I’m making a collection of different songs by different artists, for Sr. Olives for our four year wedding anniversary (in two weeks.) This was referred to in olden days as a ‘‘mix tape.’’ Same basic idea, I’m just using MP3s.
I did this 8 years ago when we first got together, at age 19, as sophomores in undergrad. Many of the songs were of the ‘‘I’m young and just fell in love’’ variety, but this time I want to do something that reflects our relationship’s growth over time. We’re in a different phase of life now – both knee-deep in grad school, contemplating the adoption of children within a couple of years, and, well, older.
So I was hoping you guys could help me brainstorm. What songs do you know that seem to have a more long-term, realistic, mature outlook on relationships? I’m also soliciting songs about the role of said relationships in relieving external stress. I like the idea of ‘‘partner as sanctuary.’’
These songs don’t have to be 100% positive either. Because no relationship is.
Slow or fast, doesn’t matter. I’m trying to include a wide range of genres, from Latin to Country, but we tend to favor alternative and classic rock. We were children of the 90s.
I recommend In My Life by the Beatles. Excellent song that basically says, “yeah, my friends and my past and my family are all important but, after careful consideration, I love you more than anything and you are the most important thing in my life.” I am pushing to have this be the song my fiance and I dance to at our wedding.
Romeo and Juliet - Dire Straits
Differest Strings - Rush
Let’s Do It - Cole Porter
Anna Begins - Counting Crows
Under the Boardwalk - The Drifters
Don’t Get Me Wrong - The Pretenders
Building a Mystery - Sarah McLachlan
You rise and meet the day - Dar Williams. I think you may find that the lyrics sum up a lot of what you seem to be trying to say.
I’ve just noticed an error in that lyric, annoyingly. It should be “giving your hands and your heart to the wheel of the world”. And the kids should be “maybe ours, maybe not”, not “maybe yours”, which is wholly unromantic!
My first reaction upon reading the thread title was “Almost anything by Leonard Cohen”, but after reading why the OP wants them then I realized many of his songs wouldn’t be appropriate because they’re about relationships that failed. You might try his “Dance Me to the End of Love” (link goes to video), though.
melodyharmonius has reminded me of that song Adam Sandler sings at the end of The Wedding Singer. Grow Old With You, is it called? If you were looking for something a bit more lighthearted.
(Must I Paint You A Picture is a song about a relationship failing too, surely, by the way.)
I feel kinda dorky for admitting I like this song, but “Happy to be stuck with you” by Huey Lews and the News.
“Baby I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney
“This is us” by Knopfler and Harris
“Keeping out of Mischef now” by Louis Armstrong
“Thank You” by Dido
“I can’t help falling in love with you” Elvis
“My Blue Heaven” by Fats Domino
“Life begins when you’re in love” Goodman
“Time in a Bottle” Jim Croce