If I never hear xxxxxxx again, it will be too soon.

[Excalibur]

What songs have you played one too many times? Which ones make you think you're not getting paid enough for this job? Which ones grind your gears?

Matty put forward " Let it go " in another thread, which inspired this one.

I'll add Amazed by Lonestar, although I love them, if I have to play that as afirst dance at another wedding, I may just hang myself from the trusslite. :mad:

Over to you,folks.

[TONYTIGER]

Nothing,im paid to play whatever the client wants,my own musical tastes dont come into it its a job if you dont like it try finding another way to make a living.

[CRAZY K]

Nothing,im paid to play whatever the client wants,my own musical tastes dont come into it

Well this is true, but I would make an exception, anything by Adele.

Not that I get asked anyway:rolleyes:

[funkymook]

Nothing,im paid to play whatever the client wants,my own musical tastes dont come into it its a job if you dont like it try finding another way to make a living.

My musical tastes do come into it - I wouldn't take on bookings where I didn’t like the music. That’s one big advantage of being self-employed, I really am my own boss and choose to run my business how I want.

[musicology]

Macerena, Cha Cha Slide, Oops upside, Saturday Night, Aga bloody doo doo.

[Excalibur]

Nothing,im paid to play whatever the client wants,my own musical tastes dont come into it its a job if you dont like it try finding another way to make a living.
Excuse me, but I'd like to point out a couple of things.
Firstly, I've always said the " He who pays the piper calls the tune ", and if folk are prepared to pay, I'm prepared to play, with very few restrictions . ( And if you'd been with me on Monday night, you'd have had absolute proof of that. :) )

Secondly, it is indeed a job I like very much, and I have no wish to find another, but hand on heart, who can say that they're happy to play every single request? :confused:


My musical tastes do come into it - I wouldn't take on bookings where I didn’t like the music.
There are times when I feel you haven't really grasped the concept of Mobile Discos. You're not actually supposed to enjoy yourself, you're supposed to endure the pain like a man. It's character building, you know. ;)



Macerena, Cha Cha Slide, Oops upside, Saturday Night, Aga bloody doo doo.

And you know, I could play those cheerfully every week.

[Nakatomi]

There are loads of tunes I play at gigs that I'd happily smash my radio to bits to stop playing but they who pay, say what I play. I sometimes almost have to stop myself disagreeing with a customer complimenting me on the music :lol:

[mattydj50]

I'll add Amazed by Lonestar, although I love them, if I have to play that as afirst dance at another wedding, I may just hang myself from the trusslite. :mad:

Over to you,folks.

You and me go well together then!

But just because these particular songs give me the pip, doesn't mean I won't play them. I just need the stick on smile for a few minutes.

[ckpr2]

I've always said the " He who pays the piper calls the tune ", .

That's my view too.
I have played what the client wanted and watched no one dance.
I have played until 4am to keep people happy.
Then got bogged down in snow drifts trying to get home.

I think its just a matter of taking the rough with the smooth as in life.

[djdj]

I will play just about anything for a client but to add one or two to Peter's list, Bryan Adams Everything I do, and Wet's Love is all around are deeply embedded in my scream if I have to play again pile!
:)
Journey don't stop ... nearly made it but still just bearable!
:o

[soundscapes]

I would add truly madly deeply by savage garden

[ukpartydj]

I don't really mind too much, if they like it then I tend to enjoy it as well. I didn't like OMI Cheerleader when I first heard it but once you see how much others enjoy it somehow it's alright!? Haha

[fullcontact68]

Only one song I'm sick of getting requests for, Silento - Watch me, and it's always from kids at family type events.

[Pe7e]

I shudder at the prospect of having to play Build Me Up Buttercup by the Foundations, I'm absolutely sick of hearing it, Ironically I used to quite like it back in the late 60s when it was first released.

[musicology]

That's my view too.
I have played what the client wanted and watched no one dance.
I have played until 4am to keep people happy.
Then got bogged down in snow drifts trying to get home.

I think its just a matter of taking the rough with the smooth as in life.

We all know that. But it doesn't stop that inner scream of "Oh no, not THIS again! :eek:

[yourdj]

Well this is true, but I would make an exception, anything by Adele.

