![[1960s–80s] Nostalgic! A roundup of retro Western songs recommended for weddings](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/1eQWdpWjXlk/maxresdefault.webp)
[1960s–80s] Nostalgic! A roundup of retro Western songs recommended for weddings
The background music you use at your wedding—the biggest day of your life—is incredibly important.
And if you love music, you’ve probably imagined at least once what songs you’d want to play, even if you don’t have any wedding plans yet.
We’ve published various roundups of recommended wedding songs on our site, but this time we’re focusing on “retro, nostalgic Western music.” We’ve picked classics from the ’60s through the ’80s to bring you foreign-language songs that will beautifully color your wedding.
These are all timeless hits that people of all ages will recognize, so be sure to check them out!
[1960s–1980s] Nostalgic! A Collection of Retro Western Songs Recommended for Weddings (1–10)
Glory of LovePeter Cetera
This is a powerful song that passionately portrays a man’s romance as he fights to the end for the one he loves, with an eternal vow in his heart.
The soaring high-tone vocals and grand melody express unwavering resolve and devoted love.
Released by Peter Cetera as a solo artist in June 1986, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two consecutive weeks.
It was also used as the theme song for the film The Karate Kid Part II and was nominated for both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes.
Included on the album Solitude/Solitaire, it has sold over one million copies.
It’s a perfect choice for moments when you want to make a heartfelt vow or convey your love to someone special, and it works beautifully as an emotional wedding BGM as well.
GuiltyBarbra Streisand
A song brimming with deep affection and passion resounds gracefully through the voices of Barbra Streisand and the Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb.
The strength of pure love and the couple’s resolve to overcome social barriers are expressed through warm vocals and melody.
Released in October 1980, the piece reached No.
3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has captivated many as a sophisticated blend of pop and soft rock.
The harmony woven by their voices is as pleasant as a conversation between lovers pledging their love, and it won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance.
Often chosen for wedding performances and reception background music, it’s a song that beautifully colors moments when you want to be close to someone special.
I Need To Be In LoveCarpenters
Speaking of the Carpenters’ songs, their timeless appeal continues to move many people even today.
Among them, the 1976 release “I Need To Be In Love” is a classic that keeps resonating with those in love, thanks to Karen Carpenter’s deep, gentle voice and its warm melody.
Often chosen for weddings, the song affirms hope for the future and love for one’s partner.
It truly suits the start of a new life, evoking a tender mix of emotion and nostalgia.
What’s more, when it was featured in the Japanese drama “Miseinen” in 1995, the renewed reaction reignited its popularity, making it a song cherished once again by people in Japan.
It’s an exceptionally wonderful track to color your most precious moments!
Open ArmsJourney
Journey’s classic ballad “Open Arms,” released in 1981, has long graced countless wedding scenes as a timeless favorite.
Its warm yet wistful lyrics delicately touch the heartstrings.
Showcasing Steve Perry’s sweet vocals, the song topped VH1’s “25 Greatest Power Ballads,” cementing its name in music history.
Its romantic melody is a perfect fit for the moment when newlyweds cherish their shared memories and vow to embark on a new journey together.
With a message that resonates across generations and a universally appealing charm, it will surely continue to be chosen by many in the years to come.
Unchained MelodyThe Rigthteous Brother
Unchained Melody, a timeless classic that has been loved across generations, is truly a perfect choice for weddings.
Originally written in 1955 as a movie theme song, the track was covered by The Righteous Brothers in 1965 and, produced by Phil Spector, became one of their signature worldwide hits.
Its lyrics, portraying the restless longing of waiting for a lover, capture a universal theme that anyone can relate to, while Bobby Hatfield’s soulful vocals resonate deeply with listeners.
The song was also featured in the 1990 film Ghost, which helped it reach an even wider audience.
It’s undoubtedly an ideal piece for weddings, where couples vow their eternal love to one another.
You’re the InspirationCHICAGO
Chicago, the rock band known to all, delivers a gem of a ballad tenderly wrapped in everlasting love and gratitude.
Its refreshing piano tones and warmly resonant melody line stir emotions that bring a lump to your throat.
Released in October 1984 and reaching No.
3 on the U.
S.
Billboard chart the following January, this major hit appears on the album Chicago 17.
It gracefully weaves deep feelings and appreciation for a loved one, celebrating the wonder of fateful love.
Perfect for making life’s important moments even more memorable, it’s a popular choice for special occasions—such as a first dance at a wedding.
Every Little Thing She Does Is MagicThe Police
This masterpiece gently sings of the bittersweet feelings of a man captivated by unrequited love, its uniquely Police-style, inventive arrangement striking a deep chord.
The melancholic yet romantic lyrical worldview is beautifully balanced with a bold sound that fuses new wave and reggae.
Released in 1981 as a single from the album Ghost in the Machine, it topped the charts in the UK and several other countries, and its forward-thinking use of piano and synthesizers also drew attention.
It’s a perfect choice for conveying pure love—whether as a wedding performance or in a proposal to someone special.