Special Slow Dance Songs 2560 2048 adam Michaels

Special Slow Dance Songs

If there’s one thing that Around Town can guarantee above all else, it’s that our award-winning bands will have your guests on the dance floor all night long. And we know that what immediately comes to mind are your favorite upbeat hits – the ones that have people jumping and jiving, heart rates as elevated as the mood. Those songs are important and absolutely the predominant ones as we bring the party vibes; but what you may not realize is this: the secret to a perfect reception dance party is knowing when to sprinkle in some “sweet and slow.” Slow dances are a crucial part of the evening as they allow your guests to pair up and take a little breather, bringing their heart rates back down so they’re refreshed and ready to go when the next upbeat hit starts. Think of your reception as a HIIT workout – it’s important to have breaks between the high intensity numbers, otherwise everyone is exhausted and back on the sidelines far too early in the night! 

 

Now, you didn’t think we’d tell you it’s important to have slow dances in the mix without telling you some of our favorites, did you? You know we’ve got a comprehensive list of songs ready to go for any musical taste or vision! You might notice that they’re all love songs – that’s another little secret: by using love songs as your slower dances, people are more likely to partner up and stay out on the floor, rather than running off to the restroom or the refreshment table! It’s also a phenomenal opportunity to get some of your older loved ones out on the floor, since these songs are a lot kinder on their knees than those upbeat hits we all love! 

 

So, without further ado, let’s get into some of our top suggestions for slow love songs that will help keep your guests dancing the night away

 

“Until I Found You,” by Stephen Sanchez

“I would never fall in love again until I found her/I said, “I would never fall unless it’s you I fall into”/I was lost within the darkness, but then I found her/I found you” This one’s a newer hit, which we’re sure you’ve heard all over Instagram and TikTok – sweet and gentle, it evokes road trip and beach vibes and feels somewhat cinematic

 

“At Last,” by Etta James

“At last my love has come along/My lonely days are over and life is like a song” An absolute classic, this one is known as a jazz “standard” for a reason – it simply will not fail the test of time. 

 

“All of Me,” by John Legend

“All of me loves all of you/Give your all to me I’ll give my all to you” This one debuted and instantly became a modern classic, and now ranks as one of the best love songs around; this one is also a common pick for a first dance! 

 

“Keep on Loving You,” by REO Speedwagon

“When I said that I love you/I meant that I love you forever” A song guaranteed to bring your parents onto the floor, this 1980s love song will send them straight back to senior prom. 

“Lover,” by Taylor Swift

“Can I go where you go/Can we always be this close/ Forever and ever” Taylor Swift, as we know, is one of the absolute queens of the music scene lately and this particular song will have all your girlies on the dance floor (and you can’t tell us that the boys haven’t all been learning their TSwift songs for moments like this). 

 

“Unforgettable,” by Nat King Cole 

“Never before has someone been more/Unforgettable in every way” ‘King’ is in his name for a reason – not only is he the King of Christmas music, but his love songs are just perfection. This song also works well for a parent dance if you’re using the duet version between Natalie Cole and her father. 

 

“Joy of My Life,” by Chris Stapleton

“She’s sweet to me/Must be the luckiest man alive/Did I tell you, baby/You are the joy of my life?” If your wedding has some homegrown country flavor to it, this song is a fantastic choice to bring the tempo down, and is a beautiful meditation on how lucky you feel to spend each day with your partner. 

 

“Your Song,” by Elton John

“I don’t have much money but boy if I did/I’d buy a big house where we both could live” The song that launched Elton John’s career, and it’s easy to see why. A simple love song that never fails to bring a tear to our eyes. 

 

“Better Together,” by Jack Johnson

“Sometimes life can be deceiving/I’ll tell you one thing, it’s always better when we’re together” This one still has a little pep to it if you don’t want to slow the mood all the way down, but has the advantage of still being a nice gentle tempo that lets your heart rate settle a bit before you head back to rocking out!

Keep the Night Flowing & the Party Going! 2560 1707 adam Michaels

Keep the Night Flowing & the Party Going!

It’s no secret that everyone wants their wedding to be the most memorable, fun, and flawless night that ever was. And while there is a rather proven adage that at least one thing will go wrong (best to laugh it off and capitalize on the joke where you can), we here at Around Town have no intention of letting your music be the thing that goes wrong! 

 

We get a lot of questions about what timeline we recommend, or how long each special moment song should be, so we thought it would be fun to walk you through some of our suggestions for keeping the whole evening smooth, lively, and engaging! 

 

First and foremost, we want to emphasize that we will always coordinate with and follow your venue’s suggested timeline – they’re facilitating food service, know their venue like the back of their hands, and we trust their know-how! Where we can really provide our insight is some suggestions for where in the evening to place some special moment dances, and how long to make each of them. Our award-winning live bands are absolute pros at reading the crowd and guaranteeing that your guests are on the dance floor all night long for each of your dance sets, but the order and length of your special moment dances can seriously impact the momentum of the night. 

 

Without further ado, let’s get to it! Again, please keep in mind that we will always defer to your venue on this; or if you have a different vision, we’ll always do your best to bring your vision to life for your big day! 

