Well guys i have been talked into doing a 21st for a family friend, trouble is i am older than gods dog and i have not been keeping upto date with recent "must play" tracks. Because of working full time i decide last year to concentrate on lighting local bands and providing mood lighting which is something that i really enjoy and as i had been dj'ing for about 14 years before that i was getting bored so i decided to do only select gigs and now i really have lost all touch with dj'ing.
What im asking.......... well begging, is if anyone could give me ideas on songs im likely to be asked for by the guests, im told that 80% will be 19-25. older songs such as 2006 and earlier i have no problem with but i really cant afford to go out and buy every chart track to get me back up to date, so like i said please give me an idea, im thinking of buying maybe 40 tracks to get me up to date.

Please Help

Phil

So, 20 tracks from 2007 and 20 tracks from 2008. Hmmm?
Here's a broad selection to cover the 19-25 year old range (including those that attend Uni!!!)

My 20 suggestions for 2007 from the big sellers:
1 Take That - Shine
2 Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse - Valerie
3 Rihanna - Umbrella
4 Beyonce & Shakira - Beautiful Liar
5 Mika - Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)
6 Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby
7 Mika - Grace Kelly
8 Kanye West - Stronger
9 Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
10 Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
11 Scouting For Girls - She's so lovely
12 Take That - Rule The World & Patience
13 Maroon 5 - Makes Me Wonder
14 Kylie Minogue - 2 Hearts
15 The Hoosiers - Goodbye Mr A
16 Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry & Glamorous
17 Girls Aloud - Call The Shots
18 Timbaland - The Way I Are
19 Sugababes - About You Now
20 Nelly Furtado - Say It Right

Personaly, I'd also add the Scissors I don’t feel like dancin, Avril Lavigne (Girlfriend) & The Killers (Read My Mind - Pet Shop Boys remix).
I can not stand Soulja Boy but you may be asked for it!

My 20 suggestions for 2008
1 Pink - So What
2 Britney - Piece Of Me / Womanizer
3 Basshunter - Now You’re Gone
4 Estelle - American Boy
5 Duffy - Mercy
6 Nickelback - Rockstar
7 Gabriella Cilmi - Sweet About Me
8 Sash Ft Stunt - Raindrops
9 Sam Sparro - Black & Gold
10 Katy Perry- I Kissed A Girl
11 Sugababes - Girls
12 Madonna ft Justin Timberlake - 4 Minutes
13 Flo Rida ft T-Pain - Low
14 Scouting For Girls - Heartbeat
15 Mariah Carey - Touch My Body
16 Scooter - Jumping All Over the World
17 Alphabeat - Boyfriend
18 Kid Rock - All Summer Long
19 NE-YO - Closer
20 Coldplay - Viva La Vida

You may want to add Adele - Chasing Pavements and perhaps Robyn and Kings of Leon, but I've still not been asked for any Ting Tings so I personally wouldn't bother with that 'talent'.

I reckon you'll be asked for the classic party stuff. Check out the Now albums for the suggestions.

maybe getting hold of a couple of now cds would be a good idea? you can get them for a couple of quid each (back additions) it will have the main stuff on them. ebay,amazon,play etc....... might be a good idea?

or is there some body younger you can take with you thats into there music will a cd music collection and you could split the work between you?

Good list Dan,

A few more to add that have worked for me

2008

Jason Mraz / I'm Yours
Hot n Cold / Kate Perry
Low / Flo Rida
Disturbia / Rhianna
Just Dance / Lady Ga Ga
American Boy / Estelle and Kanye oh doubled up on that one
The Way I Are / Timbaland
Dance With Me / Dizeee Rascal


Good Luck with that one just stay positive

Hey thats great guys thanks a lot for that, yeh i could possible get the last few nows then buy any other single off those lists.

thanks again very much appreciated

Phil

Hmmmm, now that's interesting.

I have, with literally one or two exceptions, everything listed above, but I would still turn down a 21st party on the basis that I don't think I would be able to do it justice.

Y'see, I would imagine these young'uns would expect a load of unknown she-ite (unknown to me that is) rather than them thar bits listed above, which I would consider to be broadly mainstream since they get (got) radio airplay.

I am very principled, and will not just try to grab any business just because its offered. I feel I need to be absolutely conversant with the genres of music expected and tuned into the age range.

"Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others" (Groucho Marx)

Hmmm, was that i little bit of i dig i wonder..........

I feel the need to explain further to you analyst, as i said in my first post this gig is for a family friend, i am not charging them for the evening as it is my gift to the birthday girl, therefore saving them quite a chunk of cash.

I do not see why some people have to think the worst all the time, not everyone is out to "grab any business just because its offered" I had been dj'ing at weddings, parties and even a couple of nightclubs for 14 years before i turned to other projects so i am confident with my own track choices in a general party situation, the only reason i asked for up to date tracks is because i didnt wish to let people down.

Anyway once again thanks to those who offered help in picking tracks.

Cheers,

Phil.

Just a thought - why don't you ask the birthday boy/girl for a play list?
Obviously, if they want lots of stuff you'll never play again, you'll have problems, but it will certainly help.
As mentioned by am entertainment - the Now CD's will be good value for money if you can get them cheap.

You may be surprised - I got an enquiry for a 16th yesterday with "80's and cheesy party music" as their preferences!

We definitely get hung up on the age thing. I have teenagers bopping to 50s swing and pensioners waving their zimmers in the air to Happy Hardcore. A party is a party and a good song is a good song. As long as you have the big tunes (Dukesy's lists are on the money) then the rest will fall into place. I bet you'll enjoy it.