They're playing our song

By Tanya Bricking
Advertiser Staff Writer

Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003

And then we forgot what it was?

We're having a jazz band play at our reception, so we decided we better figure out whether our favorites are in the band's repertoire.

For my side of the family, this will be one of the few family wedding receptions without "The Chicken Dance," "We Are Family," "The Electric Slide" and "Rocky Top" in the music lineup. Once they get over the shock of no "Macarena," I'm fairly certain the scrutiny over our music selection will pass.

Still, I was hoping "our song" would have come to us by now.

I'll admit, I've been getting sucked in by radio DJ Delilah during my evening drive time lately just to see if something hit me. I am the same person who hates sappy endings to romantic comedies, but I am developing a high tolerance for sappy radio. (Shania Twain's "Forever And For Always" is one of the most requested songs.) Sickeningly sweet? Yes. Jazzy? No.

My fiancé is more of a country guy. He likes Tim McGraw's "My Best Friend." Nice message. Probably not quite what our band had in mind.

So, the Chairman of the Board has become our ultimate wedding singer, as soon as we reminded ourselves which Frank Sinatra song was "ours."

We picked out "It Had to Be You" ("I wandered around, And finally found, The somebody who, Could make me be blue, Or even be glad, Just to be sad, Thinking of you ...")

Old Blue Eyes also is my pick for a father/daughter song, although I'm second-guessing whether the lyrics of "Summer Wind" are too depressing. ("And still the days, Those lonely days, Go on and on...")

I wouldn't feel like I was fulfilling my bridal duties if I didn't agonize over song lyrics.

Which not enough brides do, by the way. Just look at the unfortunate couples who selected "Every Breath You Take," by the Police, a song about jealousy, for their first dance ("Every bond you break, every step you take, I'll be watching you") or, worse, Whitney Houston (need I say more?) singing "I Will Always Love You," which is more fit for a breakup ("Bittersweet memories, That is all I'm taking with me, So goodbye, Please don't cry.")

First dance, last dance, parent songs — perhaps these are among the details our guests won't remember anyway.

Our band is instrumental, so maybe the lyrics won't matter that much. Hey, these guests are the same people I've seen doing "The Chicken Dance."

There goes another worry off my list.

Tanya Bricking writes about relationships for The Advertiser. Reach her at tbricking@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8026.

[Posted on September 26, 2003 at 10:00 am HST]
"This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" by the Talking Heads was our wedding song last year (off Speaking in Tongues album or Stop Making Sense).

Great un-sappy, edgy lyrics:

Home is where I want to be
Pick me up and turn me round
I feel numb - born with a weak heart
(So I) guess I must be having fun
The less we say about it the better
Make it up as we go along
Feet on the ground
Head in the sky
It's ok I know nothing's wrong . . nothing

Hi yo I got plenty of time
Hi yo you got light in your eyes
And you're standing here beside me
I love the passing of time
Never for money
Always for love
Cover up + say goodnight . . . say goodnight

Home - is where I want to be
But I guess I'm already there
I come home - -she lifted up her wings
Guess that this must be the place
I can't tell one from another
Did I find you, or you find me?
There was a time Before we were born
If someone asks, this where I'll be . . . where I'll be

Hi yo We drift in and out
Hi yo sing into my mouth
Out of all those kinds of people
You got a face with a view
I'm just an animal looking for a home
Share the same space for a minute or two
And you love me till my heart stops
Love me till I'm dead
Eyes that light up, eyes look through you
Cover up the blank spots
Hit me on the head Ah ooh









Ben & Stephanie
Kaimuki