Copy the text below, fill in your questions and answers, and paste it to an email to pfyoung@mackenmusic.com.
Production activities to do before the big day: 1. Gathering sound bites that would be fun to mix in (this could include
snippets of the best man's toast, interviews with the bride and groom, short theme songs from school, workplace, etc.,
audio from old home movies- anything goes. 2. Growing Up Slide Show production- perhaps part of it could use a short
original song with lyrics referencing what is shown in the photos or video clips. 3. Planning the layout of the room for
mood lighting, video projector use, speaker locations (foyer/patio may need background music for social hour) 4. If a
ceremony is involved, practicing the cues for the music; 5. Obtaining all advance music requests received up to the day
before the event (Note: If wifi is available, just about any song could be purchased on site during the dance, instantly) 6.
Practicing pronunciation of names for the introductions of the head table and the guests who will be using the
microphone.
Early in the day: 1. Sound check and practice ceremony performances with singers and musicians at least 1 hour before
the ceremony. 2. Set up sound systems in two locations, for background music playing wherever the guests may be
gathered. 3. Prepare locations for camcorder and camera if free videos or photos taken from the DJ perspective are
desired. 4. Set up mood lights around the main ballroom 5. Prepare location for video projector 6. Briefly meet with
those using the microphone later on for "microphone use tips."
Transition from social hour to Dinner: 1. Help gather guests into the dining room to be seated. 2. Grand March
Dinner: 1. Keep the volume level perfect throughout the room for dinner music- solo piano is most popular, but anything
can be played (see the "dinner music" tab for audio samples) 2. While circulating through the room checking volume
levels, allow seated guests to bring up requests and dedications for later on. 3. Bring down the background music,
introduce the guests using the microphone, and adjust speakers and tone controls so voices are heard clearly
throughout the room. 4. Are there any special announcements you'd like me to make before the dance regarding
cameras at tables, etc.? 5. Clinking Glasses: Should we do something special in order for the bride and groom to kiss
during dinner, such as a trivia question, a kissing demonstration, a short speech, a bit of a song with the word "love" in
it, or drawing a name of a couple from a jar who will stand up and kiss along with you?
Cake Cutting: I usually announce the cake cutting and play a song such as "Sugar Sugar" - should I plan for doing
this? Would you prefer a bit of "Pour Some Sugar on Me" or "The Sweetest Thing?" Another great song for the cake
cutting: "How Sweet it is to be Loved by You" (James Taylor)
Beginning the Dance: I will check with you every 5 minutes or so to see when you are ready to do the first dance, and
begin more upbeat background music as cake is served. The dance should begin with the "first dance as husband and
wife" followed by one or more other "spotlight" dances, that could be choreographed in ANY way you'd like.
Please confirm the versions of your names that I should use when there are a few choices like Bob vs. Robert.
_____________________________________________________
SPOTLIGHT" DANCES (Spotlight not required, but would you like an actual spotlight aimed at the dance floor for the
special dances?) Don't forget to consider false starts and mixes into silly songs as seen on Youtube.
Let me know the song title, artist name and particular mix or version of each song to be used in the "spotlight dances"
This is your opportunity to be original- You will need to tell me what to say and what to play and exactly when to say and
play it. You are welcome to choreograph something special and I'll be sure to play the songs precisely as you planned it.
HOW TO WORD THE FIRST DANCE ANNOUNCEMENT: For example:
"Let's welcome_________________________to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife"
FIRST DANCE song title and artist:_____________________________________________________
SECOND DANCE:
Song title, artist, whom to announce:
THIRD DANCE:
Song title, artist, whom to announce:
“FIRST DANCE BEFORE DINNER” OPTION:
Should I play your first dance as you enter the room for dinner, then continue the spotlight dances at the usual time for
dancing to begin?
____Salute to the couple that has been married the longest: There is a routine where I ask all married couples to dance
-and gradually eliminate them until the couple that has been married the longest remains on the floor… Would you like
me to do this early, within the first 10 songs?
First 30 minutes of the Dance: A variety -fast and slow, old and new, is usually in order.
Will anyone appreciate music that references anything international, such as "That's Amore" for Italians, Polkas for
Germans and Eastern-Europeans, Old time Scandinavian music, Mexican Music, music from ANY country, music
referencing a city or state such as Chicago, Texas, etc.....