 

Once your reception opens and your guests enter, the first order of business is bringing in and introducing everyone’s favorite folks! Now, this can vary from wedding to wedding, so it really comes down to your vision for the day and who you’d like to be a part of this moment – some couples eschew the introductions, and some really ham it up. We’re here to support your vision and what makes you feel most comfortable! That said, a refrain you’re going to be sick of hearing from us by the end of this article is: short and sweet. Keep it catchy, keep it energized, and let’s try to keep it under 2 minutes. Our “standard” for your bridal party entrance is to play the “hook” of your chosen song, and then a verse and/or chorus (if it even needs to go that long)! For your entrance as a couple, again, we’ll stick to the catchiest part of the song, generally a quick intro into the refrain, so that the whole moment feels as celebratory as possible. 

 

From here, we recommend you head straight into your first dance, riding the wave of momentum from your entrance! And here’s what we’ll say about this part: remember how long 3 minutes felt when you had to get up and give a speech in high school speech & debate? Or how long 3 minutes feels when it’s the final 3 minutes on the washer/dryer? Or the microwave timer on your food when you’re super hungry? That’s precisely how long 3 minutes will feel when you and your partner are up there, dancing alone, with all the eyes of your guests on you. 

 

This gets to the heart of the majority of our time length recommendations – we really recommend keeping your major moment dances somewhere between 1.5 and 2 minutes; maybe 2.5 if you have a choreographed routine! That said, most of us aren’t professional dancers, so a choreographed routine longer than 2 minutes becomes increasingly challenging not only to perform but also to remember! Don’t believe us? Even professional dancers rarely dance more than 2 minutes – notice most “Dancing with the Stars” routines are about 1.5 to 2 minutes long.

 

Our usual formula for a special moment dance is to play the intro, a verse, a chorus, maybe a bridge, and an outro. Trust us, this will absolutely feel long enough and hit all the emotional moments needed within a song. Additionally, the verse we play doesn’t necessarily need to be the first verse – if the second or third verse of a song is the one that’s most important to you, feel free to let us know and we’ll make sure to create a cut of the song that brings all the right emotions to the moment! 

 

Some couples do choose not to shorten the song, but instead they have our bandleaders invite their guests to join them on the dance floor around the 2 minute mark, which provides a phenomenal segue into your first dance set! However, if your food service works best without a dance set here, then the first dance can segue beautifully into your first course, and any blessings or toasts that are integral to your day. 

 

After that, we recommend a dance set to get the blood flowing and that first course moving through the system to make room for a main course! After the main course, another dance set, and after that, let’s cut some cake! For the cake cutting, if you’re doing a big moment that draws the attention of your guests, we really recommend having us play a little something to underscore it. This helps alleviate some of the awkwardness of the moment while you figure out how to cut the cake together, and brings some extra fun and vibrancy to the moment! This is another moment where we’ll be playing the catchiest part of the song – a hook and either a verse or chorus. 

 

Now, time for your parent dances and again, we strongly recommend keeping this moment around the 2 minute mark for each dance! We know you and your parents love each other a lot, but this is the part of the night where you want to build the most momentum into your dance sets through the end of the evening, so an overly long parent dance can absolutely stop it in its tracks. Make time for a longer parent dance at a more intimate event like the rehearsal dinner, or after welcome cocktails, when there aren’t tons of antsy guests waiting to bust a move!  

 

From here, let the good times roll! The special moments are wrapped up (unless you’d like to do a bouquet or garter toss – easily worked into a dance set) and our award-winning bands will have the most danceable tunes coming for the rest of the night!

Songs For a Non-Traditional “Parent” Dance 1707 2560 adam Michaels

Songs For a Non-Traditional “Parent” Dance

Painful as it is to think about, not all of us are lucky enough to have either or both of our parents present on our wedding days, for any number of unfortunate reasons. That, however, doesn’t mean you have to do away with the beautiful tradition of sharing a dance with someone who has raised you, nurtured you, supported you, and will continue to do so as you begin this new family with your partner. Perhaps it’s a godparent, an aunt or uncle, grandparent, or even a sibling (or siblings!). We here at Around Town believe it’s important to celebrate the love you came from as you declare to the world this new love, even if your circumstances are unusual or non-traditional! 

 

So, we’ve decided to compile a list of some of our favorite songs that work for various non-traditional “parent” dance scenarios! If there’s one thing our award-winning bands know, it’s how to celebrate love of all kinds with killer music. 

 

Dancing with a Godparent

If you’re sharing this moment with a godparent, choose a song that honors their spiritual and emotional support. Here are some meaningful choices:

 

“Blessed” by Elton John – A beautiful song that expresses gratitude for the blessings they’ve brought into your life.

“I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack – An inspiring tune that conveys wishes for a joyful and fulfilling future.

“You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban – A powerful ballad that acknowledges their role in lifting you to great heights.

 

Dancing with a Sibling

When dancing with a sibling, you might want to choose a song that reflects your shared childhood memories and the unique bond you have, recognizing that they’ll also always have a place at their table for you at Thanksgiving and vice versa. Here are some fun and heartfelt choices:

 

“You’ve Got a Friend” by James Taylor – This song perfectly captures the supportive and enduring nature of a sibling relationship.

“Count on Me” by Bruno Mars – A modern and upbeat choice that speaks to the reliability and love siblings have for each other.

“Save Me a Seat” by Alex Warren – A rollicking tune hitting home the message that you will always be welcome at each other’s tables. 

 

Dancing with an Aunt or Uncle

For a dance with an aunt or uncle, select a song that celebrates the guidance and affection they’ve provided throughout your life. Consider these options:

 

“Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler – This song is a powerful tribute to someone who has always supported and uplifted you. This one is a little dramatic, but if that’s your vibe it’s a great choice! 

