Top 5 Songs to Play at Other People’s Weddings

It’s wedding season again – no wait, that’s actually June, but a ton of people get married in the fall. What are the top 5 songs that are romantic, emotional, and above all, perfect at creating a romantic mood? We looked at songs from many different artists, then narrowed it down to five. What we took into consideration is staying power, catchiness, and the romantic message it conveys. Let’s check out who made the cut.

Top 5 Songs to Play at Other People’s Weddings

Other people‘s weddings? Yes, they could definitely be for your own, but you probably have your own preferences, whether it be rock, acoustic, or classical. Let’s look at songs that encompass a bit of everything. From country to R&B, a powerful ballad to easy listening, here are our favorite romantic top 5 songs.

All of Me – by John Legend

This influential piece is written by John Legend and Toby Gad. It’s produced by Dave Tozer. John Legend wrote this in 2013; it was inspired by his then-fiancé Chrissy Teigen, who is his wife now. The song finally reached number one on billboards in May 2014. This is a simple, yet beautiful piano song that celebrates the journey of their love and absolutely deserves a place in the top 5 songs.

Up Where We Belong – by Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes

This dynamic song came on the scene in 1982. It was written by Jack Nitzsche, Buffy Saints-Marie, and Will Jennings for the film An Officer and a Gentleman. The director of the film, Taylor Hackford, insisted that there be a powerful love song and chose the two artists to sing it. Jennifer Warnes had been a longtime fan of Joe Cocker. Between Warnes’ soaring vocals and Cocker‘s grit, the song makes for an unforgettable romantic ballad.

Your Song – by Elton John

Elton John is nothing short of a phenomenal songwriter. His huge catalogue is a testament to his creativity and his writing prowess. Your Song, written in 1970, was a collaboration between lyricist Bernie Taupin and musician Elton John. Written as a sweet love melody, it’s both playful and meaningful. In 1998 the song was inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame. Fun fact: this song was originally released by R&B band Three Dog Night.

Amazed – by Lonestar

Chris Lindsay and Aimee Mayo with Marv Green penned this unforgettable song in 1999. Lindsay and Mayo were going out at the time (and are married now), and this song wholeheartedly captures their romance. Vocalist Richie McDonald of Lonestar perfectly navigates the strong crescendos and delicate restraint of this sentimental ballad. This definitely has earned a place on our top 5 songs list.

I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston

One of the most recognized songs on our list was performed by Whitney Houston. But she did not write this – Dolly Parton did. Parton wrote it in 1974 originally as a farewell song to her business partner. Houston re-recorded in 1992 as a companion piece to her highly successful movie, The Bodyguard, which also starred Kevin Costner. Transcending time, emotion, and love, this ballad hits the number one spot on our top 5 songs list.

A Few Songs That Could Also be on Our Top 5 Songs List

Since there are always a few runners up, let’s list them here. Included are two songs – which both convey deep emotion and true love.

Unchained Melody was recorded by the Righteous Brothers in the mid 1960s. It has been a favorite for slow dancing. Made popular by the 1990 movie Ghost, the song has had a multitude of artists cover it, and garnered numerous awards.

A lesser known song, Love Exists, also known as L’amore esiste; powerhouse singer Amy Lee from the band Evanescence re-recorded this in 2017. While working on another project, Lee heard this song and decided to work on an English version of it. Hauntingly composed with beautiful harmonies, this song is certainly worthy of a good listen.

A Few Last Notes

All of these choices are unforgettable songs, and yes, most are power ballads, but that’s the way love is best expressed.  While looking for romantic songs for weddings, whether it’s yours, a friend’s, or a relative’s, it’s important to keep in mind what will be both memorable and timeless in the journey of love.