The best songs of the year

Friends of ProfessionalWeddingDJ (DJ for classy wedding parties in Italy), 2021 has come to an end, and here we are with the best music of the year. A year, alas, for many still complicated by COVID-19, but together with you we have managed to organize many beautiful wedding parties, in safety and with fun. So, we would like to thank our spouses! Now let’s take a look at the music we have played most frequently at ProfessionalWeddingDJ parties.

Music for weddings in Italy: the key moments

The year that has just ended was not particularly full of pieces suitable for underlining moments such as the first dance or the cutting of the cake. To remember, however, Lorde with “Solar Power” (this artist gave us “Royals” in 2013), a delicate and atmospheric piece, which in our opinion is particularly recommended for cutting the cake or for the first dance. On the other hand, “Shivers” by Ed Sheeran has a much faster rhythm, a love song in all respects even if at first listen it would not seem perfect for dynamic young spouses.

However, there were many songs that, although splendid, tell about complicated love situations, like Let Somebody Go, by Coldplay (ft Selena Gomez), which speaks of a relationship that has now ended. You understand, therefore, how important it is to go to the bottom of the meaning of a song, beyond the evoked atmospheres.

Music for weddings, as you already know, is not only important for the “key moments”, but throughout the party, from the aperitifs to the dances. And there is no shortage of pieces from 2021 that we will surely carry with us for years to come; here are some.

Two “big names” scored two masterpieces last year: Justin Bieber, with Peaches, a really interesting comeback—a piece of class, and full of groove. And what about “Smokin Out The Window“, by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic whose official, very “old style” video is really suggestive with a softly rhythmic melody and a vintage and “warm” atmosphere is already as a classic. 

It didn’t debut in 2021, but it’s still in the top ten (eighth place) of the most listened to songs globally on the world’s most popular streaming platform, Spotify: Blinding Lights, by the Canadian singer The Weeknd, which last year had the honour of participating in the Super Bowl by monopolizing the most important part of the show, namely the halftime show (for the record, The Weeknd will be in Milan, in December 2022, for a great concert!). This artist is often the star of ProfessionalWeddingDJ wedding parties. He has a varied and perfect repertoire for many situations.

Speaking of Spotify, If the most listened to song (“drivers license” by Olivia Rodrigo) does not tell you much (in Italy, it has passed a bit on the sly), number two cannot fail to evoke good fun evenings: Montero (Call Me By Your Name) by Lil Nas X has also had a great response for us, as well as the “king” among the most “streammati” artists, namely Bad Bunny, who this year went very strong with the whole album “El último tour del mundo”, (released at the end of 2021) and in particular Dákiti (with Jhay Cortez).

And Dua Lipa? It seems incredible, but, even though his album “Future Nostalgia” is from 2019, Levitating was the fifth most listened to song ever, and Love Again is also danced to; it was one of the summer hits (as you may remember, it contained a sample from White Town’s “Your Woman”).

Here is also a hint of Italian music (since we deal with international weddings in Italy, it is right to talk a little about the music of this country); the victory of the Maneskin at the Sanremo Festival has brought good fortune to the group, so much so that, in addition to being on the same stage as Mick Jagger for the opening of the Rolling Stones concert in Las Vegas, the Maneskin are the most listened to Italian artists in the world, with over 2 billion streams on Spotify (many by US users). We therefore expect that some of their pieces will be requested at some American weddings!

And when it comes to Italian music, summer songs are usually the ones that hit the mark when it comes to entertainment. They are light-hearted pieces that can also be used in certain goliardic situations, but we never abuse them. Rocco Hunt and Anna Mena with “Un bacio all’improvviso”, “Mohicani” by Boomdabash feat. Baby K, Takagi & Ketra with Giusy Ferreri, and also “Shimmy Shimmy “, and the remix by Cerrone (great Italian producer, true icon of 70s/80s dance) of the piece by Colapesce, as well as Dimartino, “Musica leggerissima” are the typical “easy” summer pieces of the year we have recently greeted.