“Stand by Me” by Ben E. King – A classic tune, this one really underscores the steadfast presence of a loving relative.

“Lean on Me” by Bill Withers – An iconic song that emphasizes the importance of being there for one another. 

 

Dancing with a Grandparent

If you’re sharing this special dance with a grandparent, you want to choose a song that honors their wisdom, love, and perhaps a bit of nostalgia. Here are some timeless options they’ll know well:

 

“What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong – This classic song is perfect for a tender moment that reflects on the beauty of life.

“The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra – A sophisticated and heartwarming tune that will add a touch of elegance to the dance.

“Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole – This duet is a beautiful homage to the everlasting bond you share.

 

Dancing with a Family Friend or Mentor

When the dance is with a family friend or mentor who has played a significant role in your life, select a song that reflects the special bond you share. Here are some great options:

 

“Thank You for Being a Friend” by Andrew Gold –  Cheerful and heartfelt, this song shows appreciation for their friendship and support.

“Times Like These (Acoustic Version)” by Foo Fighters – A modern and reflective choice that speaks to the guidance and wisdom they’ve offered.

“Hero” by Mariah Carey – This powerful anthem that acknowledges the strength and inspiration they’ve provided.

 

Regardless of who you choose to dance with, the most important aspect of this moment is the connection and love you share. Most importantly, choose a song that has significant meaning to both of you! Maybe it’s a song you both love, a tune that reminds you of a special memory, or lyrics that perfectly capture your relationship. Our best advice? Sit down together and talk about what songs are meaningful to you both and why – odds are there’s an obvious pick. 

Incorporating non-traditional family dances into your wedding can be a wonderful way to honor and celebrate the people who have shaped your life. Whether it’s a grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, godparent, or mentor, choosing a meaningful song and sharing a special dance will create lasting memories for both you and your loved ones. So go ahead, pick that perfect tune, and let the love and music flow on your special day!

Getting Your Grandparents on the Dance Floor 1707 2560 adam Michaels

Getting Your Grandparents on the Dance Floor

It’s almost your wedding day and you know exactly what songs will bring you and your friends to the dance floor – it was blowing up on TikTok, you were texting each other Spotify links, someone posted it to their Instagram story. You know exactly what jams will have your parents and aunts and uncles busting out moves you forgot they had – it’s been a few years since the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dances of your high school years after all, but you’ll never forget the tunes they’d put on in the car or the living room. 

But there are some special people there for your big day whose musical taste might not be familiar to you – you may not even think of them as people who can dance. However, we here at Around Town can promise you that your grandparents once had a whole lotta shakin’ going on, and with the right songs, they’ll forget all about their aging hips and knees and be right on that dance floor with you. 

For the purposes of these suggestions, we’re focusing our energies on grandparents currently between the ages of 75 and 90, but feel free to take your own grandparent’s ages into account as you read or research! The simple formula we’re using to figure out what music they likely loved dancing to the most goes like this: Take your grandparent’s age, and subtract it from the current year (if you don’t already know what year your grandparent was born); next, add 13 – now you’ve got the year they became a teenager! Take that number and add 17 – this is the year your grandparent turned 30. The years between 13 and 30 tend to be the most musically formative, and indicative of someone’s taste or favorites for the rest of their lives. So, we’ll be focusing on the most popular dance music between 1950 and 1980! 

Now, before we go any further, our first and best suggestion is this: call your grandparents and ask them what their favorite songs to dance to were. Having done this ourselves, we promise it’s a blast of a conversation – the look in their eyes as they remember and recount it is genuinely priceless (topped only by the look on their faces when the song plays at your reception!) Additionally, ask them what song their first dance was to, or if there was a song in their courtship that was “their song” – it might be a classic like Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” or something more surprising or obscure like “Cindy Lou” by Dick Penner

…Ok did you do it? Did you call your grandparents? We’ll assume you did! Maybe you didn’t and you want to keep this all a surprise for them – that’s fun too! Without further ado, let’s get into some suggestions, by decade, of songs our award-winning live bands love to play that we think will get your grandparents moving and grooving! 

First Stop: The Fifties! 

Famous for giving birth to Rock n’ Roll, filled with legends like Elvis and Chuck Berry, the 50’s were also what launched R&B – think Ray Charles – and the popular big band and jazzy stylings of artists like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Perry Como. Our suggestions for fun or touching 50’s songs are: 

 

Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley & His Comets 

Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley 

Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On by Jerry Lee Lewis 

The Twelfth of Never by Johnny Mathis 

Tutti Frutti by Little Richard 

Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis Presley 

The Twist by Chubby Checker 

Put Your Head on my Shoulder by Paul Anka 

I’ve Got You Under My Skin by Frank Sinatra 

Swing Into The Sixties! 

Get ready for the British Invasion! The 60’s were a dynamic and transformative decade for music, ushering in Motown, expanding Rock n’ Roll, and giving rise to folk rock. The Beatles stand out as the most dominant sensation, but the 60’s were full of incredible artists who changed the face of music, from Aretha Franklin to Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye to Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles to The Beach Boys. Here are some of our top suggestions for this decade’s most danceable tunes: 

Twist & Shout by The Beatles 

You Can’t Hurry Love by The Supremes 

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell 

I’m a Believer by The Monkees 

It’s Not Unusual by Tom Jones 

God Only Knows by The Beach Boys 

Stop! In The Name Of Love by The Supremes

Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond 

Respect by Aretha Franklin 

Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons 

Get Groovy, Baby – it’s the Seventies! 

