Top Ten Recessionals for the Modern Couple

@weddingmusicfr shares her top ten #recessionalsongs – with a modern twist

It’s been a while since I blogged, & I know you’ve all missed me, so as I’m starting to think about playlists for this year’s (& next year’s!) weddings, here are my Top Ten #Recessional picks to really start your wedding celebrations off with a bang.

Forget Mendelssohn’s Wedding March, in these enlightened times you can have whatever you want as your #RecessionalSong. This will be the first piece of music you choose to have played as newly-weds, so as well as saying something about you as a couple, why not choose a piece to really get your party started?

1 Feeling Good – Nina Simone/Michael Bublé

Fabulously bombastic & just that little bit naughty, what could be better than this classic number to (literally) swing your cocktails into action?

Best Feature: Witty & guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Best Lyric: “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me, & I’m feeling good.”

2 Happy – Pharrell Williams

Definitely falling into the category of the immediatley obvious, but why not? If you’re not Happy today then really…

Best Feature: Punchy number with a lovely bit of Gospel potential, if you’re that way inclined.

Best Lyric: “I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space.” Erm…

3 Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol

This modern pop number is a special song to many couples, so why not incorporate it into a special part of your Big Day?

Best Feature: Starts from an oh-so-subtle intro, crescendos into a full blown rock number, then fades. Sublime.

Best Lyric: “Those three words are said too much. They’re not enough.”

4 Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen/Michael Bublé

You can’t go wrong with this perfectly-penned little pop song from the master Mercury. With a great rock & roll vibe, you’ll be dancing up the aisle. Especially great if you are having a swing-themed cocktail hour.

Best Feature: Everything

Best Lyric: “This thing called love, it shakes all over like a jellyfish.” Seriously.

5 Just The Way You Are – Bruno Mars

This modern, mid-tempo ballad conveys the perfect sentiment for the walk back up the aisle with your adoring groom on your arm staring into your eyes [that] “make the stars look like they’re not shining…”

Best Feature: Not too raucous (& therefore probably won’t upset anyone, including your vicar)

Best Lyric: “She’s so beautiful, & I tell her every day.”

6 Viva La Vida – Coldplay

This anthemic offering from Chris Martin & the guys at Coldplay might seem an unusual choice if you listen to the words, but it’s really a salvation song, & if you think I’m clutching at straws here, at least the bell in the chorus is quite churchy…

Best Feature: Great for your string quartet to play.

Best Lyric: “Be my mirror, my sword & shield.”

7 Come Fly With Me – Frank Sinatra

Take your pick of Ol’ Blue Eyes classics for your recessional, there are so many to choose from with that perfect feel-good factor, but this one is a great choice, as it mentions both a honeymoon & booze: I think you’ll agree, two of the best ingredients of a wedding!

Best Feature: Instant recognisability & your Gran will love it!

Best Lyric: Get those cocktails flowing, “If you can use some exotic booze…” or “In llama-land there’s a one-man band & he’ll toot his flute for you.” No, just kidding on this last one 😉

8 You’re The First, The Last, My Everything – Barry White

If you weren’t around in the ‘70’s you might not quite get this (unless you were a massive fan of ‘90’s US law show ‘Ally McBeal…’) But if you love disco, or just The Love Walrus himself, this one’s for you, kid.

Best Feature: Does exactly what it says on the tin.

Best Lyric: “You’re my sun, my moon, my guiding star. My kind of wonderful, that’s what you are.”

9 One Day Like This – Elbow

For that whole folksy, Glastonbury vibe you can’t do better than this modern day wedding classic from mainstream pop-folk artists Elbow. With an instantly recognisable intro, you may even get your guests clapping & stamping, or even singing along.

Best Feature: Uplifting & will put everyone in the mood for a celebration.

Best Lyric: “I can only think it must be love. Oh, anyway, it’s looking like a beautiful day.”

10 Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Andy Williams/Franki Valli

Now come on, who hasn’t belted this out with their mates on a Friday night? A true guilty pleasure guaranteed to get your celebrations off on the right foot.

Best Feature: Massive crowd karaoke potential.

Best Lyric: “At long last love has arrived, & I thank God I’m alive. You’re just too good to be true, can’t take my eyes off you.”

All together now: “Dah-da, dah-da, dah-da-da da-da…”

Until the next time xxx

Samantha Bramley is a professional wedding & event musician working in Central & South West France. All these titles are available as part of her extensive repertoire. To get in touch please visit her website at www.weddingmusicfrance.com