Any suggestion for wedding soundtrack? Must play or Must NOT play

I'm putting together a list for my wedding DJ of what songs to play and what to NOT play.

Any suggestions?

80 person wedding - mix of ages. I'm looking for mix of classic pop/rock/dance with current pop stuff.

Not a fan of country or too many line dances.

Awesome

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jenyfer Johnson on September 19, 2011 at 11:02am

My suggestions would be some Anita Baker, which is R&B, makes for some nice slow dancing and very romantic. For dance music you might consider some Earth, Wind & Fire, Chic, Cheryl Lynn, Kool and the Gang, Ohio Players or some of the other disco-type dance music...it tends to get people up off their feet. Or some Fleetwood Mac, which is also nice for dancing. If you want something a little rock with a classical touch, Apocalyptica has a number of tunes you could play. Bob Seger, something like "Old Time Rock and Roll", Creedence Clearwater or Tom Petty, for more of a rock touch. I might recommend Gorillaz, their hits from the radio are good. Some of the songs from "Grease" are great dance songs and everyone has seen the movie.

Permalink Reply by Mark Hammer on September 19, 2011 at 1:22pm

When my wife and I did our vow renewal in the back yard five years ago, with about 40 in attendance, she surprised me by arranging to have James Brown's "I Feel Good" played at the end of the ceremony. Not for everyone, I suppose, but it suited the occasion, and gosh darn it, I did feel good!!

I find the biggest challenge for such events, when there is a mixed-age crowd is that there will be a bunch who would like to sit and chat with folks they haven't seen in a while, or simply people seated with them who are interesting, and folks who don't/can't dance. The DJ may be interested in pumping up the volume and getting everyone on the dance floor - heck they could be playing Sophie Tucker singing "My Yiddeshe Mama" and Eddie Fisher singing "Oh My Papa" - but if its 100db and requires everyone in attendance to spend the evening yelling "What?", no one will be happy.

Permalink Reply by Jenyfer Johnson on September 19, 2011 at 1:30pm

Just a personal note...when my husband and I got married almost 7 years ago we had to decide what to do for music. It was a small wedding at the local park, with the reception in the hall at the same location. My husband plays in a classic rock band, but they can do some country and slow songs too...SOOOO, we decided to have his band play at the wedding.

It turned out GREAT...he's not much of a dancer, so he didn't have to show off his lack of skill, people danced, we made sure it wasn't too loud for the building so people could talk and it was unique.

Permalink Reply by Dannielle Blumenthal on September 19, 2011 at 2:01pm

Classic Updated: Hava Nagila Trance Remix.

Mazel Tov!

Permalink Reply by Mark Hammer on September 19, 2011 at 4:45pm

Hey, wait a sec! Wasn't there someone in that chair we were hoisting? Where'd they go? :-)

Permalink Reply by Mary Yang on September 19, 2011 at 2:25pm

Doesn't everyone have to play the Electric Slide at weddings?

Permalink Reply by Andrew Soper on September 19, 2011 at 3:14pm

"Don't Stop Believing" by Journey is a wedding classic.

Permalink Reply by Candace Riddle on September 19, 2011 at 3:23pm

Sweet Caroline!!! This is a classic in the South!

Gonna need a little AC/DC for the after party too!

Permalink Reply by Jennifer on September 19, 2011 at 10:49pm

You will be surprised what people like but what usually works is something popular out of each era so let's say for example:

1960s - Motown - Signed Sealed Delivered I'm Yours, ABC, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Stop in the Name of Love
1960s - Beatles - Hey Jude, Help
1960s - Sugar, Sugar, When a Man loves a woman, Shout, Twist
1970's - Got To Give It Up - Part 1 and 2, Jungle Boogie, Love to Love you Baby, I feel love,Last dance, Higher Ground, Night Fever, How Deep is your love, More than a woman
1970s - Chic - Le Freak, Good Times which turns into Rappers Delight, I want your love
Late 70s - Herb Alpert Rise watch your parents lol however this song is the ****** excellent song
1980s - Michael Jackson - If you want the stuff off of Thriller do that but play the stuff from Off The Wall e.g. Don't Stop till you get enough, Rock with You
1980s - Prince - Kiss, 1999, Pop Life, U Got the Look
1980s - Kraftwerk - Trans Europe Express, Tour De France, Violent Femmes - Blister In The Sun, Duran Duran - Rio, The Reflex, Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls
Old School Hip-Hop - Young MC - Bust A Move, A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation, De La Soul - Me, Myself & I,
Jazz - Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Diana Krall, - When I look in your Eyes stuff great cuts are Let's Fall In Love, When I look in your eyes, Popsicle toes, I've got you under my skin, Let's face the music and dance
Eighteenth St Lounge Music - The Ananda Project, Miguel Migs, Lisa Shaw, Thievery Corporation (well of course), Andy Caldwell,

Once you give the DJ some parameters they will know how to do a smooth mix!

Permalink Reply by Gwynne Kostin on September 19, 2011 at 11:04pm

Can't never go wrong with Motown. Fab for an all ages show. And a +1@jenyfer re: anita baker

Don't forget Hammer time, Can't Touch This.

Kool and the Gang, Celebrate. Old people love it, and it gets everyone dancing.

And on the line dances, Electric Slide is just too awful, spice it up with the Booty Call. Love to see Grandma rocking and freaking to that one.

Sexy Back- JT (will he evah make another CD?) And remember Pon de Replay by Rihanna?

DON'T PLAY ANY Chris Breezy!! It's just not good omen for a wedding--I know you'll have to hold yourself back.

Can't go wrong with my girl, Beyonce. Single Ladies is super fun, even tho "your lady" will be beyond it by the time it spins. Crazy in Love is also apropriate--and Hova has a great verse. Get Me Bodied (dang, b-day is a great disc)

See if you can add Let me Clear My Throat--will TOTALLY fill the parquet.

You don't like country, but your guests do? How about King of the Rodeo--Kings of Leon (had to get that one in!)

What about Nelly? Hot in Herre is always a blast from the furnace.

What about Rock Lobster--whoa.

Gotta get in some Prince--Let's Get Crazy? 1999? Kiss?

Quincy Jones, Soul Bossa Nova (a skilled DJ can bring this in the mix, and what a hoot!)

Don't you love "Wanna Love You Girl"? Robin Thicke & Pharrell?

Who could forget Sean Paul? Temperature, for example?

Go Shawty, It's your birthday...

Keith & I had our first dance to the Temps, My Girl. I guess that's our song.

You want somemore? Happy happy day.

Permalink Reply by Andrew Krzmarzick on September 20, 2011 at 2:05pm