Follow my advice and you can't go wrong! (Party Music)

Member Name: Tara

Product:	Party Music
Date:	08/12/00 (198 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: ...

Disadvantages: ...

While there is a lot of Christmas compilation CD’s in the shops at the moment (Platinum Christmas, Now The Christmas Album, etc) you can guarantee that if you buy one they’ll be at least one song on there that you can’t stand, ruling out the option of just sticking it in the stereo and leaving it to play through.

So, I have found that the best option is to make your own compilation tapes, with the order and everything worked out before hand, or spend some time downloading some mp3’s and make up a Christmas Party play-list.

But what music should you put on?

The first problem with those annul Family bashes, is that there’ll be lots of different people, their ages ranging from 5 to 95 and their musical tastes ranging from hard rock to pop.

To keep everyone happy I firstly suggest that you play music from all the decades from the 50’s (Elvis), right through the 60’s (the Beatles), the 70’s (Abba), the 80’s (Madonna) and the 90’s (the Spice Girls, Take That), right up to modern day (Craig David and Westlife. Also, S Club 7 and Steps recommended for the kids. ‘Tragedy’ is a party must!), and secondly that you play a variety of different genres, making sure there’s something for everyone.

The next problem is playing the right songs at the right time. After all, you can’t sip sherry and have a decent conversation with your favourite Auntie with Oasis blaring in the background. So, here’s my basic guide.

At the start of your party people are still arriving and everybody else will be standing around talking, admiring each others dresses, picking at the finger-food, etc, so begin the party with quiet music. I recommend jazz, soul or R ‘n’ B for a peaceful atmosphere.

Next do the songs with a faster tempo (latin, pop, soft rock, etc) to get everybody up on the dance floor. Save the REALLY wild ones (rock, punk, da
nce/club, etc) later when the kids are in bed, Granny’s gone home and most people are very drunk. I promise it’ll make some wonderfully humiliating photos to pass round next Christmas!

Also, don’t forget the all-important slushy tracks (Whitney Houston’s ‘I Will Always Love You’), the cheesy sing along and silly dancing songs (Village People’s ‘YMCA’ and Whigfield’s ‘Saturday Night’ for starters) and of course the Christmas numbers to get you in the festive mood.

Nobody particularly likes all the traditional carols, especially at a party, but you can’t really go wrong with Slade’s ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ and Wizzard’s ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ and Diana Ross’s ‘White Christmas’ is a classic.

For a twist play old songs done by new artists. I particularly like Macy Gray’s ‘Winter Wonderland’, off the Christmas Ally McBeal CD and Christina Aguilera’s version of ‘Silent Night’ off her latest album.

As well as all these throw in a few of your favourite tracks and all the long-established celebration tunes.

My personal Party favourites include:
Michael Jackson – Thriller
The Wannadies - The You and Me song
Tom Jones – Sexbomb
Spice Girls – Who do You Think You Are?
The Wannadies – You and Me Song
Madonna – Music
Abba – Dancing Queen
Robbie Williams – Let Me Entertain You,
Hot Chocolate – You Sexy Thing
Ricky Martin – Livin’ Lavida Loca
John Travolta and Olivia Newton John – the ‘Grease’ melody
Eiffel 65 - Blue
Lou Reed – Perfect Day
Chumbawamba – Tubthumping
Stereophonics – Just Looking
Britney Spears – Baby One More Time
Prodify – Firestarter
And many, many more
…

Follow this opinion as a guideline and you’ll have the perfect party, so have fun!!

Summary: