What tracks should I play at a totally awesome dance party?

March 20, 2007 4:20 PM

I'm hosting a large dance party next week (combined birthday party and other celebration), and I'm trying to put together a playlist for it. I'm leaning toward electro, synthpop, funk, and remixes, but after looking through my library (which is pretty weighted towards indie rock and folk), I've realized I don't have very much. Any suggestions for songs that should go on there?

I'm pretty open to anything, and I want some more laid back chill tracks in which pure dance stuff. Here's what I have so far (in no particular order):

Badd to Me (Ying Yang Twins vs. The Cure) - King of Pants
Electroboi - The Gay Pimp
How We Do - Mount Sims
Slide In - Goldfrapp
Pull Up the People - M.I.A.
Take A Chance On Me - Erasure
One Evening (VV Mix) - Feist
Walk With Me - Felix Da Housecat
Evan and Chan (Safety Scissors Remix) - DNTEL
Soccer Practice (Dylan Drazen Remix) - The Gay Pimp
If We're In Love - Roisin Murphy
can't get you ... - Kylie Minogue
Evil Vibrations (Mighty Ryders) - The Rebirth
Hustler - Simian Mobile Disco

I'm looking for any number of suggestions on top of that... thanks!

posted by OverlappingElvis to Media & Arts (29 answers total)

Phoenix is always good, french electro pop. Try the songs, If I Ever Feel Better, Everything is Everything, or Too Young.

Tracks off Herbert's Scale may be good chill tracks.

Mouse on Mars has some eletronic stuff. Check out Radical Connector.

Oh and Trans Am's newest will make it the most futuristic, sexy party ever. It's called Sex Change.
posted by rabbitsnake at 4:34 PM on March 20, 2007

Eisbär - Grauzone
almost anything by The Rapture

these are the only songs that will even tempt me to dance (actually, shake maniacally).
posted by nathancaswell at 4:36 PM on March 20, 2007

Scissor Sisters makes me want to dance.
posted by clh at 4:44 PM on March 20, 2007

Radio Citizen
posted by juv3nal at 4:44 PM on March 20, 2007

Check out the Fabriclive by Diplo (MIA's producer). Has a few great tracks on it in the vein you're looking for including Deceptacon by Le Tigre.

Slightly laidback electro -- Ladytron, Witching Hour. International Date Line? A number of good tracks on that album.

Justice vs. Simian - We are your friends or Justice - Waters of Nazareth.

And anything from the Juan Maclean, LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip and the Rapture will probably work as well.
posted by hazyspring at 4:50 PM on March 20, 2007

Anniemal (an artist) might fit what you're looking for. Supreme Beings of Leisure is also pretty funky.
posted by lalas at 4:56 PM on March 20, 2007

And anything from the Juan Maclean, LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip and the Rapture will probably work as well.

Definitely "Whoo! Alright, Yeah... Uh Huh" and "Don Gon Do It" from the new Rapture album, and definitely "Losing My Edge," "Yr City's A Sucker," and the two mixes of "Yeah" by LCD Soundsystem.

Also, !!! should be on every party list, and "Heart of Hearts," off their new album Myth Takes, absolutely KILLS.
posted by The Michael The at 5:02 PM on March 20, 2007

Every party requires at least one song from Thriller, but play it a little latter when people can really enjoy it.
posted by CaptMcalister at 5:03 PM on March 20, 2007

i second scissor sisters
+
the faint, hot hot heat?
posted by thisisnotkatrina at 5:06 PM on March 20, 2007

Royksopp and Fischerspooner, some Ladytron, Ellen Allien (Orchestra of Bubbles), Mylo, and I have to nth Scissor Sisters.
posted by lekvar at 5:10 PM on March 20, 2007

I've been listening to Best of Bootie 2005 and 2006 today. They're really great mashup albums in a nonstop mix that would be perfect for a party.
posted by mullingitover at 5:10 PM on March 20, 2007

I can't believe "Badd to Me (Ying Yang Twins vs. The Cure)." I've always thought that Cure song would make a great hip hop hook. It's a little crunk for my taste, but they tried.
posted by Frank Grimes at 5:20 PM on March 20, 2007

Oh, you're asking for specific tracks - sorry, my fingers are quicker than my brain today...