Music for destination weddings in Italy: the 2021 floor fillers

Well yes, here we are, here is the part where we deal with dance and house music, perfect for the part dedicated to dance. The year 2021 has brought revival music back into the limelight, in a modern shape. For example, The Cassette made a 2021 version of a song by Gloria Gaynor (“I Will Survive”): it’s called “My Way”. And then moving on to the real floor filler, “Rasputin” by the Majestic, who interpreted the Boney M classic in a modern key. or European people and football fans we cannot leave out “We Are The People” by Martin Garrix Feat Bono & The Edge, 2021 European championship song. Even if they were released the last spring two song are still very popular: “Friday” by Riton, based on the 1992 Nightcrawlers song.

Even Purple Disco Machine (Playbox) does not hide their vintage soul, since in the past year they released the hits “Hypnotized”, “Fireworks”, “Dopamine”. And what about Bob Sinclar, with “We could be dancing”, and Kungs, with “Never going home“? Two catchy pieces, united by a sort of “retro” flavor (have you have seen Bob Sinclar’s video, in which the fluo colors of the set and the clothing of the DJs seem to come directly from a video clip of the mid-80s?).

In any case, the records of the 70s and 80s (we mean the “real” ones) frequently turn out to be decisive and very important for the success of a wedding party… Michael Jackson, Donna Summer, Santa Esmeralda, Madonna, Chic, and many others are real milestones. Of course, every party is unique and inimitable and with a different audience… very young spouses, with equally young friends, often give priority to the hits of the moment. Feel free to contact us for any info about your wedding in Italy!

Sanremo 2021: something about the italian tradition

Sanremo‘s festival is one of the most evergreen festivals that happen in Italy. Recently, the event’s 71st edition just ended. The whole world recognizes and admires this festival of Italy. It is such a valued and treasured festival of the year that even during Covid-19, it was too good to be missed. The festival is so amazing that even the pandemic was not able to put a stop to it. Even this year where many international guests didn’t come due to Covid-19, we at ProfessionalWeddingDJ watched Sanremo’s festival on TV to find something nice to add to our music library. Let’s begin with a singer who could not attend the festival as a partaker but as a guest on the second evening of the musical event. This singer’s name is Elodie, who last year performed ‘Andromeda.’

A resident of Rome, the Italian singer, blew everyone’s mind with her talent when she held the stage presenting a vocal and dance performance. She was assisted by great dancers in a medley in a Super Bowl. Not only this, after singing and dancing, Elodie, along with the pianist Mauro Tre, also performed it in the jazz interpretation of the song in ‘Mai Così,’ which is the main theme song of the loved 60s TV show called Studio Uno. Jazz music at wedding parties can create a very graceful vibe, especially during dinner.

Coming back to the Sanremo’s Festival, artists such as “Il Volo” or Laura Pausini, who are extremely famous who participated in the previous editions, were not there this year. So there is a very less probability of newlyweds wanting 2021Sanremo’s songs in international weddings. Anyhow, the top three positions are as following:

1. First position: Maneskin for representing Italian rock with ‘Zitti e buoni.’
2. Second position: Chiara Ferragni’s husband, Fedez for performing ‘Chiamami per nome’.
3. Third position: Ermal Meta for performing ‘Un milione di cose da dirti.’

Minley and The Weeknd have something to suggest for your wedding (Super Bowl 2021)

Once again Super Bowl, now in its 55th edition, has monopolized the attention of the world, despite the pandemic. As the National Football League (NFL) fans already knows, we report that in Florida, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Kansas City.
But, we at ProfessionalWeddingDJ are especially interested (as in previous editions) in the half time show: the great musical part during the Super Bowl.
Last edition was dedicated to women, with the beautiful performances of Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. This year, the two most important moments of the event have been performed by The Weeknd and Miley Cirus.

