this is why he was our Spiritual Advisor fro the moment we got engaged. <3
At 9:22 a.m. on February 1, I received a text from Shana that read, “Jessica wants us to get married in the Church of Hot Addiction.” When they got home from their engagement extravaganza they told me that they wanted me to officiate the ceremony. A couple of weeks later I was ordained in the Universal Life Church, a religious organization that holds the belief that all persons are ordained by God and “doing that which is right” is our calling.
A couple of months before Yay Best day Ever!, we talked about what they wanted the ceremony to be over breakfast at Brite Spot, our neighborhood diner. The talk was mostly around the ceremonial practices we usually see in weddings that they didn’t want in theirs and ended with only one definite assignment: a lyrical mash-up of songs about weddings. I asked if there was anything they did or didn’t want included. “Well, you have to start with ‘Dearly beloved’ from “Let’s Go Crazy”, right?” they asked. “Well, duh.” “Um, otherwise, you know us, you know what we like. If you’re not sure, ask Jamie.”
So that was my instruction. After lots of pondering, remembering and a healthy dose of panic (with a side of Panic!), I finished up about an hour before SHOWTIME. Here are notes on the songs I chose.
Let’s Go Crazy – Prince and the Revolution
From my personal Church of Hot Addiction, this is the only song that required a lyric change. Yay Best Day Ever wasn’t about how to “get through this thing called life”, but about “celebrating this thing called love.”
Elephant Love Medley
Including the preeminent lyrical mash-up was a no-brainer. Plus, somewhere along the way, I think Shana did say that SOMETHING from Moulin Rouge was expected/required.
Secret – Madonna
These two girls were in love from just about day one, so “things haven’t been the same since you came into my life…” was a perfect match.
Diamonds and Pearls – Prince and the New Power Generation
Possibly the most syrupy of all of Prince’s ballads, I’ve always thought this song has a very wedding feel to it, both musically and lyrically.
Take My Hand – The Cab
Haha, the teeniest of the songs I chose, I knew “now take my hand and we will run away” would be good for a gay gasp and laughter from the brides. It got both.
Honeymoon Express – Wendy & Lisa
“Come with me, let’s meet at the station where we first started…” The first track from Wendy & Lisa’s 1987 debut album was the perfect segue from the Cab.
Headfirst Slide… – Fall Out Boy
Pete and his buddies had to be included somewhere in here, and their “wedding band” song seemed the best fit (even though it’s about adultery).
I Write Sins, Not Tragedies – Panic! at the Disco
Ah my beloved rock n’ roll circus boys. Another track that ABSOLUTELY had to be included because it’s Panic! and it’s about a beautiful wedding. The challenge of avoiding the “whore” line was fun and accomplished with an abrupt segue into…
Chapel of Love – Bette Midler
The first real image I saw of a gay couple and marriage was in the documentary “Silverlake Life” back in 1993. There’s a sequence in the movie where the couple dance along to Chapel of Love as they watch old home movies.
Church of Hot Addiction – Cobra Starship
Well duh, it’s THE church anthem.
Into the Groove – Madonna
So what if it’s really about masturbation! “Live out your fantasy here with me, just let the music set you free…”
Let’s Say – Wendy & Lisa
One of my favorite love songs ever, because it’s about being happy being together in a simple domestic bliss.
Adore – Prince
The Most Beautiful Love Song Ever. Miles Davis said, “when Prince wants to make love to his woman, he doesn’t hear Ravel. He hears horns & shit…” No song slams that point home better than Adore. Here, Prince blends the carnal and the spiritual with a promise to to be there “until the end of time…” Like Nothing Compares 2 U, The Beautiful Ones AND Darling Nikki, Adore was inspired by Susannah Melvoin, The One Who Got Away. :(
The Beautiful Ones – Prince
Again, back to the original assignment and lyrics about weddings/marriage.
I’m Your Man – Wham!
George Michael absolutely positively had to be in this mix, but I didn’t know which song until this popped up on my ipod the day I went out to a specialty Italian cheese store to pick up mozzarella balls for Yay Best Day Ever. “I’ll be your first I’ll be your last, I’ll be the only one you ask…”
