Wedding DJ Father-Daughter Dance Songs

As we continue to explore the different possibilities for Wedding DJ Dance Songs, along with The Bridal Party Introduction Songs, First Dance Songs, Mother-Son Dance Songs, Bouquet Toss Songs, Garter Toss Songs, Cake Cutting Songs and Last Dance Songs, it seemed time to list the most popular Father Daughter Dance Songs.

I have included two separate lists of Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Wedding DJs below. The first list of Father-Daughter Dance Songs is taken from WeDj.com, a resource I use and am an active member. This list of Father-Daughter Dance Songs is more traditional and based on popularity. The secod list of Father-Daughter Dance Songs is taken from various wedding forums of Briddes conversations abouttheir upcoming weddings. They are alittle more off the beaten path and represent the non-traditonal Father-Daughter Dance Songs, Brides and Fathers. The non-traditional Father-Daughter Dance Songs also have a music player for you to listen to the Father-Daughter Dance Songs. There is some overlap but I wanted to keep the lists intact as they were for you.

Wedding DJ Alternative Father-Daughter Dance Songs at Jersey Shore

Top 100 Wedding Father/Daughter Dance Songs

The following list represents the most popular wedding dance songs for father and daughter. It has been compiled from thousands of wedding requests, dynamically created by Gigbuilder, the most popular web-based event management system in the world.

Rank Song Title Song Artist Year Genre
1 The Way You Look Tonight Frank Sinatra 1964 Ballad
2 Wonderful Tonight Eric Clapton 1978 Ballad
3 My Girl the temptations 1965 Oldies
4 What A Wonderful World Louis Armstrong 1967 Ballad
5 Old Time Rock & Roll Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band 1978 Rock
6 When You Say Nothing At All Alison Krauss 1995 Country
7 How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) James Taylor 1975 Popular
8 Unforgettable Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole 1991 Ballad
9 My Wish Rascal Flatts 2006 Ballad
10 I Loved Her First Heartland 2006 Country
11 Stand By Me Ben E. King 1961 Oldies
12 I Hope You Dance Lee Ann Womack 2000 Ballad
13 Isn’t She Lovely Stevie Wonder 1976 Country
14 In My Life Beatles 1965 Oldies
15 My Little Girl Tim McGraw 2006 Country
16 Have I Told You Lately Rod Stewart 1993 Alternative
17 Tiny Dancer Elton John 1972 Oldies
18 Because You Loved Me Celine Dion 1996 Popular
19 Butterfly Kisses Bob Carlisle 1997 Alternative
20 Just The Way You Are Billy Joel 1978 Ballad
21 Over The Rainbow Israel Kamakawiwo’ole “Iz” 2003 Popular
22 Can You Feel The Love Tonight Elton John 1994 Ballad
23 You Are So Beautiful Joe Cocker 1975 Ballad
24 Could I Have This Dance Anne Murray 1980 Ballad
25 Make You Feel My Love Adele 2011 Popular
26 Love Me Tender Elvis Presley 1956 Ballad
27 I Will Always Love You Whitney Houston 1992 Popular
28 The Keeper Of The Stars Tracy Byrd 1995 Country
29 God Only Knows Beach Boys 1966 Oldies
30 You’re The Inspiration Chicago 1984 Oldies
31 Forever Young Rod Stewart 1988 Alternative
32 Daughters John Mayer 2004 Ballad
33 Unforgettable Nat King Cole 1943 Ballad
34 Landslide Fleetwood Mac 1975 Oldies
35 Through The Years Kenny Rogers 1982 Ballad
36 Wind Beneath My Wings Bette Midler 1989 Ballad
37 You’ve Got A Friend James Taylor 1971 Oldies
38 I Do (Cherish You) 98 Degrees 1999 Popular
39 My Cherie Amour Stevie Wonder 1969 Oldies
40 Colour My World Chicago 1971 Oldies
41 In My Daughter’s Eyes Martina McBride 2003 Ballad
42 Tupelo Honey Van Morrison 1972 Oldies
43 Thank You For Loving Me Bon Jovi 2000 Ballad
44 Moonlight Serenade Glenn Miller Orchestra 1940 Ballad
45 You Raise Me Up Josh Groban 2003 Popular
46 A Whole New World (Aladdin’s Theme) Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle 1992 Popular
47 The Way You Look Tonight Steve Tyrell 1999 Ballad
48 There You’ll Be Faith Hill 2001 Ballad
49 You Look So Good In Love George Strait 1983 Country
50 God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You N Sync 1998 Ballad
51 Memories are Made of This Dean Martin 1962 Oldies
52 Just Fishin’ Trace Adkins 2011 Country
53 You’ll Be In My Heart Phil Collins 1999 Popular
54 I Do (Cherish You) Mark Wills 1998 Country
55 Fire And Rain James Taylor 1970 Oldies
56 My Funny Valentine Frank Sinatra 1955 Ballad
57 I Turn To You Christina Aguilera 2000 Ballad
58 Dance With My Father Luther Vandross 2003 Ballad
59 Hero Mariah Carey 1994 Alternative
60 Father And Daughter Paul Simon 2002 Alternative
61 A New Day Has Come Celine Dion 2002 Club
62 Love Without End, Amen George Strait 1990 Country
63 There Goes My Life Kenny Chesney 2003 Ballad
64 He Didn’t Have to Be Brad Paisley 1999 Ballad
65 Tuxedo Junction Glenn Miller 1944 Ballad
66 Longer Dan Fogelberg 1980 Oldies
67 I Wish You Love Dean Martin 1959 Ballad
68 Then They Do Trace Adkins 2003 Country
69 The Blower’s Daughter Damien Rice 2003 Ballad
70 Over The Rainbow Eve Cassidy 1998 Ballad
71 Wild World Cat Stevens 1970 Oldies
72 Shower The People James Taylor 1976 Oldies
73 My Angel) Lullabye (Goodnight Billy Joel 1994 Popular
74 Drive (For Daddy Gene) Alan Jackson 2002 Country
75 Cinderella Steven Curtis Chapman 2012 Popular
76 Daddy’s Hands Holly Dunn 1986 Country
77 Daddy’s Little Girl Al Martino 1967 Ballad
78 Shining Star Manhattans 1980 Popular
79 Surfer Girl Beach Boys 1963 Oldies
80 True Love Ways Buddy Holly 1958 Oldies
81 Memories Elvis Presley 1984 Ballad
82 Angels Among Us Alabama 1994 Country
83 She Elvis Costello 1999 Ballad
84 You Belong To Me Duprees 1960 Oldies
85 You Decorated My Life Kenny Rogers 1979 Country
86 I’m Your Angel R. Kelly & Celine Dion 1998 Alternative
87 Loving You Elvis Presley 1957 Ballad
88 Not Yet A Woman I’m Not A Girl Britney Spears 2002 Ballad
89 You Can’t Hide Beautiful Aaron Lines 2002 Ballad
90 Kind & Generous Natalie Merchant 1998 Alternative
91 Love Of My Life Brian McKnight 2001 Ballad
92 The Most Beautiful Girl Charlie Rich 1973 Country
93 Times Of Your Life Paul Anka 1976 Country
94 Daddy Beyonce 2003 R&B
95 Stealing Cinderella Chuck Wicks 2008 Country
96 Little Miss Magic Jimmy Buffett 1981 Ballad
97 That’s My Job Conway Twitty 1987 Country
98 Daughter Loudon Wainwright III 2012 Popular
99 The Wedding Song Captain & Tennille 1977 Ballad
100 Blessed Elton John 1995 Popular

