Cheese Factor - Cheesy and Overplayed Songs and Other Cheese Factors

[Guest]

When Matt Cohen was a regular part of this board he called himself a "No Cheese" DJ.

The object of this thread is to create a list and not bash those that want to play these songs. I'd just like to have the list.

Here is what Matt has:

Songs: Macarena, Hokey Pokey, Chicken Dance, Y.M.C.A., Barbie Girl, Achy Breaky Heart, Thong Song, Bunny Hop, Who Let The Dogs Out, Honky Tonk Badonkadonk, Hamsterdance, Rodeo Song

Artists: Michael Bolton, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Milli Vanilli (r.i.p.), Kenny G, Ricky Martin, Afroman

Categories: Twangy C/W

I would add: Electric Slide (Boogie), Cha Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle

Now, in the eyes of the beholder, the cheese factor also extends to interactive activities and props so if you want to add that here, not a problem.

 

[SoftJock Rick]

Songs don't start out as cheese Tom...

All those you mentioned were very popular with people. When a DJ plays it over and over, and wears it out, then he/she/it deems it cheese.

Really is a subjective issue, and you will still find many crowds who love that stuff -- so I don't think a blanket statement that "I won't play this, because I deem it cheese", is really a good thing business wise...

 

[Randy A]

No such thing as a cheesy song, IMHO.

 

[jokerswild]

No such thing as a cheesy song, IMHO.

I totally agree...

 

[Guest]

Songs don't start out as Cheese Tom...

I agree 100%, that's why part of the title is "overplayed".

All those you mentioned were very popular with people. When a DJ plays it over and over, and wears it out, then he/she/it deems it cheese.

Again, I agree 100%. I'm just looking for a list of what other folks have bumped into as far as songs consistently being put on the do not play list because the client felt they were cheesy or overplayed.

Really is a subjective issue, and you will still find many crowds who love that stuff -- so I don't think a blanket statement that "I won't play this, because I deem it cheese", is really a good thing business wise...

I still agree 100%.

Here's the text I intend to put on the website:

What we mean by this is that we will not play any song, artist, or category that may be considered overplayed or cheesy unless you want it. Also, since many interactive activities (games) and props can be considered cheesy, we will not include these in our presentation unless you want them.

The songs, artists, and categories that may be considered cheesy are listed below.

Songs: Macarena, Hokey Pokey, Chicken Dance, Y.M.C.A., Barbie Girl, Achy Breaky Heart, Thong Song, Bunny Hop, Who Let The Dogs Out, Honky Tonk Badonkadonk, Hamsterdance, Rodeo Song, Electric Slide (Boogie), Cha Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle

Artists: Michael Bolton, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Milli Vanilli (r.i.p.), Kenny G, Ricky Martin, Afroman

Categories: Twangy Country/Western

No such thing as a cheesy song, IMHO.

OK, then overplayed...

Last year I got a large selection of DNPs and most were in the list Matt has on his site.

 

[Jeff Romard]

I think you overthink this stuff wayyyyy too much Tom

 

[Guest]

It someone still wants to hear or dance to it, it is not over played.

 

[Guest]

I think you overthink this stuff wayyyyy too much Tom

That's how I lost my hair. The brain got to big and pushed the hair out.

 

[Guest]

It someone still wants to hear or dance to it, it is not over played.

I agree that this is a subjective subject and that to most people many of these songs/artists/categories are a must have; however, I am also seeing many people (a large majority) say that they don't want them and I thought that, just maybe, if I added a list of songs or activities that MAY be considered cheesy or overplayed then some prospective clients may have a little more confidence that I will not include them unless specifically asked to by them.

So, going back to the original intent of the thread, what are you folks seeing consistently on your DNPs that clients are considering cheesy or overplayed?

 

[Randy A]

NDP lists are cheesy.

I dont' want to limit what EVERYONE hears simply because someone thinks a song is cheesy or overplayed.

We, the dj, should be in charge of what we see the crowd reacting too.

 

[Guest]

We, the dj, should be in charge of what we see the crowd reacting too.

Actually I have to disagree. The client, the one paying for you, has the right to put songs on the DNP and if a guest of that client wants the song, too bad, because the guest is just that, a guest.

I do include artistic license in my contract to include songs not on the play list but I also say that the songs on the DNP will not be played.

 

[eezee]

No such thing as overplayed music for the Event Attendees. These people maybe go to 2 or 3 weddings/ events with a DJ at the most. That means they only get to hear some of the oldies but goodies a few times a year. For us DJs, we do maybe 20-30 gigs + , it might seem redundunt for us. But not for the guests.

 

[SoftJock Rick]

Last year I got a large selection of DNPs and most were in the list Matt has on his site.

