Back in the 80s and part of the early 90s, I worked as a mobile DJ for my brother’s company. I can’t even begin to tell you how many weddings I’ve DJ-ed, or how many times I played “Here and Now” by Luther Vandross as a couple’s “first dance,” “My Girl” for the daddy-daughter dance, “The Stripper” by David Rose for the garter toss, and “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang to get everyone from grandpa to that new mother who danced with her baby by bouncing the kid in her arms out on the dance floor. And yes, every bridal couple thought the mix of music chosen was unlike the music played at any other reception ever done in the history of wedding receptions.
Good times…gooooooood time, kids.
Okay, cynical-bitter-burned out mode is now off.
While it’s pretty clear that wedding receptions can feel very forced when it comes to squeezing out emotions out of tired, but true songs. A song that reminds you of your hubby, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, son, daughter, crush, infatuation, etc., can have a pretty lasting impact. There are certain songs that I’ll hear (and they won’t even be romantic) that remind me of J when we first started going out (New Order, The Cure, English Beat, D. D. Smash and a few others). There are songs that remind me of Maya (mostly Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, Tanya Donelly, and The Wallflowers) because those were the songs she loved to hear over and over when she was 2 (And yes, I probably danced with her by bouncing her in my arms).
“Bizarre Love Triangle” by New Order takes me back to hanging at the now long gone I-Beam in San Francisco and dancing with J to this song. Not only was I in La La Love with her, but it felt really cool to be dancing with J –who at that time was sporting an “Art School Girl” look — and being in a cool part of The City (The Haight). We drank, we danced, we played pool, we hung out, talked, made out, and had a great time with all the other arty-farty kids there. It was just one of those moments where you want to say: “Ahhhhh… I wish I could freeze this night in time.”
And if you think I’m baiting my hook and getting ready to go fishing for some Mix Six selections, you’re right! So, tell me: what songs remind you of an important person in your life? Any good stories to go with the song? 🙂
–PK
Laluna
October 18, 2006 at 9:42 pmMadonna Lucky Star, Big Sis
Celine Dion My heart goes on, Chee, she thought Celine was singing my “Hot dogs go on, and on.”
Py Korry
October 19, 2006 at 5:41 amNow that’s funny!
J
October 19, 2006 at 5:48 amI remember when Chee was into that Titanic song, but I never knew she thought it was hot dogs. That’s PERFECT.
Ml
October 19, 2006 at 7:59 amReflex by Duran Duran reminds me of Bean. We were Duran Duran fanatics and loved that song. That really was a fun time in my life because I was old enough to have fun and young enough to have fun!
Forever and Always by Shania Twain reminds me of when Lew and I got married. It was always playing on the radio around that time. I guess it’s “our song.” Is that sappy? 🙂
Breakout by Swing Out Sister reminds me of living in California and summer time. You bought the album from Tower.
Wooly Bully by Sam the Sham reminds me of Andre. He called up the house one day and I answered the phone. I was assaulted by loud sounds of Wooly Bully wafting through the phone. Then he came on and asked me what I thought. Hilarious. You had to be there.
Beenzzz (Bean)
October 19, 2006 at 8:11 amWhere do I begin? There are so many songs that remind me of so many different parts of my life
My brainless teenage years: “Money for Nothing,” by Dire Straits, “Lay Your Hands on Me” Thompson Twins, “Head Over Heels,” Tears for Fears, “Something About You,” by Level 42
Songs that remind me of dating and falling in love with D:
Any U2 song from Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, or Zooropa.
Songs that remind me of Zoe:
Currently she loves that song “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley.
Lalapunci
October 19, 2006 at 8:44 amThe Celine Dion song is one that we like to substitute words. Our version of the chorus goes like this: “Here I sit freezing my buns while Leonardo is shark bait at the bottom of the sea.” I know, I know we’re bad.
Gina
October 19, 2006 at 8:47 amWell, you will be happy to know that the first song at our wedding was “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” although a lovely relatively unknown version by Alison Moyet instead of the great Roberta Flack. I wanted to be a teeny bit different.
I think I could sit here for hours, but I’ll keep it short.
“Something About You” is actually mine and Hubba-hubba’s song. It describes us perfectly, and even though it came out long before we began dating, we were both pleased to discover at an early point that we both loved Level 42 and even more pleased that we loved this song especially.
“Letter to Elise” from the Cure. While going through some strange angsty period, Hubba-hubba called me up at work and told me to listen to this song that was currently on the radio. I took it to mean sort of bad things, and indeed things were rough for a bit after that. But, it is still a beautiful song.
Happy Together- The Turtles. I used to sing this to Mr. P when he was an infant as he was falling asleep. Nope, no lullabys for me, I sang the Turtles!
Gina
October 19, 2006 at 8:48 amOh, and “Celebration” was NOT allowed to be played at my wedding! I hate that song! 😉
Dot
October 19, 2006 at 8:59 amThe only thing that comes to mind is the song Love Machine by The Miracles? OOOOOOOH yea for my husband.
Sometimes he’d do a little dance to it which is so uncharacteristic of him. If he saw me writing this he’d slap me upside my head.