This one was a lot of fun to put together, and quite tricky at the same time. We had to use stuff that people would know, like, and want to dance to. The fact the dancefloor was full almost the entire time shows we got it mostly right.
This playlist wasn’t played in order – it was designed to be set on shuffle. Despite this, and despite us telling the DJ multiple times, and despite his reassurances it was on shuffle, the music followed the order below pretty closely, at least for the first 10 songs or so.
When we were told there was only time for one more track, Cassie told the guy to put on Regret by New Order. A great tune, with a sad kind of growing-up sentiment.
There was one departure from the playlist. One guest, bemoaning the lack of Top 40 stuff being played, requested a Katy Perry song from the DJ. We’d told the DJ “No Top 40”, but we’d also told him to take requests. He asked us if it was OK to play the requested song – we said yes, so he did. The dancefloor instantly emptied, and remained empty until our chosen music was put on again. Don’t mess with perfection, guest.
a-Ha : Take On Me
Adam Ant : Goody Two Shoes
B-52s : Rock Lobster
The Beastie Boys : Girls
The Beastie Boys : Hey Ladies
The Beatles : Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
The Beatles : Can’t Buy Me Love
Big Country : In a Big Country (Radio Edit)
Blur : Song 2
Buddy Holly : Peggy Sue
David Bowie : Let’s Dance
David Bowie : Jean Genie
Depeche Mode : Personal Jesus
Donna Summer : I Feel Love
Duran Duran : Rio
Earth, Wind & Fire : Sing A Song (Album Version)
Elvis Costello & The Attractions : Oliver’s Army
Erasure : A Little Respect
Frankie Goes To Hollywood : Relax
Gary Numan : Cars
Goldfrapp : Strict Machine
Heaven 17 : Temptation [Original Version]
The Human League : Don’t You Want Me
Jackie Wilson : Your love is Lifting Me Higher And Higher
Jane’s Addiction : Been Caught Stealing
The Kinks : Come Dancing
LCD Soundsystem : Drunk Girls
The Libertines : Time for Heroes
Lou Reed : I’m So Free
Marvin Gaye : I Heard It Throught The Grapevine
Men At Work : Down Under
The Mountain Goats : No Children
Paul Simon : Graceland
Paul Simon : Gumboots
Pet Shop Boys : Always On My Mind
Prince : I Would Die 4 U
Prince : Let’s Go Crazy
Pulp : Mis-Shapes
Pulp : Common People (Full Length Version)
Pulp : Babies
The Ronettes : Be My Baby
Sam Cooke : Twistin’ The Night Away
Simple Minds : Don’t You Forget About Me
Soft Cell : Tainted Love
Talking Heads : Once In A Lifetime
Tom Tom Club : Wordy Rappinghood
Wang Chung : Everybody Have Fun Tonight
New Order : Regret
I’m pretty sure there was a lot of other stuff played – the DJ took some more requests from some friends of Cassie’s Mum, who really went for it as the night drew on. I recall an old Tina Turner number at one point. The last track was picked by Cassie. A very nice end to a fantastic evening – but it wasn’t over yet!