Last night, while having dinner with my wife Anne, Eric Clapton’s poignant ballad, “Tears In Heaven Song,” began to play from my Spotify playlist. I noticed Anne quietly singing along, a rare occurrence as she isn’t a frequent music listener, especially to classic rock. Curious, I asked her how she knew the song, despite my playing it numerous times before. She explained that many of her clients request prints of its lyrics as their wedding song through her custom print business, Anne Wesley Designs.
This revelation was surprising because I was deeply familiar with the heartbreaking story behind the “Tears in Heaven song.” I vividly recall watching Eric Clapton’s emotional performance on MTV Unplugged decades ago, sensing profound grief within the music. It wasn’t until years later, with the advent of readily available online information, that I fully grasped the song’s devastating origin.
“Tears in Heaven,” released in 1991, was born from a tragedy that no parent should ever endure. On March 20, 1991, Eric Clapton’s four-year-old son, Connor, tragically died after falling from the window of his mother’s New York City apartment. The window had been inadvertently left open following cleaning. It’s a story so profoundly sad that it’s difficult to contemplate, yet details of this tragic event are available on [biography.com](https://www.biography.com/news/eric-clapton-tears-in-heaven-son “Eric Clapton: The Unthinkable Tragedy That Inspired “Tears in Heaven””).
Despite its sorrowful genesis, the popularity of “Tears in Heaven song” as a wedding song raises an interesting point. Ultimately, the significance of a wedding song is deeply personal to the couple. Their interpretation and connection to the music are paramount, superseding any external perspectives.
However, understanding the background of “Tears in Heaven song” might prompt some couples to reconsider its appropriateness for their wedding. If you are exploring other options, here are a few alternative wedding song suggestions that convey love and commitment without the shadow of tragedy:
Our Unofficial Wedding Song: The Hollies’ “The Air That I Breathe.” This is a quintessential love song, imbued with a longing for family and connection. Co-writer Albert Hammond penned the lyrics while in Los Angeles, missing his family in London and feeling alienated by the city’s smog, which he metaphorically refers to as the “air” he breathes. The song beautifully expresses a devotion so profound that material needs become insignificant compared to the presence of a loved one.
John Lennon’s “Oh My Love”: Regardless of varying opinions on John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s relationship, their deep and undeniable connection is evident. Lennon himself acknowledged Ono’s significant contribution to “Imagine” as a co-writer. “Oh My Love” is a raw and sincere expression of love, depicting how love can open one’s eyes to new perceptions and sensations.
The Beatles’ “In My Life”: This song evokes pure emotion. Even after years of not listening to it, revisiting “In My Life” sends shivers down my spine. It’s a simple yet powerful reflection on cherished memories, with an optimistic outlook on the future shared with a loved one.
Elton John’s “Your Song”: Little needs to be said about this iconic ballad. It’s the song that catapulted Elton John to superstardom and remains a timeless classic. It’s consistently chosen by couples for Anne’s custom prints, and it’s easy to understand its enduring appeal as a wedding song.
Explore Anne Wesley’s bespoke wedding vow and song lyric prints here to find a unique way to celebrate your chosen song.
