My friends Dave and Sylvia (who are also my brother-in-law and soon-to-be sister-in-law) are getting married this weekend. They want their reception to be a mind-blowing Danceateria, and to guarantee groovtastiness, they’ve asked several of their intimates to be wedding DJs. Each of us will play songs for about an hour.
I’ve got the first slot, which means that after the father-daughter dance and the mother-son dance, it’s my job to get the party started.
That is no small responsibility, but I shoulder it gladly.
Working with the bride and groom, and paying careful attention to my fellow DJ’s brilliant playlists, I have crafted a set so booty shaking, so speakerboxxing, that I must share it with you all. No matter where you are this Saturday, take a moment to crank a hit on the following list. Know that somewhere—especially around 8:00 PM California time—a group of revelers will be dancing with you.
Mark’s Wedding Playlist for Dave and Sylvia, or “Y’All Want This Party Started Quickly… Right?”
By MARK BLANKENSHIP
(1) “Faith” by George Michael — A fellow DJ has claimed “I Want You Back,” which is usually my go-to for starting a wedding, so I am trying something new. (And yes, a lot of my friends do seem to be asking me to DJ their weddings these days. Which I totally love.) I feel confident that when people hear the first few blasts of George Michael’s guitar, they will drop their plates of chicken skewers and run for the dancefloor.
(2) “Come On Eileen” by Dexy’s Midnight Runners — “Eileen” keeps with the slightly acoustic vibe of “Faith,” and it also gives us an excellent sing-along chorus. Bring on the crowd participation!
(3) “You Can’t Hurry Love” by The Supremes — Oldies are crucial at a wedding, since you want family members of all generations to feel included. But no matter how old you are, this song is an instant mood-lifter. (Once when I was a resident advisor in college, I played it at a tense staff meeting to help everyone chill out. It worked.) Notice, also, that this song is a bridge between the acoustic sounds of “Eileen” and the full-on R&B to come.
(4) “Poision” by Bell Biv DeVoe — Hell yeah! Wedding songs need to grab you right away, and this 90s staple is a grabber.
(5) “Buddy Holly” by Weezer — This may seem like a non sequitur, but it starts with such a burst of energy that it makes a great follow-up to “Poison.” As a bonus, the song is really short. You dance, you love, it’s over.
(6) “Work It” by Miss Elliott — A special request of the bride, this hip-hopsterpiece brings us down from the cardio blast of the last few songs. We can groove a little slower and act out the notion of “flipping it and reversing it.”
(7) “Pon De Replay” by Rihanna — Another bride request, and I love it. Obviously, there needs to be a Rihanna song at the wedding, and this one will come as a happy surprise for those who have been so consumed by “Umbrella” fever that they’ve forgotten where Ri-Ri came from.
(8) “Blister in the Sun” by Violent Femmes — In case the more rock-oriented dancers feel alienated by the Missy-Rihanna two-pack, I’m using this crowd pleaser to welcome them back on the floor. (Special note: This is the song that taught me to get over myself and learn to enjoy dancing in public. I’ll explain later.)
(9) “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang — Sylvia’s Choice #3. This oldie is a wedding classic, and it got that status for a reason.
(10) “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves — Why? Why would you ever try to fight this song? It’s flawless.
(11) “Move Your Feet” by Junior Senior — Perhaps my biggest gamble. This is an amazing dance song by a duo that recently graced my countdown of the best songs of the decade, but it isn’t widely known. However, I’m confident that its catchiness will prevail. And after ten solid hits, I feel I’ve earned 3:30 of experimentation.
(12) “Hot in Herre” by Nelly — But hey, if Junior Senior becomes a champagne break, then Nelly’s bound to get people dancing again. (This is another Sylvia choice. Can you tell why we get along?)
(13) “Think” by Aretha Franklin — By this point, it’s time to drop another beloved oldie on the crowd. Andrew shrewdly suggested that I choose “Think” instead of “Respect.” As much as I love “Respect,” it IS a little played out, and this is a nice Aretha alternative.
