21 Best America Songs (the Band) for a Wedding Playlist
Have you found yourself wondering about the songs by America? Maybe you want to include one at your wedding and don’t know which will be the best? Or are you in a serious debate with a friend, arguing if a song is by America or not?
Whatever the reason might be that brought you here today, I have the answer for you!
America is a popular band, having been around since the late 1960s. Their music has likely filled your home, marked special occasions, and kept you company on long drives home. But how many of their songs do you know?
And how suitable would some of them be at a wedding? It can be tricky to know the answer to these questions, and you are often left searching and searching, becoming increasingly stressed, but never getting the answer you need.
Well, no more! Today, I am here with the answers that you need. Just keep reading for a list of America’s songs and everything you need to know about them to decide if they are the ones for your wedding or not!
Spotify America Playlist
America Songs For Weddings
Let’s get straight into it! Below is our list of songs by America and a little bit of information about them. Keep reading to see your favorite songs, discover new ones, and decide what ones should feature in your wedding!
All My Life
Released in 1979 on the album Silent Letter
Notable Lyrics:
“All my life, I will carry you through / All my life, between each hour of the passing days / I will stay with you”
First up, we have All My Life! This classic love song is perfect for any wedding and became the song for couples to listen to back in the 1980s! The lyrics are well suited to a wedding environment and it is sure to be a crowd-pleaser with some of your older guests.
And Forever
Released in 1979 on the album Silent Letter
Notable Lyrics:
“But you were on my mind that day / You were on my mind each day / You were on my mind that day and forever, and forever”
Next, we have And Forever, which was first released back in 1979. Again, these lyrics would work well in a wedding and would be a good option for anyone. After all, who doesn’t want a song at their wedding that talks about being together forever?
A Horse With No Name
Released in 1971 on the album America
Notable Lyrics:
“You see I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name / It felt good to be out of the rain / In the desert you can’t remember your name / ‘Cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain”
A Horse With No Name isn’t necessarily about love, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be an excellent choice for your wedding! It’s a hugely popular song from America, although several radio stations refused to play it because of its references to drug use (with a horse being slang for heroin).
That said if you enjoy the song, why not play it at your wedding? It is your day, after all.
I Need You
Released in 1972 on the album America
Notable Lyrics:
“You know I need you, guess I’ll start it all again / You know I need you, I need you”
I Need You is one of America’s earlier songs, released in 1972. It is a beautiful love song, although you might find it a little sad for a wedding. The lyrics are beautiful, but not everyone wants to listen to a song about a breakup at a wedding.
But if it is a song that you like, then who cares? Play the music that you want to hear! It is a great song regardless of the content, so if you want to sing along or dance to it, make sure your DJ or band knows!
Only In Your Heart
Released in 1972 on the album Homecoming
Notable Lyrics:
“‘Cause it is only in your heart / This thing that makes you want to / Start it all again”
Released in 1973, Only In Your Heart is another fantastic song from America! Similar to I Need You, the lyrics don’t scream wedding material, but it is a song that will get everyone out of their seats and singing along, especially your older guests.
The song focuses on convincing Mary that she needs to leave her current relationship. So you might not want those kinds of lyrics at your wedding, but as we said, if you like the song, then play the song! After a few drinks, no one is going to focus on the lyrics of the song anyway. So why not play the songs that you like? Especially if it has a meaning to you and your partner.
California Dreamin’
Released in 1979 on the album California Dreaming soundtrack
Notable Lyrics:
“Oh, California dreamin’ / (California dreamin’) / On such a winter’s day”
America’s version of California Dreamin’ is a classic and an excellent song to include in your wedding! Everyone is sure to know the lyrics and hit the dancefloor to sing along and dance. America’s version is fantastic and no matter the age of your wedding guests, they are sure to recognize it and sing along with you.
Daisy Jane
Released in 1975 on the album Hearts
Notable Lyrics:
“Do you really love me / I hope you do / Like the stars above me how I love you”
Daisy Jane is another classic song by America, released in 1975. Like other soft rock songs of that time, Daisy Jane has a great beat and the lyrics are pretty memorable. Sure, it might be a song that your Dad sings in the shower, but it’s stood the test of time and is a fantastic song to play at your wedding.