Not that I get asked anyway:rolleyes:

:agree:

Have not really played Adele really that much anyway.
She does not really make good first dance material, she is missing a trick there if you ask me. :)

I don't really play cheesy dance tracks as thats on our 'ban list' which works wonders for marketing to people that also hate crap like that.
Don't mind the odd few, but all night long, come on!! :)

I really like Let it go, as it can really make a big impression on an otherwise dead night. Not a bad tune either if you like crap like that. Disney know how to do 2 things,

1: create fit cartoon characters and
2: do brilliant musical ballads.

17734

personally, I don't like ska really as it makes men turn into prats and the music structure/culture of it is just annoying. Some madness is OK etc.

[musicology]

I reckon "Let it go" is about as cheesy as it gets!

[funkymook]

I don't like ska really as it makes men turn into prats and the music structure/culture of it is just annoying. Some madness is OK etc.

The culture is annoying to you? In what way?

[DazzyD]

Songs that fall in to this discussion for me include The Best, I Will Survive and pretty much anything by Adele but especially Hello.


Macerena, Cha Cha Slide, Oops upside, Saturday Night, Aga bloody doo doo.


..
And you know, I could play those cheerfully every week.

Me, too! These are tracks that make people want to dance and I've always believed people dancing is a major part of what we as DJs do!! ;)


I will play just about anything for a client but to add one or two to Peter's list, Bryan Adams Everything I do, and Wet's Love is all around are deeply embedded in my scream if I have to play again pile!
:)
Journey don't stop ... nearly made it but still just bearable!
:o

I'm a big of Marti Pellow and the Wets but that is one track that does my head in. Give me Goodnight Girl, Sweet Little Mystery or Don't Want To Forgive Me any day of the week!


...

personally, I don't like ska really as it makes men turn into prats and the music structure/culture of it is just annoying. Some madness is OK etc.


The culture is annoying to you? In what way?

I'm waiting for the answer to this one, too! Ska is one of the very few genres that actually gets blokes (and I mean real blokey-blokes) up to dance. Or does Toby feel that the dancefloor should be exclusively the domain of "fit" ladies? ;)

[Nakatomi]

I think what Toby is referring to is the 'lad' element who'll turn into a gurning, pogoing , beer spraying glass smashing mass in the first bar of One Step Beyond. Morons, in other words.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Well done Toby!

You've just (intentionally or unintentionally) offended a whole load of us that love our SKA.

Cheers!

[funkymook]

I think what Toby is referring to is the 'lad' element who'll turn into a gurning, pogoing , beer spraying glass smashing mass in the first bar of One Step Beyond. Morons, in other words.

That’s ska culture then is it?

I suspect Toby has never been a to proper ska club in his life.

[ppentertainments]

I think what Toby is referring to is the 'lad' element who'll turn into a gurning, pogoing , beer spraying glass smashing mass in the first bar of One Step Beyond. Morons, in other words.
I normally find I am successful at achieving this with the likes of Jump Around, Song 2 and Chelsea Dagger. Good to have a backup incase Ska fails lol

[Nakatomi]

I normally find I am successful at achieving this with the likes of Jump Around, Song 2 and Chelsea Dagger. Good to have a backup incase Ska fails lol

Maybe I'm just lucky the vast majority of my crowds are quite civilised. Then again, the extortionate bar prices at the hotel probably have a lot to do with that.

As for men 'dancing', the blokes round my way don't seem to have any trouble getting onto the dancefloor. So much for it being the North eh ;)


That’s ska culture then is it?

I suspect Toby has never been a to proper ska club in his life.
I suspect a proper ska club clientele are a civilised bunch compared to the idiots who turn into beer spilling glass smashing buffoons when they hear a bit of Bad Manners or Madness :)

And another thing:

A lot of DJs are trying to sell themselves on how different to other DJs they are, yet when it comes down to it what a lot of customers seem to want is just another generic disco with 'the classics'. Is it just me or is that a dichotomy?

[Excalibur]

personally, I don't like ska really as it makes men turn into prats and the music structure/culture of it is just annoying.


I think what Toby is referring to is the 'lad' element who'll turn into a gurning, pogoing , beer spraying glass smashing mass in the first bar of One Step Beyond. Morons, in other words.

I suspect you're absolutely right.


That’s ska culture then is it?

No. The complete opposite actually, but as Justin says, that's what we often see as a result of playing Madness. Pavlovian response, really.
Funnily enough, I suspect that if the less accessible artists/tracks were played, the result would be very different.


