csberry

I'm already married with no plans for another wedding. For JD's and my wedding, I decided to skip paying a DJ and mix the reception music myself. How? After compiling a list of songs between the two of us and my testing out arrangement and segue blends, I went into one of the production studios at WSM/WTN one weekend and did a live mix of the songs to DAT tape. Set on "long play," I was able to fit 4 hours of music onto a single tape. I plotted out about when during the reception we'd want to cut the cake and put in a cue for us (Cake - "Stickshifts & Safety Belts") and when it was time for us to leave the party for our hotel room (Etta James - "At Last"). I then put some softer, more background music on the playlist for the next 15 or so minutes. Soon after, I recorded a "thank you" message to our parents and segued to the dance club portion of the evening.

I now have the reception soundtrack on a 4CD set that we listen to frequently. In retrospect, I wouldn't have gone for the recorded message to mess with my parents. My putting that on the soundtrack determined when we would have to leave...because...it would be odd having that announcement come on and us still be around...right? Anyway...it is in the past.

If you would like a copy, I'll definitely find the time to burn some more CDs.

Yes, there are some odd choices when you listen to the lyrics. JD's confessed to utter confusion as to why she really wanted "Fire Door" by Ani DiFranco on the playlist. I think we did a nice balance of personally-loved-but-not-mainstream songs and ones that our relatives would enjoy or not be annoyed by, at the least.

Disc One
"You Do Something to Me" - Sinead O'Connor
"Venus As a Boy" - Bjork
"Love Songs" - Fleming & John
"Catch" - The Cure
"Everybody Here Wants You" - Jeff Buckley
"In Your Eyes" - Peter Gabriel
"When We Dance" - Sting
"Thinking of You" - Lenny Kravitz
"Waiting in Vain" - Bob Marley
"Can't Run But" - Paul Simon
"Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" - Police
"Come Rain or Come Shine" - Bette Midler
"It Ain't You" - Squirrel Nut Zippers
"Help Me" - Joni Mitchell
"Kimberly Austin" - Porno 4 Pyros
"Just Like Heaven" - The Cure

Disc Two
"Here Comes Your Man" - Pixies
"Stickshifts and Safety Belts" - Cake
"This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" - Talking Heads
"Spend a Lifetime" - Jamiroquai
"Crush" - Dave Matthews Band
"Rain All Day" - Fleming & John
"I'd Like That" - XTC
"We'll Be Together" - Sting
"Everlong" - Foo Fighters
"Crazy Love, Vol. II" - Paul Simon
"At Last" - Etta James
"Down in the Park (piano instrumental)" - Gary Numan
"What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong
"Fall on Me" - REM
"Say You Love Me" - Fleetwood Mac
"You're the Wish You Are I Had" - XTC
"Carmen" - Paula Cole
"Brown-Eyed Girl" - Van Morrison

My message breaks in here, but I haven't included that in the CD's.
Disc Three
"Take a Chance on Me" - ABBA
"I Feel Love" - Donna Summer
"Here" - Luscious Jackson
"Boogie Shoes" - KC & the Sunshine Band
"Brass in Pocket" - The Pretenders
"I Can't Wait" - Nu Shooz
"1999" - Prince
"Raspberry Beret" - Prince
"I Drove All Night" - Cyndi Lauper
"It Ain't Over Til It's Over" - Lenny Kravitz
"What Have I Done to Deserve This" - Pet Shop Boys
"Let's Dance" - David Bowie
"New Moon on Monday" - Duran Duran

Disc Four
"Groove is in the Heart" - Deee-Lite
"Dreaming of Now" - Opus III
"Hyperballad" - Bjork
"Hounds of Love" - Kate Bush
"Put a Lid on It" - Squirrel Nut Zippers
"Love Like We Do" - Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
"I've Been Waiting" - Matthew Sweet
"God Only Knows" - Beach Boys
"If You Leave Me Now" - Chicago
"Nightingale Song" - Toad the Wet Sprocket
"This Bouquet" - Ani DiFranco
"Like the Weather" - 10,000 Maniacs
"Where You Lead" - Carole King
"Lovely Rita" - The Nields
"La La Love You" - Pixies

If I had to pick one song that would HAVE to be on the wedding reception playlist if I were to flashback to that time...I'd pick "This Must Be the Place" by Talking Heads. It has the power punch of music I absolutely love and lyrics that speak exactly how I feel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVrVY540xdc

Home is where I want to be
Pick me up and turn me round
I feel numb - born with a weak heart
I guess I must be having fun
The less we say about it the better
Make it up as we go along
Feet on the ground
Head in the sky
It's ok I know nothing's wrong . . nothing

Hi yo I got plenty of time
Hi yo you got light in your eyes
And you're standing here beside me
I love the passing of time
Never for money
Always for love
Cover up and say goodnight . . . say goodnight

Home - is where I want to be
But I guess I'm already there
I come home - she lifted up her wings
Guess that this must be the place
I can't tell one from another
Did I find you, or you find me?
There was a time Before we were born
If someone asks, this is where I'll be . . . where I'll be

Hi yo We drift in and out
Hi yo sing into my mouth
Out of all those kinds of people
You got a face with a view
I'm just an animal looking for a home
Share the same space for a minute or two
And you love me till my heart stops
Love me till I'm dead
Eyes that light up, eyes look through you
Cover up the blank spots
Hit me on the head Ah ooh