The Soundtrack Of Love: Top 10 Popular Songs People Play At Weddings
When it comes to wedding celebrations, music plays an extremely significant role in ensuring the ceremony remains unforgettable. A recent analysis by Givetastic, delving into 100,000 Spotify playlists with wedding-related search terms, unveiled the top 10 most popular songs that echo through the joyous halls of matrimony.
1. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” // Whitney Houston
Playlists Appearance: 10,933
Whitney Houston’s timeless anthem leads the wedding charts, appearing on nearly 11,000 playlists. Producer Narada Michael Walden’s efforts to infuse a “funkier feel” transformed the demo from its initial “country and western” roots.
2. “Marry You” // Bruno Mars
Playlists Appearance: 7,805
Bruno Mars takes the second spot with “Marry You,” a track capturing the spontaneity of a Las Vegas wedding. Mars, evasive about personal inspirations, leaves listeners to wonder about the wild tales behind the lyrics.
3. “Yeah!” // Usher feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris
Playlists Appearance: 7,550
Usher’s infectious collaboration with Lil Jon and Ludacris, “Yeah!,” brings the dancefloor to life in over 7,500 playlists. Interestingly, the beat originally intended for Usher’s hit can be traced back to Petey Pablo’s “Freek-A-Leek.”
4. “Shut Up and Dance” // WALK THE MOON
Playlists Appearance: 6,362
WALK THE MOON’s upbeat anthem, “Shut Up and Dance,” derives from a real-life encounter. Frontman Nicholas Petricca’s friend, wearing a backless dress and worn-out sneakers, inspired the memorable line, “Shut up and dance with me.”
5. “Perfect” // Ed Sheeran
Playlists Appearance: 6,358
Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” graces over 6,000 wedding playlists, recounting a personal moment with his wife, Cherry Seaborn. Like many other couples, the two often listen to music together, only this time, they were at their friend, James Blunt’s home. This memory is a big part of the song.
6. “Thinking Out Loud” // Ed Sheeran
Playlists Appearance: 6,141
Before settling on the iconic “Thinking Out Loud,” Sheeran and co-writer Amy Wadge explored the alternative lyric, “I’m singing out now.” The song’s heartfelt melody resonates on over 6,000 wedding playlists.
7. “Crazy In Love” // Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
Playlists Appearance: 6,113
Beyoncé’s accidental creation, “Crazy In Love,” rocked over 6,000 wedding playlists. The infectious hook originated from Beyoncé describing herself as “looking crazy right now” during a collaborative session with producer Rich Harrison.
8. “Mr. Brightside” // The Killers
Playlists Appearance: 5,927
The Killers’ anthemic “Mr. Brightside” finds its way into nearly 6,000 wedding playlists. Frontman Brandon Flowers drew inspiration from a personal heartbreak, creating a track that resonates with many.
9. “Wannabe” // Spice Girls
Playlists Appearance: 5,904
The Spice Girls’ empowering hit, “Wannabe,” spices up over 5,900 wedding playlists. Mel C, or Sporty Spice, revealed that the iconic “zig-a-zig-ah” was born from a playful moment, concocting silly words during a laughter-filled session.
10. “Dancing Queen” // ABBA
Playlists Appearance: 5,770
ABBA’s timeless classic, “Dancing Queen,” claims its spot in over 5,700 wedding playlists. A snippet of the song’s extended second verse, surviving in recording session footage, adds a nostalgic touch to wedding celebrations.