The Perfect Gay Marriage Playlist

Hey, America! It's time to break out your gay marriage playlists and get ready to have a good time. Don't know if you heard this yet, but you can now get married to whomever it is you love, *and* have your union recognized in all 50 states, because the Supreme Court has ruled same-sex marriage bans are unconstitutional. Yup, SCOTUS says it's about damn time everybody in this country have the same rights when it comes to getting hitched. FINALLY.

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court declared that couples in all 50 states have a constitutional right, be they gay or straight, to marry each other and receive equal financial and legal benefits under the law.

This decision comes after months of arguments, including some amazing legal knockout punches thrown by 82-year-old Justice and feminist icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg (all hail the Notorious RBG) back in April.

Now that no city or state can prevent same-sex couples from getting married, there will undoubtedly be a waterfall of happy couples looking to begin the next chapter of their lives together as husbands and wives.

Every wedding needs music, and there are plenty of songs that have become standard wedding material to choose from, but I've compiled a list of super-special, same-sex-wedding-friendly songs perfect for a first dance in the age of marriage equality. If you don't get a little emotional listening to this playlist, you are a soulless automaton.

1. "Rainbow Connection" — Glee Cast

Glee has been an important voice for gay young people in the United States since its first season six years ago. This song is a gorgeous acapella rendition of the Muppet classic, and is filled with references to the rainbow, which is an internationally recognized symbol of the LGBTQ community.

2. "Beautiful" — Meshell Ndegeocello

This song is simple, short, and incredibly sweet, and the depth of feeling in Ndegeocello's voice is palpable. She's one of my favorite artists of all time. Ndegeocello is bisexual and is currently married to her longtime partner Alison Riley, with whom she is raising their son.

3. "Open" — Rhye

When Rhye released their debut album back in 2013, the band was very secretive about who its members actually were, and understandably, a lot of people thought the singer was female. Eventually, word got out, and lead singer Mike Milosh was featured on Out.com in a feature about "Dudes That Sing Like Ladies," which is both hilarious and true. This song is so incredibly romantic. With lyrics like, "I'm a fool for the shake in your thighs," this tune would fit beautifully into any wedding.

4. "Take Me To Church" — Hozier

The music video for this song is insanely powerful in its condemnation of homophobia. If you haven't seen it, watch it right now, because it will break your heart into a million pieces. Hozier, an outspoken ally of the LGTBQ community, said in an interview with New York Magazine's The Cut, "The song is about asserting yourself and reclaiming your humanity through an act of love." Even the things this guy says in regular conversation sound like poetry.

5. "Love They Say" — Tegan And Sara

Tegan and Sara are the coolest twins ever if for no other reason than they have their own ice cream sandwich in support of marriage equality. That is so tremendous. They also make great music, including this song, for which the lyrics are even sweeter than a double-chocolate cookie sandwich stuffed with salted caramel ice cream.

6. "We've Only Just Begun" — Curtis Mayfield

The original version of this song was recorded by brother and sister duo, The Carpenters, for a bank commercial, which sort of zaps some of the romantic magic from that rendition, but this live cover by Curtis Mayfield captures the lyrics in an entirely new light. Mayfield had become a civil rights icon as Martin Luther King Jr. used his song "Keep On Pushing" at many of his peaceful demonstrations. This recording comes from a 1971 concert, and was sung not just about a marriage, but also about the progress of black Americans in the wake of the civil rights movement.

7. "The Story" — Brandi Carlile

This has been one of my favorite love songs since its first appearance on Grey's Anatomy back in 2007 (that show used to be cool, OK). This song would make a great first dance or recessional for any wedding. In addition to being a powerhouse musician, Carlile is also a lesbian and mom to a one-year-old daughter.

8. "Origin Of Love" — John Cameron Mitchell from Hedwig And The Angry Inch

Hedwig, as the story goes, is a genderqueer rock and roll musician from communist East Berlin who has escaped to America after a botched vaginoplasty — hence, the "angry inch." In the midst of this hilarious glam romp is a universally relatable story about love, and this song contains a touching mythology about the origin of human love. I chose the movie version for this playlist, because it's a little more of a ballad than some of the stage performances (I'm looking at you, NPH).

9. "I Choose You" — Sara Bareilles

This song is, quite literally, a wedding song, and it's one conceived wholeheartedly in the spirit of marriage equality. Bareilles' "Brave," was written to encourage a close friend to come out and was embraced by the gay community. "I Choose You," the second single off of the same album, The Blessed Unrest, is equally related to celebrating romantic love and its many flavors. Check out the video above, where Bareilles helps two lovebirds propose to their respective significant others.

10. "Baby I'm Yours" — Breakbot

I love this song! Its euphoric throwback Motown-esque groove is so easy to dance to. I would put this song as the first song after the first dance, when the happy couple invites their guests to the dancefloor to break out their dance moves.

11. "Cheek To Cheek" — Lady Gaga And Tony Bennett

After listening to this song like 10 times today, I'm convinced Gaga chose this song and this collaboration for exactly this purpose. It's pretty perfect. Get cheek to cheek with your brand new spouse to this revamped classic.

Want something sweet to go along with your playlist? Check out this amazing rainbow gummy bear piñata cake.

Images: Quinn Dombrowski/Flickr; Giphy (4)