Ok guys and gals, I tried this in FFA and well, its FFA. I didn't even think about doing it in here until Nancyb set me straight. So, I need help putting togethor about five hours of music for my wedding reception party throwdown shindig! I have alot of stuff picked out already, but I'm still about three hours short. I have to cover alot of ground, we've got elderly folks all the way down to pre-teens coming. PLUS it's in Norway so I'm sure I have to throw in some ABBA somewhere! HA HA HELP!!!
Assuming that you are: -- Looking to avoid typical wedding crap like the macarena, hokey pokey and electric slide -- Not trying to be too cutesy with schlock -- Not trying to offend your family If so, two words: Classic Soul. You can never go wrong with Motown, Stax, and whatnot. You can even get some Parliament in this mix and not have it sound out of place. For starters, here's what is on the soundtrack for Standing in the Shadows of Motown: (Love Is Like A) Heat Wave You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me Do You Love Me Reach Out I’ll Be There Ain’t Too Proud To Beg Shotgun I Heard It Through The Grapevine (maybe not the best wedding song, but whatever) You Keep Me Hanging On Cool Jerk Cloud Nine In contrast, here's a sampling of what's on the soundtrack for Only The Strong Survive: Soul Survivor Soul Man Walking The Dog (In The) Midnight Hour Night Time Is The Right Time Only The Strong Survive Again, you can never go wrong with classic soul at a wedding.
obie's right, for sure. Here's more: Let's Get It On ( ) Ain't Nothin Like the Real Thing Let's Stay Together
I agree so far. I have concentrated alot on good oldies and a bit of soul, everyone loves that fun stuff! And yes, I will be avoiding the Macarena, the Hamster Dance, and anything from the eighties
The suggestion above about classic soul is spot on. In addition every wedding DJ, hell every DJ period, should have James Browns 30 Greatest Hits as his/her emergency back up. If all else fails this gets the booties in motion. Even Scandanavian booty.
If you truly have the range from "elderly" all the way down, you may want to start off with some classic swing and big band -- allowing the early to bed set to get some shufflin in -- and then move into the 'shake your thang' portion of the evening. Some standards: Sinatra: Songs for Swingin Lovers (a must) and/or Come Fly with Me and/or Come Dance with Me Tito Puente: Tito Puente in Love Glen Miller: Any Hits compilation Tommy Dorsey: ditto or some of those ubiquitous lounge/swing compilations, such as Ultra Lounge's Wild Cool and Swingin, Cha Cha de Amor, or Rhino Records Cocktail Mix series.
Crap, yes. But at the right time, if the party mood is right, those can be really successful. (That's kinda what you are paying the DJ for - to play the right song at the right time, following your guidance.) Of course, at my reception we had tea and scones (afternoon, you see, in a dry suburb at that).
Good suggestions. My wife doesn't like Big Band, but I love it. A little different than the Snoop in the car right now, but you'd have to be dead if that stuff doesn't compell the ass to shake.
Unforgettable - Nat King Cole Going to a Go Go - Smokey Robinson Respect - Aretha Franklin Now, I like more than old soul. How about some 70s/80s fun stuff? Party Out of Control - B52s You Will Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties - ? Happy Loving Couples - Joe Jackson I Know what Boys Like - the Waitresses I Knew the Bride (when She Used to Rock n Roll) - Nick Lowe or Dave Edmunds Shake Some Action - Flaming Groovies Orgasm Addict - Buzzcocks Pump It Up - Elvis Costello
A couple more: Question - Old 97's - song seems to be about a guy popping the question. Designs on You - Old 97's - actually not appropriate. It's about a guy trying to make it with someone who's engaged to someone else. Beatles tunes? They usually go over well. Let's see. I've Just Seen a Face When I Saw Her Standing There Drive My Car You've Really Got a Hold on Me When I'm 64 (a bit cutesy, I admit)
My brother's wedding song was "Wild Horses", the Stones song, but the version by The Sundays. It was beautiful. "How Soon Is Now" by The Smiths was the dance floor packer at my wedding. And remember...Norwegians love Deee-Lite.