It’s often one that bands can cover pretty easily too, so whether you have a DJ or a live band, you can enjoy listening to Daisy Jane at your wedding.
Down To The Water
Released in 1977 on the album Harbor
Notable Lyrics:
“The weather’s fine / And everything’s all right / So let’s go down to the water tonight”
Down To The Water is an excellent song by America, and would be a fine choice if you had a beach wedding! Imagine the sand in your hair and the sea air rolling in as you listen to this song. It’s also a good choice if you want to get bums off seats and feet on the dance floor.
Finding a song that gets everyone on their feet and dancing can be hard, but Down To The Water is sure to do this! Plus, it will surely hit your guests with a wave of nostalgia and get them singing along to a song of their youth!
Don’t Cross The River
Released in 1972 on the album Homecoming
Notable Lyrics:
“Don’t cross the river if you can’t swim the tide / Don’t try denyin’ livin’ on the other side / All your life”
Released in 1973, Don’t Cross The River is another favorite among America fans. The lyrics of the song are a little dark for a wedding, but don’t let that stop you from playing the song! The rock song has even been re-recorded and released by G. Brooks in 2001, so there’s a good chance younger wedding guests will be familiar with the song too!
If you aren’t too focused on the lyrics, but rather on the rhythm of the song, then why not play it at your wedding? Again, it’s a song that most guests are sure to be familiar with, especially if they are America fans too, so why not play it?
Glad To See You
Released in 1974 on the album Holiday
Notable Lyrics:
“God, I’m glad to see you / I thought you’d left me far away / I wouldn’t give much to be you”
Glad To See You is a song all about how glad the singer is to see their lover, so why wouldn’t you play it at your wedding? Not only is it a great one to dance to, but we have been to weddings where the couple has walked down the aisle to the song! After spending the night apart, why not reunite with a song that perfectly sums up your feelings?
Glad To See You is an excellent song to play at your wedding, and it can even pull on the heartstrings and get a tear or two from your wedding guests. And if you don’t want to play the song, ask your musician to play the instrumental version or slow the song down. Both of these options are fantastic, especially if your wedding is an elegant affair.
I Do Believe In You
Released in 1980 on the album Alibi
Notable Lyrics:
“I do, I do believe in you / After all that we’ve been through / You took away my darkest nights / No one else could see the light”
This song is perfect if you need a song to perfectly explain how you feel about your partner! I Do Believe In You can summarize the love for your partner super easily, and is an excellent choice for a first dance or be played at any point in your wedding. After all, who doesn’t believe in their new spouse?
It makes for a unique first dance song, or you can play it later in the night if you wish. I Do Believe In You works well at any point, so don’t be afraid to add this to your wedding playlist!
You Can Do Magic
Released in 1982 on the album View from the Ground
Notable Lyrics:
“You can do magic / You can have anything that you desire / Magic, and you know”
You Can Do Magic is another fantastic option to include in your wedding. Released in 1982, the song has a bit more of a pop and folk feel than some of America’s other tracks, making it a fine choice for a wedding. The beat is pretty upbeat and happy, which means your guests will have no trouble finding the dance floor.
It is also a good song to include if not all of your wedding guests are America fans. Regardless of whether they know the song or not, they are sure to enjoy the beat and join in on the dancing too! Or, you can break the mold and use it as your first dance song if it has a special meaning to you and your partner.
Sandman
Released in 1971 on the album America
Notable Lyrics:
“‘Cause I understand you’ve been running from the man / That goes by the name of the Sandman / He flies the sky like an eagle in the eye / Of a hurricane that’s abandoned”
Released in 1972, Sandman is another favorite among America fans. Due to the lyrics, it’s not one we would have as a first dance song (unless you love it, of course), but it is a great one to play later in the evening.
The slower beat and pace of the song make it a good choice in between some faster songs when you and your guests want to catch your breath after dancing. It’s also a good one to sway to and get all your guests up hugging each other. Other wedding parties have played it as one of their last songs and it has worked well there too. Where you play it is up to you!
Tin Man
Released in 1974 on the album Holiday
Notable Lyrics:
“Oh, Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man / That he didn’t, didn’t already have”
Tin Man was released in 1974 and to this day is still popular with America fans. It’s a song that older wedding guests are sure to know and be able to sing along to. The melody is great for bobbing along on the dance floor too, even the most uncoordinated can dance along to this with ease.