Classic Rock Ballads and Hard Rock for The Rockin’ Dads and Brides Father-Daughter Dance Songs:

Wedding DJ Alternative Father-Daughter Dance Songs

  • Led Zepplin’s “Thank You” (hear it)
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” (hear it)
  • Rolling Stones’ “She’s a Rainbow” (hear it)
  • The Cars’ “Just What I Needed” (hear it)
  • Warrant’s “Heaven” (hear it)
  • Neil Young’s “Here for You” (hear it)
  • Bruce Springsteen’s “When You Need Me” (hear it)
  • Queen’s “You’re My Best Friend” (hear it)
  • Guns and Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (hear it)
  • Staind’s “Zoe Jane” (hear it)
  • Tom Petty’s “American Girl” (hear it)

Contemporary Sentimental, but Not Overdone Father-Daughter Dance Songs:

Wedding DJ Alternative Father-Daughter Dance Songs

  • Loudon Wainwright’s “Daughter” (hear it)
  • Five for Fighting’s “100 Years” (hear it)
  • World Party’s “She’s the One” (hear it)
  • 10,000 Maniacs’ “How You’ve Grown” (hear it)
  • Natalie Merchant’s “Kind And Generous” (hear it)
  • The Cary Brothers’ “Blue Eyes” (hear it)
  • Wilco’s “My Darling” (hear it)
  • Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” (hear it)
  • Amos Lee’s “Sweet Pea” (hear it)
  • Eva Cassidy’s “True Colors” (hear it)