Will your guests have “Saturday Night Fever”? The 1970s was a decade of musical diversity and innovation, with genres like rock, disco, punk, and funk all leaving a significant mark, and singer-songwriters really taking over the more intimate parts of the music scene. Iconic  (if entirely different) bands like Queen, ABBA, and the Bee Gees emerged, alongside acts like the queen of disco herself, Donna Summer, storytellers Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and The Carpenters, as well as the kings of the piano scene, Sir Elton John and the king of Madison Square Garden, Billy Joel. A quick note here, depending on how old your grandparents are, this decade of music may actually speak more to your parents and their peers – still fun to take into consideration when picking your music! Our suggested bops are: 

Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire with the Emotions 

Night Fever by the Bee Gees 

Top of the World by The Carpenters

The Hustle by Van McCoy 

Voulez Vous by ABBA (much of ABBA’s catalogue is extremely danceable, you can’t generally go wrong with one of their many smash hits)

September by Earth, Wind & Fire 

Boogie Shoes by KC & The Sunshine Band 

Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel 

Crocodile Rock by Elton John 

Turn the Beat Around by Vickie Sue Robinson

While we didn’t touch on this decade this time, if your grandparents are well into their 90’s or perhaps liked “oldies” even when they were younger, don’t forget to take a look into the bold, brassy, big band, jazzy, crooning songs of the 1940s! Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and Glenn Miller & His Orchestra are great places to start!

Song of the Summer? We’ve Got You Covered! 2560 1707 adam Michaels

Song of the Summer? We’ve Got You Covered!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, we’re pretty sure you’ve had some pretty incredible earworms stuck in your head for the past month or so. It’s the start of the summer, which means our favorite artists are dropping new songs left and right – and the songs of the 2024 summer are as hot as the weather is predicted to be! Since you and your partner have already proven you’re cool and have great taste (you booked Around Town after all), we’re sure some of the following songs are already on your list of bops you can’t wait to dance to on your big day. 

 

So to put your minds at ease – or to inspire you – here are a few of our award-winning live musician’s favorites!  

 

A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey

 

Someone pour me up a double shot of whiskey

They know me and Jack Daniels got a history

There’s a party downtown near Fifth Street

Everybody at the bar gettin’ tipsy

Everybody at the bar gettin’ tipsy

Everybody at the bar gettin’ tipsy… 

Some country flavor, a hint of hip hop, some easy-to-remember lyrics that sum up the mood… it’s no wonder this one is a wedding reception smash hit! We know you and your guests will happily be singing and bouncing along to this fun number that just invites a call and response! 

TEXAS HOLD ‘EM by Beyoncé 

This ain’t Texas (woo), ain’t no hold ’em (hey)

So lay your cards down, down, down, down

So park your Lexus (woo) and throw your keys up (hey)

Stick around, ’round, ’round, ’round, ’round (stick around)

And I’ll be damned if I can’t slow dance with you

Come pour some sugar on me, honey too

It’s a real life boogie and a real life hoedown

Don’t be a b*tch, come take it to the floor now, woo, huh (woo)

This one has been all over TikTok since the Super Bowl, but that hasn’t diminished its catchy power. Fun for all ages, Beyoncé always knows how to bring the party, no matter what genre she’s tackling. 

Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter 

Now he’s thinkin’ ’bout me every night, oh

Is it that sweet? I guess so

Say you can’t sleep, baby, I know

That’s that me, espresso

Move it up, down, left, right, oh

Switch it up like Nintendo

Say you can’t sleep, baby, I know

That’s that me, espresso

Currently the number one song on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as the number one song on Spotify’s Global rankings, no one seems to be able to get these lyrics out of their head – it’s like the song is just as addictive as the caffeine it alludes to. Danceable, fun, this one is guaranteed to have your guests running to the dance floor

HOT TO GO! by Chappell Roan 

H-O-T-T-O-G-O, snap and clap and touch your toes

Raise your hands, now body roll, dance it out, you’re hot to go

H-O-T-T-O-G-O, snap and clap and touch your toes

Raise your hands, now body roll, H-O-T-T-O-G-O

H-O-T-T-O-G-O

You can take me hot to go

H-O-T-T-O-G-O

You can take me hot to go

It’s Pride Month! And Chappell Roan is the hottest new thing in the LGBTQ+ music scene, with a new album positively STACKED with bops. HOT TO GO! is one the most fun and danceable though, without having any lyrics that will give your grandma a heart attack. 

Lovin’ on Me by Jack Harlow 

I don’t like no whips and chains

And you can’t tie me down

But you can whip your lovin’ on me, baby

Whip your lovin’ on me, baby

A hip hop jam you can really sink your teeth into, this one speaks to the same part of our souls as some of our classic favorites from high school dances. While it might not be perfect for the older members of your crowd, we know it’s a perfect song to keep the energy going as the older folks head out. 

We Can’t Be Friends by Ariana Grande 

We can’t be friends

But I’d like to just pretend

You cling to your papers and pens

Wait until you like me again

Catchy from the moment it debuted, Ariana Grande once again knocks it out of the park with this upbeat jam – a red herring that hides its somewhat sad lyrics about an unrequited love. While you’re celebrating having found the love of your life, this song is too fun not to sing along with! 

