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Dear Mr. Jack Johnson,
Mr. Buck and I have grown up together listening to your music. It is one of the few music choices that we actually have in common. One of our favorite songs is of course, Better Together. The lyrics are absolutely perfect. You were able to write a beautiful love song while steering clear of being overly mushy. I thank you for that.
Better Together would be perfect for our first dance song. The issue that I am having is that it is much too fast. Either we awkwardly and quickly sway to this song, or we need to have some type of choreographed stint going on. Either way, it is not ideal for us. I have tried searching for different versions that you may have recorded, but this search has proved to be unsuccessful.
I think there is probably others out there who are in the same boat I am in.
My plea to you is to record a slower version of this song. That way more brides and grooms can use this song for their first dance. 
What do ya say, JJ? I am going to predict that you would sell many copies of this slower version!
Sincerely,
Miss Doe
{Video via You Tube}
Okay seriously, Better Together is a perfect song to use in a wedding. I know many people use it in various areas such as the processional and cake cutting. But gosh darn it, I want it for the first dance. It is so fast though and I am not sure my short little legs can keep up with it.
Does anyone know of a different version of this song? Did you decide to use it anyway and just groove along with the quick beat?
Our first dance song was 1,2,3,4 by the plain white t’s. It was a faster song and kinda awkward but we loved that song and it’s been a special song in our relationship from the beginning so we just went with it.
i was at a wedding and a couple used this as their first dance song, when it first came out. i thought it was really cute, and the pace didn’t seem awkward at all.
Jack is taper friendly and, if memory serves, his crew used to let tapers plug directly into the soundboard.
Go through the live recordings at Archive.org (figure out when the song was written and go from there). You can listen to songs right in the page and if you like a version, you can download it. Look for “SBD” in the notes on the recordings. Those will be ones where the taper was allowed to plug in and there will be less crowd noise in the recording.
I’m having a similar problem with our first dance song, Heart was a House by Owl City… its been our song from day one, but its a waltz, so that’s tough.
I’m hoping someone will know of a slower version for you, but if you aren’t able to have you considered Angel by Jack Johnson? Its got his style and sound, but slowed down.
Oops. It will be easier for you to search using this link:
http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A%22Jack+Johnson%22
This was our first dance song as well - We definitely did the awkward sway/quick step thing.
Our song is faster, too– we’re just going to try to make it work!
I say groove along. It will be so fun for you and your guests.
Funny thing - I’m having the same problem. I too want Better Together to be our first dance song and I’m afraid it will too fast. I do love this version and might consider practicing with my FI and see what comes out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2KYTOw5Fm4
Although quicker than most slow songs, it has a very easy dance beat. I would sign up for one or two private dance lessons at a local dance studio and have them show you how to dance to the song (not necessarily a full blown choreographed number).
My husband and I did this bc our song had an erratic beat and it helped so much. They also showed us how to gracefully walk on/off the dance floor and properly dip and it made our pictures look great 
My cousin used Better Together for his first dance with his wife - I think it worked really well and I never thought it looked awkward when they were dancing. I think it’s a great first song - a very sweet one.
That was our first dance song! We did the middle school sway and it was fine. We didn’t feel the pace was awkward at all.
Love it! you should totally send him that letter haha - we used better together as our cake cutting song since it was indeed too fast - i love the new thompson square song “are you gonna kiss me or not?” and i think it would make a great first dance song but same dilemma, its a bit too fast.
Also our first dance song! I would counter that it is danceable. We took a few dance lessons, which helped me become more comfortable as well as giving Mr PaC a “script” he could follow.
I think it you just sway slowly without trying to keep up with the beat you will be fine. That is what I will do. Like the the guitar beat in the back ground.
We almost used it - I love this song. You could totally use it, but just kind of sway along, not necessarily on beat. You know?
Although… I feel like I heard a slower version at one point.. Damn. Can’t remember where though 
We used this as our first dance song, and I never felt like we were moving to fast at all. But maybe we aren’t great dancers :). There is a mashup of Angel/Better Together, which I think is slower…but it might only be available as a live version. You should definitely use a Jack song of some kind!
There is a Angel / Better Together from a live recording called En Concert that I like better. I think it is slower so it could be a nice 1st dance. Wish I could remove the crowd though.
I think this is a great song to dance to. It has a good beat, and if you want to slow your dance so you can sway, all you have to do is make each step last over more than one beat. Gradually shifting weight and sliding your foot over either 2 beats or even 4 beats would look fine and not make you feel rushed.
@KLloyd1: OMG, 1,2,3,4 is our song too! We’re not sure where we’re going to put it into our wedding, but it will definitely play a part. (It’s the way I first told him I loved him!)
And, Miss Doe, this is totally danceable! I’m slow rocking in my seat as I write this. What an awesome song!
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Miss Doe, Northern California Age and Occupation: 24, Real Estate Assistant Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Recycling Manager Engagement Date: December 25, 2010 Wedding Date: May 2012 Venue: Monte Verde Inn About Me: I’m a Rat Pack fan and a Christmas nut that loves to read, good wine, cheesy ’80s movies and ’90s sitcoms. My wiener dog with an attitude problem and lazy basset hound are my constant source of entertainment. He's a hunter and I like cooking so it's not rare to see wild game on our dinner menu. Both of us were born and raised in a small historic farming town where our feet are still firmly planted. We have been together for nearly a decade and have shared many life experiences together, including birthdays that are only one day apart. We are two old souls that are creating our long-awaited wedding with loads of tradition that blends our two styles into rustic elegance in the foothills of Northern California.
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