8 Wedding Songs to skip

As reported by The Knot

8 Wedding Songs to Skip
Music is a great way to set the mood for any party, and that's especially true for a wedding reception. Equally important is knowing the songs to avoid, which is why we've created this list of eight tunes to ban from your big day.

We're not saying we don't like these songs (okay ... we don't like the 'Chicken Dance'), but we think it's time to reconsider whether these really are wedding music essentials. Here are eight songs you might want to add to your 'do-not-play list.'

1. 'YMCA' — Village People
Why to Skip It: The fact that everyone knows the words, everyone knows the dance, and that this song fits lots of occasions — between innings at a baseball game, for instance — does not automatically qualify it as a must at your wedding.

2. 'Chicken Dance'
Why to Skip It: At a wedding, everyone's dressed to the nines and feeling festive. Is this really the best time to flap your arms like a chicken in front of that cute bridesmaid/groomsman/new spouse? Didn't think so.

3. 'Stayin' Alive' — Bee Gees
Why to Skip It: There aren't too many people who know more than one line and one dance move to this song — leave 'Stayin' Alive' to the Saturday Night Fever reruns.

4. 'Every Breath You Take' — The Police
Why to Skip It: The Police are legendary, but the tune is a little high school dance-ish, and the line 'Every move you make ... I'll be watching you' is a little stalker-ish.

5. 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' — Bonnie Tyler
Why to Skip It: This song is worth skipping if only to avoid any guest from reenacting the profanity-laced rendition made famous from Will Ferrell's wedding in Old School.

6. 'Macarena' — Los Del Rio
Why to Skip It: You may know how to do the dance — but do you really want to? Besides, everyone has a few certain relatives they'd rather not see get down with that hip swivel move.

7. 'My Heart Will Go On' — Celine Dion
Why to Skip It: We're not passing judgment on Celine Dion, but Titanic propelled this song into the realm of romance cliche. Besides, remember that Leo died in the movie — a bit tragic for a wedding.

8. 'Mony Mony' — Billy Idol
Why to Skip It: Not sure what Billy Idol is singing in this song? Most other people don't know, either, and when that's the case, a good 10 percent of sing-alongers will find a way to say something objectionable.