Royksopp - Circuit Breaker, What Else Is There?, Only This Moment

Fischerspooner - Emerge, O, Just Let Go (Thin White Duke Remix)

Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch, Weekend, International Dateline, Beauty*2

Ellen Allien - Do Not Break, Jet, Turbo Dreams, Rotary

Mylo - In My Arms, Drop the Pressure, Muscle Cars

Scissor Sisters - Tits on the Radio, Filthy/Gorgeous
posted by lekvar at 5:27 PM on March 20, 2007

"Daft Punk is Playing at My House" - LCD Soundsystem

"Days Go By" - Dirty Vegas

"Crazy Love" - Colder
posted by gursky at 5:43 PM on March 20, 2007

Some of those 2 Many DJs mixes are good; there's one with a beautiful segue from, believe it or not, a heavily remixed Destiny's Child's "Independent Women" into Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" into a sweet Royksopp jam, the results just scream "Party!" Dig some Kompakt stuff for later, like Triple R Friends or Michael Maier or the latest Total disc, I think it's VII or VIII (that's not so funky, more dancey-technoey, but it's smooth and goes over well, also for smooth check out some Naked Music comps, particularly Miguel Migs stuff, and Ricardo Villalobos' Love Family Trax, though he's on the more minimal end of the scale it's still groovy). I can't get enough of Husky Rescue's "Summertime Cowboy," you gotta check it out, it might fit your bill perfectly or you might find it the most annoying song ever. Give Etienne de Crecy a whirl, Tempovision has a track called something like "Scratchin'" that floats and bounces like no other. Ellen Allien has been mentioned here, check out Flieg Mit, too. You mention funk: you cannot go wrong with Earth, Wind, & Fire's "Sing a Song" and The Commodores' "Fancy Dancer." Seriously, those jams travel. Blow their minds a little.
posted by breezeway at 5:52 PM on March 20, 2007

Coca Cola Bottle Baby.
posted by Football Bat at 6:18 PM on March 20, 2007

I may be biased cos I'm Aussie, but try finding Sydney duo The Presets' debut album, Beams. It is full of fantastic electronic but 'poppy' songs.

And of course, if you are after some more chilled stuff I would recommend another Aussie group, The Avalanches, and Air - particularly stuff from Moon Safari.
posted by nicholasboyle42 at 6:29 PM on March 20, 2007

Bonobo - "Nightlite" - very chill, funky rhythms
Emilie Simon - "I Wanna be your Dog" - offbeat anglo-francais chill
Division Kent - "Sweet & Vicious" - total electro
Telepopmusik - "Breathe" - electro dreampop chill
Basement Jaxx - "Red Alert" - funk fast funk

If you can bring the bass, my top recommedation would be "Horses" by Aromabar

(I would be happy to email you "previews"... cowbellemoo at gmail dot com)
posted by cowbellemoo at 7:32 PM on March 20, 2007

Oh, and most definitely second the Moon Safari.
posted by cowbellemoo at 7:34 PM on March 20, 2007

Some of the more uptempo Jamiroquai like "Alright". I love Jamiroquai. Or even "Canned Heat"!

How about some Motorcycle - "As the Rush Comes"? Good song.
posted by Verdandi at 7:50 PM on March 20, 2007

"North American Scum," from the brand-new LCD Soundsystem album.

Anything from Girl Talk's "Night Ripper" album.
posted by Rangeboy at 7:51 PM on March 20, 2007

I second Basement Jaxx... lots of Basement Jaxx .
"Yeah Yeah" by Bodyrox (featuring Luciana) is great. In fact, lots of things off of the Ministry of Sound compilation would be fun.
M.I.A., particularly "10 $" and "Galang."
"Give Me Danger" by Dangerous Muse.
"Sound is Shocking" by Psycho Radio.
Pet Shop Boys!
And last but never, ever least: Prince.
posted by Help, I can't stop talking! at 8:24 PM on March 20, 2007

Best answer: I've been the host of some kick-ass indie-centered but dance-heavy dance parties. Here are some choice selections:

(most of these have already been listed but that won't stop me)