But let’s go in order, from the beginning of the event .
An exceptional duo inaugurated the match: the country singer Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan (from the R&B movement) sang the National Anthem. While Gabriella Wilson (stage name H.E.R.) had the honor of performing in the iconic “America the beautiful”.

Let’s go with Miley Cirus and the Weeknd

Officially opening the evening is Miley Cirus, an artist appreciated especially by our american spouses. She exhibited very showy outfits, first a football player jersey and then a cheerleader uniform. The performance, which in a way anticipated its new show called TikTok Tailgate, brought to the stage its most varied repertoire, in which the best songs were included, such as “Party in the USA” from 2009. We still play this happy song during the ProfessionalWedingDJ parties, and not only for destination weddings in Italy of American spouses. As regard romantic songs, we cite Nothing breaks like a heart (originally performed with Mark Ronson) and Angels Like You.
But be careful: these two songs, contrary to what one might think when listening to them distractedly, are “false friends”.

We got all night to fall in love
But just like that we fall apart
We’re broken, we’re broken
Mmmh, well nothing, nothing, nothing gon’ save us now
Things fall apart, but nothing breaks like a heart
Mmmh, but nothing breaks like a heart
But nothing breaks like a heart
Mmmh, but nothing breaks like a heart

Especially Angels Like You (the third track of the new album by Miley Cyrus, released in November 2020, entitled “Plastic Hearts “, the seventh in the studio) could be inappropriate: the very romantic atmosphere could suggest to play it for the bride and groom’s first dance or for the cake cutting, but l the lyrics of the song are definitely not suitable for the most beautiful moments that underline the celebration of a love story.

I know that you’re wrong for me
Gonna wish we never met on the day I leave
I brought you down to your knees
‘Cause they say that misery loves company
It’s not your fault I ruin everything
And it’s not your fault I can’t be what you need
Baby, angels like you can’t fly down hell with me

The Weekend has monopolized the most important part of the show, namely the HalfTime.
The Weekend played his greatest hits (seven songs in total), starting with Starboy and then moving on to Can’t feel my face (one of the best, for us), The Hill and, Save your tears (played by all radio stations in this period) from his most recent album “The Highlights” (on sale on all online platforms for a few days). The Weekend’s songs are often required and highly appreciated at ProfessionalWeddingDJ wedding parties: the canadian artist has a repertoire which, although not very vast (four albums, including the last one), is varied and suitable for many situations. In particular, in many wedding parties, it has proved to be very effective for starting to give the right rhythm, before starting to hit the dancefloor. For this purpose, his song “Secrets” is perfect.

Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez will inspire the music for your marriage?

January 20, 2021 will go down in history as a memorable day for the United States and for the whole world. It is in fact the inauguration day of the president of the United States of America, Joe Biden (the 46th in history). As Americans often do on vital occasions, it has been organised a top-level entertainment for the event, with international music pop-stars performing during the intense inauguration ceremony of the new administration.

So let’s go through the day, trying to “steal” some useful ideas for your wedding party (we anticipate that there are real “goodies”).

The first two artists who performed were “lady Germanotta” and J.Lo. Artists known for an “easy” pop repertoire (Let’s Get loud and Poker Face are in the list of the most played tunes at wedding parties!), but in this occasion they sang more “serious” and officals songs. The American anthem was interpreted by an intense and excited Lady Gaga, followed by Jennifer Lopez with the medley of “America the beautiful” and “This land is your land”.
The second musical moment of the evening was introduced, from Maiami, by the rocker John Bon Jovi and the Kings of Suburbia. Surprisingly, they proposed an iconic Beatles hit, “Here Comes the Sun”. A positive and auspicious song, which we love to propose at wedding parties, especially aperitifs, in the acoustic version: here is an excerpt:

It is also worth noting the performance of the cellist Yo-Yo Ma (US citizen born in France of Chinese parents), who proposed a truly touching version of Amazing Grace, one of the most famous Christian anthems in the English language of the 18th century. Here, however, we want to offer you a memorable representation of the Ave Maria. An idea for the wedding ceremony!