Tin Man is a song that tends to stir up a lot of nostalgia for childhood and younger days when it comes on, so why not get your guests feeling all kinds of emotions and join you on the dancefloor?
Love On The Vine
Released in 1982 on the album View from the Ground
Notable Lyrics:
“But I know that the berry’s ripe on the vine / And I know that the grapes will soon turn to wine / Yes I know I’ll be there, just in time to love you”
That’s right, we have another one with love in the title! Love On The Vine is not the most upbeat lyric-wise, but it is still a good song to play at your wedding if you want to include one about love. You can expect a few of your guests to know this song too, so you won’t have to worry about the dancefloor being empty!
Due to the lyrics, it’s not one we would recommend having as your first dance, but mixed in with other love songs or your favorite songs, it’s a good way to get some of America’s hits into your wedding!
Might Be Your Love
Released in 1980 on the album Alibi
Notable Lyrics:
“Might be your love / Might be your heart / Someone to hold you / All alone in the dark”
Again, the lyrics of Might Be Your Love aren’t the most cheery, but we don’t think the lyrics are the only thing you should consider when selecting songs to play at your wedding! Instead, think about their meaning to you and your partner. If you like them, does it matter what other people think of the song? Play it anyway and enjoy your day!
Might Be Your Love is a classic America song and one that lots of people tend to know, so whack it on your list and enjoy the beat when it blares through the DJ speakers.
One In A Million
Released in 1980 on the album Alibi
Notable Lyrics:
“One night, one in a million / Twilight, lastin’ us through tomorrow / Nothing can come between us”
One In A Million is a lovely song by America that is a good choice for a wedding. If you feel that your lover is one in a million, why not show them that by playing this song at your wedding? You could ask the band or DJ to dedicate it to them, or even get up on stage if you wish!
Again, it’s a song that lots of America fans know, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting people on the dancefloor and singing along. After all, you want your wedding to be a fun affair with people dancing, don’t you?
Paradise
Released in 2001 on the album Here & Now
Notable Lyrics:
“And in the evening / Unbelieving / I’ll be ready to say / That we’re all / Living here in / Paradise”
Again, if you want to dedicate a song to your partner, Paradise is an excellent one to use. It also makes for a unique first dance song too, so if you want something different at your wedding, give Paradise a listen and see what you think!
The lyrics are lovely and the ones that we think summarize perfectly how a wedding and marriage can feel like paradise. It’s a song that your guests should be familiar with too, meaning if you want everyone up and dancing, Paradise should get them on their feet!
Right Before Your Eyes
Released in 1982 on the album View from the Ground
Notable Lyrics:
“I’ve found the nerve to sell you / On a guy like me / Wishes that he could be”
If you like a song with some soppy lyrics, Right Before Your Eyes is a fine choice for your wedding! Not every lyric is soppy either, so it’s a good balance that can be tricky to find in a wedding song. Not everyone likes every lyric of every song to be about undying love, making Right Before Your Eyes a nice happy medium.
Sure the song is still about love, but in a way that you can still enjoy the song without feeling overwhelmed with emotions. Play it and you will see what we mean!
Sister Golden Hair
Released in 1975 on the album Hearts
Notable Lyrics:
“Well, I keep on thinkin’ ’bout you / Sister Golden Hair surprise / And I just can’t live without you”
Most likely the most recognizable song on the list. If the bride or a bridesmaid is a blonde, then this song would fit right in for classic rock fans!
And there you have it, a list of America’s songs and some information about each one! While there might be a song or two that has fallen off the list (they have so many to cover), we hope you found today’s article helpful! No matter the theme of your wedding, we are sure there is an America song that will fit right in and complete your night perfectly!
Don’t forget to make your DJ or band aware of any song requests you have before the wedding to ensure they have plenty of time to get the music sorted. The last thing you want is to spend your evening listening to songs you have never heard of!
America Highest-Charting Singles – US
- #1 “A Horse with No Name”, 1972
- #1 “Sister Golden Hair”, 1975
- #4 “Tin Man”, 1974
- #5 “Lonely People”, 1974
- #8 “Ventura Highway”, 1972
- #8 “You Can Do Magic”, 1972
- #9 “I Need You”, 1972
Have a favorite America (the band) song? Please share your song below in the comments!