Must play and "do not play" lists - most clients have up to 10 "must play" songs and a few "do not play" songs-
At the bottom of this page is a list of over 200 of the most-requested songs for wedding receptions with at least two
generations of guests equally represented. You can easily locate audio samples of any of the songs online by simply
copying and pasting the artist name and song title into the search box on Youtube.
Special events during the dance: I usually wait about 10 songs into the dance before doing these:
____Bouquet Toss ____Garter Toss ____Dollar Dance
Garter toss routine: You might want to try something more than the usual chair/removal/toss... you could have all the
single men form a circle in the middle of the dance floor on their hands and knees, while the bride dances around them
a few times and sits on the one she is nearest to when I cut the music.
Should we have the catchers of the garter and bouquet do something special, such as leading a conga line around the
room, or dancing together in the middle of a circle...?
Instead of doing father/daughter, mother/son dances at the beginning of the dance, you could save them for apx 40
minutes into the dance, to give guests a "tender moment" to break up the fast dances.
Father/Daughter dance song ideas: Daddy's Little Girl, Unforgettable, I Loved Her First, My Little Girl, The Way You
Look Tonight, Daughter, etc. Your Father/Daughter dance instructions:___________________________________
Mother/Son song ideas: What A Wonderful World, I Hope You Dance....
Mother/Son dance instructions: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Should I be ready for any "Karaoke" performers to grab the microphone and sing for you during the dance?
This works best if only one singer sings only one song and no more. You are welcome to plan any sort of talent show
style events you can think of, and I'll act as M.C. and run the sound and lights for the performers.
NOVELTY DANCES:
If you absolutely do NOT want any of these, even if a guest requests them, let me know!
(Y= Play It! M= Maybe, if time is right N = Not Even if Requested ?= Explanation needed)
___BIRDIE DANCE ___MACARENA ___ELECTRIC SLIDE ___ CHA CHA SLIDE ___CONGA LINE ____STROLL
___HAND JIVE ___LIMBO ... ____YMCA ____THRILLER ____SNOWBALL
___JUMP ON IT ____CUPID SHUFFLE _____SOULJA BOY ____
___Hokey Pokey ____Twist Contest ____Swing Dance ____Polka ___Salsa ___Merengue
Do you think your friends will be asking for a lot of new hip hop/ night club style music?
Should I tell them to wait until a certain time before playing selections with suggestive lyrics, out of respect for older
guests?
Sometimes there are sensitive topics that I should know about, such as family matters I need to be careful not to mention
-Let me know...
-on the other hand there may be "SUB-celebrations" I should be prepared for- if there's a birthday or anniversary you'd
like me to mention at some time in the night, I'll need to know. Should I dedicate a Birthday or Anniversary song to
anyone?
___“SEND-OFF” Is there a special song you’d like to end the dance with?
Suggestions: Piano Man... New York New York Happy Trails, Closing Time, Goodnight Sweetheart...etc.
Finally, during the dance I put a LOT of thought into what song to play next- I try to understand what the people in the
room are all thinking, in order to surprise them into dancing by playing what they were hoping I'd play without having to
ask. After performing at over 1,000 dances, I've become skilled at reading older guests, but I need help with the 20-25
year olds who usually prefer anti-establishment, extremely unpredictable music.
Let me know what your 20-25-yr old guests would like, in terms of styles (new country?) artists (Love or hate Lady Ga
Ga?) and song titles (any recent hits they're excited about?)
I'll be ready for nearly any request with over 20,000 selections (and UNLIMITED songs if Wi Fi is available) -
REQUEST GUIDELINES:
Let me know any guidelines for request-taking, such as rejecting any request for songs with explicit lyrics (or having
them set aside until midnight- whatever you'd like). I'll let request-makers know what's on the "Do Not Play List" and try
to keep them focused on picking songs related to the selections from your "Must Play" list. (It works best to have no
more than 10 "must play" selections to leave room for requests, but you are welcome to pre-program the entire night if
you'd like)
TOP 200+ SONGS - FEBRUARY 2010
To hear audio samples of any of these, simply copy the artist/song title and paste into the search box on Youtube
Call 952.832.5555as well, where I can play the audio samples by phone for you and discuss the songs at the same time.
