Interactive DJs Dinner / Cocktail Songs

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I had the pleasure of hearing Jim Cerone talk about the importance of cocktail/dinner music at a Chicago conference once. Prior to that, I was probably a typical jock who pulled up some Kenny-G-Like music and let it play, thinking it was just filler music. He really got me thinking about how this time can be used to set the tone for the rest of the event. I've since then went to a more tailored approach, getting the couples involved if they choose, in creating a more client-specific rotation; varying the tempo throughout and ultimately bringing it up just prior to opening up the dance floor. It has been very successful.
 
...I was probably a typical jock who pulled up some Kenny-G-Like music and let it play, thinking it was just filler music...I've since then went to a more tailored approach, getting the couples involved if they choose, in creating a more client-specific rotation; varying the tempo throughout and ultimately bringing it up just prior to opening up the dance floor. It has been very successful.
That success is mostly the result of the considered attention and skill applied and not the simple change in selections.

Kudos.
 
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This was my dinner music playlist for last weekend's wedding:

  • No One Alicia Keys
  • All Of Me (Radio Edit) John Legend
  • Fine By Me Andy Grammer
  • I'll Name the Dogs Blake Shelton
  • Then Brad Paisley
  • A Thousand Years Christina Perri
  • I Do Colbie Caillat
  • The Scientist Coldplay
  • Viva La Vida Coldplay
  • Sway Dean Martin
  • I Will Follow You into the Dark Death Cab For Cutie
  • Thinking Out Loud Ed Sheeran
  • Perfect Elvis Cant Help Falling In Love _Mashup Cover_ Ed Sheeran
  • I'll Be Edwin McCain
  • I've Got The Whole World On A String Frank Sinatra
  • The Way You Look Tonight Frank Sinatra
  • Better Together Jack Johnson
  • I Got You Jack Johnson
  • You're Beautiful James Blunt
  • Lucky (feat. Colbie Caillat) Jason Mraz
  • All Of Me (Radio Edit) John Legend
  • Making Memories Of Us Keith Urban
  • When You Got A Good Thing Lady Antebellum
  • Dedicated to the One I Love Mamas and the Papas
  • Love Somebody Maroon 5
  • All About You McFly
  • Everything Michael Buble
  • Nobody But Me (Alternate w/Trumpet Version) Michael Bublé
  • Someday (Clean) Michael Buble ft Meghan Trainor
  • I Will Wait Mumford & Sons
  • This Will Be (An Everlasting.. Natalie Cole
  • Here Comes The Sun Nina Simone
  • Home Phillip Phillips
  • Rhythm Of Love (Radio Edit) Plain White Ts
  • I Choose You (Clean) Sara Bareilles
  • I Knew I Loved You Savage Garden
  • From This Moment Shania Twain
  • I Love You More Than Yesterday Sonny & Cher
  • Cheek To Cheek Steve Tyrell
  • Smile Steve Tyrell
  • Signed, Sealed, Delivered Stevie Wonder
  • Everything Has Changed [feat. Ed Sheeran] Taylor Swift
  • Ours Taylor Swift
  • For Once In My Life (Duet With Stevie Wonder) Tony Bennett
  • Marry Me-(Diamond Ring Mix) Train
  • Play that Song Train
  • The Closest Thing To Crazy Katie Melua
 
Nice list. Where did you find that Sonny and Cher song "I Love You More Than Yesterday"?
My guess is on his HD...
ba dum tssh .jpg

Great choice for a wedding-cocktail playlist! :notworthy:

If you have a soft spot for Sonny & Cher, their rendition of "All I Ever Need Is You" is equally lyrically perfect for wedding programming.
 
If you have a soft spot for Sonny & Cher, their rendition of "All I Ever Need Is You" is equally lyrically perfect for wedding programming.

Oddly, it looks like I have the Kenny Rogers version of that song off his "Greatest Hits" album, but not the Sonny and Cher version. The S&C version is a bit better for weddings...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ujkAkJZdws
 
wow, this post was from 2009!!! :)

A song I have added is "Lovesong" by Adele.... great cover of the Cure song. (which my wife and I used at our wedding) :)

my short dinner set from Friday night..


Johnson, Jack - Better Together.mp3
Krall, Diana - Popsicle Toes.mp3
Jason Mraz - I Won't Give Up 45.mp3
Cole,Nat King - I Love You For Sentimental Reasons.mp3
Jeff Bane Band - Matching My Stride.mp3
Malo - Suavecito [long version].mp3
Michael Buble - Everything.mp3
Sade - Smooth Operator [long version].mp3
Adele - Lovesong.mp3
Piano Guys-Can't Help Falling in Love Elvis.mp3
Green, Al - Love And Happiness.mp3
ONE BRIGHT NIGHT - Celeste Lear.mp3
Groove Da Praia - Is This Love.mp3jacqui_john_wedding_wine_country_entertainment_chuck_the_dj_lehnhard_V.sattui_winery_st helena...JPG
 
wow, this post was from 2009!!! :)

A song I have added is "Lovesong" by Adele.... great cover of the Cure song. (which my wife and I used at our wedding) :)

my short dinner set from Friday night..


Johnson, Jack - Better Together.mp3
Krall, Diana - Popsicle Toes.mp3
Jason Mraz - I Won't Give Up 45.mp3
Cole,Nat King - I Love You For Sentimental Reasons.mp3
Jeff Bane Band - Matching My Stride.mp3
Malo - Suavecito [long version].mp3
Michael Buble - Everything.mp3
Sade - Smooth Operator [long version].mp3
Adele - Lovesong.mp3
Piano Guys-Can't Help Falling in Love Elvis.mp3
Green, Al - Love And Happiness.mp3
ONE BRIGHT NIGHT - Celeste Lear.mp3
Groove Da Praia - Is This Love.mp3View attachment 34705
GREAT ROOM!

Here's to mine and here's to thine!
Now's the time to clink it!
Here's a bottle of fine old wine,
And we're all here to drink it.
 
I know this has been talked about over and over, but lately I have been playing more upbeat/mid tempo dinner and cocktail songs.

So what I would like is to have people add just like 3 songs that are upbeat that you play during dinner and or cocktails.

Mine

Cantaloop - US3
Mas Que Nada - Black Eyed Peas
B-52s - Follow Your Bliss
Desperation Samba - Jimmy Buffet
Chuck I did my first gig in about 12 or so years for step sons wedding. I really put some thought into dinner music as I find using too many slow songs makes it harder to get things started. I dropped in songs like Jump (VAN HALEN) the Paul Anka version and other uptempo songs. To me this lifted the mood a great deal.

so my three would be 1 Jump ....Paul Anka
2 morning dance.... spyro gyra
3 breezin......george benson
 
Here are a few medium tempo: Beach & Shag (Love Makes The World Go Round - Deon Jackson; Carolina Girls - General Johnson and Chairmen of the Board); Blues ( Sho' Enough, Tommy Castro).
 
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