Softer Rock Classics Father-Daughter Dance Songs:

Wedding DJ Alternative Father-Daughter Dance Songs

  • Tom Petty’s “Wildflowers” (hear it)
  • Bad English’s “When I See You Smile” (hear it)
  • Journey’s “Lights” (hear it)
  • Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are” (hear it)
  • Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” (hear it)
  • Carol King’s “Child of Mine” (hear it)
  • The Byrds’ “Turn, Turn, Turn” (hear it)
  • Paul Simon’s “Father and Daughter” (hear it) or “You Can Call Me Al” (hear it)
  • Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” (hear it)
  • James Taylor’s “You’ve Got A Friend” (hear it)
  • Joe Cocker’s “Darling Be Home Soon” (hear it)
  • Fleetwood Mac’s “Songbird” (hear it) or “Landslide” (hear it)
  • The Beatles’ “Across the Universe” (hear it) or Rufus Wainwright’s version
    (hear it)
  • Another Beatles selection, “In My Life” (hear it)
  • Lulu’s “To Sir With Love” (hear it)
  • Gram Parsons’ “A Song for You” (hear it)
  • Bread’s “Daughter” (hear it)
  • Jimmy Buffett’s “Little Miss Magic” (hear it)
  • Spiral Staircase’s “I Love You More Today Than Yesterday” (hear it)
  • Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” (hear it)

Classics from The ’40s and ’50s Father-Daughter Dance Songs:

  • Ray Charles’ “Ain’t That Love” (hear it)
  • The Rays’ “Silhouettes” (hear it)
  • Frankie Avalon’s “Bobby Sox to Stockings” (hear it)
  • Elvis’ “The Wonder of You” (hear it)
  • Sam Cooke’s “Nothing Can Change This Love” (hear it)

Crazy and Funky Father-Daughter Dance Songs:

  • Steppenwolf’s “Born to be Wild” (hear it)
  • Voltaire’s “Goodnight Demonslayer” (hear it)
  • Any version of “You Are My Sunshine,” particularly the Johnny Cash version (hear it)
  • “Time Warp” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show (hear it)
  • LOTS from The Vitamin String Quartet. Try Sweet Child O’ Mine (hear it) or “Don’t Stop Believing” (hear it)
  • Kermit’s “The Rainbow Connection” (hear it)

Country Dads and Brides at Heart Father-Daughter Dance Songs:

Wedding DJ Alternative Father-Daughter Dance Songs

  • The Bellamy Brothers’ “Let Your Love Flow” (hear it)
  • Kenny Chesney’s “There Goes My Life” (hear it)
  • John Fogerty’s “I Will Walk With You” (hear it)
  • The Judds’ “Love is Alive” (hear it)
  • Rascal Flatts’ “My Wish” (hear it)
  • Dixie Chicks’ “Lullaby” (hear it)

Alternative Dads and Brides Father-Daughter Dance Songs:

David Bowie Wedding DJ Alternative Father-Daughter Dance Songs

  • Yo La Tengo’s “You Can Have It All” (hear it)
  • David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” (hear it)
  • “Standing” from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical, sung by Tony Head
    (hear it)
  • The Dropkick Murphy’s “Forever” (hear it)

And the Strangest (but cool) Suggestions Father-Daughter Dance Songs:

  • Randy Newman’s “Short People” (hear it)
  • Jonathan Coulton’s “Re: Your Brains” (hear it)
  • Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five’s “Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens”

Many great Father-Daughter Dance Songs to choose from! What are your favorites or you used at your Wedding?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Ask about my Rhode Island Wedding DJ & Rhode Island Party DJ Guarantee!

Top 50 DJ Wedding Last Dance Songs

The Wedding Last Dance Songs are not as popular as The Bridal Party Introduction Songs, First Dance Songs, Father-Daughter Dance Songs, Mother-Son Dance Songs or Cake Cutting Songs but they are still an essential component of many Weddings.  The Wedding Last Dance Song can be that moment when The Bride and Groom acknowledge what has just taken place and maybe even what is next for them.

