According to a new study by Function Central, couples are playing a risky game when choosing songs for their weddings. Research indicates that many popular wedding songs are linked with high divorce rates, causing concern for those who may be superstitious about the so-called “luck” of these tracks.
Function Central utilised data from a 2020 OnBuy survey of 5,544 married couples to identify songs that were statistically associated with higher divorce rates. This information was then cross-referenced with 162,703 wedding playlists for the year 2023, sourced through Spotify analytics.
Topping the list of popular wedding songs linked to divorce was Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect”, which was added to 137 wedding playlists for 2023. This track has a reported 42% divorce rate among couples who chose it for their special day.
Other popular songs that made the list include ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love With You’ by Elvis Presley and ‘Everything’ by Michael Buble. Both were chosen by a substantial number of engaged couples, despite their nearly 50% divorce rate.
In contrast, several songs with high rates of marital success were noticeably absent from couples’ playlists. ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ by Elton John, which boasts a 77% success rate for long-lasting marriages, didn’t make it onto a single playlist for this year. Similarly, ‘Isn’t She Lovely’ by Stevie Wonder, another song with a high success rate, was also snubbed.
Interestingly, one song that did make a frequent appearance on playlists was “Your Song” by Elton John. With a reported 64% rate of marital success, it’s a more optimistic choice for couples looking to infuse their weddings with good luck.
Top choices at a glance
Divorce-prone songs
- Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” (42% divorce rate, 137 playlists)
- Elvis Presley – “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (49% divorce rate, 69 playlists)
- Michael Bublé – “Everything” (49% divorce rate, 72 playlists)
Marriage-success songs
- Elton John – “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (77% success rate, 0 playlists)
- Stevie Wonder – “Isn’t She Lovely– (75% success rate, 0 playlists)
- Frank Sinatra – “The Way You Look Tonight” (74% success rate, 46 playlists)
While many couples are likely unaware of the historical success rates of their chosen wedding songs, this study offers some food for thought. After all, when you’re committing to a lifetime together, why not stack the odds in your favour with a tune that’s linked to marital success?
