When you just know a request won't work...

[2Groove]

I was just wondering how people deal with requests that you know will just bomb, or kill the dancefloor of happy guests

1. Play it anyway, and hope for the best
2. Say you will, but 'forget' to do so
3. Tell them you wont play it and explain why (and hope they understand!)

[rob1963]

I was just wondering how people deal with requests that you know will just bomb, or kill the dancefloor of happy guests

1. Play it anyway, and hope for the best
2. Say you will, but 'forget' to do so
3. Tell them you wont play it and explain why (and hope they understand!)

Are you referring to requests received in advance from the client or those given by punters on the night itself?

[WWDJ]

I was just wondering how people deal with requests that you know will just bomb, or kill the dancefloor of happy guests

1. Play it anyway, and hope for the best
2. Say you will, but 'forget' to do so
3. Tell them you wont play it and explain why (and hope they understand!)

if it's really bad, tell them i haven't got it. if it's just bad, wait for a natural pause in the dancing ... it happens! and play it then.

[yourdj]

I most often play it and blame it on the person who asked for it.

However it is very surprising how many times i have thought that and it has packed the floor.

get their name first.

[rob1963]

I assume you're referring to requests received on the night.

If it's a request from a punter that I think will kill the dancefloor, I'll either not play it & politely tell the person why, or I might tell them I'll try & find an appropriate time to slot it in a bit later...but I won't play it later.

If it's a request from the client, I will always play it as the next song.

[Vectis]

get their name first.

... and have a 'go-to' song lined up ready in case it does bomb.


The trouble with these types of request is that about half the time they have a special meaning to a group of friends and it can rock the place; other times it can kill the atmosphere.

Timing therefore is always a tricky one especially once you're into the last hour or so.

There's no hard and fast rule.

All of the above

[soundtracker]

I was just wondering how people deal with requests that you know will just bomb, or kill the dancefloor of happy guests

1. Play it anyway, and hope for the best
2. Say you will, but 'forget' to do so
3. Tell them you wont play it and explain why (and hope they understand!)

The thing is that you don't know that it will bomb! You may think that it will, but there may be something going on that you're not party to! I remember being asked for Sandie Shaw - Puppet on a string, and thinking to myself, I don't think so, and then had another request, and then a third - a bit of investigation told me that this was the "song" of the local hockey club, many of whom were in attendance, and when I played it, they went mad.
On the other foot, as we all well know, there is no such thing as a "guaranteed" floor-filler, they just work more often than not - but no guarantee!

As Vectis said! (typing at the same time!)

[rob1963]

The trouble with these types of request is that about half the time they have a special meaning to a group of friends and it can rock the place; other times it can kill the atmosphere.

I find that when it IS one of those songs with a special meaning, they usually tell me that & explain why it will go down so well.

I remember being asked for Sandie Shaw - Puppet on a string, and thinking to myself, I don't think so, and then had another request, and then a third - a bit of investigation told me that this was the "song" of the local hockey club, many of whom were in attendance, and when I played it, they went mad.

Surely if three different people requested the same "dodgy" song, you wouldn't need to do any investigation to come to the conclusion that it had a special meaning for a number of people there & was therefore unlikely to bomb?

[2Groove]

I did mean requests that you get from guests during the function. I've had a few gigs lately whereby requests have come in, often towards the end of the night whereby I’m trying to build it all up to a big send off for the last hour and then get asked to play something like Sidney Sampson – Riverside!

Taking the requesters name is a good idea!! I'll remeber that one!

[yourdj]

Has anyone ever had the older guy come up to you with a packed dance floor and said

"play stairway to heaven - they will love it"

Not only is it the most progressive track ever, but it sure is not a party hit unless in the right situation.
it is really frustrating when grumpy old men who critisise you when they know nothing about people, music or even themselves!

I had a marquee wedding last Sat. same thing.
everyone was outside chilling as it was very hot. he comes up and says:

"this is rubbish no one is dancing. Come on play rocking all over the world that will make everyone dance".

My reply was:

"no offence but i DJ three times a week and i can guarantee it will not (he says sarcastically - oh do you)?".
People are outside, they are not drunk and its still light.
it is also very hot and they will not dance if they do not want too".

He got annoyed and sat down and moaned about me, which is very frustrating and seriously affects my mood when performing.
i then sat down with him, explained why and then said:

"to prove it i will play your track - it may well work as you never know"

guess what no one moved a muscle and he then agreed with me.
Low and behold the sun starts to set and they all pile in and start going mental!



on a seperate note - whats wrong with riverside its a great track.
you can easily mix that with a classic like love shack or something?