Last Dance

Have you thought about what song you'd like to have played as the last dance at your wedding reception?

The last dance is not as significant as your first dance. As years go by, you'll remember the song you picked for your first dance as your "wedding song"; you might not even recall your last dance selection. And it's the first dance that shines the spotlight on you; for the last dance, everyone's on the dance floor with you.

But the last dance is still worth thinking about to ensure your wedding reception ends on a good note.

I often recommend songs that explicitly signal the end of dancing. For one thing, the venues appreciate the DJ's assistance in letting your guests know it's closing time. And besides, it shows your thoughtfulness in picking a song that fits the moment.

Some popular and suitable last dance choices include:

• "Last Dance" by Donna Summer
• "Last Dance" by Frank Sinatra
• "Save the Last Dance for Me" by the Drifters (original version)
• "Save the Last Dance for Me" by Michael Buble (contemporary version)
• "Time to Say Goodbye" by Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman
• "I've Had the Time of My Life" by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack)
• "Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight" by the Spaniels

Of these, my two favorites are the ones by Donna Summer and Bill Medley/Jennifer Warnes. Why? Because each is like two songs in one. Each starts out slow and ends up fast. With either of these, your last dance starts in a nice romantic mood and ends with a high-energy finish.

One song I do NOT recommend is "Time of Your Life" by Green Day. At first blush, the refrain ("I hope you had the time of your life ... ") seems fitting, but the song is actually about telling someone "good riddance"!

More last dance suggestions in a future posting. Email me if you'd like my complete list (steve@goodnote.com).