Send to Printer Visit Yahoo! Food
Print:
Back to Post

The Perfect Party Playlist

Posted Wed, Nov 01, 2006, 6:46 pm PST
POST A COMMENT »

If you've ever been to a party that lacks a good soundtrack, you know bad music can force guests to stare at their watches, while great music can make a gathering truly rock. Here are a few favorite selections to suit different occasions, from intimate dinners to swank cocktail gatherings. The key is to mix sultry classics with funky new songs and orchestrated jazzy tunes with stripped-down acoustic numbers -- keep it unpredictable and inventive.


Albums:  Funky & Eclectic
Thievery Corporation - The Richest Man in Babylon
The Dandy Warhols - Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia
David Bowie - Hunky Dory
Stereo MC’s - Supernatural
The Roots - Phrenology
Beck - Guero or Midnite Vultures
Serge Gainsbourg - Mauvaise Nouvelle des Etoiles
The Strokes - Is This It
Spoon - Gimme Fiction
Shelby Lynne - I Am Shelby Lynne
Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers
Nirvana - MTV Unplugged
Gotan Project - Lunatico

Albums:  Mellow & Sexy
Travis - The Man Who
Golden Palominos - Pure
Carla Bruni -  Quelqu’un m’a dit
Radiohead - The Bends
Aimee Mann - Lost in Space
Dusty Springfield - Gold
Nouvelle Vague - Nouvelle Vague

Albums:  Jazzy & Worldly
Eartha Kitt - That Bad Eartha
Henri Salvador - Chansons Douces
Nina Simone - The Soul of Nina Simone
Paul Anka - Rock Swings
Renee Olstead - Renee Olstead

Singles:  Funky & Eclectic
Love To Love You Baby - Donna Summer
Everything Is Everything - Phoenix
Footsteps - Rara Avis
Strawberry Letter 23 - Shuggie Otis
Let Me Roll - Seal
Mrs. Robinson - Lemonheads
Higher Ground - Stevie Wonder
Mama Told Me Not To Come - Stereophonics/Tom Jones
Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic - Isaac Hayes
Pre 53 - Groove Armada
Come To Me - Bjork

Singles:  Mellow & Sexy
Can't Get You Off My Mind - Lenny Kravitz
Simple - India.Arie
Truly Truly - Grant Lee Buffalo
Killing Me Softly - Fugees
Nobody Does It Better - Carly Simon

Singles:  Jazzy & Worldly
(Getting Some) Fun Out of Life - Madeleine Peyroux
Je Suis Un If - Paris Combo
Let There Be Love - Nat King Cole
Cabaret - Liza Minelli
These Foolish Things - Jazz A St Germain
Zing Went The Strings - Judy Garland
The Good Life - Bobby Darin

  • 1. Posted by Raymond B on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 12:39 pm PST

    No Will Brierly and the Roller Holsters? That would be #1 on the eclectic list for me. Or at least #2 or #3

    Report Abuse

  • 2. Posted by snakes4ever1 on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 7:43 pm PST

    I'm a Godsmack/Rob Zombie man myslef, but this lists seems like it would work for the casual adult kick-back. Nice job.

    Report Abuse

  • 3. Posted by andrewcantella on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:19 pm PST

    haha who the hell would play rob zombie at a party. ....nice list

    Report Abuse

  • 4. Posted by handsomafricanprince on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:42 pm PST

    Andrewcantella, if you don't know who the hell would play Rob Zombie at party, I do. Now you knor someone

    Report Abuse

  • 5. Posted by on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:45 pm PST

    It looks great. I am really thankful you made this list. Its saved my social life.

    Report Abuse

  • 6. Posted by Shane K on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:52 pm PST

    Here is my list for suggestion and yes it is somewhat in alphabetical order. Mixed some old with some new. 311- Amber Audioslave-original fire Beastie Boys - Hey ladies Eric Clapton - Cocaine Foo Fighters - My Hero Gnarles Barkley - Crazy Goldfinger - Feel like making love Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc. Incubus - Are You In James Brown - The Old Landmark (blues brothers soundtrack) John Mayer - Waiting on the world The Killers - Smile Like You Mean It My Chemical Romance - I'm Not Okay N.E.R.D. - Rockstar Radiohead - Karma Police Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California Stone Temple Pilots - Dead & Bloated Sublime - Badfish Toto - Hold the Line Warren G - Do You See Weezer - Say It Ain't So Yellowcard - Ocean Avenue DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime Lenny Kravitz - Believe LL Cool J - Around The Way Girl Men At Work - Down Under Rage Against The Machine - Renegades of Funk

    Report Abuse

  • 7. Posted by Erika J on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 9:02 pm PST

    This list sucks. I would be checking my watch every five minutes.

