Jazz Wedding Songs – Podcast E80
Matt talks about his favorite jazz wedding songs to add to your wedding day playlist. Hear some song lyrics that go with the picks too!
Important Links
- View the complete list of best jazz songs at weddings.
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Podcast Transcript
Welcome to episode number 80 of the Wedding Songs Podcast. I am Matt Campbell and today I am going to be talking about Jazz songs you can play during your wedding ceremony and reception. If you prefer to read the list you can do so on our website MyWeddingSongs.com. Just go to playlists in the main menu then genre. Right there you will see all of the genres including Jazz. If you have any questions about any songs on the list, you can reach out to me on the website. While you’re there, on the main menu, make sure you subscribe to our monthly newsletter. It goes out on the last day of the month and features all the new wedding songs released in the prior month. It also has great song ideas for date night or even just sitting by the fire. I realize that not every wedding will want to play Jazz music because it can be a slower tempo, but there are some great Jazz songs you can incorporate into your wedding day.
Now, Boney James recently released an album that is becoming wildly popular. One of the songs I would like to talk about today is “Coastin’” by Boney James featuring LeLah Hathaway, make sure you listen to that song. Another common crooner that is on a lot of Jazz song lists is Frank Sinatra. One of his most popular songs is “Fly Me To The Moon” which features Count Basie and his orchestra. Also his song “My Way” you could have as the last dance song that everybody will sing along to. Those are a few really popular Jazz songs that are being downloaded and streamed right now.
Let’s go ahead and get started on the list. Starting off with “Valentine” by Laufey released in 2022. Now you can’t really go wrong with a song titled “Valentine” and the lyrics…How the hell did I fall in love this time? And honestly, I can’t believe I get to call you mine. I blinked and suddenly, I had a Valentine. You have to love those lyrics that you can incorporate into your wedding. The modern-day crooner, Michael Buble is also a very popular Jazz artist, or you may consider adult contemporary. His new album Higher, also released in 2022, features great songs like “A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square” with the lyrics…It was such a romantic affair, And when you turned and smiled at me. A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square. Another song on that album is “My Valentine” with the lyrics…And she’ll be there, This love of mine, My Valentine. If R&B is your thing, one of my favorite new songs is “It Had To Be You” but this is not the Harry Connick version, this is by Jac Ross with a more Jazz / R&B feel to it. Lyrics include…I wandered around, and I finally found, The somebody who could make me be true. And could make me be blue, And even be glad, Just to be sad – thinking of you.
Two mega stars collaborated together, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga in 2021, for a whole album. My favorite song on that album is “I Get A Kick Out Of You” with the lyrics…Flying too high with some gal in the sky is my idea of nothing to do, Yet I get a kick, You give me a whirl, I get a kick out of you, Get my kicks out of you. For true Jazz fans, “Everything You Touch Is Gold” by Gregory Porter in 2020, I really love Gregory Porters’ voice and his Jazz feel you could have as a background song or even during the wedding ceremony. Lyrics include…And it feels like heaven, Touchin’ your hand, But it’s just like heaven, Callin’ your name. The next song I want to mention is a song you could play throughout your wedding ceremony, or even as a first dance song. It is called “Everything To Me” by Imagesong featuring Alexis Cole, Mike Eckroth & Marc Phaneuf with the lyrics…You’re everything to me, You’re my inspiration.
Now everybody knows the very popular song “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra. One of my favorite covers of this is by Karen Souza, in 2020, with those famous lyrics…When the world is cold, I will feel a glow just thinking of you, And the way you look tonight.
For a mix of R&B and Jazz, Robert Glasper featuring H.E.R. and Meshell Ndegeocello released “Better Than I Imagined” in 2020. Lyrics…But still, I can’t, See myself with no one else, ‘Cause it was better than I imagined. Now we are going to go into the 2010s. If you are looking for a processional or recessional song and you are a gamer, then the Super Mario Brothers 3 song by Alfredo Rodríguez & Pedrito Martinez in 2019 is an instrumental song to check out. A great Jazz duet song by Caleb Collins & Alicia Olatuja released “Our Love Is Here To Stay” in 2019. Lyrics include…it’s very clear, our love is here to stay, Not for a year but ever and a day, The radio and the telephone and the movies that we know, May just be passing fancies and in time may go, But, oh, my dear, our love is here to stay.
Harry Connick Jr. released “True Love” in 2019 with the lyrics…For you and I have a guardian angel, On high, with nothing to do, But to give to you and to give to me, Love forever true. Another one of my favorite artists, Janel Monae, released “That’s Enough” in 2019 with the lyrics…So, I was thinking, If you and I could take the day off, Go around town, visit some of our favorite spots, ‘Cause there’s nothing like, Spending time together, you know, you and I. If you are a big fan of the song “Best Part” by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R., then the Rhythm and Jazz Coalition, known as RJC, released an instrumental version of this. It is a song you can incorporate into your wedding ceremony. A personal favorite group of mine is Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox and they released “Feel It Still” as a cover to the song by Portugal The Man, with an upbeat tempo version. If you are looking for a Jazzy Pianist then check out Brian Culbertson and his song “When I Am With You” in 2018. Also in 2018, Tony Bennett teamed up with Diana Krall with “Love Is Here To Stay” with the lyrics…But, oh my dear, Our love is here to stay, Together we’re going a long, long way.
