Perfecting the party playlist
Graphic by Kim O’Donnell
By Sofia Giarrusso
So, you’ve been blessed with AUX at the party. First of all, no matter how you feel about this, congratulations. To be bestowed with the right of what to play is a complement of the highest order. But instead of beaming about your new status as a DJ, you feel cursed. You are stuck, worried over the task of what to play. I mean, do you pass around your phone begging for song recommendations? Hit shuffle on a random “‘00s BANGERZ” playlist on Spotify? Or do you throw a fit and leave the party in a grandiose fashion?
I hope you don’t execute the latter hypothetical. Nevertheless, I’m here to help. As both a self-proclaimed playlist snob and a mediocre partier, I’ve put lots of thought and effort into my own formula for constructing a bumping soundtrack for any function. Not all parties are made the same, so neither should the music played at them.
I didn’t convince myself of this musical dilemma without external instigation. See, I was raised by a fellow music enthusiast and pretentious partygoer, my father. As someone who prefers to host his own events to ensure a curated “vibe” (his words), my father made sure I understood the art of not only the get-together but also the soundtrack behind it. He has his own criteria for throwing the best possible party called “The Stool.” Just as a stool needs three legs to prevent total demolition and humiliation, there must also be three aspects for a successful party. These criteria are as follows: good music, good people, and good drinks. However, I am not going to tell you how to have a party. Here at Milk Crate, it’s all about the music, and to be fair, we’re not a lifestyle publication. So, I am going to take this philosophy and warp it every so slightly for the sake of my argument.
Ah-hem, anxious AUX’ers and queue hoggers alike, I now propose my version of the “The Stool.” These are three foolproof criteria that will guide the assembly of your party playlists: the setting, the people, and the event.
1. The setting.
Where are you? Your uncle’s backyard? Or a frat house? This is the possibly most important criterion. Gauge the environment and you’ll avoid major mistakes. For example, DJing a child’s birthday party? Make sure all those current pop hits are clean unless you want a scolding from some angry parents. Outdoor daytime event on a rooftop? Go for something more chill. How about that same rooftop at night? Go for something nosier–it’s dark, and there’s no need for indoor voices.
Ultimately, you can let the setting dictate what’s played. In the middle of a grassy field? Look those exact words up on Spotify, and I’m sure you’ll find a playlist filled with ethereal sounds to prance around in long, flowy skirts to. L.A. beach, corporate social, family Christmas gathering…you get the idea.
2. The people.
People go hand-in-hand with the setting. It goes without saying that you wouldn’t expect, say, your former teachers at your 21st birthday party. Other situations aren’t so obvious though. For instance, what if your grandparents arrive at your housewarming soirée with no RSVP, or how about those children (that you explicitly stated weren’t invited) who somehow show up at your wedding? And before you point out the oddity of making a playlist for your own wedding, yes, people do that, people like my father (told you it runs in the family). Anyways, the pack that’ll be interacting with the music you play ultimately dictates the entire aura of the gathering. Remember, it’s impossible to appease everybody’s tastes at all times, but that doesn’t mean you cannot appeal to the majority. Moreover, don’t be afraid to act quickly on your feet by adding, deleting, and swapping songs in the rotation if something isn’t working in one way or another.
Tough crowd? There are true neutral songs to fall back on that work for almost any group of people. A slew of American pop hits always do (bonus points if you hit every decade). Softer alternative rock (think Keane, The Shins, Coldplay) is a personal favorite to throw on to avoid murmurs. I’ve found that asking for recommendations from the hippest person a generation older than you is an effective plan of action. Not only will they sympathize with your cause, but they’ll also have a wide catalog of musical knowledge up their sleeve.
3. The event.
The event is the nichest of the three legs to the stool. Your reasons for a gathering should sway how you choose to curate your mix. If you’re default partying, simply refer to the prior two steps. However, if there’s a special celebration at hand, keep in mind the person, place, or whatever you’re honoring (or dishonoring, I guess). A bachelor party is much different than a funeral, okay? Don’t assume you can generalize your song choices. Rather, consult with the honoree or host to gauge preferences and mood of the event. If the situation calls for it, throw in a goofy, topical track into the playlist…and absolutely don’t do that if it’s a funeral.
And there you have it, “The Stool” method. Of course, like many things, music is subjective. There will be people who criticize what you choose to play. Note that there’s a difference between a suggestion and a complaint though–take suggestions with a light heart. As for the complaints, just remember those people are mad they don’t have music privileges.
Constructing your perfect party playlists takes trial and error. But like I said, I’m here to help, and to further shepherd your journey as a DJ, I’ve devised a handful of songs that I’ve relied on to get the crowd moving.
“Roll (Burbank Funk)” by The Internet
Just like its title, this The Internet track is Funky with a capital F. The repetitive nature of the song practically begs to be grooved to. “Roll (Burbank Funk)” toys the line between chill and upbeat, making it a diverse option for a multitude of events and settings.
“Tribulations” by LCD Soundsystem
Calling all Indie Sleazers! “Tribulations” is a roaring track filled with electronic beats and distorted vocals by James Murphy himself. This track is best suited for a nighttime event where dancing and jumping are encouraged.
“Girls & Boys” by Blur
This Britpop classic is addictingly simple which makes it a total earworm. Blur takes from the stylings of disco which is sure to get people tapping their feet, if not full-on performing their best rendition of the Sprinkler.
“I Look To You” ft. Kimbra by Miami Horror
You may know Kimbra from her 2011 collaboration with Gotye, “Somebody That I Used to Know,” but I can assure you this Miami Horror track is nowhere as melodramatic. With an upbeat dance beat and a killer bass line, “I Look to You” is essential for any dance mix.
“Julia” by SZA
SZA’s debut album Z (2014) is full of unrated gems, one of them being the brilliantly mixed “Julia.” The longing lyricism works in tandem with the electronic production to form a truly one-of-a-kind party staple, in my opinion.
And, at the end of the day, no one is going to remember that one song you played during that one party. Unless they do, then, consider it flattery! For a full playlist of varied recommendations, check this out!