Your NOLA Playlist
Having a wedding in New Orleans or a New Orleans-themed wedding elsewhere? Whether you’re looking for a slow, sweet song for your first dance, something upbeat to exit the ceremony with, or something to keep the crowd on the dance floor in between, these songs would make great additions to your wedding playlist.
Fats Domino – “It’s You I Love”
No matter what the people say, we'll do things our way
We'd be together each and every day
When you are blue I'd be there with you
Come here, it's me, it's you I love
This upbeat bluesy, jazzy song is from famous New Orleans pianist and vocalist Fats Domino/ While first dance songs are often slow, you could take the nontraditional route and get down to this bright, fun song.
Rebirth Brass Band – “Exactly Like You”
Love is real now, it's ideal
You're just what I wanted
And now it's nice to live
Paradise to live
Brass bands are New Orleans music through and through, so what could be better than this love song from one of the premier brass bands in the city?
Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald – “Our Love Is Here to Stay”
It’s very clear, our love is here to stay
Not for a year, but forever and a day
For a slower, more traditional wedding song, you can do no better than this hit from Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. The track has the classic New Orleans 1950s jazz beat.
Stop Inc. – “Second Line”
Every New Orleans wedding has to have a second line – whether it’s down the street between the wedding and reception, in a giant circle around the reception, or on the way out at the end of the celebration. This is one of the most popular second line tunes.
Harry Connick, Jr. – “It Had To Be You”
For nobody else, gave me a thrill - with all your faults, I love you still
It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you
Glide around the floor to this love song from New Orleans’ own Harry Connick, Jr. You might remember it from one of the great romantic movies of all time, When Harry Met Sally (1989).
Jimmy Davis – “You Are My Sunshine”
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
This song, written by former Louisiana governor Jimmy Davis, is the state song of Louisiana. Find the version by the artist you like (we vote for Nat King Cole’s version) and take to the dance floor.
The Dixie Cups – “Chapel of Love”
Goin' to the chapel and we're gonna get ma-a-arried
Goin' to the chapel and we're gonna get ma-a-arried
Gee, I really love you
And we're gonna get ma-a-arried
Goin' to the chapel of love
In June 1964, three girls from New Orleans (Barbara Ann and Rosa Lee Hawkins and their cousin Joan Marie Johnson) released their debut single, “Chapel of Love.” The song put The Dixie Cups at the top of the charts and was ranked #279 on Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Aaron Neville & Linda Ronstadt – “All My Life”
Am I really here in your arms
This is just like I dreamed it would be
I feel like we're frozen in time
And you're the only one I can see
Aaron Neville’s voice might be the only thing sweeter than your love. If you like this song, you might want to look up Aaron’s “Pledging My Love” as well.
Louis Prima and Keely Smith – “That Old Black Magic”
Old black magic has me in its spell
Old black magic that you weave so well
Those icy fingers up and down my spine
The same old witch craft when your eyes meet mine
Put this sultry song by New Orleans jazzman Louis Prima and his wife Keely Smith (the Sonny and Cher of New Orleans) at the top of your playlist.
Allen Toussaint – “That Sweet Touch of Love”
When a cold chill begins to burn at your very soul
That's the sweet touch of love
When just the drop of a name begins to sting your very toe
That's the sweet touch of love
Ironically, the writer of “Mother-In Law” and “Get Out of My Life, Woman” also wrote this romantic song, perfect for weddings.
Go to: Bag of Donuts: A Wedding Band for All Times.