Ray Charles: “Don’t Change On Me” (1971)
As a long-time wedding DJ I curated lengthy lists of songs suitable for the various events of the wedding reception, including choices for the bride’s dance with her father and the groom’s dance with his mom.
When couples asked for suggestions, I had many, but was commonly disappointed when they almost invariably went on to choose “Because You Loved Me”, “What a Wonderful World” or (hack, spit) “Butterfly Kisses”.
Seemed a great way to make a special moment cliched and generic.
I always thought Brother Ray’s “Don’t Change On Me” would’ve made a great choice if someone was looking to stray from the usual.
I even shared that thought with my daughter, telling her if the occasion arose and she let me choose the song, this obscure old nugget would be my choice.
Well, my daughter’s wedding was a surprise affair. I was invited to bring my mom to a “summer party” and had no idea it was anything more than a picnic in the local community park until we arrived and saw chairs set up facing a little white arch.
The modest ceremony was followed by lunch in a small adjacent indoor facility, and sometime after I was surprised to be instructed to join my daughter in the center of the room while the groom cued up a recording on a small portable sound system.
And though the wedding had been a casual, secular celebration, there was Brother Ray bringing a little “church”.
It had been years since I’d mentioned it. But she hadn’t forgotten.
And moments like that, Emily, are why I love you just the way you are.
Every Moment Has A Song 