    Report Abuse

  • 8. Posted by ljzman on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 9:08 pm PST

    I've done alot of parties and actually, nobody cares about what is playing as long as it's neutral music not too soft and not too heavy(blues music is my suggestion and since most music forms come from the blues, it is a bit of something for everyone) and played low so as not to stymie conversation. The list may not be exactly everyone's choice, but the styles of music shown on the list is great suggestion.

    Report Abuse

  • 9. Posted by tcarterdsp on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 9:14 pm PST

    Who came up with this list??? Are all of you 60 and older?? I have heard better music at a retirement home. What you need is a little disco, some upbeat country, some old school rap and some new stuff. You got to have my favorite, “Brick House”, and some upbeat country like, Big and Rich. Franz Ferdinand has a couple of good cd’s. Jimmy Buffet always gets the party going as does Green Day. A must for any party is Prince (Kiss (the song, not the group) always gets a little sensual atmosphere going…) The Offspring cd, Americana is a classic party cd, I can’t believe it didn’t make the list. I like what snakes4ever1 said, Rob Zombie is great and so is White Zombie, always more of those two. Don’t forget to add a little old school rap like, Sir Mix A Lot, Dr. Dre, and Digital Underground. You also have Queen and Toby Keith who rock the house. Remember people, a good party has good music. I thought Elycia and Rita would have know that before they put their 75th wedding anniversary cd list together. Take it from me a former DJ and party planner if you don’t want people snoring through your Shelby Lynne CD, don’t play it!

    Report Abuse

  • 10. Posted by julies_ladybug on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 9:33 pm PST

    None of it is my taste. It's really not a good list at all. I'm sorry to offend here. It all depends on the age of the group gathered. So for 40 something year olds, here are my picks. Can't speak for younger people. I would have picked Natalie Cole instead with Unforgetable. Bryan Adams with anything. Seal's Kissed by a Rose, Eric Clapton, anything again of his. The Police. Sting. Ricky Martin's Sound Loaded. Elton John, old or new, tons of stuff there. Jefferson Airplane, Miracles. The Hollies, Long Cool Woman. The Raspberries, Go all the Way! Country Music, Randy Travis, Full Circle album. Cher old or new with her Believe album. Lot's there. Stevie Wonder. Classy party, Phantom of the Opera in the background! Carly Simon, lots there also through the years. It depends on the age group though. This would be for 40 somethings, although not sure Ricky Martin goes over well in that group. Donna Summers, Paul Anka and Tom Jones. I would not listen to them. They are old and tiring to listen to. Most of the music is really boring that is listed. Yikes. I'm sure people won't like my list either! Killing me softly, it's dull, unlike Seal's Kissed by a Rose. Rolling Stones? Has anyone gotten wheel chairs for them yet on stage? I also like shanelonves list above. That's a good one.

    Report Abuse

  • 11. Posted by shorty_et89 on Fri, Nov 10, 2006, 1:04 am PST

    I love Renee Olstead! The fact that she's on here must mean she is gaining some real attention.

    Report Abuse

  • 12. Posted by Courtenay G on Fri, Nov 10, 2006, 4:25 am PST

    1. I doubt any of us have heard every one of those songs and thus probably could do well by checking some of them out for our own personal musical edification. 2. The minute I hear Jimmy Buffet, I'm out the door. Running. Full speed. I might be screaming, too. Ditto for Cher. 3. It completely depends on the party. The songs listed look ambient and groovy and would likely work well with a higher end crowd. Makes me think of the W Hotel. 4. The Rob Zombie, Beastie Boys, etc lists are for a completely different crew and mindset and therefore it is impossible to say that one list is good v. bad. When I'm kickboxing, I love Rob Zombie. When I'm eating an hors d'ouevre, not so much.

    Report Abuse

  • 13. Posted by sasha10_50 on Fri, Nov 10, 2006, 5:27 am PST

    Boy what a busy forum! I don't this music would be my pick and if there were not so many responses I would not have responded I guess I'm limited to what music I listen to, R&B, but I am open to all good music thanks to American Idol but if i were throwing a party I must adhere to my peers and just play what we are all used to... R&B and HIP-HOP.

    Report Abuse

  • 14. Posted by kiki on Fri, Nov 10, 2006, 6:02 am PST

    i like very few of these songs and some songs are too old and hard to dance to. there should be songs like"hips don't lie" by Shakira,"hung up" Madonna or "my humps" black eyed peas. the music should be fun and get people dancing,not hear old songs and spend time at the food table and talking all night without some dancing going on.