(Please indicate how much you like each of these- Y=Yes, N=No YYY! = must play NNN! = do not play even if requested
1 Etta James: At Last
2 Frank Sinatra: The Way You Look Tonight (Or do you prefer the version by Rod Stewart, or from the Father of the Bride Soundtrack?)
3 Journey: Don't Stop Believing
4 Cupid: The Cupid Shuffle
5 Natalie Cole: (This Will Be An) Everlasting Love
6 Kenny Loggins Footloose
7 Ke$ha Tik Tok
8 Sister Sledge We Are Family
9 Michael Jackson ___Billy Jean ___Thriller ___Don't Stop till You Get Enough ___The Way You Make Me Feel __Black or White ___PYT
10 Black-Eyed Peas: ___Boom Boom Pow ___I Got a Feeling ___Meet Me Half Way __Imma Be
11 Def Leppard Pour Some Sugar on Me
12 Big N Rich: Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy
13 Bee Gees Stayin' Alive
14 Village People: YMCA
15 Casper Cha Cha Slide
16 Michael Franti and Spearhead "Say Hey" (I Love You)
17 AC/DC: You Shook Me All Night Long
18 Michael Buble: Everything
19 Allison Krauss When You Say Nothing at All
20 Righteous Brothers Unchained Melody
21 Nick Lowe: I Knew the Bride when she used to Rock and Roll
22 Bon Jovi: Living on a Prayer
23 Ting Tings: That's Not My Name
24 Louis Armstrong: What A Wonderful World
25 Wild Cherry Play That Funky Music
26 Cyndi Lauper: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
27 Miley Cyrus: Party in the U.S.A.
28 Buster Poindexter: Hot Hot Hot
29 Dexy's Midnight Runners Come On Eileen
30 Neil Diamond: Sweet Caroline
31 Foundations Build Me Up Buttercup
32 Elvis Presley: Can't Help Falling In Love
33 Sean Kingston: Fire Burning
34 Bob Seger: Old Time Rock & Roll
35 Rolling Stones Start Me Up
36 Kool and the Gang Celebration
37 Van Morrison Brown-Eyed Girl
38 LMFAO: I'm in Miami Trick
39 Jason Mraz and Colby C: Lucky
40 Britney Spears: Womanizer
41 Hollies: Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress
42 Gloria Gaynor I Will Survive
43 Marvin Gaye Let's Get It On
44 Commodores Brick House
45 Flo Rida: Low
46 Aretha Franklin Respect
47 Rednex Cotton-Eyed Joe
48 Beastie Boys Brass Monkey
49 Prince Kiss
50 Montell Jordan: This Is How We Do It
51 3 oh!3 and Katy Perry: Starstrukk
52 Al Green: Let's Stay Together
53 James Brown: Get Up Off a' That Thing
54 B-52’s Love Shack
55 Justin Timberlake Sexy Back
56 Lady GaGa: ____ Bad Romance ____Telephone
57 House Of Pain Jump Around
58 Rascal Flatts Bless The Broken Road
59 Jason Mraz I'm Yours
60 LeeAnn Womack I Hope You Dance
61 Chubby Checker Let's Twist Again
62 Cascada: Evacuate the Dance Floor
63 Britney Spears: 3
64 Zac Brown Band: Chicken Fried
65 Natalie With Nat King Cole Unforgettable
66 Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: Fishin' in the Dark
67 Abba Dancing Queen
68 Bee Gees: Nights on Broadway
69 Jay Sean / Lil Wayne: Down
70 Simon & Garfunkel Cecilia
71 Brad Paisley Then
72 Rascal Flatts My Wish
73 Justin Timberlake Rock Your Body
74 Animal House (Otis Day): Shout
75 Sean Paul: Temperature
76 Nat "King" Cole L.O.V.E.
77 Glenn Miller In the Mood
78 Stevie Wonder: I Wish
79 Dean Martin: That's Amore
80 Roll out the Barrel (Beer Barrel Polka)
81 69 Boys Tootsie Roll
82 Outkast: Hey Ya
83 Tone Loc: Funky Cold Medina
84 Soulja Boy Tell'em - Crank That
85 Christina Aguilera: Lady Marmalade
86 Deee-Lite Groove Is In The Heart
87 Weather Girls It's Raining Men