 

The Weding Last Dance Song can be fast, slow or a combination fo fast ands slow like Donna Summer – Last Dance or Billy Medley & Jennifer Warnes – (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life, which both start slow and become uptempo songs along the way. It can also be a Party Song for your Wedding Last Dance like Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’, Green Day – Time Of Your Life (Good Riddance), Garth Brooks – Friends In Low Places or Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline that all your friends and family can join in celebrating the moment with you.  Some Brides and Grooms prefer a nice quiet, still Wedding Last Dance Songs like Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight, Norah Jones – Come Away With Me or Lonestar – Amazed. One of my favorite Wedding Last Dance Songs is Jack Johnson – Better Together. I think it has such a nice vibe and feeling to end your special night!

Top 50 Wedding Last Dance Songs - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

The following are the Top 50 Most Requested Wedding Last Dance Songs for 2011 as compiled by DJ Intelligence

  1. Michael Buble – Save The Last Dance For Me
  2. Billy Medley & Jennifer Warnes – (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life
  3. Donna Summer – Last Dance
  4. Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’
  5. Semisonic – Closing Time
  6. Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight
  7. Taylor Swift – Today Was A Fairytale
  8. Etta James – At Last
  9. Green Day – Time Of Your Life (Good Riddance)
  10. Billy Joel – Piano Man
  11. Frank Sinatra – New York, New York
  12. Louis Armstrong – (What A) Wonderful World
  13. Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline
  14. Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On
  15. Sister Sledge – We Are Family
  16. Norah Jones – Come Away With Me
  17. Ray Lamontagne – You Are The Best Thing
  18. AC/DC – You Shook Me All Night Long
  19. Eddie Money – Take Me Home Tonight
  20. Brad Paisley – Then
  21. Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling
  22. Garth Brooks – Friends In Low Places
  23. Aerosmith – I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing
  24. Chris Brown – Forever
  25. Spaniels – Goodnight Sweetheart
  26. Daft Punk – One More Time
  27. Dave Matthews Band – You And Me
  28. Don McLean – American Pie
  29. Big & Rich – Lost In This Moment
  30. Natalie Cole – This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)
  31. Iz – Over The Rainbow
  32. Jason Mraz – I’m Yours
  33. Shania Twain – From This Moment On
  34. Bon Jovi – Livin’ On A Prayer
  35. Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli – Time To Say Goodbye
  36. Journey – Faithfully
  37. Rascal Flatts – Bless The Broken Road
  38. Frank Sinatra – The Way You Look Tonight
  39. George Strait – I Cross My Heart
  40. Ray Charles – Hit The Road Jack
  41. Rusted Root – Send Me On My Way
  42. Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – I’ve Had The Time Of My Life
  43. Jay-Z ft Mr. Hudson – Young Forever
  44. Beatles – All You Need Is Love
  45. Cascada – Evacuate The Dance Floor
  46. Edwin Mccain – I Could Not Ask For More
  47. Rihanna – Don’t Stop The Music
  48. Michael Franti & Spearhead – Say Hey (I Love You)
  49. Jack Johnson – Better Together
  50. Lonestar – Amazed

Which are your favorite Wedding Last Dance Songs and which surprised that were not added to the list by DJ Intelligence?

The Bride and Groom Wedding Last Dance Song at The Mill on Jersey Shore

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ 

Ask about my Rhode Island Wedding DJ & Rhode Island Party DJ Guarantee!

The Police Began Recording First Album Today

With a budget of only £1,500 borrowed from Stewart Copeland’s brother Miles Copeland III, The Police started recording their debut album at Surrey Sound Studios, Surrey, England with producer Nigel Gray. The album ‘Outlandos d’Amour’ which was released in November of this year featured the hits ‘So Lonely’, ‘Roxanne’ and ‘Can’t Stand Losing You’.

 

The Police originally formed due to a lack of success to the previous formation with Henry Padovani as guitarist. The second formation included Andy Summers, formerly of Eric Burden & The Animals. They toured as a four-piece band before they determined that Padovani was not wanted as guitarist, in favor of a three-piece ensemble.  In the post-Punk, Progressive Rock era, a three piece band was not common. This was a big risk for The Police.

 

They started with the now-famous bleach-blond hair when they were hired for a TV commercial that never aired needing them to be blonde. They decided after positive response from audiences to remain blonde.

 

Sting (Gordon Sumner), was initially a Jazz and Rock bassist, was not able to contribute to the writing early on due to his lack of knowledge of Punk Rock Music. Stewart Copeland was left to the songwriting duties in the beginning.