Don’t see your hot new favorite song listed above? Not to worry! The Around Town Entertainment bands are pros for a reason – just include whatever song you can’t stop dancing to in your “Top 3 Song Requests” and we’ll make sure to bring the house down with it on your big day!

Spot(ify) the Similarities: Using Spotify to Help Find the Perfect Blend for Your Big Day! 2560 1707 adam Michaels

Spot(ify) the Similarities: Using Spotify to Help Find the Perfect Blend for Your Big Day!

It’s a tale as old as time, really: Indie-Acoustica Girl meets EDM Bro; Classic Rock Chick meets R&B Babe; Country Gal meets Latin Lad;  Bossanova Boy meets Death Metal Dude; Chappell Roan They meets Sammy Rae & The Friends Them. You love your partner to death and there are so many wonderfully compatible things about the two of you – it’s why you’re getting married! But what if your musical tastes could not be more different? Great news, your music tastes don’t have to be compatible for the two of you to be! Strong marriages are also built on your differences, not just your similarities, so don’t fret if your musical vibes are polar opposites! Even better news, you made the phenomenal choice to hire Around Town to handle the music for your special day – and we’re as versatile as your tastes! 

You may have noticed from watching clips of our fabulous bands or from checking out our song list, we have a pretty extensive and broad catalogue under our belts! Which means you and your partner don’t need to worry about limiting yourselves when highlighting the songs and genres you like. (Please note that not all genres are in the song list – for example, we don’t perform rap numbers. Also important to note, an additional vocalist may need to be contracted if you’re requesting songs sung in languages that are not English). You can trust our award-winning bands to pay attention to everything you tell us about your taste, as well as read the crowd; we’ll be playing songs that keep your guests dancing all night long

But what if you’re worried that your differing tastes in music will make it difficult to select songs that are perfect for your special moments? Or maybe they already are? Have no fear – we’re here to help! Let us start by saying that choosing these songs doesn’t need to be something you sit down in a single night and decide. While we do have our “30 days prior” deadline, that still gives you lots of time to really think about and find your perfect songs. Which is where this series of hot tips is about to come in! 

Spotify has really been focused on honing and improving their platform, algorithm, and, in particular, collaborative features in the last several years. And it’s these collaborative features that we’re gonna reveal and recommend using to help you and your partner find your perfect blend! 

Let’s start broadly: Spotify has a phenomenal feature called “Blends.” This is a fantastic way to get a constantly updated playlist that will have a fun mix of whatever you and your partner are currently listening to. Creating a Blend on Spotify is as easy as making instant noodles, and a fun way to mix your musical tastes with your partner! First things first, both you and your partner need to have Spotify accounts—free or premium, either works. Open up the Spotify app and head over to the “Search” tab. Type in “Blend” and you’ll see the option to create one. Tap on it, then hit “Invite” to send a link to your partner. Once they accept, Spotify will work its magic, combining your favorite tunes into a single, harmonious (and sometimes eclectic) playlist that reflects both of your styles. It’s like a musical marriage, perfectly blending your unique vibes! Whether it’s Coffeehouse Jazz meeting Hip-Hop, or Top 40 jamming with Motown, your Blend will be the fun and informative soundtrack to your tastes. Even more helpfully, each song will have one of your profile pictures next to it, depending on whose current listening the song came from; most helpfully of all, if there’s a song you’re both listening to, both of your profile pictures will appear next to the song! And with that, we’re off to the races. 

Taking our “Blends” idea a step further – welcome to shared or collaborative playlists! Once you’ve started to notice songs that both of you are listening to – or maybe you always had a song or two that you both agreed on, or you each have a few songs that are really important to you – it’s time for a shared playlist. 

Creating a shared playlist on Spotify is a breeze and a fantastic way to bond over, or sift through and narrow down, your favorite tunes with your partner! Start by opening the Spotify app and heading to the “Your Library” tab. Tap on the “Create Playlist” button and give your new playlist a catchy name that’s meaningful to both of you. Once your playlist is set up, hit the “Add Songs” button to start curating your mix. Now, for the magic: tap on the three dots at the top of the playlist, select “Invite collaborators,” and send the link to your partner. Voilà! They can now add, remove, and reorder songs just like you can. Whether you’re blending Folk with Broadway, Disco with Punk Rock, or any other combination of your totally different but equally fabulous tastes, your shared playlist will be the perfect musical expression of your unique connection. It’s also a great way to streamline your choices and figure out the perfect combination of songs for your special moments on your big day!

This Will Be (The Best Moment of the Day) 2560 1707 adam Michaels

This Will Be (The Best Moment of the Day)

“I now pronounce you married – you may kiss your spouse!” 

One of the most iconic moments in any wedding, and the one you’ve been waiting for. This is what the day is about, after all! We’re sure you’re all familiar with the many videos floating around the internet of couples who manage to perfectly time their first kiss as a married couple to the horn blare and opening lyrics of Natalie Cole’s famously celebratory This Will Be (An Everlasting Love). And such a celebratory song is a perfect choice for this moment, sharing your first kiss, your first steps as a married couple, in front of all the people who love you most in this world. 

