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Springsteen: First Dance Songs for the Rock and Roll Wedding

I periodically like to write about alternative wedding songs – new, independent artists, forgotten gems, lesser known cover songs, and quite a bit of Springsteen. If you’re an alternative bride and music aficionado and have suggestions, please e-mail me at natalie (at) nataliediener.com. I’m always looking for new music!

I love Bruce Springsteen. Not quite as much as I love my fiancé or my father, but as a closer runner up. As a bride in Philadelphia myself, I am inexplicably drawn to the Jersey Shore when selecting music for my own wedding. (No, not THAT Jersey Shore, the Asbury Park variety.) I have decided to periodically blog about the Boss, his music, and which choice songs and covers a New Jersey bride could consider for her First Dance Song.

If I Should Fall Behind
From Lucky Town, 1992

It might be an unusual choice to begin my Springsteen Wedding Song blogging about a tune that was recorded without the illustrious E Street Band, but just look at these lyrics:

We said we’d walk together baby come what may
That come the twilight should we lose our way
If as we’re walkin a hand should slip free
I’ll wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for me

You just teared up a little, didn’t you?

In addition to being a master musician, Springsteen’s also a brilliant songwriter, so much so that many of his songs have been covered by hundreds of musicians. If you love the sentiment of this song but aren’t as enamored of the early 90’s sound, here are a few covers to keep you warm at night.

The Wave Pictures, a British indie band, cover this song with little other than some vocal harmonies, one acoustic guitar, and some simple percussion.
Catie Curtis recorded a very sweet sounding version with just her guitar. This pared-down version is probably my favorite cover of the bunch and it would easily translate into a First Dance hit.
Richie Furay of Buffalo Springfield covered the song on a Springsteen tribute compilation – a very atmospheric, down-tempo version with slide guitar. Maybe a good choice for your Hawaiian destination wedding?
45 RPM has a doowop acapella version that’s great if you’re in the mood for something a little fun and funky for your First Dance.
If you’re a country music fan, Faith Hill recorded a cover. It’s pretty much the same tempo as the original and it has a LATE 90’s pop sound instead of the original’s EARLY 90’s pop sound. However it’s a good choice for the Springsteen/Faith Hill fan that can’t quite choose!

Are you playing any Springsteen at your wedding?

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