 

“The band has won a number of music awards throughout their career, including six Grammy Awards, two Brit Awards—winning Best British Group once, an MTV Video Music Award, and in 2003, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Police have sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, and were the world’s highest-earning musicians in 2008, thanks to their reunion tour.” Wikipedia

Fun Wedding Party at The Mill on The Jersey Shore with The Police and Rhode Island Wedding DJ

“Although they existed for just over six years, the band’s contribution to the lexicon of rock was immense. They were the first band to fully integrate the no-nonsense approach of punk rock and the spirit-moving positive energy of reggae. Having sold an excess of 50 million albums worldwide, The Police had phenomenal chart success and won a multitude of accolades both public and critical, but they never allowed such peripherals to overshadow their commitment to the music itself. The band’s history bears that out from the beginning to end, providing a clear, concise picture of a musical group that took us on a short but unforgettable trip through the inner reaches of its soul – and let us have a great time in the process.” ThePolice.com

The Police Roxanne Music Video

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ 

Snow and Gorgeous Fun Wedding at Highlawn Pavilion

It was a gorgeous Saturday Night closing out 2012 with a Fun Wedding and a great Bride and Groom. When I had first met with the Bride and Groom, the Bride smiled sheepishly and said, “Michael, I would be so happy if somehow it snowed really big flakes the morning of our Wedding, but not so much that it makes my friends and family not be able to attend our Fun Wedding. I think it would be so beautiful here at The Highlawn Pavilion to have thr grounds covered in snow!”

 

I laughed at the time at what seemed like a peculiar request. On the morning of their Fun Wedding, it snowed huge flakes and she was correct, it looked stunning at The Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange, New Jersey. When I drove in through the twisting road into Eagle Rock Reservation, where Highlawn Pavilion is nestled, I smiled from ear to ear as I approached the lights and snow-drifts. It looked like something out of a magazine. The New York City skyline in the background only added to the magical Winter landscape. I knew we were in for a special night, and I was correct this time.

 Simple and Elegant Fun Weddings are My Favorite

Everything went perfect, as they typically do in well-managed venues like The Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange. Of course, the Bride looked amazing and so did the Groom! I am still a fool when it comes to simple and elegant Weddings. I know it is trendy to go over-the-top with Weddings these days, but for me, simple and elegant Fun Wedding are the my favorite.

 

From their First Dance at Fun Wedding:

Gorgeous Fun Wedding First Dance at Highlawn Pavilion with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Friends having fun at Fun Wedding:

Man Having Fun Dancing at Gorgeous Fun Wedding at Highlawn Pavilion with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

The Groom getting down with an old friend at Fun Wedding:

Groom and Friend Dancing at Gorgeous Fun Wedding at Highlawn Pavilion

The Bride Partying with Friends and Family too at Fun Wedding:

Bride and Friends Dancing at Gorgeous Fun Wedding at Highlawn Pavilion

The Bride and Groom were not the only romance going on that night at Fun Wedding:

Beautiful Man and Woman Dancing at Gorgeous Fun Wedding at Highlawn Pavilion

And the young couples were not the only ones enjoying the gorgeous Wedding Night at Fun Wedding:

Man and Woman Dancing at Gorgeous Fun Wedding at Highlawn Pavilion

And the partying at the Gorgeous Wedding went till they asked us to shut-down at Fun Wedding:

Dancing at Gorgeous Fun Wedding at Highlawn Pavilion

Finally, the joy and celebration expanded with Friends and Family sharing the gorgeous Fun Wedding Night together:

Friends and Family Dancing at Gorgeous Fun Wedding at Highlawn Pavilion

But they asked for one more song to dance at the gorgeous Fun Wedding, so we honored their request:

Friends and Family Dancing at Gorgeous Fun Wedding at Highlawn Pavilion

What a beautiful and gorgeous Fun Wedding Night!

About Highlawn Pavilion, a Fun Wedding Venue:

Situated at the top of Eagle Rock Reservation, the building today known as Highlawn Pavilion, and the property around it, has a storied past.

“In 1909, an open masonry shelter affixed with a series of arches dubbed “the casino” was built on the crest of the Reservation and to this day serves as the bones of the structure that is Highlawn Pavilion.

The term “casino” refers to an Italian style county dwelling or summer house. As the Reservation became a popular spot where week-enders congregated the Italian term proved to be an accurate description.

Automobile enthusiasts of that period held races up the cobblestone roadway of Eagle Rock Avenue with the finish line in Eagle Rock Park, near where Highlawn is situated today.

After years of neglect, the casino was acquired by the Knowles family whose extensive renovation resulted in the creation of the restaurant known today as Highlawn.”