88 Sugar Hill Gang Jump On It
89 Cobra Starship: Good Girls Go Bad
90 Young M.C. Bust A Move
91 Lee Ann Womack I Hope You Dance
92 Proclaimers I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
93 Lil Jon; Get Low (clean version or original?)
94 Van Morrison: Have I Told You Lately that I Love You
95 Jagged Edge: Let's Get Married
96 Earth Wind & Fire Let's Groove ( tonight)
97 KC & the Sunshine Band Boogie Shoes
98 Aretha Franklin Think!
99 Commitments: Mustang Sally
100 Elton John Crocodile Rock
101 Dean Martin: Ain't that a Kick in the Head
102 AC/DC T-N-T,
103 Steelers Wheel: Stuck in the Middle with You
104 Ike and Tina Turner Proud Mary
105 Rick Springfield Jessie's Girl
106 Israel "IZI" Kamak...Somewhere Over The Rainbow
107 Right Said Fred I'm Too Sexy
108 T.I. Whatever You Like
109 Miley Cyrus: Hoedown Throwdown
110 Daddy Yankee ___ Gasolina ___ Rompe
111 Evolution of Dance Soundtrack (See Youtube)
112 Aerosmith Walk This Way
113 Grease Mega Mix (Greased Lighting)
114 Lou Bega: Mambo No. 5
115 Michael Franti Say Hey (I Love You)
116 Cherry Poppin' Daddies Zoot Suit Riot
117 Pitbull: ___Room Service ___I Know You Want Me ___The Theme
118 Stevie Wonder Superstition
119 Bryan Adams: Summer of 69
120 Beatles Twist and Shout
121 Fight Songs: ___Minnesota Rouser, ____On Wisconsin
122 Sweet: Ballroom Blitz
123 Beach Boys Barbara Ann
124 Abba Take A Chance On Me
125 Lady GaGa Poker Face
126 Donna Summer: Last Dance
127 Darude: Sandstorm
128 Ramones: I Wanna Be Sedated
129 Four Seasons December 1963 (Oh, What A Night)
130 Katy Perry: Hot and Cold
131 Spice Girls: Wanna Be
132 Joan Jett: I Love Rock and Roll
133 Smash Mouth: I'm A Believer (with Donkey from Shrek shouting "I Be-Lieve!)
134 Sir Mix Alot: Baby Got Back
135 Salt N Pepa ___ Shoop ____ Push It
136 Garth Brooks The Dance
137 Digital Underground The Humpty Dance
138 Tone Loc Funky Cold Medina
139 Brian Setzer Orchestra Jump Jive N' Wail
140 James Brown Sex Machine
141 Billy Idol: Dancing With Myself
142 Roy Orbison: Oh, Pretty Woman
143 Hairspray Movie: You Just Can't Stop the Beat
144 Billy Joel Piano Man
145 Dirty Dancing: I've Had the Time of My Life
146 Michael Buble Sway
147 KC & The Sunshine Band: Get Down Tonight
148 Garth Brooks Friends in Low Places
149 Kool and the Gang: Get Down On It
150 Usher: Yeah
151 Surfaris: Wipe Out
152 Notorious B.I.G. ___Hypnotize __Mo Money Mo Problems
153 50 Cent In Da Club / Stayin' Alive Mash Up
154 Van Morrison Tupelo Honey
155 Rick James Super Freak
156 Kelly Clarkson: A Moment Like This
157 Alan Jackson: Remember When
158 DJ Kool: Let Me Clear My Throat
159 Meat Loaf Paradise By The Dashboard Light
160 Polka/ Sing Along: In Heaven There Is No Beer
161 Beatles In My Life
162 Elvis Presley All Shook Up
163 Bangles Walk Like An Egyptian
164 Timbaland The Way I Are
165 John Denver Thank God I'm a Country Boy
166 Journey __Open Arms __Faithfully
167 Elton John Tiny Dancer
168 Temptations (or Stones version) Ain't Too Proud To Beg
169 Santana Feat. Rob Thomas Smooth
170 Alabama Mountain Music
171 Michael Buble: Summer Wind
172 Jay Sean: Down
173 Dave Matthews Band: Ants Marching
174 Ann Murray: Could I Have This Dance
175 Beyonce: Put a Ring On It
176 Grand Funk Railroad Some Kinda Wonderful
177 Shania Twain Man! I Feel Like a Woman
178 Eminem: Lose Yourself
