Top 5 Swing Music Songs To Play At Your Wedding Reception

 Swing music is the perfect way to make people hit the dance floor and groove to the swing beats and rhythms. Moreover, when it is the occasion of your wedding reception, you cannot help but swing to these lovely numbers with your better half and crystallize the moments. So, take a look at these top 5 numbers besides keeping handy a collection of big band and swing music, so that you can play them at your wedding reception and spend the moments in merry, love and laughter.

Here are those top 5 favorite swing tracks that will leave you in a trance with their beautiful musical arrangements and meaningful lyrics.

 The top 5 swing songs 

1. Cowboy Casanova

Sung by Carrie Underwood in 2009, ‘Cowboy Casanova’ received a huge and positive response and lots of critical acclaim after its release. This is a country swing song that captures your mind and leaves you in a happy state. Its meaningful lyrics are surely something to look forward to on your D-day.

 He’s a good time cowboy Casanova

Leaning up against the record machine

He looks like a cool drink of water

But he’s candy-coated misery

 

2. Good Time 

Alan Jackson’s ‘Good Time’, released in 2008, is a country swing song as well. The lovely music and thoughtful lyrics make it a perfect track to be played on a romantic date or your D-day.

 I’ve been workin’ all week

And I’m tired and I don’t wanna sleep

I wanna have fun

Time for a good time 

3. Honky Tonk Badonkadonk

 Trace Adkins released this song in 2005 and it became an instant hit. Beating the other songs on the charts, this country song bagged a place in the hearts of all. Why do you need to play this song at your wedding reception? Why, because of the music and the lyrics!

 At that honky tonk badonkadonk

Keepin’ perfect rhythm

Make ya wanna swing along

Got it goin’ on

Like Donkey Kong

 

4. Baby Likes to Rock It

 The Tractors released this song in 1994 and this country swing song turned out to be a chartbuster. With the lyrics that will readily stay glued to your mind, this song will just be the icing on the cake on your wedding reception day.

 She got the boogie woogie woogie spread all over the place

She’s got it stacked to the ceilin’–got it stickin’ in your face

Ya know my baby likes to rock it like a boogie woogie choo choo train 

5. Sugar

 Adam Levine of Maroon 5 almost had our hearts stolen with this lovely Pop Rock number with a wide touch of swing music in the year 2014. Levine’s drool-worthy vocals simply took this song another notch higher and when you let this song play at your wedding reception, you will only feel like holding your partner closer and swing all the way into the end of eternity.

 I’m right here, ’cause I need

Little love, a little sympathy

Yeah, you show me good loving

Make it alright

Need a little sweetness in my life

Your sugar

  

Winding up:

 Listening to these songs will leave you mesmerized and you will pine for some more swing tracks. The endless list of ballroom swing music can be listened to on America’s favorite swing music radio channel, Swing Street Radio, the official ballroommusic radio station USA. Stay tuned to it to soothe your ears, calm your nerves and enjoy every tune of yesteryear’s swing music and lyrics. 

Gene Krupa – The First Soloist Drummer of the Swing Era

Do you often identify the swing era with the saxophones and trumpets? After all, who can ever get over Louis Armstrong and his extraordinary trumpet playing skill? Further, Coleman Hawkins on saxophone could sweep people off their feet in no time. It goes without a saying that such exceptionally talented artists and instrumentalists immortalized swing and big band music in the USA. However, at a time when the whole world was swinging to the rhythm of wind instruments, it was Gene Krupa who brought drums to the forefront of the swing era.

Without this good-looking, charming, and talented young man, who could have considered drums to be an integral part of swing music? We may swoon over drummers today but they did not enjoy the same popularity back in those days. Krupa, with his fantastic stage presence, captivating personality, and amazing playing skills, soon became a heartthrob of millions of Americans. In this blog, let us discuss his life and journey to success.

Finding expression through drum playing

Krupa was born to religious parents who had wanted him to become a priest. However, he showed no such religious inclinations and became increasingly fascinated with music, especially playing the drums. While he was still in school, Krupa joined a few bands as drummers. His biggest success came in the year 1927 when Krupa became the first-ever musician to have played a drum set while recording with McKenzie-Condon Chicagoans. Soon after this feat, Krupa became a popular name in the Chicago jazz scene through the 1920s.

Collaboration with Benny Goodman 

After moving to New York, Gene Krupa collaborated with several commercial bands but his association with Benny Goodman would prove to be a turning point in his career. A sensational hit by the Benny Goodman Orchestra, ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ featured a lengthy drum section by Gene Krupa. Released in 1937, the song further popularized the idea of incorporating drums in the swing and big band music in the USA. However, the increasing popularity of Gene Krupa made Benny Goodman uncomfortable and was conceived as a challenge to the latter’s prominence in the band. In 1938, Krupa mesmerized the audience and stole the limelight at the Carnegie Hall Concert. This was the last straw that would substantiate the fallout between these two musical artists.

Forming his band 

After breaking up with Benny Goodman Orchestra, Gene Krupa formed his band quite quickly. His new band featured prominent players such as Milt Raskin, Sam Donahue, Vido Musso, Floyd O’Brien, and Irene Daye. In 1941, they created ‘Drum Boogie’, a score that is now part of an unforgettable collection of big band and swing music. But, the band shot to fame when Roy Eldridge and Anita O’Day joined and enriched the music group. From ‘Rockin Chair’ and ‘Let Me Off Uptown’ to ‘Thanks for the Boogie Ride’, the band gave back to back hits in 1941 and 1942. However, a drug charge on Krupa affected the band’s popularity, which eventually led to its disintegration.

The final phase in his career 

After working with Tommy Dorsey for a short time and having a reunion with Goodman in 1943, Gene Krupa once again tried establishing a band of his own. Unfortunately, it was short-lived and broke up quickly without garnering much popularity. Despite being a drummer of the swing era, Krupa welcomed and incorporated bebop elements into his musical arrangements. Through the 1950s, Krupa collaborated with trio and quartet bands thereby enriching their drum sections with his passionate and soul-stirring playing.

Conclusion – Initially, drums were considered to be one of the side instruments that caught little to no interest of major artists. However, with Gene Krupa’s arrival, drums no longer remained a rarity in the swing era. With his amazing drum playing skills, Krupa could own the stage and captivate the audience. Further, he set an example before the aspiring artists and showed them how drums could be used as an outlet of expressions. Want to enjoy swing tracks by Krupa and other eminent artists? Then tune into Swing Street Radio today. With an expansive collection of big band and swing music, the radio can take you on a journey.