Supradave 0 Posted July 23, 2010 Report Share Posted July 23, 2010 My idea of the 1980's seems to be very different from everyone else, which is surprising as I am in my 40's and was a teenager during the 1980's. I often get asked at gigs "can you play some 80's for us, we love the 80's stuff" but after a couple of songs the dance floor tends to start emptying. If asked for some 80's I tend to play some Wham (wake me up before you gogo), B52's (Love Shack), Soft Cell (Tainted Love), Human League (Don't you want me) and possibly some AHA (Take on Me). Where am I going wrong and what 80's tracks do people play that constantly go down well? Link to post Share on other sites
funkymook 0 Posted July 23, 2010 Report Share Posted July 23, 2010 I don't think you're off the mark with those tracks - most people when asked for 80's would play these. Maybe it's the timing? Are you asked early in the evening and put them on straight away? I find they work quite late on when people have been dancing for a while already. Also could be apart from the people requesting the 80's music there's no other fans in the room - what sort of functions are you finding this happens at? http://www.indieretrodj.com http://www.souldisco.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites
D.X 0 Posted July 23, 2010 Report Share Posted July 23, 2010 (edited) 80s is best for when people are drunk. All the tracks you mentioned are fine. Some tunes that have never failed me include ... Debarge - Rhythm Of The Night Jermaine Stewart - We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off Medley & Warnes - Time Of My Life (extended version before the last dance works particularly well) Bon Jovi - Living On A Prayer Tiffany - I Think We're Alone Now Tina Turner - The Best Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody Edited July 23, 2010 by D.X Link to post Share on other sites
DJMickeyk 0 Posted July 23, 2010 Report Share Posted July 23, 2010 If i was asked for some 80's those would spring to mind definately, have a look in the playlists section somebody posted a great 80's night playlist a while back, it might give you some ideas, but I'd say you're on the right track already. What a great genre, I find these really get the floor moving so can't really see where you could be going wrong. www.tipperarypartydj.com Link to post Share on other sites
sweetie 0 Posted July 23, 2010 Report Share Posted July 23, 2010 If i was asked for some 80's those would spring to mind definately, have a look in the playlists section somebody posted a great 80's night playlist a while back, it might give you some ideas, but I'd say you're on the right track already. What a great genre, I find these really get the floor moving so can't really see where you could be going wrong. some others I use alot (they may not all be strictly 80s) buggles - video killed the radio star clash - rock the casbah blondie - one way or another jam - town claled malice depeche mode -just can't get enough george harrison - got my mind set on you cure - lovecats madonna - like a virgin men at work - land down under Link to post Share on other sites
spinner 0 Posted July 23, 2010 Report Share Posted July 23, 2010 As with any decade, there were a number of genres around in the 80's, each with their own devotees. Whilst virtually all the tracks mentioned already would come to mind, I would also be thinking of names like Gwen Guthrie, Jocelyn Brown, Patrice Rushen, Chaka Khan, Hall & Oates, Change, Luther Van Dross etc. Link to post Share on other sites
superstardeejay 0 Posted July 23, 2010 Report Share Posted July 23, 2010 For a party you're best sticking to familiar stuff that people hear on the radio or TV shows, the poppy light entertainment stuff. Any of the stock aitken waterman tracks, madonna, black lace, billy ocean, tina turner, eurythmics, spandau ballet, ABC, weather girls, michael jackson, wham, bros, human league, depeche mode etc. Don't get too specialist! At least, not unless you're entertaining a reunion of old-New Romantics or 80's Punks. So steer away from Siouxie Soux, Devo, Herbie Hancock, Lonnie Liston Smith and The Cure. Save that for dedicated 80's nights at the very least. . Link to post Share on other sites