I normally find I am successful at achieving this with the likes of Jump Around, Song 2 and Chelsea Dagger. Good to have a backup incase Ska fails lol
Some of the big indie songs ( Anthems? ) can have the response we're looking for with the lads. Seems to happen more and more nowadays.

[Daryll]

There are loads of songs I cringe if they are requested , but I am not there to play what I want, client is king ( and queen)

Daryll

[funkymook]

And another thing:

A lot of DJs are trying to sell themselves on how different to other DJs they are, yet when it comes down to it what a lot of customers seem to want is just another generic disco with 'the classics'. Is it just me or is that a dichotomy?

It doesn’t actually take much to be different to the majority of mobile DJ’s, a spell-checker and being able to string a sentence together automatically puts you ahead, add in basic customer service and you’re really flying high.

[yourdj]

I think what Toby is referring to is the 'lad' element who'll turn into a gurning, pogoing , beer spraying glass smashing mass in the first bar of One Step Beyond. Morons, in other words.

Yep thats what i meant. Few bad experiences at events and weddings, when it has ruined a lovely atmosphere and taken quite some time to get back, just for the sake of several completely drunk blokes dancing jumping all over the place and pushing people about. I feel the same about the harder punk scene and some of the indie culture (which i remember all too well), but i did not live through two of them, so can appreciate that. It is as you say the one genre that can get bloke blokes up, so I do play madness, specials etc. so a very valuable tool indeed and one I will rely heavily on if it works. A lot of girls like ska of course, so depends on the event. I just don't personally like the rhythm of it, which is the only thing, so not bad going really. :)



A lot of DJs are trying to sell themselves on how different to other DJs they are, yet when it comes down to it what a lot of customers seem to want is just another generic disco with 'the classics'. Is it just me or is that a dichotomy?

I have this discussion a lot with clients and can cope with any genre of music, so always like to see a different sort of set list, thats not too obscure. Most people understandably want a busy dancefloor (and don't want to sit feeling embarrassed all night), so opt for a please all safe option list, which is the classics. Often I try and challenge clients and still get the same old list of 1000 tracks circulated around their lists of 60.

For music loving clients, I tend to ask for 'thier list' and a generic list so i can dip in and out of each, depending on the moment. Makes my night more interesting if I can throw in some more obscure ones and the guests often really love it as its not 'the average wedding cheese'. Can go the other way though "whats this crap, play Bon Jovi". :)



I suspect Toby has never been a to proper ska club in his life.

i have seen quite a few ska bands (ska nights) in my time and not really enjoyed any of them. Don't know of any ska clubs in this area, but i have no doubt they exist? I know its not really proper ska, but they play ska music, but I used to promote for and went to pretty much every one of these guys events (I used to live with a couple of them). i still was not really in to the music back then (10 years ago). http://www.smerins.com

[funkymook]

Yep thats what i meant. Few bad experiences at events and weddings, when it has ruined a lovely atmosphere and taken quite some time to get back, just for the sake of several completely drunk blokes dancing jumping all over the place and pushing people about

So you call that ‘ska culture’ because you played a bit of Madness and a few idiots jumped around.

Would be interested to see what other ska tunes you put into your sets as you obviously know what you’re taking about.

[yourdj]

So you call that ‘ska culture’ because you played a bit of Madness and a few idiots jumped around.

Would be interested to see what other ska tunes you put into your sets as you obviously know what you’re taking about.

Well I don't, thats my point. I play the classics that everyone knows (Too much too young for example). Never had a client that has asked for 'loads of ska'. if I did I would get one of my other guys (a ska specialist) to do it. For the record I love reggae, which is a bit strange, but i did live in the Bahamas for a bit, so that would have influenced it. :)

Anyhow, i have said my bit. The point is that i don't like certain music, but will still play it as its not my place to have an opinion. :)

[funkymook]

Well I don't, thats my point. I play the classics that everyone knows. Too much too young for example. Never had a client that has asked for 'loads of ska'. if I did I would get one of my other guys (a ska specialist) to do it. For the record I love reggae, which is a bit strange, but i did live in the Bahamas for a bit, so that would have influenced it. ;)

So you know nothing about it, never play it yet feel qualified to slate the culture.

