Welcome to the January 2020 edition of “Behind the Wedding Music,” a resource to help build wedding playlists for DJs. Each month we will highlight new songs and include a line of song lyrics, a description of the song’s emotional profile, and a few fun facts — designed to help you advise a wedding couple if they’re looking for something fresh in their playlist.
A few newly released wedding songs from December 2020:
Love Is Back
Celeste
(December 31, 2020)
The song is an uplifting retro-soul song that will put everyone in the right mood.
Notable Lyrics: “And it’s you, Foolish of me to say these things, but I want you, I know it’s all in you, Don’t need a reason when I see it all in you”
Fun Facts: Celeste was on BBC’s Sound of 2020 that predicts the most exciting new talent from the year. Celeste was also on NME’s list of essential new artists for 2020. Her new album Not Your Muse is expected in February 2021.
Just Call My Name
Mýa
(December 25, 2020)
The song describes being there for your partner through the highs and lows and know that they will always be there.
Notable Lyrics: “When the silence is so loud, And you can’t seem to find your way, All the world’s come crashin’ down, Just know you can count on me”
Fun Facts: Mya won a Grammy in 2001 for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for Lady Marmalade. She was a finalist on season 9 of Dancing with the Stars.
Afterglow
Ed Sheeran
(December 21, 2020)
Sheeran announced the song on social media as a “Christmas present”. The song gives the story of a miracle in his life – his new daughter.
Notable Lyrics: “Oh, I won’t be silent and I won’t let go, I will hold on tighter ’til the afterglow, And we’ll burn so bright ’til the darkness softly clears”
Fun Facts: Afterglow is on the list of hot trending songs on Spotify and YouTube. It will most likely be Sheeran’s 20th top five single. In August 2020, Sheeran and his wife welcomed their new baby girl, Lyra Antarctica.
She’s My Religion
Pale Waves
(December 17, 2020)
The song describes a love relationship and embracing the person you love even through all of the rocky roads.
Notable Lyrics: “But she helped me find a different kinda love, Made me feel like I was finally enough”
Fun Facts: An alternative rock represents gay women in the LGBTQ+ community by describing women loving women.
Last
Jim Ranger
(December 16, 2020)
Ranger debuted the song as part 1 of season 19’s season finale of The Voice. The song tells a story of a wedding day and how to make your love last through time.
Notable Lyrics: “Boy, even when it hurts, Love her day by day, and give more than you ask, That’s how you make it last”
Fun Facts: Renger did not win season 19 of The Voice but he did take second place to Carter Rubin. Before the show, Ranger was a pastor from Bakersfield, California. Team Gwen Stefani got her first winner on The Voice.
Willow
Taylor Swift
(December 11, 2020)
Willow is the first track to be released from Swift’s new album evermore. Swift describes the song as “wanting someone and the start of falling in love”.
Notable Lyrics: “I’m begging for you to take my hand, Wreck my plans, That’s my man”
Fun Facts: The evermore album continues a storyline of exploring mythology, stories, and secrets; just like she did on her album folklore. On January 6th, she released an extended version of evermore to include new songs.
Old with You
Chuck Wicks
(December 4, 2020)
The song story describes a love to be thankful for.
Notable Lyrics: “Don’t know how, but somehow, Now I’m the luckiest guy in the room, Cause I’m the one who gets to get old with you”
Fun Facts: This is not Wick’s only wedding song. “Stealing Cinderella” was a popular father-daughter dance song released in 2008.
Til the End of Time
Clint Black feat. Lisa Hartman Black
(December 3, 2020)
A beautiful love song about loving each other forever.
Notable Lyrics: “There can be no ending with a love like yours and mine, Like the stars above it goes on and on ‘til the end of time”
Fun Facts: You may remember that “Til the End of Time” is not the first wedding duet song by the married couple. “When I Said I Do” was released in 1999 and remains a popular country wedding song. Check out their performances on their 2020 season of The Masked Singer.
Slow Dancing
Aly & AJ
(December 2, 2020)
The sister duo sings about longing for someone and a desire for simplicity.
Notable Lyrics: “I don’t need anything fancy, I just need me and you slow dancing”
Fun Facts: The electro-pop duo has had a resurgence since one of their songs from 2007, “Potential Breakup Song” on album Insomniac, has been going viral on TikTok.
