Wedding Blog
At Sister Bruschetta’s wedding, Stevie Wonder crooned as Daddy Bruschetta swayed and spun his firstborn around the dance floor. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that evening, a Bruschetta family wedding tradition began.
Although the song was released a few years before Sister Bruschetta was born, “Isn’t She Lovely” maintained its popularity into the early 80s. Inspired by the idea of a father-daughter dance song that recalls the bride’s childhood, I set out to find a birth year ballad.
“Every Breath You Take” by The Police was high on my list — until I learned that the lyrics detail the thoughts of an obsessive stalker. Now, I’m not sure how I feel about it!
When I mentioned my plan to Bruschetta ’maid Kris, she asked if the song could be written, recorded or released in 1983. Hmmm…
With this more open criteria, Weddingbee reader MissStellar’s suggestion — Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Pride and Joy” — could be an option.
I’ve got two strong (and very different!) contenders, but really could use some advice from the hive. What do you think of this idea? How did you select your father-daughter dance song? And do you have any selections you think I should add to my list of considerations?
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Personally, I’m always appalled whenever ‘Every Breath You Take’ is played at a wedding … it just seems so inappropriate.
In this case, it’s a nice idea that he’ll always look out for you, but it does sound a bit like he doesn’t approve of the marriage!
I’m not sure I’d want to hear any of these lyrics on my wedding day…
“Oh can’t you see, you belong to me”
“Every vow you break, every smile you fake”
It’s a nice idea to have a song as the same year, but personally I’d rather have the meaning right than the year. Could you not broaden the range by a couple of years - at least then you know it was popular at the time you were born/young?
Yeeeah. I can’t hear “Every Breath You Take” without thinking STALKER. Therefore, and also on the merit of its total awesomeness, I vote for Stevie Ray Vaughan. Also, representin’ for my fellow Dallasite.
I love that idea of the childhood reminicent song (sp), but yeah, definitely not “every breath you take”. LOL
I think that if the song recalls your childhood, and it’s not like totally inappropriate, I think it’s ok. My FI and I are choosing songs for our father/daughter and mother/son dances that reminds us of our childhoods or special moments with our parents and not necessarily things that spell it out in the lyrics- I almost think our way is more special!
I’m going with the majority—no Every Breath You Take. There are millions of songs out there!
For a more upbeat song, Phil Collins’ cover of ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’ came out in 83 … that would be quite a good parent’s song I think (or you could have the Diana Ross original)
And, just because it reminds me of my childhood so much, I’ve got to suggest True by Spandau Ballet … although I’ve never been able to work out what it’s about!
We did “Isn’t she lovely” for our father/daughter dance! I agree with the rest about Every Breath…
I think its important you think about *all* the lyrics, no matter what song you choose. For example, in Pride and joy some of the lyrics say “Im her little lover boy”. Be sure to double check all the lyrics before choosing one!
My best friend & one of my bridesmaids thoughtfully pointed out another perspective one can take from the Every Breath You Take song. Her father once told her that instead of viewing it as a stalker song, one could instead see it as though spoken to a person by God.. “I’ll be watching you, etc..etc.” Though it may not offer much to non-religious people, it changed my mind about the song a bit & it’s now what I generally tend to be reminded of when I hear it. 
@Katya: It’s not actually the “I’ll be watching you” line that I have issue with - there’s plenty of meanings you could apply to that.
It’s the rest of the words that I found inappropriate … since most of them imply that the person involved will be lying and cheating. I’m not sure I want God to be saying that about me either!
I love the Pride and Joy idea. You could really have some fun with the dance.
Photo of you and your dad is absolutely adorable. Sorry I’m not much help on songs though — I’m nixing the Daddy-Daughter dance since my father and I aren’t close. Let us know what you end up picking though!
Oh and I just saw that “There is Always Something there to Remind Me” (Naked Eyes) was released in ‘83. Again it’s another upbeat and different track, but it could be cute.
don’t you think this could be your ’something old’? just a thought!
Every Breath You Take is a song about a stalker watching a woman go out with other guys and fantasizing that she is cheating on him. HOWEVER, not everyone knows that and for the most part the lyrics are nice. Another wedding song people use is “I’ll Be There” by Mariah Carey which is about two people who break up but stay friends. But it’s still used a lot too. I don’t think that all the lyrics matter, it’s how you feel when they play the song!
I picked Eric Clapton’s “My Father’s Eyes” because my dad loves Eric Clapton! I’m going to surprise him with the song on my wedding day! Search on Google for dad-daughter songs and also think of singers he might like…
Lionel Richie is my choice — when I was young, my dad would twirl me around to “Ballerina Girl” (my choice for 1st song) and turn me upside down so I could be “Dancin’ on the Ceiling”
My dad is a huge Billy Joel fan, and used to hum “Lullaby” when I was younger, so that was never really a contest. My only problem is that I’ll probably be in full ugly-cry mode as soon as the song starts playing! I think the key is the emotional oomph of the song, if it’s special to the two of you, that’s all that matters.
I love that picture of you and your dad. I’m not sure what song to pick yet but I love the idea of picking one the year you were born!
I’m not sure if you watch American Idol, but their theme this week was “songs from the birth year of the contestants”, so each contestant sang a song from the year they were born.
That made me think about your post (I read it for the first time yesterday). I’m sure you could find a Top Songs list from the year you were born, and that might help you to find a song.
I actually think it’s a great idea, since it will make your Dad remember you being a baby (I know certain songs always make me nostalgic). I think I’m going to steal your idea too!
I like Pride and Joy, but is your dad your ‘little lover boy?’
And even if not EVERYONE knows about Every Breath you Take, I think the vast majority make the stalker connection.
Talk to your dad!!
Its his dance too and he might surprise you with already wanting a specific song. My dad and i discussed several songs, and then when it came time to pick - he asked if I had my heart set on any of them - I said no, I was just looking for something fitting for our special dance. So he surprised me. Literally! I had no idea what the song was beforehand. And it was perfect. It wasnt a song I would have chosen, but I wouldnt have had it any other way. Talk to him so its not just your decision - its his dance too.
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Mrs. Bruschetta, Philadelphia
Age and Occupation: 25, Communication Professional
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Physical Therapy Graduate Student
Engagement Date: November 30, 2007
Wedding Date: August 2009
Venue: St. Thomas of Villanova Church & the F.U.E.L. House
About Me: I’m a self-proclaimed grammar geek who loves singing (like, really belting it) in the car. My mister and I are planning a vibrant summer soiree celebrating our passions – including food and Philly – and when we make it official, we’ll have been together for eight years! Being super competitive is in my nature, and talking excessively is in my genes. I’ve got a terrible sense of direction, but can always easily find my way into Mr. Bruschetta’s arms.
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