Thanks for clarifying :)

[yourdj]

Thanks for clarifying :)

Your so very :welcome1:

I will go and brush up on my Ska now as its clearly one of my musical weak points.
On that note there was a brilliant documentary on it the other day on the BBC. And yes I watched it. :)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueMDcBp5tQU

[Nakatomi]

Yep thats what i meant. Few bad experiences at events and weddings, when it has ruined a lovely atmosphere and taken quite some time to get back, just for the sake of several completely drunk blokes dancing jumping all over the place and pushing people about. I feel the same about the harder punk scene and some of the indie culture (which i remember all too well), but i did not live through two of them, so can appreciate that. It is as you say the one genre that can get bloke blokes up, so I do play madness, specials etc. so a very valuable tool indeed and one I will rely heavily on if it works. A lot of girls like ska of course, so depends on the event. I just don't personally like the rhythm of it, which is the only thing, so not bad going really. :)

Heh a very long time ago I couldn't get away with ska or reggae because of the rhythm. The 'bovver' stuff I'd rather leave well alone, like football songs. It's a while since I played Jump Around or Song 2 and when I do play stuff like that I choose my timing very carefully. I actually worked in one venue where it was banned outright, next to any Bad Manners & the only Madness track allowed was 'Our House'. Too much testosterone was the edict of the company MD. He was right of course, if my memory of the previous venue I played serves me right. Play that stuff, and prepare to flash the bouncer light a lot very soon to break up the spaghetti western fighting on the dancefloor :muppet: Ah how I don't miss those days.

[Excalibur]

A lot of DJs are trying to sell themselves on how different to other DJs they are, yet when it comes down to it what a lot of customers seem to want is just another generic disco with 'the classics'. Is it just me or is that a dichotomy?
Well nine times out of ten, we're going to go with the songs which please the maximum number of people. The tenth is the one where the customer wants a specialist in whatever genre they fancy.


It doesn’t actually take much to be different to the majority of mobile DJ’s, a spell-checker and being able to string a sentence together automatically puts you ahead, add in basic customer service and you’re really flying high.
Ooooooh!!!! :zip::zip::zip:




Anyhow, i have said my bit. The point is that i don't like certain music, but will still play it as its not my place to have an opinion. :)
No reason you can't have an opinion, Toby. That's perfectly permissible. Allowing that opinion to interfere with giving the audience what they want isn't.

[CRAZY K]

One Step Beyond

I actually play this whenever i get the chance if i want to really wind things up---but not with morons around--I wont and dont work for such people im glad to say.

It was requested in advance at a high end Wedding a few years ago--absolute winner.

i played it last year at a 60th ---ditto result :D:D:D

Sorry to hear you dont seem to have had much luck with it !!!!!

[yourdj]

Heh a very long time ago I couldn't get away with ska or reggae because of the rhythm.

Its not so bad now i think as heavy rock is so ingrained on the public now so people are used to hearing it (how many girls love Teenage dirtbag, for example); I love my late 90's/2000 punk classics set - Greenday is my favourite always creates such a "yeah" when you leave a little gap after the song before it. Must be 20 years old now?? :)

Would not listen to it at home mind you. Me and the baby start off the day at 6am with Therapy, The Rollins band, Faith no More and System of a Down, sends him to sleep every time. ;)

Funny you mention the rhythm as thats what I don't like about ska, is it syncopated or something along those lines?? I also can't stand trance/monotonous dance music (but love breakbeat) as its a continuous beat. Dared Sandstorm is an example, bet its lovely when your on drugs etc?? I would not know. :)


to interfere with giving the audience what they want isn't.

There must be a lot of DJ's that play their own thing and ignore reasonable requests etc. that they deem as crap.
Lost count the amount of times someone has asked for something random and its turned out the anthem of the evening. :)

[funkymook]

Just love that some DJ’s can’t get past Madness when talking about ska - that’s like being asked for reggae and putting UB40 on.

Happy to point people in the right direction if they need some ska advice...

[yourdj]

Happy to point people in the right direction if they need some ska advice...

Yes please, if your offering. That and 90's dance is one of my weaknesses really. Must be frustrating when people just think of one pop group when you mention a whole genre as thats all thats charted or remained a hit.

A top 10 or 20 would be ideal, although I assume thats already in that section? I love a lot of music around that time, especially most punk (that is not sex pistols type crap) & most heavy metal (plus ska type stuff like the Jam) so I am sure there is a lot I would like, looking at youtube videos always helps.