Among the artists who made the inauguration day great, how can we forget Justin Timberlake, who with Ant Clemons sang “Better Days”, directly from Tennessee, on the streets of Memphis. Justin Timberlake therefore confirms himself  as one of the most popular artists in America: two years ago, in fact, he had the honor of performing at the Super Bowl (you can find here the 2019 post), in a tribute to Prince.

Returning to Capitol Hill, John Legend’s memorable piano performance of “Feeling Good”, a piece by Nina Simone from the 1960s. A step back in time, that reminds us of the talented jazz interpreter who died in 2003 that many know thanks to “my baby just cares for me”, a real classic that we often play at wedding party aperitifs.

Afterwards, the Inauguration Day, from Los Angeles, was enlivened by DJ Cassidy’s performance “Pass the Mic”: with him, Luis Fonsi with “Despacito” and Ozuna (“Taki Taki”). A sequence that really gave an energy boost to the event: we have been proposing these songs for some years with great success!

Then, returning to the chronicle of the “big day”, the tribute to the doctors committed to fighting the Coronavirus, with the music of Demi Lovato who chose the splendid “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers to underline this highlight of the event, and then the grand finale, with the fireworks “sung” by Katy Perry with “Fireworks”. A piece that, when there are fireworks at a wedding party, is almost an obligatory choice … but we also have many other valid alternatives to offer you.

The 2021″Oscars of music“: a great selection of tracks

The 63rd edition of the Grammy Awards, the oscars of music, have also been held  this year in Los Angeles at the Staples Center. The artist of the year was Beyoncé, who has collected nine nominations and even won four gold gramophones. This is the list of the awards: Best R&B Performance with “Black Parade”, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song  with the song “Savage (Remix)”, featuring Megan Thee Stallion, and Best Music Video (“Brown Skin Girl”). An impressive haul of awards  for the queen of pop, reaching the record of 28 Grammys over her career. In this article, however, we want to celebrate her with one of her best songs ever for wedding parties, in particular, the soundtrack of a lot of  bouquet toss: Single ladies.  
But we also wanted to highlight the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, which went to Dua Lipa for “Future Nostalgia.” An album with many great songs: Don ‘t start me now and Physical have been danced in the 2020 wedding parties (in the few that have been possible to realize, due to the pandemic) and also in 2021 they will still be appreciated (what an irresistible “vintage” groove!).
And what became of Billie Eilish? This year she also won the “Record of the Year” award, with  ‘Everything I Wanted’. Just a year ago, at the 2020 Grammys, the American singer celebrated the success of Bad guy, still very popular today, especially in the remix version of Tiësto.

Taylor Swift‘s Folklore is the album of the year. She is the first woman in history to have won this Grammy category for the third time, five years after her last Grammys performance (dated 2016). Here, you can find the 2018 edition. I Can’t Breathe ‘by H.E.R. was elected as the song of the year, ‘Song Of The Year’ (title that is assigned to the person who wrote the song and not the artist who performed it). Considering the provocative and political text, which deals with the racial question, we cannot disagree with the success of this piece.
Harry Styles won the award for Best Pop Solo Performance with “Water Melon”, a summer hit very played by the radio, also in Italy; with this song Harry inaugurated the Grammy ceremony, which also reserves a gold gramophone for the Best Dance Recording: in this edition, it was awarded to Kaytranada with 10%: a piece with a truly successful groove, that combines house, black and R&B sounds: not a “floor filler”, but the classic piece that at the right moment can create a nice sparkling and classy situation … in short,  it is better to hear it (it’s already in our Dj bag!).

What are you waiting for? For the soundtrack of your wedding rely on the experience of DJ Jody Belli and his crew, contact us!

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