Duet love songs for weddings offer some huge advantages over the typical song with a single vocalist. Two voices provides an opportunity for dialogue in the lyrics to tell a love story with two perspectives. And the possibility of vocal harmonizing increases the emotional impact of a song.
Select songs based on the lyrics, not just the melody. What is the song saying? Let’s look at some examples.
DO: Endless Love
This is the top selling duet ever according to Billboard. The lyrics are perfect:
And I,
I want to share
All my love with you,
No one else will do.
And your eyes,
They tell me how much you care,
Oh, yes, you will always be
My endless love.
Lionel Richie and Diana Ross have great chemistry, and the results show: Endless Love Topped the charts for 9 consecutive weeks. Impressive.
DON’T: Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart
This was a monster hit for Elton John, a perfect example of pop kitsch. This is one of the few songs Elton wrote that he admitted he was trying to churn out a hit single.
It worked. Billboard says this is the 10th best selling duet ever. But even though it’s a great dance tune, the lyrics aren’t right for a wedding. This isn’t the time to talk about ‘breaking each other’s heart’, or “Oh honey if I get restless.”
DO: I Got You Babe
One of Sonny Bono’s masterpieces. The title says it all. And Sonny & Cher singing it? Your guests will be singing along!
DON’T: You Don’t Send Me Flowers Anymore
This monster hit has interesting origins. Neil Diamond wrote and recorded it. Barbra Streisand recorded her own version. An enterprising DJ in Louisville, KY created a mix utilizing their two voices, creating the dialogue effect referred to above. The rest is history. It became a #1 hit on six different charts.
As great as the song is, the lyrics are a downer:
You don’t bring me flowers
You don’t sing me love songs
You hardly talk to me anymore
When I come through the door at the end of the day.
A definite no-no for a wedding.
DO: You’re the One That I Want
The title says it all. This lively love song features the late, great Olivia Newton John and John Travolta. Their chemistry is always great. Your guests will love this duet.
DON’T: Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around
The title to this Stevie Nicks/Tom Petty duet says it all.
DO: Up Where We Belong
The song features uplifting lyrics and a melody that soars. And let’s face it, Joe Cocker’s voice coupled with Jennifer Warnes’ is sheer magic. You can’t stop listening. These are awfully nice lyrics to dance to:
Love lift us up where we belong,
Where the eagles cry, on a mountain high.
Love lift us up where we belong,
Far from the world below, up where the clear winds blow.
We’ve barely scratched the surface. Duets make great first dance songs. But always, always read through the lyrics to ensure they say what you’re really feeling.
When it comes to saying what they’re really feeling, couples tell us how great they feel after celebrating the biggest night of the life dancing the night away on a packed dance floor. That’s what we offer. That’s what you’ll get. We’ll lift your event up to where it belongs!
Check us out now to see if we’re still available for your date.