    Report Abuse

  • 15. Posted by sparky on Fri, Nov 10, 2006, 7:19 am PST

    ahha u guys r weird... i rather listen to jason.. what i call party is gettin wasted and playin madden 2007 yea. . boii

    Report Abuse

  • 16. Posted by kirbycordelia on Fri, Nov 10, 2006, 8:22 am PST

    I don't know about you, but this kind of music will have my crowd looking at me like I am crazy. I'm from the old school/R&B crowd. I need some music from the motown era.( 70's-80's). Jill Scott, India Erie, just to name a few others. You need to come to one of my parties!

    Report Abuse

  • 17. Posted by tom on Thu, Nov 23, 2006, 2:40 am PST

    well the list of songs and artists you pick, you keep them and have them at your party! Bring out the Budweiser and hook up the ol IPod running through your house system, and everyone will enjoy! a good varaition of songs for all! now isnt my idea better? you darn right it is!

    Report Abuse

  • 18. Posted by patti g on Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 3:49 am PST

    renee olstead is great! good choice! you could include india.arie's "testimony, vol. 1 life & relationship" it's also good! for jazz listeners, fourplay's "X(Ten)" so smooth!!! i didn't notice any chris botti in the list. it can be under "mellow&sexy". happy holidays!

    Report Abuse

  • 19. Posted by alice on Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 9:06 am PST

    nouvelle vague is great! try " dancin with myself " try some bozoo bajou, some birdy nam nam ...and "mambo craze" is a gotta listen ...and many others which don't come to my mind right now

    Report Abuse

  • 20. Posted by on Sat, Dec 16, 2006, 10:42 pm PST

    Medcgordon: You have posted the most intelligent comment so far... THANK YOU!!!

    Report Abuse

  • 21. Posted by dreampolice1984 on Sat, Sep 15, 2007, 10:32 am PDT

    No list such as this is complete without the magic of ABBA. (Nirvana? You can't be serious!)

    Report Abuse

  • 22. Posted by Sara on Sat, Sep 15, 2007, 10:32 am PDT

    Don't forget Jeff Buckley, Diana Krall, Damien Rice, Some Led Zep, Old Stones, Beatles, Dar Williams. Oh gosh the list is endless. Your list was pretty good but there are always more to choose from.. But of course each and everyone of us has our own favorites. The key is don't forget the element of MUSIC to any party..

    Report Abuse

  • 23. Posted by blazin on Sat, Sep 15, 2007, 10:33 am PDT

    i dunno i guess if your partying in an elavader it might work....or one of those parties that expects ya to wear a tie.....personaly i dont like rubbin elbows with suits,not my thing

    Report Abuse

  • 24. Posted by spiffymo on Sat, Sep 15, 2007, 10:35 am PDT

    I agree! I would play some Rob Zombie at a party as well. You can still rock out will out blowing people's eardrums out. I would also pair it with some upbeat classical by Bach and Yo Yo Ma. You'd be surprised how well metal and classical can go together. Hello perfect combination! The San Fransisco Symphony and Metalica CD

    Report Abuse

  • 25. Posted by kozmo97 on Sat, Sep 15, 2007, 10:42 am PDT

    What age group and socail circle is this list for? I have not heard of most of this music.

    Report Abuse

  • 26. Posted by The Resident Genius on Sat, Sep 15, 2007, 10:54 am PDT

    One sentence will sum up the proposed music list: Laurel (post 27) is 100% right.

    Report Abuse

  • 27. Posted by turdlez_rock on Sat, Sep 15, 2007, 10:56 am PDT

    What about rock music? Indie/Alternative...?

    Report Abuse

  • 28. Posted by mbk_collazo on Sat, Sep 15, 2007, 10:57 am PDT

    hola

    Report Abuse

  • 29. Posted by jonjosephbarnes on Sat, Sep 15, 2007, 10:58 am PDT

    that's the worst music list i've ever seen....nirvana unplugged in funky and eclectic......? 1 stevie wonder song.....everything from the jazz list is a joke.....except nina simone. i'd hate to be at ya'll's party. you ladies have some horrible taste in music !!!!

    Report Abuse

  • 30. Posted by mbk_collazo on Sat, Sep 15, 2007, 10:58 am PDT

    Hola this was gross!

    Report Abuse
View All 44 Comments »

LEAVE YOUR COMMENT

You must sign in to leave a comment