Does that make Matt an industry leader...? :sqerr:


BTW, in my entire career, I never solicited a DNP list, and never really gotten one. Maybe on a few occasions, somebody would tell me a specific song not to play, because someone was overtly sensitive to it.


Sorta the same as Jeff mentioned, but I think you listen to too many "leaders" Tom -- and you are not really running your business the way you would, if you hadn't read all their silly posts over the years, and taken it as gospel...

Just my thoughts

 

[Guest]

but I think you listen to too many "leaders" Tom -- and you are not really running your business the way you would, if you hadn't read all their silly posts over the years, and taken it as gospel...

Just my thoughts

Nope, just too many clients. I always solicit a DNP because it is my feeling that if a client is paying me to play music they should be able to tell me specific songs, artists, or genres that they just don't want to hear.

 

[cerebro]

Songs: Macarena, Hokey Pokey, Chicken Dance, Y.M.C.A., Barbie Girl, Achy Breaky Heart, Thong Song, Bunny Hop, Who Let The Dogs Out, Honky Tonk Badonkadonk, Hamsterdance, Rodeo Song

Artists: Michael Bolton, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Milli Vanilli (r.i.p.), Kenny G, Ricky Martin, Afroman

Categories: Twangy C/W

I would add: Electric Slide (Boogie), Cha Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle

Now, in the eyes of the beholder, the cheese factor also extends to interactive activities and props so if you want to add that here, not a problem.

I will agree with you, about 95% of our brides are not looking for a cookie cutter reception. They hear about it all the time on the knot. They will say we don't want 'the cheese factor' or I am looking for an above average reception, bottom line they want something personalized. IMHO what my clients call 'cheese' includes a majority of songs you have above. I will usually mention the names of these songs, and it will help establish rapport with the client. This makes them feel that we are on the same page, and helps to get the booking (on phone or in person).

Example me: "let me guess [name of client], you do not want the hokey pokey, chicken dance, or YMCA." client: "That's exactly what I mean... blah blah blah."

It's been years since I've played some of those songs above. Some I've never played.

I will go further to say not all of those songs fit the 'cheese category'. I would take out Cha Cha Slide and Cupid Shuffle (I kinda like them IMO). On the other hand, 'My Eyes Don't Cry No More' and 'Dancing Queen' is a card I will rarely use. It depends on our crowd. If one of our clients wants the Chicken Dance, then we will play it. If they want interaction, then we have tons of suggestions. However I will not go out of my way to play those songs (our clients have the final veto power). I am not saying that it is bad to play the songs above, really it's personal preference on the entertainer. If it's not broke then don't fix it.

 

[DjDennis]

If I get a DNP list I also ask the client what happens if your guest wants a song you have deemed a DNP one

I also get said guest to go annoy the bride or groom so then its thier choice if its played even if its on a DNP list

trouble is one persons taste isnt the same as everyones....

 

[bestdjinfl]

I could care less if the bride who is paying me good $$$$ wants to hear: The Macerena, Hokey Pokey, Chicken Dance, Y.M.C.A., Barbie Girl, Achy Breaky Heart, Thong Song, Bunny Hop, Who Let The Dogs Out, Honky Tonk Badonkadonk I could care less condering I am making approx $225 per hour and if I play 18 songs in an hour each song makes me $12.50 . We are working FOR THEM. We provide a service. I hate Love SHack but play it at 80% of my events ALL I HEAR IS Ching Ching

 

[cerebro]

...

i could care less if the bride who is paying me good $$$$ wants to hear: The macerena, hokey pokey, chicken dance, y.m.c.a., barbie girl, achy breaky heart, thong song, bunny hop, who let the dogs out, honky tonk badonkadonk i could care less condering i am making approx $225 per hour and if i play 18 songs in an hour each song makes me $12.50 . We are working for them. We provide a service. I hate love shack but play it at 80% of my events all i hear is ching ching

+1

 

[Guest]

We provide a service. I hate Love SHack but play it at 80% of my events ALL I HEAR IS Ching Ching

Ooppss, forgot to put Love Shack on the list.

If the client wants the songs, I'll play them. If they want to hear them 30 times in a row, I'll announce that is what they want and play it thirty times in a row. But I do want them to know that there are songs that seem to be played at every single event you go to and we won't play them if they don't want them.

 

[eezee]

But I do want them to know that there are songs that seem to be played at every single event you go to and we won't play them if they don't want them.

WE the DJ go to every single event, not the client. So they are just hearing this at maybe 2-3 events compared to 20 to 30 for us.
Its starting to sound like you are the one that doesnt want to hear the songs and are unconsciously forcing your will on them.