What do people dance to?

[Matt Till]

This isn't some theoretical deep discussion, I'm asking literally. I'm "DJing" a wedding, by that I mean, I'm playing CDs/MP3s through a PA from my laptop.

I've got a wide aray of jazzy stuff for dinner. Some "mingling" type music.. but what do people like to dance to?

The crowd is mostly middle aged, but a few young too. It's Pittsburgh based, if that gives you any idea of the demographic. I'm wanting to go typical, sadly. This is the type of crowd that will want same old same old radio type songs.

ANOTHER NOTE, no booze, so people probably won't dance anyway.

[The BurgerMeister]

a good mix of Beach Boys ("God Only Knows" comes to mind), assorted oldies, a bit of four-on-the-floor disco... and "Hey, Ya!" by Outkast (if you're down to have a little subversive fun).

[The BurgerMeister]

"Brickhouse" by The Commodores is good at weddings, because it's "naughty" and has a great dance beat.

"Disco Inferno" is just plain fun.

[qunndo]

I've only been to a few weddings but nutbush is always played.

[UBU]

Bring. Jamiroquai.

[baalroo]

For 30 - 40 age group:

Beastie Boys - Brass Monkey
Beach Boys
ABBA
Queen/Bowie - Dancin in the Streets

[Howlin' Hanson]

!@#$%ing Mustang Sally.

[Jezz8me]

Do not play dance music!!!!! It is cruel to everyone. I cannot begin to explain how much i hate the electronic music people play at parties. There is such thing as good stuff in these genres but people do not understand.

I say funk there is nothing that gets feet moving like some old style vintage funk. Choose whoever you like. May i suggest introducing people to Blue King Brown. They are a pretty small Melbourne band and they have the feel of all that classic funk.

[51m0n]

Once they've had a drink they wont need a specific era.

They will need a big groove.

So I say old school funk as well, but maybe because in my town nothing gets people grooving of any age more than a couple of drinks and some classic funk, its an absolute winner everytime.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by 51m0n

Once they've had a drink they wont need a specific era.

They will need a big groove.

So I say old school funk as well, but maybe because in my town nothing gets people grooving of any age more than a couple of drinks and some classic funk, its an absolute winner everytime.

I agree with this and if you need an artist that everybody loves -

Stevie Wonder!!

Every time I have heard his funkier tunes played at a function - then people get up and dance - no matter who they are!! Everybody loves Stevie!!

[Deacon_Blues]

Stevie Wonder definitely, at least the funkier stuff.

Also a lot of rock songs will bring the people to the dancefloor, like:

Living on a prayer - Bon Jovi
Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
Grease Lightning - John Travolta
Almost anything by Elvis Presley
Poison - Alice Cooper

[51m0n]

Originally Posted by Deacon_Blues

Living on a prayer - Bon Jovi

err thats probably a hanging offence in these parts - play that at your own risk

[Linkert]

The thing that pops up in my mind is.
Earth, wind & fire.
Britney Spears 90's thing
..And ABBA!

[jomahu]

what qualifies as middle age these days?

some suggestions:
abba/any other good disco -i love the nightlife doesn't count
james brown
EWF!!!!!!
otis
jackson 5
anything gamble and huff
early britney, christina, n'sync...heck, play 'nookie' if you have to.
egh....beatles
madonna
all that 80's schlock which ranges from men without hats to def leppard to markie mark
outkast
gnarls barkley - actually, anything from the ATL posse.

then you dedicate 'love stinks' to all the single folks out there.

[Matt Till]

Originally Posted by Jezz8me

Do not play dance music!!!!! It is cruel to everyone. I cannot begin to explain how much i hate the electronic music people play at parties. There is such thing as good stuff in these genres but people do not understand.

I say funk there is nothing that gets feet moving like some old style vintage funk. Choose whoever you like. May i suggest introducing people to Blue King Brown. They are a pretty small Melbourne band and they have the feel of all that classic funk.

I would love to introduce people to some new music, but the bride specifically said that her family is very "If I haven't heard it, I hate it" but I'm sure I'll slip in some vintage funk.

