With so much music for DJs available to download, it’s hard to know what songs to choose when you are DJing at a venue or event. Some songs, however, go over well regardless of the type of event or demographic of the crowd. Here is a list of just a few of the songs and genres of music that work well at a variety of different parties.

Group Dance Songs

Certain songs have group dances associated with them. When the DJ starts playing these songs, crowds head to the dance floor and perform the specific dance moves they’ve learned for the songs. Prime examples of these songs are “Cha Cha Slide” by Mr. C The Slide Man and “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid. Other examples of group dance songs are “Macarena” by Los Del Río, “Cotton Eyed Joe” by Rednex, and “Y.M.C.A.” by Village People. A newer song that has a group dance associated with it is “HOT TO GO!” by Chappell Roan.

Sing-a-Long Songs

When certain songs come on, guests will start spontaneously singing from the top of their lungs. Examples of these songs are “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey and “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond. These songs are also great to have if your DJ set includes karaoke. 

Hip Hop Favorites

For contemporary hip hop songs, “SICKO MODE” by Travis Scott ft. Drake is popular among a variety of demographics. “Mo Bamba” by Sheck Wes is another hit. For ’90s hip hop, “Big Poppa” by Notorious B.I.G. and “The Next Episode” by Snoop Dogg fill the dance floor. For those on the West Coast, “California Love” by 2Pac is a classic.

Latin Favorites

Classic Latin songs that are popular include “Suavemente” by Elvis Crespo and “La Vida Es Un Carnaval” by Celia Cruz. Guests often request reggaeton, for example, “Gasolina” by Daddy Yankee. Songs by Bad Bunny, such as “Tití Me Preguntó”, are very popular. For more Latin hits and classics, check out BPM Supreme’s Latino library.

Contemporary Pop/Top 40 songs

Some recent pop hits that go over well at a variety of parties include “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars, and “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran. “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams, and “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd are also hits. PNAU’s remix of “Cold Heart” by Elton John and Dua Lipa is another popular hit.

Kids’ Songs:

“Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift, with its upbeat, self-confident message, is a great song for kids’ parties. “Hey Ya!” is another great option, with a similar BPM and upbeat tempo. It can be easily blended with “Shake It Off” for a seamless transition.

Wedding Hits

“Perfect” by Ed Sheeran is a song that fits the mood and message of a wedding. “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers is a perfect song for cocktail hour. For cake cutting, “Cake by the Ocean” by DNCE is popular, and for the bouquet toss, “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé is a classic. “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire and “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang are multi-generational songs that work for the dance party during the reception.

Disco Songs

Disco is a great genre because it appeals to listeners young and old. “Dancing Queen” by Abba, “Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer, and “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, are classic songs from the disco era that still are popular at parties. Many songs by these artists continue to be popular. For example, “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” is another popular song by Abba. “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder is a precursor to EDM that crowds still love.

EDM Hits

Many EDM songs work well for parties, especially later in the event (sometimes after dinner has been served) when the crowd is ready to hit the dance floor. Due to their four-to-the-floor rhythm, EDM songs are easy to blend to create a continuous flow of dance music. EDM hits such as “We Found Love” by Rihanna and Calvin Harris, and “I’m Good” by David Guetta and Bebe Rexha, work well for most dance floors. 

’80s Music

The 1980s was a very special era of popular music when electronic technology merged with classic songwriting techniques. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson, “When Doves Cry” by Prince, and “Like a Prayer” by Madonna are great ’80s songs. Other danceable hits are “Take on Me” by A-ha and “Come on Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners.

Party Songs

Some songs simply make people want to party. “Low” by Flo Rida is an example, as well as most songs by Pitbull. “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira is another song people love to rock out to.

During the holiday season, there are songs that are particularly popular. Both classic and contemporary songs are often requested at holiday parties. BPM Supreme has a wide selection of holiday playlists for December and all year round.

Holiday Standards

Some holiday songs have been covered by multiple artists such as Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Gene Autry, and more. Holiday standards covered by many artists include “Let it Snow,” “Winter Wonderland,” “White Christmas,” “Home for the Holidays,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

Holiday Classics

Certain versions of holiday songs have gone over well among diverse crowds. These include “Last Christmas” by Wham!, “Little Saint Nick” by The Beach Boys, and “Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney.

Contemporary Holiday Songs

Arguably the most popular Christmas song is “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey. “Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber is another favorite.

New Year’s Eve Songs

“Auld Lang Syne” is a classic song that’s often played right when the clock strikes midnight. Additionally, DJs play “1999” by Prince for a perfect sense of groove and irony.

If you are unsure of what to play at your next party, refer to this article for some ideas. Of course, watch the crowd and feel how they are responding to these songs to guide your selection. Every crowd is slightly different, so reading the crowd in real-time and selecting songs accordingly is a great way to DJ.

About the Writer

Anna Awe is a DJ, producer, and singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, CA. She is passionate about helping DJs and artists use entrepreneurship and digital media to pave their own paths in the music industry.