The recessional song is often one that’s forgotten about, almost an afterthought during your planning. After all, there’s so much focus on the processional, the bride’s entrance, your first dance… it’s almost easy to forget that this song sets the tone for the start of your lives together, as it kicks off the first moments. We here at Around Town LOVE a good recessional song, but we know that it’s also a bit of a niche category – celebratory love songs that make you want to cheer and clap and dance a bit for joy. You’ve chosen us for your big day and we know that’s no accident – our award-winning live bands are the best around at bringing the party, elevating the mood, and making sure the music matches the level of joy you and your guests are feeling! 

Trusting us to bring the party of course doesn’t solve what might be your biggest question at this point: what song should you choose?? Have no fear, we’re here to help on that front, too! Below are just a few of our favorites for the happiest moment of your day. 

This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole 

…if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! This one’s a classic and a famous choice for this moment for a reason – the lyrics perfectly encapsulate what’s happening in the moment, the music is nothing but joyous and energetic, and we know part of the reason we all love the song so much is because of its feature in as the closing/credits song in the 1998 Lindsay Lohan classic ‘The Parent Trap.’ Yup, for those who don’t remember, this is the song the film plays as Nick and Elizabeth get married (again) and the 4 begin their lives as a family. Whether conscious or subconscious, we know these feel-good vibes are quickly associated with this song! 

You Make My Dreams (Come True) by Hall & Oates 

This one is just an eternally fun bop. Once again, it has lyrics that suit the moment beautifully, the intro guitar vamp feels anticipatory (ready for that first kiss everyone?), and the song is the perfect tempo to dance/walk out to. And while Hall & Oates’ partnership didn’t survive the test of time, we’re sure yours will, so don’t let that deter you from using the song! It also has the advantage of being a total classic, so no matter the age of your guests, we know they’ll know this one and be feeling the celebratory vibes right along with you! 

Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) by Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is kind of the king of the celebratory love song – which makes him an absolute hit at weddings. Again, this song is a classic; well-known, well-loved, and immediately recognizable, which means you and your guests will be feeling the joyous vibes from the moment the intro starts. Nothing risky about this one – just guaranteed good vibes! 

Anything Can Happen by Ellie Goulding

Believe it or not, this is another song that’s from an iconic pop culture moment that left fans everywhere cheering for the success of true love. Remember the elevator moment in New Girl when Nick and Jess finally get together? Yup, this song was the one playing under that moment. We’re positive that the anticipatory build of this song and its triumphant chorus will leave you and your guests feeling that same fist-pumping joy every New Girl fan felt when our favorite “will they, won’t they” couple finally said “we will” (the first time)! 

All You Need is Love by The Beatles 

Does it get any more classic? Simple, straightforward, catchy, well-known, well-loved, this song nails the point home like no other. It has the added bonus of once again showing up in an iconic pop culture touchstone – Love, Actually! We’re sure many of you will remember the charming surprise pulled off at the wedding early in the film where the best man surprises the bride & groom with a hidden choir & instrumentalists to serenade them with this song as they begin their journey back up the aisle as husband and wife – and we’re sure that this song will evoke the same joy for you and your guests! 

Of course, the most important part is making sure that your recessional song speaks to you and your now-spouse! A song is never the wrong choice if it’s meaningful to the two of you and perfectly encapsulates your relationship and connection. We’re just there to make sure it’s everything you always knew it would be.

Love you, Mom & Dad – But not like THAT! 2560 1665 adam Michaels

Love you, Mom & Dad – But not like THAT!

At Around Town Entertainment, we love a parent (or grandparent!) dance, whether it’s a Father/Daughter, Mother/Son, Mother/Daughter, Father/Son, or any other combination that makes the most sense for you and your family on your special day. In a day filled with and centered around a celebration of romantic love that will last forever, this moment stands apart; Highlighting instead the everlasting love of the people who raised you. Touching, often tear-jerking, this is a moment we know your parents have looked forward to since the day you were born. 

We’ve written before about some of our favorite songs to play for these dances, or ways to pick out the song you’d like to dance to for this moment, but today we want to touch on something different. Despite how common this moment is in weddings across the country, there are a surprisingly limited number of songs written to suit its purpose. Even worse, there are a surprising number of songs that sound like they COULD work for your dance with your parent, but we promise they don’t. Don’t believe us? We’ve taken the liberty of listing some songs below that seem, at first glance, like they could work, and then we’ve detailed why they’re maybe not the best choice

Van Morrison’s ‘Brown-Eyed Girl’ 

Fathers and brown-eyed daughters love to suggest this one, but let’s start with some of the opening lyrics, shall we? 

“Making love in the green grass,

Behind the stadium with you,

My brown-eyed girl.”

…we think our point is made. 

‘I’ll Always Love My Mama’ by The Intruders 

The opening line of this song quite literally goes: 

“I’ll always love my mama,

She’s my favorite girl”

While the song goes on to talk about how mothers bring us into this world and sacrifice left and right for their children, we think it’s in poor taste to dance to a song on your wedding day that loudly proclaims that your mom is your favorite girl… when you just married your wife. That said, if a wife doesn’t feature in your couple, this song could still be considered appropriate! 

John Mayer’s ‘Daughters’ 

At first listen, this song seems sweet – and the title quite literally involves the word “daughter.” But John Mayer has talked openly about how the song is written as a cautionary tale, saying he wrote it because he thought women didn’t receive enough love from their fathers, which impacted their ability to show love in romantic relationships later in life. 