I'll have to restate: There will be NO booze, which sucks and makes my job harder.

[Jay Terrien]

Start the second set off with "The Jesus Fist Tapes". DUH!!!

JT

Originally Posted by Matt Till

This isn't some theoretical deep discussion, I'm asking literally. I'm "DJing" a wedding, by that I mean, I'm playing CDs/MP3s through a PA from my laptop.

I've got a wide aray of jazzy stuff for dinner. Some "mingling" type music.. but what do people like to dance to?

The crowd is mostly middle aged, but a few young too. It's Pittsburgh based, if that gives you any idea of the demographic. I'm wanting to go typical, sadly. This is the type of crowd that will want same old same old radio type songs.

ANOTHER NOTE, no booze, so people probably won't dance anyway.

[sarcastro83]

Big Black.

[51m0n]

Originally Posted by Jay Terrien

Start the second set off with "The Jesus Fist Tapes". DUH!!!

JT

Mwahaahaahaaaaaa!!

ROFLMFAO!!!!!!

Yeah definitely, wind up with a live show include Marilyn Manson and NiN with some Naked City and Ground Zero just for those who prefer Golden Oldies

[zac2944]

Not my list, but from Moble Beat Magazine:

Top 50 all time
SONG TITLE ARTIST

1 ELECTRIC BOOGIE (SLIDE) MARCIA GRIFFITHS
2 OLD TIME ROCK & ROLL BOB SEGER
3 YOU SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT AC/DC
4 SHOUT OTIS DAY
5 LOVE SHACK B-52’s
6 CELEBRATION KOOL & THE GANG
7 TWIST CHUBBY CHECKER
8 MONY MONY BILLY IDOL
9 Y.M.C.A. VILLAGE PEOPLE
10 BROWN EYED GIRL VAN MORRISON
11 UNCHAINED MELODY RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS
12 CHICKEN DANCE EMERALDS
13 WE ARE FAMILY SISTER SLEDGE
14 RESPECT ARETHA FRANKLIN
15 IN THE MOOD GLENN MILLER
16 TWIST AND SHOUT BEATLES
17 BRICK HOUSE COMMODORES
18 UNFORGETTABLE NATALIE/NAT KING COLE
19 FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES GARTH BROOKS
20 WONDERFUL TONIGHT ERIC CLAPTON
21 CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE ELVIS PRESLEY
22 LET’S TWIST AGAIN CHUBBY CHECKER
23 JAILHOUSE ROCK ELVIS PRESLEY
24 WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD LOUIS ARMSTRONG
25 PUSH IT SALT-N-PEPA
26 BOOT SCOOTIN’ BOOGIE BROOKS & DUNN
27 CONGA GLORIA ESTEFAN PARTY
28 STAYING ALIVE BEE GEES
29 PRETTY WOMAN ROY ORBISON
30 I WILL SURVIVE GLORIA GAYNOR
31 SWING THE MOOD JIVE BUNNY
32 SUPER FREAK RICK JAMES
33 GREAT BALLS OF FIRE JERRY LEE LEWIS
34 MY GIRL TEMPTATIONS
35 CRAZY PATSY CLINE
36 NEW YORK, NEW YORK FRANK SINATRA
37 WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU ROMANTICS ROCK
38 ICE ICE BABY VANILLA ICE
39 PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC WILD CHERRY
40 MUSTANG SALLY WILSON PICKETT
41 BUST A MOVE YOUNG MC
42 1999 PRINCE
43 ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK BILL HALEY
44 WILD THING TONE LOC
45 GET DOWN TONIGHT KC & THE SUNSHINE
46 DECEMBER ‘63 (OH WHAT A NIGHT) FOUR SEASONS
47 THE WANDERER DION
48 TAKIN’ CARE OF BUSINESS BTO
49 DANCING QUEEN ABBA
50 FOOTLOOSE KENNY LOGGINS

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by Matt Till

ANOTHER NOTE, no booze

a friend did that... it was such a nice peaceful day. They had classical playing.

I did the same, but had Mexican tunes playing (got hitched at a Mexican place). I liked it.