I’m going to a wedding in a few months, and I’m in the damn thing. I’m not the one getting married, though, in case anyone was wondering.
Here’s the deal: Through some process I myself do not fully understand, I have been asked to play guitar for the groom as he serenades his new bride. A romantic and cheesy gesture? You bet your ass.
Here’s the kicker: We can’t agree on the song. He’s no help. His original suggestion was “Crash Into Me” by Dave Matthews. To me, it’s a little too…voyeuristic and unrequited, if that makes sense.
He concedes my point, but doesn’t have any other suggestions.
I suggested “California Stars” by Billy Bragg and Wilco.
So, my Doper friends, I put it on you: I need a song that can be played on acoustic guitar at a wedding. By someone who’s not the world’s greatest guitar player (that would be me). If I can chord it, I’ll do that, but I prefer to try something simple.
The following conditions have to exist:[ul]
It has to be a simple arrangement
I’d prefer it to be an at-least fairly well-known song
It has to be a fairly simple song to play
It, of course, should be about love. Or something similar
I should be able to locate a tab on-line
[/ul]
“Right Down the Line” by Stealer’s Wheels is fairly easy to play and has some beautiful lyrics. It’s a little upbeat and pop-ish for a wedding, but maybe you and your buddy could figure out how to make it a little more solemn?
“There is Love - The Wedding Song” by Paul Stokely. It IS THE wedding song for the apres-60s generation. Except if you want to get real modern and hokey and do Butterfly Kisses (gag).
The lyrics describing the give and take between the husband and wife…listen to it.
If it were for my wife and me, I’d pick “You’re My Bestest Friend” by Mac Davis.
“Who comes down and bails be out when I get in a jam?
Helps me tell the po-lice where I live and who I am.
And who’s the only one I’ll ever love or understand?
You babe, you’re my bestest friend”
Frankly (putting on old man hat), there are so few songs out today that express true emotion and commitment that I find it difficult to think of anything within the last three years that I would sing to my bride.