Everybody knows the song “At Last” by Etta James but a duet of this song by Connie Wilson and Johnny G. in 2018 has those famous lyrics…At last, My love has come along, My lonely days are over, And life is like a song. Another up-tempo song, by Jeff Goldblum, Yes the actor from the Jurassic Park series, and The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra & Haley Reinhart teamed up with “My Baby Just Cares For Me”. Lyrics include…Liz Taylor is not his style, And even Lana Turner’s smile, Oh, it’s somethin’ he can’t see, Well, my baby don’t care, who knows, My baby just cares for me. An independent Jazz song by Peet Project, “Champagne Of My Life” was released in 2017. Lyrics include…You are the champagne of my life, Tonight we gotta get down. Michael Buble is on our list a few times and in 2009 he released “Hold On” with the lyrics…We are stronger here together than we could ever be alone, So, hold on to me, Don’t you ever let me go. Also, in 2007, one of his most popular wedding songs, “Everything”, with the lyrics…And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times, It’s you, it’s you, you make me sing, You’re every line, you’re every word, you’re everything.
If you are looking for a recessional song, or even as the last dance song, “The Best Is Yet To Come”, also by Buble in 2007. Both are off of his Call Me Irresistible album. If you are looking for a song to play for the garter removal, then “Hey Big Spender” by Susan Kohler in 2007. With the lyrics…Wouldn’t you like to have fun, fun, fun, How’s about a few laughs, laughs, I could show you a good time. Another great recessional song is the popular Norah Jones with “Come Away With Me” in 2002 with the lyrics…Come away with me and we’ll kiss, On a mountaintop, Come away with me, And I’ll never stop loving you. Another one of her songs from the Come Away With Me album is “The Nearness Of You” with the lyrics…When you’re in my arms, And I feel you so close to me, All my wildest dreams, Came true. On the list again, in 2001, Diana Krall released “The Look Of Love” with the lyrics…Be mine, tonight, Let this be just the start of, So many nights like this, Let’s take a lover’s vow, And then seal it with a kiss. Her other song, in 1999, “Let’s Fall In Love” is another great wedding song. Lyrics include…Let’s fall in love, Why shouldn’t we fall in love? Now is the time for it, while we are young.
In the movie Sleepless In Seatle, Harry Connick Jr.’s song “A Wink And A Smile” from 1993. With the lyrics…So you can rev her up, Don’t go slow, It’s only green lights, and alright, Let’s go together, with a wink and a smile. This song is categorized as a Jazz song, but I would also put it in the Pop category. One that has a lot of downloads and is becoming very trendy is Bobby Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do for Love” in 1991. Also in 1991 the famous collaboration of Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole with their song “Unforgettable”. So if you are looking for a father-daughter dance, this is a song you can consider. Lyrics include…Though near or far, Like a song of love that clings to me, How the thought of you does things to me, Never before, Has someone been more. Unforgettable. If you are looking for a cake-cutting song, then “Recipe For Love” by Harry Connick Jr. in 1990. With the lyrics…It doesn’t need sugar ’cause it’s already sweet, It doesn’t need an oven ’cause it’s got a lot of heat, Just add a dash of kisses to make it all complete, And that’s the recipe for making love. From the movie When Harry Met Sally, Harri Connick Jr. with “It Had To Be You”.
In 1988 Anita Baker released “Giving You Ther Best That I Got” which is a great R&B Jazz song to play. If you are looking for a sing-along song during happy hour, or even during cocktail hour, “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin in 1988. Lyrics include…In every life, we have some trouble, But when you worry you make it double, Don’t worry be happy. “We’re In This Love Together” by Al Jarreau in 1981. Also in 81’ is “Our Love Is Here To Stay” by Natalie Cole with the lyrics…Together we’re going a long, long way, In time the Rockies may tumble, Gibraltar may crumble, They’re only made of clay, But our love is here to stay. Another great closing song is “Theme From New York New York” by Frank Sinatra in 1979. Van Morrison is on our list with his song “Moondance” released in 1970 with the lyrics…Well, it’s a marvelous night for a moondance, With the stars up above in your eyes, A fantabulous night to make romance, ‘Neath the cover of October skies.
If you are looking for a parent dance, then “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong in 1967. A great background song to have everybody sing along to is “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole in 1965 with the lyrics…L is for the way you look at me, O is for the only one I see, V is very, very extraordinary, E is even more than anyone that you adore. One of my favorites, instead of “At Last” is “A Sunday Kind Of Love” by Etta James in 1960. Lyrics include…Oh I’m hoping to discover, A certain kind of lover, Who will show me the way. Another favorite song of mine, by Ray Charles, is “Come Rain Or Come Shine” in 1959 with the lyrics…Days may be cloudy or sunny, We’re in or we are out of the money, yeah, But I’m with you always, I’m with you rain or shine. Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald made a great combo and the two songs I want to mention are “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love)” in 1957 and in 1956 “Cheek To Cheek”.I definitely have to mention “That’s Amore” by Dean Martin in 1953. And the final artist I want to mention is Duke Ellington. He had a lot of great hits like “In A Sentimental Mood” or “Take The “A” Train”. Big Band is considered Jazz as well so make sure you check out the Big Band era. They have a lot of great songs including “Sing Sing Sing” by Benny Goodman.
So there you have it, a few Jazz songs you could play for your wedding ceremony and reception. If you want to read the whole list, or listen to the list you can do so on our website MyWeddingSongs.com. Make sure while you are there, check out our newsletter that you can subscribe to so you can get all of the new wedding songs released in the prior month. Also, get unique ideas as well. I am going to stick to my play to release a new podcast every two weeks. So in two weeks, I am going to be talking about combined parent-child dance songs. So that would be the father of the bride dancing with the bride, or the mother of the groom dancing with the groom both together instead of during two separate songs. Thanks for listening and have a great day.
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