(14) “Bust a Move” by Young MC — Classic! Groove-wise, it’s a good segue from”Think.”
(15) “Get the Party Started” by Pink — I noticed that there was no Pink anywhere else in the wedding. I had to fix that.
(16) “Rock Lobster” by B-52’s — We’re all expecting “Love Shack,” sure, but “Rock Lobster” is an equally awesome B-52’s jam. Plus, when Andrew and I went to a commitment ceremony earlier this year, this song came on, and he did the cutest dance I’ve ever seen. It involved him curling up on the floor like a scared crustacean, then breaking out of his shell. For the rest of my life, I will scheme to create scenarios in which he can do that dance again.
(17) “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green — Dave and Sylvia said they wanted a minimum of slow songs, and you certainly don’t want that many at the top of a wedding reception, so I’m saving my smooth-n-sexy guns until the end. Sylvia picked this one, so I’m fully expecting her to swing me around the floor as the next DJ sets up for another awesome set.
Reserves: In case one of these songs doesn’t connect with the crowd, I’m keeping Salt-n-Pepa’s “Push It,” Duffy’s “Mercy,” and Culture Club’s “Karma Chameleon” in reserve.
26 responses so far ↓
1 Kaitlyn // Nov 11, 2009 at 1:21 pm
This looks great! Will you ask the other DJ’s if they would mind sharing their playlists as well?
I’m planning a wedding for August 2010 and it looks like a band is no longer in the budget cards, and we might not even be able to have a DJ, so it is really great to have some ideas for DIY playlists (especially since neither my fiance nor I are very musically inclined). I really like that this playlist is taking into account that people want to dance to songs they know at a wedding!
2 Your pal // Nov 11, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Fantastic list. BBD’s ‘Poison’ is my secret weapon for when I get married.
I still have it in my head that having a band at a wedding = class, and class = better wedding, but as I go through all the songs I will want played (nevermind the bride’s and family requests), I’m slowly coming around to the dj side.
3 Mark Blankenship // Nov 11, 2009 at 2:32 pm
@ Your Pal… Ooh! I’m intrigued! Which pal are you? Regarding the band thing: I am way too invested in hearing specific songs to use anything but my own iPod at my ceremony/wedding/whatever New York law permits by the time it happens. For me, it’s a lot more fun to dance to the hits I know in the style I like.
@Kaitlyn — I’ll invite the other DJs to post their lists, but if they forget or something, I’ll post them when I get back next week.
4 ferretrick // Nov 11, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Great set, nice mix of old and new. Every wedding guest thanks you for NOT programming the Hokey Pokey or Chicken Dance. Or God forbid, the Macarena.
I don’t know all the songs, so maybe you have this covered, but are you sure they won’t want at least one romantic song suitable for slow dancing in an hour’s time?
Also, how about Shirley Bassey’s Get The Party Started instead? A lot of people haven’t heard it-I was at a party a few weeks ago, and when that came on, conversations came to a halt as people asked “Is that Shirley Bassey singing that?”
5 Mark Blankenship // Nov 11, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Hi Ferretrick — I’m hoping the Al Green song will fit the slow-dance bill. We shall see!
6 benvolio // Nov 11, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Rock Lobster is, imo, the superior B52 dance track. It’s the falsetto at the end of the phrase “rock lobSTER!!!” that will get everybody doing that side-to-side head bob and new wave bounce.
Good choice.
7 Your pal // Nov 11, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Sorry, not an actual pal. Just someone who found this blog a few months ago and didn’t want to use his real name (or any one of several online pseudonyms) as I am currently in a long-term relationship whose two partners are unemployed and waiting for jobs in order to get engaged. We’ve been to about a dozen weddings this year and, needless to say, I think about my future wedding playlist a little too often.