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Multicultural Wedding DJ for Indian-French Canadian Wedding

Tomorrow I get the opportunity as Multicultural Wedding DJ for an Indian Bride and a French Canadian Groom. This will be the first time I am Multicultural Wedding DJ for this specific Bride and and Groom pairing. As a Rhode Island Multicultural Wedding DJ, I often to get create extraordinary Weddings for all kinds of Brides and Grooms. I relish the chance to participate in such an important event. We have had fun collaborating on creating their playlist and amazing Wedding night together. They live in Montreal, Canada and the wedding is being held at The Mirage in Edison, New Jersey. Edison, New Jersey has a very vibrant community of Indian-Americans and probably the best and most authentic Indian cuisine in New Jersey.

Indian Women Dancing with Multicultural Wedding DJ Mystical Michael

The Mirage is beautiful and excellent venue to hold a Wedding or Party if you want authentic Indian Cuisine and atmosphere.

From The Mirage website:

“A grand porch, long enough to park the longest limo, welcomes you gracefully.  Onyx and granite waterfalls great your guests and amber crystals light the way. It is no illusion. This is the elegant and beautiful MIRAGE.”

 Rhode Island Multicultural Wedding DJ

One of the fun and interesting aspects of preparing for this wedding as the Multicultural Wedding DJ, has been the new music that I have been turned-on to by the Bride and Groom. They have very diverse and eclectic taste in music like I do. The Bride and Groom have selected many french songs from Canada, France, Mali and other French-speaking regions of Africa. The Wedding Ceremony will be a traditional Hindi Wedding. The Cocktail Hour will be predominantly Jazz Vocalists like Nat King Cole, Edith Piaf, Louis Armstrong and Astrud Gilberto, among others. The Reception will feature music from India, Canada, Africa, Europe, Asia and of course, The United States.

 

Should be a fun night as a Rhode Island Multicultural Wedding DJ!

Women Dancing with Rhode Island Multicultural Wedding DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Winter Wedding DJ at Highlawn Pavilion

This Saturday Night I will be Wedding DJ & MC for a really nice couple at The Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange, New Jersey. It is a fabulous venue that overlooks Northern New Jersey and New York City! Highlawn Pavilion is situated on Eagle Rock Reservation. I remember when I was younger and lived in West Orange, we used to go to Eagle Rock Reservation for its amazing views, fresh air and tress. I still go for a walk there when I am in the area and enjoy looking at New York City from so far away and see it so clearly.

Wedding at Highlawn Pavilion View of New Jersey & New York City with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Rhode Island Wedding DJ at The Highlawn Pavilion

I remember in December of 1986, when The Highlawn Pavilion first opened its doors. We knew it was a special place and were so glad to see it renovated and made into such an elegant and simple venue for Weddings, Parties and Events with Wedding DJs. This from their website:

“Situated at the top of Eagle Rock Reservation, the building today known as Highlawn Pavilion, and the property around it, has a storied past.

In 1909, an open masonry shelter affixed with a series of arches dubbed “the casino” was built on the crest of the Reservation and to this day serves as the bones of the structure that is Highlawn Pavilion.

The term “casino” refers to an Italian style county dwelling or summer house. As the Reservation became a popular spot where week-enders congregated the Italian term proved to be an accurate description.

Automobile enthusiasts of that period held races up the cobblestone roadway of Eagle Rock Avenue with the finish line in Eagle Rock Park, near where Highlawn is situated today.

After years of neglect, the casino was acquired by the Knowles family whose extensive renovation resulted in the creation of the restaurant known today as Highlawn.”

 

I always look forward to all my Weddings as a professional Wedding DJ and Party DJ, but in venues like the Highlawn Pavilion, it is even more exciting to be the Wedding DJ. The Bride and Groom are very nice people and have put together a really interesting and fun playlist of music for their Cocktail Hour and Reception. It is a creative mix of Contemporary Jazz, Classic Rock, Hip Hop, Love Songs, Pop, Dance and some Rat Pack Music! Should be a fun night for this Wedding DJ!

 

I also am glad we received some snow to add to the atmosphere of the Winter Wedding. Winter Weddings have a feel all their won that is distinctly ‘Wintery’. There is the freshness in the air that is unique to Winter.

Can’t wait!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ puts Away Christmas Music For The Year

It is December 26th and time to file away Christmas Music till nest year. There will be a few requests throughout 2012 but for the most part, Christmas Music will rest till nest year at this time. I find this such a strange ritual each year. We play and listen to Christmas Music intensely for a short period of time and the it just goes away.