• !!! - Me and Giuliani Down by the Schoolyard (Louden Up Now), Heart of Hearts, Must be the Moon, Bend over Beethoven (Myth Takes)
• Annie - Chewing Gum, Heartbeat (Anniemal [mentioned earlier - but this is the title of her debut album, not the band's name), Happy Without You (SebastiAn remix) (Ross Ross Ross EP)
• Basement Jaxx - Red Alert, Rendez-Vu (Remedy), Lucky Star (Kish Kash)
• Beck - Sexx Laws, Mixed Bizness (Midnite Vultures)
• Benny Benassi - Satisfaction (?)
• Cansei de Ser Sexy - Alala, Let's Make Love and Listen to Death from Above (self-titled)
• Daft Punk - Harder Better Faster Stronger (Discovery)
• Darude - Sandstorm (?)
• Ellen Allien & Apparat - Way Out, Do Not Break (Orchestra of Bubbles)
• The Faint - Glass Danse (Danse Macabre)
• Franz Ferdinand - Michael (Franz Ferdinand)
• Goldfrapp - Ooh La La (?)
• Gorillaz - DARE, Feel Good Inc (Demon Days)
• The Gossip - Standing in the Way of Control [and there are some kickass remixes of this -- in particular, the "Soulwax Nite version"] (Standing in the Way of Control)
• Hot Chip - Boy From School, Over and Over (The Warning)
• Justice vs. Simian - We Are Your Friends (?)
• Justice - Waters of Nazareth (?)
• Klaxons - Magick (Simian Mobile Disco remix) (Magick)
• The Knife - We Share Our Mother's Health, Silent Shout (Silent Shout)
• LCD Soundsystem - Daft Punk is Playing at My House, Losing My Edge (s/t), some tracks from their much-praised new album that I don't have yet
• Love Is All - Talk Talk Talk Talk (Nine Times That Same Song)
• MIA - 10 Dollar, Galang (Arular)
• Madonna - Hung Up, Sorry, Get Together (Confessions on a Dancefloor) [yes it's campy but people will really get moving. "Sorry" especially rocks]
• Mark Ronson - Just (Exit Music)
• Mylo - Drop the Pressure (Destroy Rock & Roll)
• of Montreal - The Party's Crashing Us (Sunlandic Twins),
• Peaches - Fuck the Pain Away (Teaches of Peaches)
• The Rapture - House of Jealous Lovers (Echoes), The Devil, W.A.Y.U.H. (Pieces of the People we Love), Get Myself Into It (SebastiAn remix) (?)
• Scissor Sisters - Filthy/Gorgeous, Music is the Victim (s/t), I Don't Feel Like Dancing, Kiss You Off (Ta-Dah)
• SebastiAn - Ross Ross Ross (Ross Ross Ross EP)
• Simian Mobile Disco - Tits & Acid, Hustler (?)
• Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime (Remain in Light)
• Yoko Ono - Walking on Thin Ice (Pet Shop Boys electro remix) (Walking on Thin Ice remixes) whoa, I got on a roll there. good luck (OiNK) finding all that.

posted by the_arbiter at 9:54 PM on March 20, 2007 [3 favorites]

Hmm, a lot of hip, neo-new wave stuff listed here. Let me add my .02

yewknee.com made up a play list a couple years ago called "Black Panty Pool Party" and it's still one of my favorite. Just trust me on this one. Def a great one to throw on while the parties getting into the swing of things. From that I'd recommend any Cut Copy, also nthing Hot Chip and Scissor Sister I'd also recommend Junior Senior "Move Your Feet"

But seriously, when the parties really bumpin', that's when you have to bring out the big guns and throw down some funk. I'm talking the classics here like "Brick House" or "Let's Groove" or "Get Down On It" by Kool and the Gang even some more disco tracks like "Best of My Love" by The Emotions or Don't Stop Till You Get Enough" by Michael Jackson.

If you're committed to the electro tip, i've got some great mixes from an amazingly fun dj out of Montreal. Let me know if you'd like a copy.
posted by lannanh at 11:51 PM on March 20, 2007

You Could Easily Have Me by Metronomy
You're The One That I Want To Be In The Next Episode (download it here)
The Bomb by New Young Pony Club
When I'm 25 or 64 by Jonathan Coulton
posted by so_necessary at 5:16 AM on March 21, 2007

Try looking at some of the Remix Sundays on Palms Out Sounds

I've been especially liking this lately: The Klaxons - The Bouncer (South Central Mix)

Also, try getting some stuff by Uffie & Feadz.
In fact, pretty much anything on Ed Banger is great.

The extremely well-regarded Scottish DJ duo Optimo have released some mix CDs throughout the years. I haven't heard any myself, but I've been told they're worth seeking out.

You could also try some mixes by South Central, Justice, The Teenagers, ex-Death From Above 1979 duoMSTRKRFT...

Other than that, try the usual suspects like Daft Punk, LCD Soundsystem, that Justice Vs. Simian track, most of the DFA remixes, Peaches, Fischerspooner...
posted by Magnakai at 6:39 AM on March 21, 2007

Oh, and now everyone seems to be listening to Calvin Harris- Acceptable In The 80s.

So that's a good one.
posted by Magnakai at 6:41 AM on March 21, 2007

Fairly shocked no one has suggested Teddybears yet. They've got some crazy good dance songs. "Punk Rocker" with Iggy Pop is overrated IMO, but "Cobrastyle", "Different Sound", and "Ahead of My Time" are all sure hits.

Also,
dance:
Radio Citizen - The Hop
Audio Bullys - Shot me down (feat. Nancy Sinatra)
a ton of good stuff on the compilation album "Pink Panther's Penthouse Party"
Goldfrapp - something from Black Cherry or Supernature
anything from the album "Making Bones" by Red Snapper
new Shiny Toy Guns album also has some great tunes

chill:
nobody's mentioned Zero 7, so I will. Also, Massive Attack, Erlend Oye, Everything But the Girl, Koop, Thievery Corporation...
posted by mcstayinskool at 7:26 AM on March 21, 2007

Oh yeah, check out Metro Area, too.
posted by breezeway at 7:58 AM on March 21, 2007