help deperately needed - dance music from 1969 to 1985!

[munky]

I'm organising a 40th birthday party (not for me, a few years off yet) and rather than hire a DJ I thought I'd pick my own music and plug in a laptop with iTunes running. The idea is to start with stuff from 1969 if there's anything appropriate then go through the '70s, '80s and so on that people can dance to. I'm probably ok from the mid '80s onwards, but earlier was before my time..

Some examples of the type of thing I'm after would be:
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons - Beggin'
Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons - The Night
Fifth Dimension - Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In - a song literally of two parts, the second part being better if you don't know it

Any ideas? Northern Soul would work, maybe motown, but what I don't want is cheese like Abba..

sorry if this is in the wrong forum, I'm not convinced the music forum would have the right audience for this particular request..

thanks!

[oilandwater]

Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine.

Anything by the Beatles, Rolling Stones.

Hated punk music so can't help there.

hth it's a start anyway.

[redtwin]

Look up the billboard charts for the appropriate years and then pick songs out.

Not sure what you consider dance music of the era as it wasn't really called that, well not as there is a dance genre as we have today. People just danced to whatever they liked!. I would suggest Disco, mainly because that is what I liked, but someone into rock and roll or Motown etc would probably disagree so its a bit hard to suggest anything in particular.

[ali_kat]

What is wrong with the cheese? Stuff like Abba will get a fair few in their 30s and 40s onto the dance floor!

[munky]

redtwin said:

Look up the billboard charts for the appropriate years and then pick songs out.

Not sure what you consider dance music of the era as it wasn't really called that, well not as there is a dance genre as we have today. People just danced to whatever they liked!. I would suggest Disco, mainly because that is what I liked, but someone into rock and roll or Motown etc would probably disagree so its a bit hard to suggest anything in particular.

Absolutely, it wasn't called dance as such but didn't want to narrow it down too much.. some disco would work, some is a bit pop-ish though. Something similar to the 3 songs I mentioned would be great.. I just want to avoid Abba and anything like 'grease lightning' at all costs!

I'm sure there will be some Stones and a small amount of Beatles and Bee Gees in there though.. Led Zep and Pink Floyd probably wouldn't work though. Maybe some Queen, Boney M.. The big names I know, it's more the obscure ones like Frankie Valli that could be the hidden gems!

So i'd say Disco plus Motown plus Northern Soul/Wigan Casino type stuff would be great.

[saleen836]

http://www.mygoldmusic.co.uk/sectional.asp?id=3369...

than click the links for the cd's that you can buy and it gives all the track listings!

[Simpo Two]

70s: Tiger Feet by Mud usually works.

[munky]

ali_kat said:

What is wrong with the cheese? Stuff like Abba will get a fair few in their 30s and 40s onto the dance floor!

I just can't stand Abba.. if someone puts mamma mia in the dvd player I tend to run out of the house screaming. So as I'm paying for the event and choosing the music I exercise my right to an "Abba Denied" rule

There will be cheese in the '80s section, it's rather hard to avoid it!

[munky]

saleen836 said:

http://www.mygoldmusic.co.uk/sectional.asp?id=3369...

than click the links for the cd's that you can buy and it gives all the track listings!

Now THAT is fantastic! I may even buy the CDs to make life easier. Another source of inspiration is iTunes playlists that people publish, and the iTunes Genius thingy is quite good too.

[Shaolin]

munky said:

Any ideas? Northern Soul would work, maybe motown, but what I don't want is cheese like Abba..
thanks!

Trust me - cheese at a birthday party is good!

70's - T.Rex, Sweet, Mud, Slade
80's - Dexy's, Human League, Soft Cell, Pet shop boys

That's what comes to mind immediately. Don't worry too much about being "cool", there are lots of old compilations around too "80's dance hits" and the like. My guess is feel-good is more important than cool

[munky]

Simpo Two said:

70s: Tiger Feet by Mud usually works.

Good thinking, I'd forgotten about Mud. It also made me think of the Stranglers for some reason, I'm sure one or two of their tracks would work. And some Blondie, maybe Bowie.

Definitely need some more early '70s.. Donna Summer? Pointer Sisters even..

[SPR2]

munky said:

Simpo Two said:

70s: Tiger Feet by Mud usually works.

Good thinking, I'd forgotten about Mud. It also made me think of the Stranglers for some reason, I'm sure one or two of their tracks would work. And some Blondie, maybe Bowie.

Definitely need some more early '70s.. Donna Summer? Pointer Sisters even..

Suzy Quatro? Bay City Rollers?

[munky]

SPR2 said:

munky said:

Simpo Two said:

70s: Tiger Feet by Mud usually works.

Good thinking, I'd forgotten about Mud. It also made me think of the Stranglers for some reason, I'm sure one or two of their tracks would work. And some Blondie, maybe Bowie.

Definitely need some more early '70s.. Donna Summer? Pointer Sisters even..

Suzy Quatro? Bay City Rollers?

Hello, I've got a Suzi Quatro 7" somewhere.. 'If you can't give me love'

Any song suggestions? I'm not familiar with their work other than that.. Although Bay City Rollers has just made me think of the Mamas and the Papas for some reason - did they do anything worthy of a dancefloor?