Additionally, the lyrics “girls become lovers, who turn into mothers” is maybe a little more suggestive than any father wants to be about his daughter’s nocturnal activities with her new spouse. 

‘Butterfly Kisses,’ by Bob Carlisle

Despite being known as one of the more iconic father-daughter dance songs, “Butterfly Kisses” could be one to avoid. Yes, the lyrics are remarkably sweet, but some might find them to be a little too sweet, especially if your relationship with your dad isn’t regularly filled with deep sentimentality. Determining the right song for your moment is highly subjective, and this one just might not be it. It also focuses heavily on a father’s sadness to be saying “goodbye” to his “little girl” as she grows up – and your wedding is a day of celebration! 

‘Heaven,’ by Kane Brown

We love country music for its frequently thoughtful and emotional qualities, which make it a popular genre for weddings! But if you’re thinking about this Kane Brown song for your father-daughter dance, we recommend finding something else. Lyrics like:

 “Lyin’ next to you, in this bed with you, I ain’t convinced’

Cause, I don’t know how, I don’t know how heaven, heaven

Could be better than this” 

…aren’t the most appropriate for this reception moment with your parent.

‘Every Breath You Take,’ by The Police

“Every smile you fake/Every claim you stake/I’ll be watching you”

Can you say creepy? This song has been pretty universally acknowledged as uncomfortable and stalker-ish; Sting himself admitted he wrote it about a very jealous and obsessive love he had for someone. There’s just no denying that it’s probably one of the worst parent dance songs. No one wants their parent, or their new in-laws for that matter, to be “watching” them every step they take, every move they make and every vow they break! 

There are plenty of songs out there that DO work for a dance with your mom or dad, though! Our best advice is to think of songs that were meaningful to you growing up, or that bring a special moment to mind. Then, and this is the important part, look up the lyrics. A lot of people hear the chorus of a song and fall in love with it – and they forget to check the verses for the lyrics that could get them into trouble! No matter what you choose, Around Town’s award-winning live bands have this special moment covered, but we definitely recommend choosing something that won’t have your guests blushing for all the wrong reasons!

Live Bands Have You “Covered” 2560 1707 adam Michaels

Live Bands Have You “Covered”

Sometimes, crazy as it sounds, a cover is “Simply the Best.” For example, one that immediately and aptly comes to mind is Noah Reid’s cover of Tina Turner’s “The Best.” The song shot back into the limelight in 2018 when Schitt’s Creek featured the cover in one of its most touching episodes, with Reid’s character playing his own original, stripped-down, acoustic cover of the iconic rock power ballad Tina Turner cemented as a classic in its own right in the late 80’s. Both songs are impactful and beautiful, yet utterly different, despite the fact that they are “the same song.” Reid’s cover begs to be used for a slow and intimate moment like your first dance though, where Turner’s original fits perfectly for the moment you first enter your reception as a married couple! 

Hiring a live wedding band, like any of Around Town’s award-winning bands, is the secret to making sure you can use your favorites songs during your special moments – even if they don’t originally seem to fit the vibe! As a live band, we can use reference material to take a song to new heights and depths by changing its genre from the one people might know it best in! Don’t believe us? Here are some killer examples of songs with covers so phenomenal you’ll never have to say “We love this song and its meaning, but its vibe just doesn’t match what we want for that moment at all” again! 

Can’t Take My Eyes Off You 

This classic was first made a hit by Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons in 1967 and is known for its gentle intro, which builds into one of the catchiest horn hooks of all time. If you’re a fan of the “slow build to big finish” then the original version is the one for you! Whether your introduction to the song was on the radio, jamming to your parents’ record collection, seeing Jersey Boys on Broadway, or (our personal favorite) Heath Ledger’s iconic rendition in the 90’s classic ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ – this song is timeless, catchy, and a wedding smash hit. 

Oh what’s that? You love this song but you and your new spouse were really hoping to sway to something a little less bopping for your first dance? Great news! The band known as stories has a stunning, stripped back, slowed down, acoustic version of the song that’s sure to have your guests in tears (the good kind, obviously), featuring Sarah Isen. 

We’re actually going to pause here to let you in on the fun trade secret that stories’ entire purpose is to take favorite classic songs that began their lives a little more on the “rocked out” side and strip them back to reveal the tender acoustic side that lives within. 

You Make My Dreams (Come True) 

Who doesn’t love Hall & Oates’ original bop? An infectious rhythm, a feel good vibe, a guitar hook that grabs you from the moment the song starts… all fantastic reasons to involve this song on your wedding day. The original version of this song is absolutely perfect for the couple with a fun choreographed dance routine for their first dance, or even as a reception entrance or ceremony recessional

But you’re a rustic, folk couple that loves the sweet, soft vibe – some “slow dancing, swaying to the music” over a high energy routine, if you will. That works for us! Check out Billie Marten’s Ont’ Sofa cover, a slowed, simple, acoustic version of the song that suddenly places the lyrics at the forefront. 

What if you’re that post-modern couple that loves chic vintage touches in a refurbished warehouse and loves funk music? Guess what – we’ve got you covered too. Give a listen to Scary Pockets’ funky, half-tempo cover featuring Jennah Bell

Fun Fact! Scary Pockets is from the minds of the same folks who brought you stories – where stories focuses on acoustic, totally stripped-back covers, Scary Pockets loves to find the pocket and get a little scary. Which is to say, they specialize in funk-pop covers of all your favorites! Wow, we’re really giving away all the industry secrets today, aren’t we? 