One that women also seem to love would also be very handy. :)

[funkymook]

Yes please, if your offering. That and 90's dance is one of my weaknesses really. Must be frustrating when people just think of one pop group when you mention a whole genre as thats all thats charted or remained a hit.

A top 10 or 20 would be ideal, although I assume thats already in that section? I love a lot of music around that time, especially most punk (that is not sex pistols type crap) & most heavy metal (plus ska type stuff like the Jam) so I am sure there is a lot I would like, looking at youtube videos always helps.

One that women also seem to love would also be very handy. :)


Never had a client that has asked for 'loads of ska'. if I did I would get one of my other guys (a ska specialist) to do it.)

He's probably your first choice for ska Toby as you can arrange a meet up with him, far better to chat and play some tunes than look at a playlist on a forum, gives you more of a feel for the tunes - let us know what he recommends.

Here’s a playlist a posted a while ago, plenty of NS and ska...

http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?40821-Bit-of-Ska-NS-etc

[CRAZY K]

Yes please, if your offering. That and 90's dance is one of my weaknesses really. Must be frustrating when people just think of one pop group when you mention a whole genre as thats all thats charted or remained a hit.

A top 10 or 20 would be ideal, although I assume thats already in that section? I love a lot of music around that time, especially most punk (that is not sex pistols type crap) & most heavy metal (plus ska type stuff like the Jam) so I am sure there is a lot I would like, looking at youtube videos always helps.

One that women also seem to love would also be very handy. :)

If anyone asked me for ska (very unlikely these days) I would immediately think back in the day Prince Buster ( dont call me scarface!) Al Capone ( got the single i used to play on vinyl somewhere) but then thats because I was a DJ in the 60s playing it at Youth Clubs in North London.

I remember always the Police raids where a collection of weapons were always found on the floor--and you think you have it tough these days :rolleyes:

I looked at a google search for ska and got very confused:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D dont bother would be my advice.

And even more confused looking at a CD entitled Best of Ska containing what we played in the late 60s as Reggae or even pop ---

Well maybe Bonanza Ska--a REAL Country and Western ska tune---:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Happy days!

[funkymook]

Well maybe Bonanza Ska--a REAL Country and Western ska tune---:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Happy days!

Carlos Malcolm & his Afro Jamaican Rhythms - I actually play that quite a bit if I’m doing a ska night, it’s great fun...

[gger4]

Macerena, Cha Cha Slide, Oops upside, Saturday Night, Aga bloody doo doo.

[CRAZY K]

Macerena, Cha Cha Slide, Oops upside, Saturday Night, Aga bloody doo doo.

if you think those are bad---last song requested by the Bride at Wedding before Xmas was Hi Ho Silver Lining by Black Lace.

The customer pays--I plays :D:D:D

[funktions]

Excuse me,

There are times when I feel you haven't really grasped the concept of Mobile Discos. You're not actually supposed to enjoy yourself, you're supposed to endure the pain like a man. It's character building, you know. ;)

.

endure the pain, wow .. umm soo many songs I can think of but I don't have the time to add them all..
one that springs to mind .. work .. and anything by drake . such dross would rather shut myself away in a room for a week with aga blody do do do playing.

I always enjoy myself, I may not be listening to the track being played but I love what I do..

[gger4]

if you think those are bad---last song requested by the Bride at Wedding before Xmas was Hi Ho Silver Lining by Black Lace.

The customer pays--I plays :D:D:D
:):):):):):):)

[theoloyla]

Chris De Burgh "Lady In Red" and Stevie Wonder "I Just Called To Say I Love You"

[Corabar Steve]

Chris De Burgh "Lady In Red" and Stevie Wonder "I Just Called To Say I Love You"
In fairness, one listen to either of those is enough to elicit the response.

[ckpr2]

I did an engagement gig a few years back.
All the kids wanted was me to play Barbie girl over and over again.

[CRAZY K]

I did an engagement gig a few years back.
All the kids wanted was me to play Barbie girl over and over again.

Reminds me of the 70s.

There was a novelty track called Johnny Reggae. Jonathan King produced it--is he still in prison :daft:

That got played one night at least 10 times.

its probably hard for people to understand these days---but it happened:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

I know--I was that DJ:D:D:D