8 Mark Blankenship // Nov 11, 2009 at 4:08 pm
@Your Pal — I see! Welcome to the Critical Condition… and really, I’m right there with you, in terms of thinking about my future wedding playlist. My partner and I don’t even have a date, and we’re planning out song choices.
9 Kevin Chesley // Nov 11, 2009 at 5:40 pm
I can’t agree more on “Think” versus “Respect.”
Everybody knows and loves “Think.”
But they still usually just right to “Respect.”
Both are A++ jams.
Dislike of either song reveals an abysmal lack of character.
But, because of “Respect,” playing “Think” seems to carry some punk cred. Plus it reminds me of how good “The Blues Brothers” is.
Yours is an EXCELLENT list.
And I look forward to dancing to it greatly
and watching Andrew do this crustacean thing.
@Kaitlyn – I’m Kevin, one of the other DJs. And here is what I’m playing:
“Paper Planes” – MIA
“Timebomb” – Beck
“Like a Prayer” – Madonna
“Kiss” – Prince
“I Say a Little Prayer” – Aretha
“Take on Me” – a-Ha
“So Alive” – Love and Rockets
“Single Ladies” – Beyonce
“Sexyback” – Justin T.
“Sir Duke” – Stevie Wonder
“The Safety Dance” – Men Without Hats
“Kids” – MGMT
“Wake Up” – The Arcade Fire
“Shake Your Rump” – The Beastie Boys
“Flash Light” – Parliament
“No Diggity” – Blackstreet
“Let’s Dance” – Bowie
“A Little Less Conversation” – Elvis (JXL remix)
“In The Mood” – Glenn Miller
I HEARTILY recommend the friends-as-DJ route. We did it at our wedding and I’ve loved it at others since. It feels more personal, funky, and fun. Rarely does saving money make something BETTER. Rent some speakers and DIY the music – it’s a blast.
10 Mark Blankenship // Nov 11, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Kevin, your set is also amazing. I’m especially excited for that run from Madonna to MGMT. I’m guessing I will dance off at least six pounds on Saturday.
11 Stephanie // Nov 11, 2009 at 8:16 pm
LOVE the friends-as-DJ idea. Love the playlist too: Awesome mix of rock, pop, hip-hop and good ol’ motwown soul. I remember “Move Your Feet” – it’s a fun, danceable song.
Why not “God is a DJ” instead of “Get This Party Started”? Fits the theme.
12 Alli // Nov 11, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Hired! Now find me a mans so we can get this party started!
13 Your pal // Nov 11, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Another great playlist. I want Sir Duke as well. I Wish and Isn’t She Lovely (which despite being *slightly* overplayed is great) will be difficult cuts.
I’m counting on the first twenty seconds of Wake Up to be the song to which we get introduced.
14 Rachel // Nov 12, 2009 at 4:14 am
All I can say is that if I ever get married, and you DON’T play some Pat Benetar, you’re going to have to back that ass up out of the hall. Which will strangely remind everyone of the bride’s processional number. And everyone will smile. And you’ll be forgiven. And then we will rip the velvet curtains from the mirrors and show them how it’s DONE.
15 Sora // Nov 12, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Mark, please post pictures of the jubilation when your mix goes on.
We entered the reception to “Do You Realize” by Flaming Lips which had a nice entrance feel for me. I always enjoy a little Dee-Lite in any occasion, but a surprise hit at my wedding was opening with “We’re From Barcelona” after the ritual dances, and everyone rushing to the dance floor! P.S. I LOVE “Poison” and “Faith” is an awesome opener.
16 K. // Nov 12, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Sorry, but I absolutely loathe “Celebration.” If I ever get married, that one’s going on the Do Not Play list. See also: “YMCA,” “We Are Family,” “The Chicken Dance,” anything by Celine Dion, “Cotton Eyed Joe,” and “The Electric Slide.” Oh, we’ll DO The Electric Slide (I’m black, it’s the law, and my relatives can slide for real) just not to the official song.
