40 Songs Not to Play At a Wedding – Avoid At All Costs!

Guests and in-laws can overlook certain activities at the wedding reception. But not a wrong song choice. Music plays an important role at weddings. It helps to set love in the air, creating a subtle and romantic ambiance that keeps everyone in the right mood for the day. 

If the right song choice can set everyone in a romantic mood, imagine how much one bad song can ruin the day. Remember that music can stir emotions, evoke memories, and, as such, greatly affect everyone’s mood.

So a bad song at the wedding can pose a greater danger just lurking in the shadows; they can easily turn the happy atmosphere into one of awkwardness, confusion, or even regrets.

Here is your do-not-playlist if you wonder what songs can easily switch moods at your wedding. Although these songs are pretty good in other ways, they don’t just fit lyrically into the day’s theme. Without further bluffing, let’s get to the list of songs not to play at a wedding.

Top Songs Not to Play At a Wedding

Here are some songs that you should avoid playing at your wedding reception.

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1. “Every Breath You Take” by The Police

This one is just one creepy song you shouldn’t dance to or even allow to play at your wedding. “Every breath you take, every move you make, every bond you break, every step you take, I’ll be watching you…oh! You belong to me.” 

The song says how his lover left him devastated, and he longs for that warm embrace on cold nights. It depicts an over-possessive partner and a dangerous end for both of you. As such, you shouldn’t start your beautiful marriage dancing to how it will end.

2. “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton

“…And I will always love you!” What an interesting song; sounds perfect for the first dance, right? But do you know what the song is about? The song was written as a goodbye when Dolly Parton was set to go her way musically.

The first verse says, “If I should stay, I’ll only be in your way. So I’ll go, but I know I’ll think of you each step of the way.” It depicts more of breaking apart than bonding.

3. “You Give Love a Bad Name” by Bon Jovi

This was Bon Jovi’s biggest hit at the time, but you can’t justify dancing to it after tying the nuptial knot with your spouse? The song is simply about rejecting your lover. Do you still want to play it at your wedding?

4. “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele

The name suggests a romantic song that is perfect for the wedding dance. But the song is actually about a breakup. It’s also about the desperate need for the lover to make the partner feel worse after the split. “And on the highway of regrets, the winds of change are blowing wild and free…You ain’t seen nothing like me yet.” You don’t want to start your marriage with such music. 

5. “Fake Love” by Drake

Drake is at the top of the charts, and we love him. But it is not a ground to play a song about how everyone gives fake love at your wedding.

6. “Marry You” by Bruno Mars

This is yet another deceitful song following the title. You may think it’s the right song for the first dance, but no, it talks about people who just want to get married out of boredom and are waiting for a break-up later. 

7. “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” by Paul Simon

The title of this song says it all. You don’t want to start learning 50 ways to leave your lover a few minutes after you said, “I do.”

8. “Grenade” by Bruno Mars

It can be fun when you hear, “I’ll catch a grenade for ya.” But wait for the part where it says, “Easy come, easy go, that’s just how you live, oh.” Or “Gave you all I had, and you tossed it in the trash. You don’t want to play such a heartbreaking song at your wedding.

9. “The Scientist” by Coldplay

You really don’t want you and your betrothed dancing to this break-up tune. “It’s such a shame for us to part.” Is that the lyrics you want to begin your love life with?

10. “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé

It’s okay to shout this out on a road trip as a single lady with the girls. But at a wedding party? Of course not! Beyoncé said, “Say I’m the one you want. If you don’t, you’ll be alone, and like a ghost, I’ll be gone.” 

11. “You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore

You do not want to send this message to your guest and lover. You don’t want them to believe you are lawless and not ready to settle down. 

12. “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion

You must have heard this song if you have seen Titanic, the movie. Yes, it was played for love, but a lost love and someone’s dearest sinking to the bottom of the sea.

13. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor

First, you are meant to enjoy your marriage rather than survive. So this is an absolute no for your wedding. Besides, this song was written by Gloria Gaynor as break-up survival. 

14. “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith

This sounds like a really nice song judging from the title, and yes, it’s a beautiful song that is topping charts on all platforms. But it depicts repeated night stands with hopes of staying. Yet, the love is unreciprocated.

15. “Back to You” by Selena Gomez

It talks about a couple breaking up, yet they can’t get over each other and wish to return. This type of music doesn’t fit well for your first dance.

16. “If You Wanna Be Happy” by Jimmy Soul

“If you want to live happily for the rest of your life, don’t get a pretty girl to marry you.” So invariably, your marriage won’t last if your wife is pretty. This song is a no for weddings. 

