Enjoy the January 2022 edition of “Behind the Wedding Music,” a resource to help build wedding playlists for DJs. Each month we will highlight new songs and include a line of song lyrics, a description of the song’s emotional profile, and a few fun facts — designed to help you advise a wedding couple if they’re looking for something fresh in their playlist.
A few newly released wedding songs from December 2021:
Kiefer Sutherland
December 31, 2021
A midtempo pop-rock song with the right love message for a wedding. One that could play as guests arrive at the reception venue.
Notable Lyrics: “I’m so full of love I can’t hold it down / Floatin’ like a butterfly off the ground / I once was lost but now I’m found”
Fun Facts: Sutherland’s new album ‘Bloor Street’ will be released on January 21, 2022. After the release, he has an extensive UK and European tour starting on January 28th in Brighton, United Kingdom.
Ashley Park
December 22, 2021
The song is a pop song sung in both English and French.
Notable Lyrics: “Hold me close ’cause it’s too soon to say goodbye / You’re some kind of beautiful / And you’ve got me in the sky
Fun Facts: The song was released as part of the second season of the TV show Emily In Paris on Netflix on December 22nd. Ashley Park is a Tony-nominated singer and actress. In season 1, Park performed her version of ‘La Vie en Rose’ and in season 2 she performed ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friends’ and ‘Falling Slowly’.
Jhené Aiko
December 14, 2021
Yes, I know this is a holiday song. However, the romance in the song makes it less obvious.
Notable Lyrics: “Wrap me up, wrap me up / Wrap me all up in your love / All that I want, fill me up, fill me all up with your love”
Fun Facts: The song, which originally featured James Fauntleroy, was first shared on SoundCloud in 2012. This is an updated version of the song produced with a full ensemble.
Juice WRLD, Suga of BTS
December 10, 2021
Just for hip hop fans, this is a song you could play throughout a wedding day.
Notable Lyrics: “The girl of my dreams, but I ain’t fallin’ asleep / Think both of your legs gone, the way you fallin’ for me / The same way that the rain falls”
Fun Facts: The song is the first promotional single from Juice Wrld’s fourth and second posthumous studio album Fighting Demons. “Girl Of My Dreams” begins with a voice clip between Juice WRLD and his then-girlfriend Ally Lotti. The three-line dialogue is a confession of love by Juice to Ally.
Sam Feldt, Rita Ora
December 10, 2021
The song represents being there for a special someone and sticking with them even when times get tough.
Notable Lyrics: “Oh, when I fall in deep / Say you’ll follow me / Show me how far we can go”
Fun Facts: Sam Feldt is a Dutch DJ that got his first big hit in 2015 with “Show Me Love” featuring Kimberly Anne originally released by Robin S. Rita Ora has four #1 UK singles and holds the record for the most Top 10 singles for a British female artist in the UK in history with a total of 13.
Martin Garrix, Matisse & Sadko, John Martin
December 10, 2021
If progressive house music is your wedding couple’s go-to genre, this should be added to the setlist.
Notable Lyrics: “Here we are, wide awake / It will never be the same / ‘Cause when your heart burns cold, you need to know / I won’t let you go”
Fun Facts: Garrix is our second Dutch DJ on our list. He got his urge to become a DJ after seeing a performance by Tiësto. He was eventually discovered by Dutch record label Spinnin’ Records following the release of his remix for the Enrique Iglesias single “Tonight (I’m Loving You)”.
Otis Kane
December 10, 2021
Kane professes that his new partner is the missing piece in the puzzle of his life in the song.
Notable Lyrics: “But I must’ve made you just for me / It’s been some extra time on you / That’s why you’re special”
Fun Facts: He released November Loves Notes EP in the fall of 2021 featuring the song “Only You”. Another romantic track to play! Kane is one of my favorite new R&B artists and one to follow in 2022.
Shenseea & Rvssian
December 10, 2021
Shenseea is a dancehall superstar. This dancehall-style song will fill dance floors.
Notable Lyrics: “There’s a fire burnin’ bright / Even in the darkest night / You are the one I love / You are the one I love”
Fun Facts: We are still awaiting Shenseea’s debut album. However, she has seen huge success with singles “Run Run” (7 million views) and “Be Good” (4.5 million views). Rvssian is a Jamaican record producer and is the founder of Head Concussion Records.
Blake Shelton feat. HARDY
December 3, 2021
A country entrance son that would get the party started! It’s the ultimate party song.
Notable Lyrics: “Shoot a flame so high they could see it from town / Like we’re burnin’ the whole place down / Fire up the night”
Fun Facts: The song is featured on the deluxe version of Shelton’s Body Language album. The deluxe version also features the song “We Can Reach the Stars” which was played during Blake and Gwen’s wedding during the vows.
Birdy
December 1, 2021
A singer-songwriter song that was produced with only Birdy and her piano.
Notable Lyrics: “You stopped and smiled at me / Asked if I’d care to dance / I fell into your open arms”
Fun Facts: The song was first released by Dusty Springfield in 1964. The original peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles chart in January 1964. Birdy will go on a Europe Tour throughout May 2022. The tour kicks off at Eventim Apollo in London on May 4, 2022.
Las Vegas-based Matthew Campbell is the founder of My Wedding Songs.
To check out more playlists, click here.