Father - Daughter wedding dance - song needed

[HarryN]

My 13 year old just finished pointing out to me that it is not acceptable to have music based on minor chords at a happy event. :shrug: I know even less about music than I thought.

 

[flashfan]

Hmm, why is music in a minor key considered unsuitable for happy events?

In any event, are you serious about dancing to Moonlight Sonata's 3rd movement (or music of that type/tempo?)? Sounds a little frenetic for "ballroom" type dancing often done at weddings. How about a Strauss waltz or something similar instead?

I like the following pieces, but they're not necessarily suitable for dancing...

Albrecthsberger: Concerto for Harp, Allegro mvt. (Great Works for Harp, Disc 2)
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto #3 (Bach's Greatest Hits)
Bach: Violin Concerto in E major
CPE Bach: Flute concerto in A major, 1st mvt. Allegro (Complete Flute Concertos - Gallois)
Handel: Hornpipe (Best of Handel)
Respighi: Suite Bergamasque (Airs and Dances)
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in B-flat, No. 1, 1st mvt. (La Stravaganza - Podger)

 

[HarryN]

Hi flashfan - Thanks for the comments

- Moonlight Sonata - it would have to be the 1st mvt to work, and that is a bit somber. The 3rd mvt is way too fast and intense for the event as well. - but certainly good for a coffee substitute.

- A Stauss waltz - I was just thinking of that last night. Seems like a good idea.

- I will have to listen to some of your other suggestions - thanks.

 

[arioch]

Congratulations on your daughter's upcoming nuptials ...

Might consider a remix of the old classic by Elton John, "Your Song", done by actor Ewan McGregor on the original motion picture soundtrack for "Mouline Rouge".

Lyrics:

[And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world

I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss
Well a few of the verses well they've got me quite cross
But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song
It's for people like you that keep it turned on

So excuse me forgetting but these things I do
You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue
Anyway the thing is what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen]

This is a shortened version of Elton John's original, and leaves out the first two verses, which are:

[It's a little bit funny this feeling inside
I'm not one of those who can easily hide
I don't have much money but boy if I did
I'd buy a big house where we both could live

If I was a sculptor, but then again, no
Or a man who makes potions in a travelling show
I know it's not much but it's the best I can do
My gift is my song and this one's for you]

These two verses lean toward a bf/gf relationship, so its exclusion appears to be more geared to your needs.

Ewan McGregor does a very decent version on vocals, and he is accompanied by Italian tenor Alessandro Safina.

Another suggestion would be Carol King's "Now and Forever" ...

Lyrics:

[Now and forever, you are a part of me
And the memory cuts like a knife
Didn't we find the ecstasy, didn't we share the daylight
When you walked into my life

Now and forever, I'll remember
All the promises still unbroken
And think about all the words between us
That never needed to be spoken

We had a moment, just one moment
That will last beyond a dream, beyond a lifetime
We are the lucky ones
Some people never get to do all we got to do
Now and forever, I will always think of you

Didn't we come together, didn't we live together
Didn't we cry together
Didn't we play together, didn't we love together
And together we make up the world

I miss the tears, I miss the laughter
I miss the day we met and all that followed after
Sometimes I wish I could always be with you
The way we used to do
Now and forever, I will always think of you
Now and forever, I will always be with you]

Previously mentioned suggestions "Dance With My Father" (sweet but sad, involving the death of the father and sadness of the mother) and "Butterfly Kisses" were also good ones.

BTW, I skimmed over a couple of thousand soft rock/mellow rock/ballads/love songs (I collect these), and as you stated, there are not a lot of songs that depict a paternal/maternal love versus a romantic love.

Good luck in your song choice, though.

 

[LuxLuthor]

Harry is this going to be an actual original artist song, or do you have a band playing it? Also if you don't mind...approximate ages of you and daughter? Are you looking for a slow dance or a little faster tempo? Finally, what do you want the song to convey (to you, her, friends & family)? There are songs that celebrate/appreciate your love, others that are kind of like a best wishes to their future together, etc. Is there something especially meaningful between you and her that you would want to be remembered?

Also, how important is it that people recognize the song (which conjures up their own memories--and more involvement), vs. only meaningful to you and her? My experience with most classical orchestral music (Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, etc) is they are less engaging at something like a wedding reception than songs with lyrics. Not necessarily true at the wedding which is more solemn/intensive.

Another link of the top ten father daughter wedding songs.

 

[ypsifly]

Although its often used as an alternative to "Here Comes the Bride", "Pachelbel's Canon in D Major" might work for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wpPk8qk3uQ

 

[sledhead]

John Mayer : "Daughters" Excellent song
Lee Ann Womack:" I Hope you Dance" Also very nice.

 

[HarryN]

Wow - lots of posts - I guess I should answer a few (in no particular order)

Sledhead - Thank you for the suggestions - will listen to them and add to the list.

Ypsifly - Thanks - that is a nice version of Pachelbel's Canon in D Major. Also - added to the list

LuxLuthor - Several questions - all good ones.
- This daughter is 26.
- There will be a DJ only
- No custom music / singing - only what we can find commercially / internet (at least as far as I want)
- Special Communications / feels / message - Jeez - no, I just want something my inept feet can dance to and not too many complaints.
- Classical - Mostly I just like piano sonatas, not really classical in general

Arioch
- Thanks but "your song" is a bit too close to home
- My wife and I are long time EJ fans. I was the first person she ever met that owned more EJ albums (records) than she did.

TheGeek
- thanks for the H music - interestingly, someone in the family had that one also. Still looking though.

Of course, my younger daughter is lobbying for my to mix in Soulja boy into the dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpocrqvP2Yg

That is about as likely as me finishing the light in my sig line by then. :ironic:

 

[lctorana]

Father-daughter?

Money (That's what I want)

 

[Sinjz]

'I Hope You Dance' is an excellent song, but it's country and he doesn't want that. :shrug:

Has anyone suggested Greenday's 'Good Riddance'?

 

[LuxLuthor]

It's so hard to recommend music for something like this that includes your tastes, meaningful, and easy to dance to. First thought I had was to check out the 3 volumes of "Great American Songbook" albums that Rod Stewart did.

 

[QualityAir]

At both of my daughters weddings, the song was "i loved her first"
It's a beautiful song, that does not sound country. Try listening to it a few times.

 

[this_is_nascar]

I only read the 1st and last post of this thread. By far, the best song for a Father giving away his daughter is "I Loved Her First", from Heartland. Don't let the fact that it's a "country" song scare you away from listening to it. Be sure to have the box of tissues with you.

 

[Beamhead]

Be sure to have the box of issues with you.

I have a big box of those. :nana: Sorry I had to.

 

[HarryN]

Ok, the top contender right now is:

Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5IIXeR5OUI

This was completely different than my usual listening habits, so I was surprised that I liked it so much.

Thanks for the suggestions - feel free to keep them going. It is fun to read and nothing is in stone. (or Ti as we say around here)

 

[diddy808]

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World