I Wanna Dance with Somebody

I Wanna Dance with Somebody

June 22nd, 2011 @ 9:16 am by Miss Sweet Cream
Share

A wise man (AKA Dave Barry) once said, “Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.” I love that quote. I want each and every guest to know that this what I hope they would know about the evening. Maybe I should put that on a sign. (Seriously. That is such a good idea. Note to self: add this to “to do” list.)

So besides “The Chicken Dance,” “The Bunny Hop,” “The Conga Line,” or “Cotton Eyed Joe,” what could have guests shaking their tail feathers all night long?

Obviously it’s the music.

When people hear a song that they just love, they get up and dance. Trust me. I’ve seen it happen when I requested (the great) Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know” at a local bar that had an empty dance floor.

I know that the musical-goddess trinity of Rhianna, Gaga, and Britney are known to get everyone dancing…but I’m kinda leaning toward that being a generational thing and can’t really picture FMIL Sweet Cream getting down to “S&M.” (She definitely could, I just don’t know if she would!)

I do know that it is the year 2011. But I do also know my guest list. We have such a diverse group of ages, backgrounds, and musical tastes. I would just like to put all of them in a big pot and let them simmer until they are perfectly blended, like the flavors of a really, really good chili.

Danger Mouse created The Grey Album by mixing Jay Z’s Black Album with the Beatles’ White Album and came up with something that I think is amazing. (Video via YouTube)

So while FSIL Sweet Cream only loves any song that has a “Hey y’all” and “Yehaw!” in it, Papa Sweets has a passion for ’70s rock. Think Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, the Doors.

FSIL Sweet Cream likes hip hop, and Gmom Sweets shakes her 90-year-old hips to the Supremes.

And me? I love it ALL.

So I want everyone to be happy. And dancing. But I already mentioned the dancing part, didn’t I?

To make everyone happy dancing people, I picture a musical duel between Diana Ross and the late Hendrix that would challenge that of Aerosmith and Run DMC!

I love this mash-up and wish we could mash more up for our guests…I must say that “Mash-Up” was one amazing Glee episode! (Video via YouTube)

I do find it so fascinating that many modern faves are pulled from a time when only vinyl existed (and Gmom Sweets’s hips were a lot younger!).

Video via YouTube

“The Girl Can’t Help It” by Little Richard vs. “Clumsy” by Fergie

Video via YouTube

“I’ve Got A Woman” by Ray Charles vs. “Golddigger” by Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx

Video via YouTube

“Sugar Sugar” by the Archies vs. “Nasty Girl” by Nitty

So we’ve been keeping a list on the fridge and scratching down the title every time we hear something that we know everyone will like—or at least shake their booty to—whether it has a sweet country twang, a nice beat, or an amazing guitar solo.

We have an uhh-mazing list (that I can’t wait to share—posts about playlists are always my favorite!) that is continuing to grow and includes tunes that span the later half of the twentieth century…from Billy Holiday, Shirlee & Lee, the Supremes, and Lynyrd Skynyrd to the Ramones, MC Hammer, and the Black Eyed Peas. And whenever there is a time where I’m feeling blue, I just YouTube one of the songs on the list and I get all psyched up for the wedding! Frown immediately turned upside-down.

How are you balancing the wide variety of musical choices (and generations) of your guests?

Do you have a favorite song that borrows its beat from decades ago, ala Fergie’s “Clumsy”-–or even a perfect mash-up? What is your favorite oldie but goodie that you know that people just can’t resist? What about something new that even more seasoned guests love? What should we add to the list??

Tags: music, philadelphia |

Share |

Latest Gallery Pics

Hot Pink and White with Zebra 36" Lighted Spandex Ostrich Feather Centerpiece

10 Responses to “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”

Bee

Miss Ladyfingers (message) 1,119 posts, Bumble bee

The music is definitely the best part! (oh, behind the getting married thing. and the dessert.) We have definite tastes and preferences we need to cater to - FFIL will be perturbed if there’s no Sinatra, my dad will really need to hear some “Shout!”, and of course there’s us and our peers, who DEFINITELY need some Livin on a Prayer, Don’t Stop Believin, and White Wedding I’m excited to see it all come together, and to pack the dance floor! (Also, I LOVE “How Will I Know”)

6/22/11 @ 9:27 am (reply)

Member

mariewest (message) 271 posts, Helper bee

I’m leaving the music up to the SO. But thanks for the music lesson, I didn’t realize that so much contemporary music ripped off the classics.

6/22/11 @ 10:07 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Cannon (message) 457 posts, Helper bee

I am totally stealing your quote and sign idea. Sorry, nothing you can do about it. (Just kidding, if it makes you sad, I won’t rip you off.) So can I take this to mean y’all are doing an iPod reception?

6/22/11 @ 10:12 am (reply)

Member

megalicious428 (message) 17 posts, Newbee

I am using Pandora radio to create my playlist. I love music - all kinds of music. My father forced me to listen to oldies (either that, or sports radio), my grandpa listened to strictly country (the ORIGINAL country), while my sister opened my little ears to Alanis Morrisette, Aerosmith, and Will Smith
So I’ve been adding all these artists that I know I like to my “like” list, and then thumbs-up or thumbs-down to each song. Then I have a list of what I like, and what I hate. It’s been quite helpful!

6/22/11 @ 10:14 am (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Elephant (message) 6,182 posts, Bee Keeper

The playlist was a hard one. We gave our DJ a list of 10-15 must play and he went off of those types of songs.

6/22/11 @ 10:17 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Pony (message) 4,171 posts, Honey bee

I’m with @mariewest, this will be farmed out to Mr. P. It’s something he can do remotely and take something off my plate. We’re going to keep with the classics and 80’s stuff and start a humungo do not play list to avoid the stuff that makes us uncomfortable (read: club music).

6/22/11 @ 10:23 am (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Tartlet (message) 3,207 posts, Sugar bee

Such a great quote from DB. We put together a list for our DJ that had a few “must plays” and then some that would give her an overall sense of our style. She took it from there!

6/22/11 @ 10:29 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Sweet Cream (message) 216 posts, Helper bee

@LadyFingers - That’s what WE are hoping to do too! (And isn’t that THE best song!!)

@MarieWest & @Pony - That’s a great idea! But I’m a little too obsessed for the Mr. to take it from me.

@Cannon - Steal away, girlfriend! I seriously have to figure out a way to incorporate that quote. And we ARE having a DJ, who let me know that I can practically pick every single song of the night… I just think he’s gonna be a little overwhelmed when I hand him THE LIST next week. Fingers crossed he doesn’t think I’m crazy!!

@Megalicious - That is such a great idea! Wonderful tip & I am going to use that very suggestion!!

@Elephant - it is hard… but super fun too!

6/22/11 @ 10:33 am (reply)

Member

ladyliath (message) 37 posts, Newbee

I was also hesitant about playing “S&M” by Rihanna at our wedding because its a tad too raunchy for the older folks. Went to a drag show last week and heard a mashup of “S&M”, “Hold It Against Me”(Britney), and “On The Floor” by Jennifer Lopez. I am sooo playing it at the wedding, its amazing!!!!

6/22/11 @ 5:03 pm (reply)

10.