Raymilkybarkid 0 Posted July 24, 2010 Report Share Posted July 24, 2010 As with any decade, there were a number of genres around in the 80's, each with their own devotees. Whilst virtually all the tracks mentioned already would come to mind, I would also be thinking of names like Gwen Guthrie, Jocelyn Brown, Patrice Rushen, Chaka Khan, Hall & Oates, Change, Luther Van Dross etc. Top Choooooons My era I was a club DJ in Magaluf in 84/5 oh what memories. Don't forget the Whispers - And the beat goes on Fatback Band - I found Lovin' Alexander O'Neal D Train - You're the One for me Cheryl Lynn Tom Browne - Funkin' for Jamacia Kool And The Gang Frankie Beverley and Maze - Back In stride- Joy and Pain My idea of the 1980's seems to be very different from everyone else, which is surprising as I am in my 40's and was a teenager during the 1980's. Where am I going wrong and what 80's tracks do people play that constantly go down well? I would ask the question to who ever requests the 80's if they want pop (Wham etc) or dance music as listed by Both Spinner and myself. The 70's & 80's is what i specialize in both music and lighting. I could ramble on for ever on the subject but its another thread for another day. Timing and song selection I feel my need some fine tuning for example Human leauge Dont you want me (New Romantic) I would follow on with lets say Depeche mode Just Cant Get Enough, then maybe onto Soft Cell tainted Love. Just my two pennies worth Ray Professional DJ Since 1983 - Having worked in Clubs, Pubs, Mobile and Radio in the UK and Europe 29 Years Experience and still learning. Link to post Share on other sites
superstardeejay 0 Posted July 24, 2010 Report Share Posted July 24, 2010 The 'dance' 80s music as listed in Ray's post is likely to be a floor clearer at most parties..its too specialist for insertion in your average wedding reception or 21st birthday, where the order of the day is fun rather than nostalgia...many of the punters will not have been born when those were doing the clubs let alone old enough to be down at their local Top-Rank and may have only heard them on some all-day 80's music loop on Sky. . Link to post Share on other sites
gadget 0 Posted July 24, 2010 Report Share Posted July 24, 2010 Have you all been spying on what I've been playing in the car lately?!!!! Fatback band has an awesome bassline to it too!.. :) DJ David Graham Tel: 01204 537716 / 01942 418415 Email: hello@djgraham.co.uk FB: http://facebook.com/djdavidgraham Web: [under construction - it really is coming soon :)] Link to post Share on other sites
funkymook 0 Posted July 24, 2010 Report Share Posted July 24, 2010 The 'dance' 80s music as listed in Ray's post is likely to be a floor clearer at most parties..its too specialist for insertion in your average wedding reception or 21st birthday, where the order of the day is fun rather than nostalgia...many of the punters will not have been born when those were doing the clubs let alone old enough to be down at their local Top-Rank and may have only heard them on some all-day 80's music loop on Sky. You're right they won't work for every situation - you need to judge your audience - but when you do find you have some 80's soul boys and girls in your crowd it's really satisfying to play them (last few weddings I've done have had 80's Soul and Northern Soul fans - brilliant!) and I've also found the younger people are dancing as well, but as I said, it all depends on the crowd on the night. http://www.indieretrodj.com http://www.souldisco.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites
Supradave 0 Posted July 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2010 Interesting to see a few soul\disco type tracks being listed as I tend to think of the 80's as being more of a new romantic\rock decade rather than soul and disco (I tend to think of that as being more the 70's). I have to admit to usually playing Billie Jean and Whitney Houston, and it usually goes down really well, but I usually tack it onto the end of the motown segment rather than the 80's material. Several tracks there that I have tried before and have cleared the floor with devasting effect (Love Cats in particular) but also plenty of interesting ideas. Thanks for that. Link to post Share on other sites
