We've selected a few of our favourite Reggae-feels tunes to get you thinking about how reggae music can enhance your special day. These tunes capture the Lover's side of Reggae - a subgenre that produces seductive bass lines, emotional vocals and evocative horn lines to create unforgettable genuine love songs that will give you all the feels!
These songs are great in a set, or doubling up as a first dance or introduction song for the couples that don't want all that much attention!
Superman by Tarrus Riley
The way we've arranged this tune, it's hard not to fall in love with it and whoever you're dancing with. It begins with a adlib slow and sensual keys and sax intro, before dropping in a reggae-pop fusion bass line with beautiful lyrics that will make you go 'Aww'. The premise of the story in this song is based on the love story between Superman and Lois Lane, and asserts that it doesn't matter how powerful and amazing one is alone, they always need their counterpart to support, love and protect them. This song features wonderfully poetic lyrics like:
Feel butterflies when I'm in your hands, You could turn the pavement into white sands, You could make a moment a memory in a glance, And I can't believe anyone else.
2. Lady by Wayne Wade
This Lionel Richie hit from '98 was covered 'inna reggae' by Wayne Wade, and we just fell head over heels for it. The song has suprisingly hard-hitting horn lines, with a complicated and varied chord structure that reaches all the right places. I believe it might be our lead man's favourite song, as well, so you'll be getting some genuine feelings from us if you go for this one! How could you not swoon to lyrics like:
Lady, for so many years I thought I'd never find you, You have come into my life and made me whole, My love, let me wait to see you each and every morning, Let me hear you whisper softly in my ear
3. Love Has Found It's Way by Dennis Brown
Think less sloppy kisses and more upbeat celebration of love. Dennis Brown's hit 'Love has found its way' is quite a funky, disco-style affair. This song is absolutely perfect to groove and laugh to whilst getting your best moves out for your partner. The bass line is lively and bouncing and the horns get to do those great falling stabs! It's still romantic though, featuring lyrics like:
When your love is beautiful, There's nothing, nothing that can go wrong. When two hearts beat together, It's like an everlasting song.
4. Everything I Own by Ken Boothe
Who doesn't love and adore this classic song? Originally no where near a reggae song, this was created by David Gates and performed by Bread. Later Ken Boothe and then Boy George covered it, so it's definitely stood the test of time. Our version is closer to the slow romance of Ken Boothe's style and features some very pretty horn lines as well as that familiar rhythm and beat from the band. Fall madly in love to lyrics like:
You sheltered me from harm, Kept me warm, kept me warm. You gave my life to me, Set me free, set me free. The finest years I ever knew, Were all the years I had with you.
5. Missing You by Sanchez and Love You Too Much by Wayne Wade on the Love Bump Riddim
One of Jamaica's most influential and popular riddims, The Love Bump Riddim has produced songs like Garnett Silk's 'Oh me, Oh my' and Don Campbell's 'I can see it in your eyes'. We chose two of our favourites to feature this incredible riddim: Missing You by Sanchez and Love You Too Much by Wayne Wade. 'Love you too much' was originally a song by Lobo in the 70's. These popular classics go down an absolute treat and are romantic enough to express your feelings whilst being upbeat enough to get everyone dancing with you. The lyrics are wonderful in
'Missing You':
Arms around my pillow at night, They should be holding you. We'll be together, and it won't be long, It won't be long, But it seems like forever, And it's hard to be strong, Baby 'cause I'm missing you now
And 'Love You Too Much' is incredibly poignant:
I love you too much to ever start liking you, Let's leave this story at an end, Cause I Love you too much to ever start liking you, So don't expect me to be your friend.
6. She's Royal by Tarrus Riley
Possibly one of Tarrus Riley's most famous singles, 'She's Royal' pays homage to that classy lady who's a cut above the rest - the perfect song to dedicate to your bride. Catchy horn lines and an animated bass line make this an upbeat choice with adoring lyrics:
She's Royal, yeah, so royal, And I want her in my life, I've never seen anyone So one-of-a-kind The way she moves to her own beat She has the qualities of a queen
If that sounds like the one that you're marrying, congratulations! Be sure to include this sweet, loving tune to remind her how special she is.
7. I Need Your Love by Beres Hammond
One of the King of Lover's Rock's most recent additions to the genre is this beautiful ditty that will make even the toughest in the crowd a little sentimental. Previous guitarist, Clive, made the oh-so-accurate point that 'Back in the day, you didn't have to put in the work, you just put on Beres Hammond and let him do the talking!'. We also had the pleasure of performing this song for keyboardist Izzy's wedding. The man is a master of love, and I need your love has the gorgeous intricate horn lines so typical to Hammond, alongside some beautiful shords in the keys and guitar, and incredibly touching lyrics such as:
You are my only, Every moment of every day, Just promise me one thing, You'll never go astray
8. Just the way you are by Tarrus Riley
You couldn't get a more honest reflection of body positivity than this song. This song is all about loving someone for everything that makes them then, and reminding them that they don't need to change anything to be perfect. Our rendition of 'Just The Way You Are' features some really nifty harmony sections from Dawn and Anna that give a whole other dimension to this ditty. Tell them they're perfect with lyrics like:
She's authentic: This a the real thing, this a no plastic. I got big plans: For you to be mi wife, mi a yuh husband. She says 'What is it you like about me?' I say 'Woman, yuh nah a fi change nothing. I love you just the way you are, girl, You don't have to change, you don't have to do a thing, nuh Just the way you are, girl, If you put on a pound or if you take off a pound, ooh, Just the way you are, girl Wake up with no make up we nah break up Just the way you are, girl, In my eyes you're a star, girl.
9. Strangers in the Night - Glen Washington
This song is on the 'Full Attention' riddim and has given rise to songs like 'Stars' by Dean Fraser and 'Its Our Time' by Ed Robinson. We actually discovered this tune many years ago through a sound called Milk & Honey when they performed at The Hare and Hounds in Kingsheath. The horn lines are beautiful and the lyrics are varied and on unusual phrasing:
The very first time I looked in your eyes I knew love would last forever It's a blessing to be with someone like you Now the ladies realise I am no longer solo, got you by my side And this new love I will treasure I'll be faithful and true till the day I die And when people criticise, we will hold on to love, Jah be our guide, And if I had to do it over, It would have to be you, girl, no one else would do, oh no
10. Is This Love by Bob Marley
This absolute classic can't fail to communicate those special feelings! Everyone knows it, so it's a safe bet for the crowd, and as all Bob Marley tunes do, it just finds it's way into your heart so easily. Can you picture yourself dancing with your partner to:
I'm willing and able, So I throw my cards on your table. I wanna love you And treat you right I wanna love you Every day and every night
We hope this has given you some thoughts on how to make your reggae wedding something really spectacular!
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