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough 

…to keep us from spilling the tea on all the different ways you can play the same song! Here’s another all-out classic from Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell that never fails to bring the heat. We love the original version of this song – who doesn’t? High energy vocals, an upbeat tempo, and percussion that just won’t quit – of course this song is a wedding favorite! But once again, the team over at Scary Pockets has brought us a funk cover that manages to change the vibe just a bit (and slows the tempo slightly for the more novice dancer); and the team at stories busts out a stunning acoustic rendition that has us wondering how more people haven’t been asking for an acoustic version of this Motown hit. 

You probably noticed right away from watching our bands’ videos and checking out our song list that Around Town Entertainment bands are as versatile as they are talented. And it’s this versatility that means we can take your favorite song and, with the help of a little reference material, do it just the way you want it for your special day. You and your spouse aren’t like anyone else – why should your music be any different? 

Keeping Classic Current 2560 1709 adam Michaels

Keeping Classic Current

Ella Fitzgerald’s “Someone to Watch Over Me.” Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight.” Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E.” Etta James’ “At Last.” There’s a reason these artists are known as “The Greats” and these songs as some of the most timeless, classic love songs of all time. We here at Around Town Entertainment love these songs and this gorgeous style of music, with its beautiful brass, and rich, swelling vocals. 

If you’re one of our classic couples who loves old romanticism, and a gorgeous classic vintage vibe, we’re sure these songs have crossed your mind as you’ve been planning your music – how could they not? We’d happily recommend all of them for your big day and special moments; they’re standards, totally classic, guaranteed hits. We also understand though if you have that little voice in the back of your head going “…does classic run the risk of being overdone?” 

First of all, no, not at all. Classic is classic for a reason! Some things truly never go out of style and these big band, jazzy, soulful numbers have safely ensconced themselves in that category. However, we’re also happy to say that there are ways for you to still have that sweeping romantic jazz feel – without picking an old jazz standard!

There’s been a recent comeback, or resurgence in the sweeping, romantic, symphonic, big band, jazz sound in contemporary music with artists like Laufey, Cody Fry, Jacob Collier, Jon Batiste, Sammy Rae & the Friends, Olivia Dean, Adele, and Ben Rector at the forefront of the movement, along with cover artists like Postmodern Jukebox, or stories. 

These artists and others like them infuse their music with rich orchestration, incorporating elements like brass, strings, and woodwinds to create a full-bodied sound that harks back to the golden age of big band music. Their compositions often feature soaring melodies, intricate harmonies, and dynamic shifts, evoking a sense of nostalgia and romance – perfect for a wedding where you’re blending the idea of rich romance with the idea something that can last forever – just like this classic style of music. 

Moreover, the revival of this sound speaks to a broader trend of artists rediscovering and reimagining classic genres and styles. By blending elements of jazz, classical, and pop, these artists are creating a unique sonic landscape that appeals to both old-school aficionados and contemporary music lovers alike – which makes it ideal for a classic yet contemporary wedding, and is sure to keep all your guests feeling like the music is familiar to them, from grandma to your girl friends! 

Of course, we wouldn’t rave about these artists or throw this idea out there without having some fabulous examples to back it up! Here are just a few of our favorite suggestions our award-winning live bands can play that could fit beautifully into your evening – a lot of them make for stunning first dances

“Best Friend” by Laufey – an ideal tempo for a calm, sweet, soothing first dance, this song has a romantic timeless vibe and lyrics that express a deep and genuine affection, capturing the essence of a strong bond between two people. Perfect for newlyweds that know their deep friendship is at the heart of their passionate love; and as a bonus, the lyrics have a few clever little jokes that will leave you and your guests laughing at its poignancy. 

“I Hear a Symphony” by Cody Fry – this song is deceptive and perfect for couples looking for a choreographed dance moment. It begins very softly and simply and builds to a lush and rich musical moment as the lyrics describe how someone went from hearing a simple song as they went through their life, to hearing a full symphony each time they look at their love. It’s the musical and aural equivalent to the “I met you and now the world is technicolor” sentiment! If you ever wanted to feel like the main characters of a movie, this song is the perfect soundtrack, with its deceptive simplicity magically transforming into a sweeping romantic movement that will leave your guests in tears (the good kind). 

“I Get It Now” by Sammy Rae & The Friends – This one is brand-spanking new, so we aren’t surprised if you haven’t heard it yet! Once again lush yet simple, this song beautifully describes how the love you spent years trying to make happen turned out to be something so simple and effortless with the right person. Believe it or not, it’s the bands’ first love song – and we think it hits the mark perfectly. Slow and steady, just like your love, this song is another perfect option for a first dance – its structure simultaneously classic and flowing, allowing for that lovely jazz sound. 

What if the song that means the most to you and your partner doesn’t match the vibe of your wedding? Say you’ve planned this gorgeous classic, romantic, timeless day, but your favorite song that you’d like to use for your first dance or other part of your big day just doesn’t seem to fit musically. Well, that’s the most beautiful part of your brilliant choice to hire our incredibly talented live musicians: we can change the style of a song. Think of Postmodern Jukebox taking contemporary songs and giving them a retro makeover – we can do something similar! In the same way that artists will often release acoustic covers of their music or someone else’s, we can take the song that’s most meaningful to you and shift its style so that it suits the vibe you’re looking for!