17. “Gold Digger” by Kanye West

You sure don’t want to have everyone echoing, “We want prenup” at your wedding party. The song talks about how your lover will leave you with half 18 years, and you may discover it wasn’t yours.

18. “A Man Needs a Maid” by Neil Young

You don’t want to tell your in-laws or even tell your woman to her face how much of a maid she is to her man. The lyrics of this song have been tagged sexist, which is a widespread belief. So forget the beautiful intro and focus on the lyrics. 

19. “Mother-In-Law” by K-Doe Ernie

This is quite a funny song to tease each other with at home. But you can’t tell your in-laws how much you’ll be happy if they leave you alone. 

20. “What Would You Do?” by City High

This may fit well for karaoke and party nights, but you should not celebrate your love with “prostitution, drug abuse, and the likes hitting from the speakers.

21. “Every time” by Britney Spears

Other songs by Britney Spears have the couple staying true to their love. But not this one; it involves wishes for love and regrets of break-up. 

22. Speak Now by Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift writes beautiful songs, especially ones that fit a Friday night karaoke with the girls. But not something for a wedding day, and “speak now” is one of them. You want to tell your spouse how much they deserve someone better than you.

23. Divorce by Tammy Wynette

You can already decipher from the name why this is a red flag for wedding receptions. 

24. WAP by Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion

This song is perfect for drinks with BFFs or any other adult gathering. Don’t go all echoing “WAP” at wedding receptions with Kids. Grandma won’t like it.

25. Anaconda by Nicki Minaj

This occupies the same position as “WAP” above. 

26. Sweet Melodies by Little Mix

She talks about a boy she loved and used to sing sweet melodies, but just this one time, he did something wrong, and she moved from him. 

27. Ready to Run by Dixie Chicks

This is a perfect anthem if you are having a singles party with people who want to have fun. But on your wedding day, it’s a big no!

28. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division

You shouldn’t have this one on your wedding playlist for any reason. It is just all about the deeper marriage problems. Not a good way to have a happy celebration.

29. Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours by Stevie Wonders

Wow, so a feel-good song for the day at last! But wait a little, the lyrics; it’s about someone who broke up and is back unashamedly. Not the inspiration to begin your marriage with.

30. Red Flag by Gwen Stefani

Talk about undermining red flags to be with your partner. Gwen may be a great entertainer, but this piece doesn’t fit to make the wedding playlist.

31. Perfect Illusion by Lady Gaga

“It wasn’t love; It wasn’t love. It was a perfect illusion.” So if your love isn’t an illusion, you should keep this off the playlist. 

32. Suspicious Minds by Elvis Presley

This song is all about an unhealthy relationship. So despite Elvis being a great artist, you should keep this off the wedding playlist. 

33. Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood

From the title to the lyrics of this song, you can already see red flags for wedding receptions. It talks about how your partner is getting frisky with someone else. 

34. Loyal by Chris Brown, Tyga, and Lil Wayne

You should not have your pretty bride dancing to “This hoes ain’t loyal” on your wedding day in front of your in-laws and guests. 

35. Bambi by Jidenna

In the video, you could see Jidenna running after his supposed soulmate, that has been taken by someone else. There are better choices for you and your spouse on your wedding day.

36. Tainted by Soft Cell

Although it won’t be the worst thing to happen at the wedding if played, keeping it off the list is still vital due to its lyrics. 

37. Highway to Hell by AC/DC

The name already says a lot about the song. Yes, it gives off some rocky vibes, but the meaning may be sentimental for your special day. So keep off!

38. Sometimes When We Touch – Dan Hill

Don’t get fooled into thinking this song is about intimacy. While the name suggests such, it is a song about rejection and unrequited love. 

39. Bootylicious by Destiny’s Child

Although it gives off the party aura, it shouldn’t make the wedding playlist. However, you can keep it for nights after parties.

40. It Wasn’t Me by Shaggy

A perfect song for just listening and vibing at home, but when you pay great attention to the lyrics, it can be a party crasher at weddings. It talks about cheating and infidelity. 

Summary

Not all songs are supposed to make it to the wedding playlist. This also includes some actual love songs. It may remind you or your spouse of odd memories, which is the last thing you want on your wedding day.

As such, ensure that the music chosen reflects you and your spouse’s love life. Also, the music should complement the concept and style of the wedding and celebration. 

It is, however, advisable to have as many genres of music as possible. This will satisfy the bulk of the guests. Let something be for everyone, from the movers to the foot tappers.

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