There are some songs on our wedding playlist that we were a little hesitant in adding. The meanings behind some of the songs. Or even, songs that don’t mean anything bad but the media has turned it into something that means something terrible… I designed the playlist for my brother’s wake, and they were all songs I know he absolutely LOVED…. Some of them weren’t exactly sunshine and rainbows… I got a lot of slack for adding a song that mentions death in his playlist.. I was really angry. DO THESE PEOPLE NOT REALIZE THAT THIS PLAYLIST WAS MADE JUST FOR HIM?? WITH NOT ONE SINGLE OTHER PERSON IN MIND?!
So, After a lot of back and forth we both kind of decided. “screw it” This is OUR big day, and these are songs that WE love — it wouldn’t be a wedding true to who we are if we tip toed around afraid people would take things the wrong way.
1) “Perfect Day” By Lou Reed – The original song wasn’t what pop culture has turned the song into (or was it?!). It was produced by David Bowie, The song’s lyrics are often considered to suggest simple, conventional romantic devotion, possibly alluding to Reed’s relationship with Bettye Kronstadt.. However, in the late 90′s the (amazing. incredible. Heartbreaking. Tragic. Touches way too close to home because of my brother) movie Trainspotting came out. During the scene where Renton, played by Ewin McGregor, overdoses on heroin they play this song. Ever since then, popular belief has been that it was written about drugs and Lou Reed’s struggle with addictions. This may or may not be true — but either way the song is beautiful. Heartbreakingly beautiful…. And it will be such a perfect day, I’ll definitely be glad I spent it with him 
2) “No Rain” By Blind Melon – It’s absolutely no secret that the song was written about his depression. It’s such a contradiction with the happy upbeat tune, but if you listen to the lyrics you can tell he’s struggling to keep a grip of his emotions. My mom & I used to dance to this music video alll the time when I was younger. It’s absolutely being played during the reception regardless of the lyrics.
3) “People Say” By Portugal. The Man – We are having many PTM songs on our playlist. It’s one of our all time favorite bands. I’ve been listening to them since they came out with their first E.P. in 2005 titled Under Waves of the Brown Coat. They are pure musical geniuses. Their first single, AKA M80 The Wolf, was written about their struggle to find their way in the music world WITHOUT selling out. Beautifully written. Hauntingly so.
However, People Say is pretty obvious in the lyrics, yet Johnny Gourley or his fellow band mates have yet to come out and SAY what it was about (giggity. people say.) it is our interpretation that he is not please with the way this government is being ran or the attitudes of the general American public. If you listen to the lyrics “ I’m a president’s son, I don’t need no soul. All the soldiers say “It’ll be alright, we may make it through the war if we make it through the night.” All the people, they say: “What a lovely day, yeah, we won the war. May have lost a million men, but we’ve got a million more.” I don’t care how many people get offended. I’m a liberal. Our “war” was a lie. I know a lot of you are in the military or have spouses who are. BLESS YOUR SOULS. I support you. 100%, but I do NOT support the reasons we are or were over there. That’s not what this is about though. This song speaks volumes about why we are so angry with our country. People are referring to their newer music, as “cryptic hippie music” give me a break. Hippie music becase they dare talk about what is considered “liberal” points of view?!
It’s a beautiful powerful song. End of discussion
Sorry I really didn’t mean to get all political… Between the health care bill and immigrants, and now this song — I’m just on edge when it comes to politics this week.
ANYWHO. Hope you enjoyed this weeks rendition of WEDDING MUSIC WEDNESDAY!