179 Michael Buble: Home
180 Don McLean American Pie
181 Jerry Lee Lewis Great Balls of Fire
182 Elvis Presley Blue Suede Shoes
183 Shania and Brian White: From This Moment On (duet)
184 Stray Cats Rock This Town
185 Modern English I Melt With You
186 Chuck Berry: You Never Can Tell (C'est La Vie)
187 Nate Dogg and Warren G: Regulate
188 Trammps: Disco Inferno
189 Three Dog Night: Joy to the World
190 Madonna Like A Prayer
191 Bill Haley and the Comets Rock Around The Clock
192 Black Eyed Peas: Let's Get it Started
193 Flo Rida Throw Your Hands in the Ay-er
194 Romantics: What I Like About You
195 Kenny Chesney: Summertime
196 C + C Music Factory: Everybody Dance Now
197 Kid Rock: All Summer Long
199 Earth Wind and Fire September
200 Michael Buble Save The Last Dance For Me
201 Temptations My Girl
202 Jason Bieber One Less Lonely Girl
203 David Allen Coe Never Even Call Me By My Name
204 AC/DC Back in Black
205 Michael Buble I've Got the World on a String
206 Carrie Underwood Cowboy Casanova
207 Bobby Darin Splish Splash
208 Fleetwood Mac Don't Stop
209 Bob Marley Jamming
210 Frank Sinatra Cheek to Cheek
210 Lady GaGa Just Dance
211 Flo Rida Right Round
212 Tim McGraw My Best Friend
213 Happy Birthday (Versions by Frank Sinatra, Elvis and Beatles available)
214 Whoopie John: The Happy Wanderer Polka
215 Celia Cruz: La Vida Es Un Carnival (Salsa)
216 Harry Belafonte: Jump in the Line (Shake Shake Senora)
217 Pink So What
218 Salsa Megamixes (various, 6-10 minutes each)
219 Europe The Final Countdown
220 Spaniels Goodnight Sweetheart
221 Original Song: Paul can write and perform a song just for you.
222 Colby Caillat: Bubbly
223 Ingrid Michaelson: The Way I Am
224 Taylor Swift: Our Song
225 Norah Jones Come Away With Me
226 David Grey Be Mine
227 Marc Cohn True Companion
228 Chicago Colour My World
229 Jeff Healy Band Angel Eyes
230 Eric Clapton Wonderful Tonight
231 Rolling Stones Wild Horses
232 Roberta Flack/Peabo Bryson: Tonight I Celebrate my Love
233 Snoop Dogg How Low Can You Go
234 Johnny Cash Get Rhythm
235 Blame it on the Pop 2009 mash up
236 Glee Cast: Don't Stop Believing, etc.
237 Trey Songz: Say Ahh Trey Songz
238 Wiz Khalifa: Say Yeah
239 MGMT: Kids
240 Ke$ha Blah Blah Blah __Take it Off ___Your Love is My Drug
241 Kanye West: Amazing
242 Jakob Dylan : Something Good This Way Comes
243 Josh Stone: Super Duper Love
244 Drake: Forever
245 Dorrough: Ice Cream Paint Job
246 Duncan Sheik: For You
247 King Harvest: Dancing in the Moonlight
248 Kings of Leon: Use Somebody
249 Sugar Hill Gang: Rapper's Delight
250 UMLIMITED SONGS are available anywhere-
here are some favorites from a client for an upcoming event to add to the above list:
Kanye West- Gold Digger
Kanye West- Stronger
Shakira: Give it Up to Me
Incredibad: I'm on a Boat
Michael Jackson: Beat It
Black Crowes: Hard to Handle
G. Love: Beautiful
Eric Clapton: I'm Tore Down
Zac Brown Band: Toes
John Mellencamp: Hurt So Good
John Mellencamp: Small Town
John Mellencamp: Ain't Even Done With the Night
Eric Clapton and BB King: Come Rain or Come Shine
Loudon Wainwright III from movie "Knocked Up" : Daughter (on the water)
MORE play list ideas are found at websites such as playlist.com, myspace music, rhapsody, lala.com, youtube, etc.
Please feel free to submit an advance "must play" list with anything you find on line.