Expert: Andy Bouwman - 2/7/2007

Question
What do you think about these songs:
Loving Wings
Up and Away
Stay
Everyday
Crash
When The World Ends
Angel

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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Since you understand and interpret DMB lyrics, what are the best DMB songs to be played at a wedding or wedding reception?  I have a wedding coming up in March and a meeting with the DJ in mid-Feb.  Also, can you think of any other love songs covered by Dave, Dave/Tim, or DMB.
-----Answer-----
Hi Merv,
Congratulations on your wedding!  Of course any and all decisions about what music to play at your wedding simply comes down to what do you and your fiancee like and what to hear, but I can try to make some suggestions.

DMB songs I think would be most appropriate for a wedding reception:

I'll Back You Up - Can't go wrong with a quiet classic.

Lover Lay Down - Another sweet slow number, although it might be a little risque at its most literal.

#41 - Not really written as a love song, but it works well as one.  Also a little more upbeat than the previous 2.

Crush - My personal favorite of Dave's love songs, and perfectly danceable.

So Right - Probably DMB's fastest love song besides "Rapunzel" (which is definitely too risque for a wedding situation), which makes it a great choice for later in the reception.

Where Are You Going/Space Between/Dreamgirl - I'm not personally a big fan of these 3, but they're among DMB's most popular love songs, and I'd be remiss not to at least list them.  If you like them, by all means, play them, although watch out for a few risque lyrics in Dreamgirl.

Oh - From Dave's solo album "Some Devil."  Short, sweet, and to the point.

#40 - Another short song, but among my absolute favorites.  You'll have to take a live cut of this if you want to use it, but there are some good sounding ones available.  The best one that's easily accessible is on "Listener Supported" but my pick would be from the 5.10.95 show at Yoshi's in Oakland.

Love of My Life - This is a song that Dave and Carter played with Carlos Santana on his album "Supernatural."  It's fast and fun.

As for covers, the only one I can think of that would work well would be The Zombies' "Time of the Season" which was only played in 2005.  It's on the Red Rocks release.

As I said before, the best judge of what to play is you guys, but here's a list of the DMB songs I think work best.  Hope it helps!

Andy

Answer
Hi again Merv,
Sorry for not getting back to you sooner.  Here's what I think about the songs you listed:

Loving Wings - Totally forgot about this one.  Great song, and highly appropriate.  I definitely recommend this one.

Up and Away - Another one I honestly forgot to consider.  It's not one of my personal favorites, but it's a nice song that would work well.

Stay - Not really a song primarly about love.  There are parts that give it a romantic overtone, but it's basically more about enjoying a summer day.

Everyday - This isn't so much on the "sweet" side of love songs, but it is a love song at its core.  Though it wouldn't be my first choice to play at a wedding, it would work just fine.

Crash - This song always comes to mind in a list of DMB's love songs, but a close listen to the lyrics reveals it's actually about a guy stalking a girl, so you may want to stay away from this one :)

When the World Ends - This song also crossed my mind, but in my opinion there are too many references to drugs and explicit sex to make it work at a wedding.

Angel - Another song I considered and decided not to include, mostly because I really don't like it.  Of all DMB songs, I feel it's one with very amateurish lyrics, which makes me tend to avoid it.  As before, it's entirely up to your judgment and preferences.

Hope I've been helpful once again!
Andy