Just remembered Slade.. may be a place for them somewhere in the list. Glam Rock could work later on..

Edited by munky on Thursday 13th August 00:16

[Eric Mc]

Showaddywaddy.

Kenny (The Bump)

Slik (an early Midge Ure effort)

Any soul stuff from the Philadelphia contingent (George McCrea, The Three
Degrees, Van McCoy, Karl Douglas)

Gary Glitter and/or the Glitter Band (that should be good for a laugh - but the GG stuff from the early to mid 70s pop stuff was great for bopping to as a teenager).

Typically Tropical (Barbados (actually Mike Batt in disguise)

Speaking of Mike Batt - there's always the Wombles

The Beatles broke up in 1969/70 so you could only include stuff from their last year of recording. However, stuff like "Back in the USSR" or "Give Peace a Chance" might get them on the floor.

The Mamas and the Papas had disbanded by 1969. All their hits date between 1965 and 1968.

The Bay City Rollers had some dance floor hits too - "Bye Bye Baby (an old Four Seasons hit), e.g. "Keep on Dancing", "Shang A Lang", "Saturday Night", "All of Me Loves All of You".

Edited by Eric Mc on Thursday 13th August 08:31

[jet_noise]

Dear munky,

eek, I've been scarred for life by some of these toons - Typically Tropical, aargh.

Anyway don't be too worried about your music choice (although avoiding that record would be good), especially if you've got a bunch of friends who haven't seen each other for a while they'll be talking rather than listening/dancing...

...but since you asked
Of the Four Seasons offerings I'd go for December 1963 (oh what a night) or for the great rock bits, Who Loves You, yes in a pop/soul record before Slash was just a twinkle in M*chael J*cksons eye.
Suzi Quattro, probably Devil Gate Drive, one of the runners up to the greatest intros ever thread or Can the Can.
T Rex: Metal Guru
Jeff Beck: Hi Ho Silver Lining
Cockney Rebel: Make Me Smile (come up and see me)

back to work now, I'll think about early '80s later,

regards,
Jet

[Gareth350]

David Soul - Silverlady
KC & the sunshine band - Give it up
The Belle Stars - Sign of the times
Slade - Run Away - Cum on feel the noize
T-Rex - Bang a gong
Chas n Dave - Aint no pleasing you
Rolling Stones - Honkey tonk woman
Queen - Dont stop me now
Thin Lizzy - The boys are back in town
Spandau Ballet - Gold
Duran Duran - Rio - Reflex
Dexys Midnight Runners - Eileen

These always get everyone up & dancing & just the right era for a 40 year old!

Edited by Gareth350 on Thursday 13th August 10:32

[HiRich]

A few from my collection that will bring back forgotten memories (avoiding the more obvious choices) and get people dancing:
'70s
Barry White - Never never gonna give you up
The Whispers - And the beat goes on
Evelyn Champagne King - Love come down
Chic - so many to choose from
Ottawan - D-I-S-C-O (she is D-I-S-C-O)
Brass Conctruction - Movin'
Fatback - I've found lovin'
Rufus & Chaka Khan - Ain't nobody

'80s
MARRS
Alexander O'Neal - Saturday love
Freeze - Southern Freeze
FGTH - Relax
Gwen Guthrie - Ain't nothing goin' on but the rent
Heaven 17 - Temptation
Human League - Don't you want me
The Pasadenas - Tribute
S'Express - Theme/Superfly Guy/Hey Music Lover
Dee-Lite - Groove is in the heart
Soul II Soul - Keep On Movin'
Stereo MCs - Connected
Tears For Fears - Everybody wants to rule the world
Ten City - That's the way love is
Farley Jackmaster Funk - Love can't turn around

[Loaded1me]

Sly and the family stone:
I want to take you higher
Everyday people
M'lady
You can make it if you try
Dance to the music
Stand

plus many more.
Also check out Stax records, Isaac Hyes etc.

[ClintonB]

Well lost the first few I was going to suggest as it prompted a bit of a Youtube session, so I'll try again. Not in date order and just a few:


Stevie Wonder - Superstition & several others (although Superstition will always get some people on the floor, me for one)

Al Wilson - The Snake

Billy Ocean - Red Light

Jackie Wilson - Higher & Higher

David Ruffin - I Want You Back (a bit different & you can then go into Jackson 5 and MJ from there)

Jocelyn Brown - Somebody Else's Guy

Giorgio Moroder & Phil Oakey - Together In Electric Dreams

Terence Trent D'Arby - If You Let Me Stay (post '85, I know)

Colonel Abrams - Trapped 12"

New Order - Blue Monday

Style Council - Shout To The Top ???

Could play Irene Cara and see if any drunk bloke fancies doing a Robert Webb

Actually, I reckon you could end up having far more than you actually need!

Edited by ClintonB on Thursday 13th August 23:11

[Baby Huey]

Curtis Mayfield, Move On Up. Long version.

Detroit Emeralds, Feel The Need In Me.

Pigbag, Papa's got a brand new pigbag.

Talking Heads, Once in a lifetime.

Anything by Barry White.