So, we're on our way home from a wedding.
Wedding was yesterday (congratulations, Christina & John, you guys were awesome!).
Drive home was today.
We're listening to Gordon Lightfoot on the CD player and talking about wedding songs, because we need one, and 'Beautiful' comes on.
Tears well up in my eyes, blurring the 420,000 cars ahead of me on the freeway.
"This," I say, all choked up, "would be perfect."
Dave listens for a bit then interrupts the romantic flow to say, "Punchbuggy green, no rebounds."
"Really?" I say, "is that all you have to say?"
I hit the rewind button, or whatever the hell you call it, and put the song back on.
"Come on," I say, "listen to the words. They're perfect for us." I start to choke up again. "Because I look at you and all I see is 'beautiful.'"
"Yeah," he says, but it was a Punchbuggy."
So I play the song again.
And he listens.
And he says, "the lyrics are perfect, you're right, but I just don't see Gordon Lightfoot as a romantic singer. His voice is too raspy. I think of someone with a sweeter voice."
So we argue a bit. May I mention, in my own defence, that his first song at his first wedding was Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven.
Yes, Robert Plant has such a sweet voice. Like honey poured over a wet cat.
My first song at my first wedding was Madonna's Crazy For You - sorry, it was the 80s.
Neither of us want to go anywhere close to that this time around but we're really finding it tough deciding on a song. Dave loves Pink Floyd. I love James Taylor. He loves AC/DC. I love Gordon Lightfoot. Neither one of us wants some lame country song or anything by a diva or anything that resembles rap.
Can you help us?
I would like to hear your ideas for first songs. Just write them in the comments to this post. When I get around to it, I'll find the songs on You Tube, post them, and then invited everyone to vote on the best choice. If it's a great song, we might even use it.
In the meantime, here are the lyrics to Beautiful. And the song itself. It is simply, um, Beautiful.
At times I just don't know
How you could be anything but beautiful
I think that I was made for you
And you were made for me
And I know that I won't ever change
We've been friends through rain or shine
For such a long, long time
Laughing eyes and smiling face
It seems so lucky just to have the right
Of telling you with all my might
You're beautiful tonight
And I know that you won't ever stray
Cause you've been that way from day to day
For such a long, long time
And when you hold me tight
How could life be anything but beautiful
I think that I was made for you
And you were made for me
And I know that I won't ever change
We've been friends through rain or shine
For such a long, long time
Well, I must say it means so much to me
To be the one who's telling you
I'm telling you, that you're beautiful.
*snicker* Led Zeppelin? Sorry, I can't think of anything except my own, Anything I Do. It was perfect.
ReplyDeleteDuh...that would be, Everything I Do.
ReplyDeleteThat song is perfect. Why does it have to be "canned?" What if you got someone to sing it instead.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm a fan of Gordon Lightfoot AND Led Zeppelin. Does that mean I'm schizophrenic? :) And that song up there is lovely.
ReplyDeleteBut if it's too "sweet" for Dave, I offer for your consideration "Tupelo Honey" by Van Morrison. Or if he needs even harder rock, there's always "Maybe I'm Amazed" by McCartney. And then there's "Something" by the Beatles.
But it has to be a song that puts a lump in your throat. If "Beautiful" does that for you, then use your wiles to convince him, girl. :D
Good luck with finding the perfect one for you both!
xx
I've always liked "Beautiful" too. "At Last" by Etta James is a sentimental favorite. But I always suggest Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" for a wedding song. For some reason, no one has yet to take my suggestion....
ReplyDelete"Beautiful" is a wonderful song. But how about "Have I Told You Lately" by Van Morrison.
ReplyDeleteJoe Cocker's version of "Into the Mystic" and "True Companion" by Mark Cohn.
ReplyDeleteMy personal recommendation:
ReplyDeleteDrop Kick me Jesus Through The Goal Posts Of Life
It covers all the bases from sentimental to spiritual with just a touch of poignancy..
We danced to Nora Jones' "Come Away With Me."
ReplyDeleteHope you figure it out!
CD
I like Gordon but something about his voice that makes me feel feel. Dunno why...
ReplyDeleteHow about Sinatra?? Vintage. 50s... Tons of stuff to choose from.
Yep, that's a tough call. It's hard to recommend songs as they always mean something different to each listener. Perhaps you can find the song covered by some more cotemporary (less retro) or, as Stacey noted, have someone sing it.
ReplyDelete"Beautiful" is best song
ReplyDeleteThanks
wedding songs
This is a tough call. No Led Zepplin, in my opinion. They're overrated. (Apologies to all who had Stairway as a wedding song, but... you know.) I say, choose a song that really means something to the two of you, even if it's ridiculous (how about Ghostbusters? ;) ) and watch your family be confused.
ReplyDeleteOkay, okay. We didn't have a wedding song. But if we did it probably would have been The Book of Love by Peter Gabriel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nZGv8VTBVE
I love Gordon Lightfoot. I tend to lean toward the more folky or jazzy stuff. Like At Last by Etta James.
ReplyDeleteYou Got Gold, by John Prine
ReplyDelete.. sample lyrics
Is there ever enough space between us
To keep us both honest and true?
Why is it so hard just to sit in the yard
And stare at the sky so blue?
I've got a new way of walking and a new way of talking
Honey when I'm around you,
But it gives me the blues when I've got some good news
And you're not there to bring it to.
Life is a blessing, it's a delicatessen
Of all the little favors you do.
All wrapped up together no matter the weather,
Baby you always come through.
It's a measure of treasure that gives me the pleasure
Of loving you the way I do
And you know I would gladly say I need your love badly
And bring these little things to you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-fphSKvAqQ
you need to hear the original version of the album "The Missing Years"
"pouring honey on a wet cat" - snort.
ReplyDeleteOurs was "Crazy Love" - the Brian McKnight version. But since Van Morrison seems to be a pick in here, the original is fantastic as well.
Michael Buble has a new version out too.
Almost 15 years later, and I still get misty when I hear it - no matter who's doing the crooning.
Good luck!!
What great suggestions! Especially Michael's!
ReplyDeleteOh, and my mom had a pretty good one, too; only she posted it on Laurita's story instead of here. Her suggestion, in cased you missed it: The Rodeo Song. (heh!)
I'm going to post a bunch of these songs soon so, stay "tuned."
And thanks for dropping by.
Means a lot to me.
"Beautiful" is one of my favorite songs, and I love the way GL sings it.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't going to help you (sorry!) but I've always thought "Drive" by The Cars is a great love song. The feel of the song is kind of sad and not appropriate for a wedding but just listen to the words - that's love.
Alejandro Escovedo's “Wedding Day”
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY-D0OsV8V4
You may not be familiar, but you should have a listen. Yes, it includes lap steel guitar, but it's not really “country” and certainly not “lame country.”
But don't watch the puke-inducing video, which is nothing at all to do with Escovedo and will give you completely the wrong impression of the song....
Best wishes!
Nick Gamble