Other Holidays have a few songs that we identify directly with that day. There are a couple of songs that are expressly New Year’s Music but not like Christmas. Valentine’s Day does not have its own music but certainly there is a heavy emphasis on love and and romantic songs. Holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Martin Luther King Day do not have songs that are truly made for them. There are occasional songs that a marching band may play to honor these Holidays. The Forth of July will have its share of American songs that bands will play primarily on that day but Christmas is different in this regard.

I think we lose enjoyment of Christmas Music due to overplay at stores & radio.

We do not get to choose the ones we like versus the ones we don’t, they are just played everywhere day and night. Last week something caught my attention and has been on my mind. I was doing some shopping for gifts in an art gallery in New Hope, PA. The owners and employees were Jewish and they were playing constant Christmas Music during my visit to their shop. It struck me how odd that must be to feel like as a shop owner that you need to play Christmas Music whether you believe in Christmas or not if you want to have a successful Holiday retail season. I wonder how that must feel to ‘act’ like you are part of something, just to make your income for the year?

Are there any other Holidays or traditions that retail stores need to follow the musical trend or get left out of the customer support?

DJ Christmas Music

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

 

Hey DJ: Only Play Good Music

“Hey DJ, Only Play Good Music!”

I hear this statement all the time. It is actually kind of funny really. My response changes depending on mood, situation, individual and circumstances.  The truth is that there is no such thing as ‘good music’ or ‘bad music’. Music quality generally is a subjective determination. While one person thinks Kenny Chesney is the best, the next may hate Country Music and think he sounds awful. The next guy may be a total fan of The Ramones but someone who thinks Punk Rock is just loud noise will surely not think The Ramones are ‘good music’ would they? The young woman who adores Michael Buble will not necessarily find agreement from listeners of R&B, Rap or Hip Hop would they? Certainly, very few Classical or Baroque Music collectors will run out to buy the new Ke$ha record the day it hits the stores. How many Jazz Musicians do you think find Usher or Rihanna ‘good musicians’? I think you get the point. I won’t bore you any further with continuing this list of potential music genre contradictions. It does not matter what genre or style we are talking about; Disco, Soul, Reggae, Reggaeton, Pop, Oldies, Motown, Classic Rock, House, Trance, Trip Hop, Merengue, Bachata, Soca, Bollywood, African, K-Pop, J-Pop or anything else. Somebody loves it and somebody hates it.

 

So, what is good music?

 

Simple. Good music is music that you like. It rarely has anything to do with quality, technical ability or how well the songs are written. Most of the time it is what you like and nothing more or less. This is not a bad thing or a good thing, just what is. I realize some people may get offended by this but I believe it is true.  Here is an example of an experience I had about a decade ago.

Me and some guys were sitting around talking one day. A guy I had just met shared that he was a guitarist and music was his life. I immediately sat-up wanting to join the conversation, since obviously I love music and it too is a significant part of my life.

“What kind of guitarist are you and what genre do you play” I asked.

“I am a Blues guitarist and I play Blues and Rock Music.”

“Cool. Who are your influences?”

“Eric Clapton is why I became a guitarist at age fifteen and why I still play today.”

“Wow. I too like Eric Clapton. But what specifically inspired you about him that got you to pick-up the guitar?”

“I think he is the best guitarist that ever lived. That is why I started playing guitar.”

“The greatest guitarist that ever lived? That is a bold statement.” I paused before proceeding, “Were you able to play Eric Clapton when you were in high school?’

“Yes, it didn’t take me too long, since I have listened to him from childhood.”

“Did any of your friends play Clapton in high school as well?”

“Yeah, we were all musicians and loved Clapton. We all played his stuff to a T.”

“If all of you could play his stuff to a T in high school, how can he be the greatest guitarist that ever lived?”

“What do you mean?”

“If he was the greatest guitarist that ever lived, no one would be able to play his stuff and certainly not a bunch of high school students. Right?”

“I never thought about it that way.” He thought for a second, “Humm. I guess that makes sense.”

 

Our conversation went on for a while longer with others joining in and adding their two cents. Again, I think you get the point. I think this is a perfect illustration of musical tastes are predominantly subjective and that is fine. The problem arises when people tell other people their musical taste is “good” or “bad” since so few of us are trained enough in music to know the difference between the ultra-talented and those who can hold a note and play basic chords. Again, this is totally fine. There is nothing wrong with having your own taste in music or any form of artistic expression for that matter. We all need to respect each others musical taste just like every thing else. There is plenty of music I love that is just fun, with little musical skill or talent. Fun music has its place and is an art form of its own and needed. There is also lots of dance music I enjoy just to dance to that I would never listen to at home or in the car. Does that make it ‘bad music’?

