Music Through the Ages: 1960s!
In the 60s, Rock ‘n’ Roll found a different voice, spawning a raft of new sub genres and giving rise to the likes of the Rolling Stones.
Pop, as ever, moved with the times; cosying up to rock and bringing out behemoths such as The Beatles, or going upbeat with unknowns to produce one hit wonders such as the Archie’s ‘Sugar Sugar’. R&B just kept on doing what it did best; being led by the likes of James Brown.
The 60s is a great time for music and produced some amazing wedding music for wedding band setlists. Songs that even the young’uns will recognise as soon as the wedding band starts playing, even if they don’t know the name of the song!
You’ve probably got people who want to dance, and people who want to sing so give them a song that they can do both, with ‘I'm a Believer’ (The Monkees - 1967). It might confuse the kids though when they think Shrek’s on a TV somewhere!
‘I Got You ‘I Feel Good’’ (James Brown - 1964) - Great couples’ song to dance to, especially when one of them likes to sing at the other well (or badly) - it matters…it’s your wedding day!
Before Beyoncé there was Patti Drew, and before ‘Crazy in Love’ the ladies strutted up to the wedding dancefloor to be ‘Hard to Handle’ (Patti Drew – 1969). Then, just in case their partners didn’t get the message from Patti on who’s in charge of the dance floor, let the ladies put them firmly in place with ‘Hit the Road Jack’ (Ray Charles - 1961).
You can get the dancefloor absolutely bouncing at your wedding, but it’s probably best not to tell them the name of the song as most people will go ‘what?!’. Instead, just start singing about the mashed potato then go naaaa nana na nana naaaa nana naaaa and watch their eyes light up in realisation as ‘Land of a Thousand Dances’ (Wilson Pickett - 1966) starts playing.
For those stubbornly sticking to their chairs at the side lines, who maybe claim they don’t know how to dance, it’s a pretty sure thing they can figure out what to do during a bit of ‘Twist and Shout’ (The Beatles - 1963).
There are many modern songs that will get the your wedding crowd arms around their shoulders, singing their hearts out. But it’s not restricted to the now; Tom Jones was doing it way back when getting people to belt out ‘Delilah’ (Tom Jones - 1968).
Then finally (for this list at least) ‘Hey Jude’ (The Beatles – 1968) because well, if you’re not listening to the Beatles, have you really done the 60s? An end of the night-er when it’s way past lights out, but people need just one more sing along together.
Don’t neglect music from the 60s when planning your live wedding band music!
