stresses of wedding preparation and some musical advice, here is a list of songs you should not play at your wedding or reception.

1. Suspicious Minds – Elvis Presley:  “We can’t go on together with suspicious minds (suspicious minds).  And we can’t build our dreams on suspicious minds” – The ultimate song of distrust, the one ultimate killer of relationships.  Still and always an Elvis classic.
2. 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover – Paul Simon: The title speaks for itself.  If you are plotting this may ways, clearly, not happy in the relationship and one not worthy of that lifetime commitment.
3. Love Bites – Def Leppard – “Love Bites, Love Bleeds: When you make love, do you look in the mirror; who do you think of; does he look like me”.  A bitter tribute from one of the great 80’s rockers about jaded love.
4. You Can’t Always Get What You Want – Rolling Stones: But you know sometimes you get what you need.  Sometimes we settle for comfort, companionship or just don’t want to end up lonely (we all want to feel loved and not be alone).  Iconic song, but not the message you want to send to your spouse.
5. Everything About You – Ugly Kid Joe:  This song will rock you until you blue in the face, but referencing sex with your girlfriend’s sister, not a great song to declare eternal love.  Not at all.
6. Black Space – Taylor Swift:  The last thought we want as we walk down the alter is “Are we with a commitment phobe?”  Hot, check. loving, check.  Adventurous, check.  Frisky, check.  Committed…hmmmm.
7. Used to Love Her – Guns N’ Roses:  Foreshadowing an early and tragic death is not the way you want to spend married life.  A great tip to live by (no pun intended).
8. Foolish Games – Jewel:  He is crazy and spontaneous and she is so deeply in love, but she had her heart played.  I think this one just tells its own story.  For many men, it has been on quite a few break up CD’s.
9. You’re Beautiful – James Blunt – No song says unrequited love quite like the slow drawl of James Blunt.
10. Just Once – Quincy Jones and James Ingram: Fighting is healthy; it keeps the passion alive, but in the case where you are going in circles and never moving forward, then it may be time to call it quits.
11. Creep – Radiohead: Self-esteem is a key element in any relationship and if you are with a self-loathing partner, that can be disastrous.
12. Gold Digger – Kanye West:  Is she with you for the money?  Not the best way to built a life together is it?  Then again, maybe for some.
13. Separate Ways – Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin:  “You have no right to ask me how I feel.  You have no right to speak to me so kind
    We can’t go on just holding on to time.  Now that we’re living separate lives.”  Not only will this song bring you to tears, but it clearly is the opposite of commitment and love.
14. Total Eclipse of the Heart – Bonnie Tyler:  “Once upon a time I was falling in love, now I’m only falling apart” – Heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak.  Just stay away from this one.
15. Highway to Hell – AC/DC:  Guys, you may love this song and have fond memories, but let us tell you, your wife will not want it at the wedding.
16. You Give Love a Bad Name – Bon Jovi:  If you ever want to end up sleeping on the couch, utter this phrase.  Thing that is bad, play it at your wedding.
17. You’re so Vain – Carly Simon:  If she tells you that, your future looks grim unless you make some big changes.
18. Love Stinks – J. Geils Band:  What could be the worst message to send right after you get married…This would be it.
19. To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before – Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias:  The last thing your new wife wants to do is get reminded that you have been with other women.
20. She Hates Me – Puddle of Mudd:  No she loves you.  Don’t put doubt in her mind.  Just don’t.
21. It Wasn’t Me – Shaggy:  Even as a joke, cheating never goes over well.  Go in with a clean and trusting slate.

Bonus:

Should I Stay Or Should I Go – The Clash:  Do you really want to give your potential life partner a choice?

Good luck with your playlist.