But “Single Ladies” is a great wedding reception song. I was at a wedding this summer and people rushed the floor when it came on. I’d add:
Sam Cooke, “You Send Me” or “Nothing Can Change This Love”
Van Morrison, “Crazy Love”
Beyonce & Jay-Z, “Crazy In Love”
Mary J. Blige “You Are My Everything”
Barry White, “Never Gonna Give You Up”
Michael Jackson, “PYT” or “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”
Sly and the Family Stone, “I Want to Take You Higher”
“Brick House” (it’s my mom’s favorite)
Outkast, “Hey Ya!”
John Legend & Andre 3000, “Green Light”
One thing that bugs is when people request music at weddings and don’t consider what the songs are about. My best friend and her husband’s wedding song is “Bring It On Home to Me,” and while it’s one of my favorite songs of all time, I was like “… It’s about a guy begging his cheating woman to stay with him.” (I told them this; they didn’t care.) And “I Will Survive” has no place at a wedding reception.
17 K. // Nov 12, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Although now that I think about it, “Hey Ya!” includes the line “Don’t want to meet your mama/Just want to make you come-a,” so maybe not so much. Swap in “I Like the Way You Move” instead.
18 Your pal // Nov 13, 2009 at 11:05 am
Wayne Wonder – No Letting Go??
19 Michiewah // Nov 13, 2009 at 9:47 pm
If I ever get married, I’m hiring YOU!!!!! ;D
20 Kristen // Nov 16, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Hey! I think the most popular oldie at our wedding was “Runaround Sue”– it has such an awesome beat and got basically the whole crowd up dancing. Think about putting it on your list! xoxox
21 Rachel // Nov 17, 2009 at 3:02 am
All Mountain Goats. All the time.
22 Kevin Chesley // Nov 17, 2009 at 5:59 am
Phew!
Well, let me tell you…a couple days later?
I think I’m STILL dancing to “Poison.”
Mark’s entire set went smashingly.
“Blister in the Sun” was my early pick for the
song I would dance the most furtively to but, upon retrospect, Bell Biv DeVoe his that barn
floor like the Hammer of the DJ Gods.
Bravo!
I’m exhausted…
23 Steve/GOOD NOTE DJs // Nov 20, 2009 at 1:30 am
Well, I’m a full-time wedding DJ and think your list is pretty cool.
One thing you’ll find if you’re DJ’ing weddings, you’ll see that some ideas work and some don’t — you can’t always figure these things out in advance, you just go in with your best guess and be prepared to shift gears as needed.
This may seem kinda routine to say, but often at weddings you do wanna keep in mind pleasing some of the older crowd – the parents of those friends of yours. Thus, starting with some strong oldies and working your way up to more current is a good idea. Rather than start right away with 80s/90s/2000’s, consider starting with Aretha, Al Green, Kool & Gang, even a bit of the Sinatra genre.
Rock on!
24 Mark Blankenship // Nov 20, 2009 at 10:21 am
Hi Steve! You know, in the process of DJ’ing, I discovered what you’re saying about playing to all generations. “Faith” and “Come On Eileen” seemed to get everyone on the floor, but then when I went to “You Can’t Hurry Love,” I noticed that the older people at the wedding got especially enthusiastic. On the fly, I moved Aretha Franklin up the list, which seemed to make everyone very happy.
25 Claire // Dec 9, 2009 at 12:44 am
Great list! I was lucky enough years ago to be at a party at Sylvia’s house and doing a bit of DJ-ing (with cassettes wow) and I got to see Dave dance to Come on Eileen…and I will never forget the total abandon with which he danced, it was pure joy to behold!
26 Holly // Dec 9, 2009 at 10:46 pm
The flower girl (my daughter), Sophia, is still singing the song Andrew wrote “Sylvia and Dave . . . We Love You!” It pretty funny to hear the melody being sung throughout the house as she sings it to herself . . . Catchy tune . . . Consider putting it in the wedding classic line-up. Maybe not the dance floor, but the guest sing-a-long
Leave a Comment