What Is Good Music?

I invite you to hesitate for a moment before you yell at the professional DJ at a Wedding, Party or Event, “Hey DJ, play some good music for a change”. It is possible he is playing ‘good music’, just not what you think is ‘good music’. In fact, it may even be that eighty percent of the people at the Wedding or Party love the music he or she are playing already. In addition, it is also possible that they too do not like the music they are playing and just doing an excellent job as a professional DJ of meeting the needs of the Bride, Groom or Party Planner that hired them. Generally speaking, only DJs under the age of twenty-five or twenty-seven play music they like exclusively. Most good, professional adult DJs play music that they are hired to play, not what they want to hear. I listen to the music I like on the way to the Wedding, Party or Event, on my way home or when I get home. Your money is not for me to hear my music  at your event, but your music at your event. This is one of the primary differences between a good professional DJ, and an amateur DJ who is doing it just for fun, popularity, sex or to be cool.

Do you agree that musical taste is mostly subjective? Is there something that qualifies as ‘good music’ regardless of the listener’s personal taste?

Beautiful Fun Women Dancing to Good Music with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Let It Be. Is it Still Not Time Yet?

Due to the recent events locally and globally of violence and more violence, I keep coming back to “Let It Be”, The Beatles Classic song. I know it can be overused but that does not take away from its value and profoundness. “Let It Be” was written by Paul McCartney but credited to Lennon-McCartney, as were other Beatles songs written by either Paul McCartney or John Lennon.

The Single version includes orchestration and backing vocals overdubbed on 4 January 1970—under the supervision of Martin and McCartney—with backing vocals that included the only known contribution by Linda McCartney to a Beatles song. There was the album version for the album of the same name Let It Be, the Single version, the Anthology Version and The Naked Version of the song.

 Paul’s mother had told him “It will be all right, just let it be.”

The song came to Paul McCartney during the very intense period around the recording of The White Album. Paul claims that he was thinking of his mother often then. His mother, Mary, died when Paul was fourteen. He was referring to her and felt like he connected with her when he references “Mother Mary”. He later said, “It was great to visit with her again. I felt very blessed to have that dream. So that got me writing ‘Let It Be’.” He also said in a later interview about the dream that his mother had told him “It will be all right, just let it be.”

 

“Let It Be” was the last song released as a single before Paul’s announcement to leave The Beatles. John Lennon had already done so before this time. The song, “The Long and Winding Road” was actually released as a single after Paul’s decision to leave the band.

 

“Let It Be” reached number one on The Billboard Hot 100 Charts for two weeks in The USA but only number two in The U.K. It is interesting to note how many songs have achieved such greater success commercially but few over time as “Let It Be”.

The Beatles Let It Be Music Video

Personally, there are only a handful of songs that touch and effect me as “Let It Be”. It is one of the songs that I reach for when needing inspiration, hope, direction and connection.

The Betles Icon Let It Be Rhode Island Wedding DJ

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Set Billboard Record

It was on this date in 1994 that the Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons song, “December, 1963(Oh What A Night) re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 Music Charts for a second run. It was originally released in 1976 when it charted as high as number one on Billboard’s Hot 100. each time the song stayed on the charts for twenty-seven weeks, totaling fifty-two weeks. Fifty-two weeks was the record at the time for the longest stay on Billboard Hot 100. The remastered version, which peaked at number fourteen was remixed by Dutch deejay and producer Ben Liebrand.

As a New Jersey native, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons are part of my childhood and musical history. They grew-up in the same neighborhood in Newark, NJ as my Mother did. She, her sister and my Grandmother all knew the original members of the band, The Four Lovers, which became Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons . Of course, there have been many folk tales about Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons in my family that I have no idea if are even remotely true:)

 

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame has stated that Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons group was the most popular rock band before The Beatles.  The Four Seasons (group members 1960–1966) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, and it joined the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons are one of the greatest selling vocal groups of all-time selling over 175 million records worldwide! Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons have five number one and three number three hits on The Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons December, 1963(Oh What A Night)

Jersey Boys, a musical play based on the lives of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons and directed by Des McAnuff, premiered at his La Jolla Playhouse and opened on November 6, 2005, to generally positive reviews and subsequently won multiple Tony Awards after its move to Broadway.

Fun Birthday Party with Rhode Island DJ and Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

Ask about my Rhode Island Wedding DJ and Rhode Island Party DJ Guarantee!