Raymilkybarkid 0 Posted July 25, 2010 Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 The 'dance' 80s music as listed in Ray's post is likely to be a floor clearer at most parties..its too specialist for insertion in your average wedding reception or 21st birthday, where the order of the day is fun rather than nostalgia...many of the punters will not have been born when those were doing the clubs let alone old enough to be down at their local Top-Rank and may have only heard them on some all-day 80's music loop on Sky. I was aiming the styles of music played in clubs during that time. I personally would aim the list at an age group of 40+ but having said that some of the tunes listed were taken from my playlist for a wedding in September. Apologies I may have not made myself clear :aa Professional DJ Since 1983 - Having worked in Clubs, Pubs, Mobile and Radio in the UK and Europe 29 Years Experience and still learning. Link to post Share on other sites
MintyDave 0 Posted July 25, 2010 Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 (edited) the 80's, which may people seem to forget, spanned 10 years with hell of a lot going on. 1980 we had the human league and 1988 brought us guns and roses have a look here for top hits from the decade and dont forget to play Town Called Malice from The Jam - IMO that was one of the best http://www.everyhit.com/number4.html when i regain the ability to 'think and do' at the same time i will post a 80's playlist form a recent gig, it was mainly pop but had a few good tunes as well as a few request from out of the 80's Edited July 25, 2010 by MintyDave Richmond Karaoke & Disco - Professional Mobile Disco Service For North Yorkshire - www.rkdisco.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites
aaadisco 0 Posted July 26, 2010 Report Share Posted July 26, 2010 Timing and song selection I feel my need some fine tuning for example Human leauge Dont you want me (New Romantic) I would follow on with lets say Depeche mode Just Cant Get Enough, then maybe onto Soft Cell tainted Love. Very good point and also it really depends on the crowd,I normally get a feel after a couple of tunes as to whether I think of playing more 80s of changing to another genre. When I'm doing an 80s set I tend to start off with songs like I wanna dance with somebody / I think we're alone now/ club tropicana / wake me up etc.. The more well known cheesy tunes. If this goes down well then I may play some of the new romantic tunes mentioned above and depending on the crowd may then do some 80s dance: Technotronic - Pump up the Jam Blackbox - Ride on Time Innercity - Good life Again depending on the crowd, I might throw in a few ska tunes: Madness - Baggy Trousers Bad Manners - Lip up Fatty A few punk ones: The Jam - A Town called Malice The Clash - Rock the Casbah What I call cheesy 80s hiphop: Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby MC Hammer - U can't touch this Salt and Pepper - Push it There are loads of 80s Rock ballards you can play nearer the end of the night which will get the crowd singing. As I mainly do Weddings I find that I tend to play some 80s most of the time but it could be just a few songs or an hour set depending on the crowd. Jose Saavedra MJS EVENTS Wedding Disco Specialists Mobile: 07734 387 478 Email: mail@mjsevents.com Web: http://www.mjsevents.com PLI (£10m) & PAT Tested equipment Member of the following associations: Federation of Small Busineses & The Wedding DJ Association Link to post Share on other sites
prosoundandlight 0 Posted July 27, 2010 Report Share Posted July 27, 2010 the 80's was a fantastic era lots of different types of music new romantic gothic rock indie dance tunes and or mobile favotites .... happy songs that we can do actions to !!! lol keep it upbeat and dancing freindly, and you should be ok ... i have been doing 80's night s for years and they are always a laugh !!! Link to post Share on other sites
robbiedj 0 Posted July 29, 2010 Report Share Posted July 29, 2010 I recently did a 60th birthday where two younger folk came up and requestedsome 80's dancehall reggae. I played a couple of the usual suspects, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Sugar Minott then put on Audrey Hall -One Dance Won't Do. They were already dancing, but that track went ballistic and a few came over to ask what it was. They were all 20 somethings and just loved the genre. You want me to play what? Secretary of NADJ, Member of SEDA Magic Moments.. making your moment magic Link to post Share on other sites
superstardeejay 0 Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 Chaka Demus & Pliers Were they 80's? . Link to post Share on other sites
Norfolk DJ 0 Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 Were they 80's? 1992-1994? Link to post Share on other sites
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