Selecting Appropriate Music

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I have been a Stake DJ since I was 14 and called to the position. Since then, I have DJed dances and other Church activities.  Here is a guideline that was given to me when I first began to do music for dances, and it still applies to the music I use today.

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Stake Play List
Before you e-mail me about a particular song, I have checked songs I wasn't sure about with Stake Leaders.

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• Be sure the song does not use crude, profane or inappropriate language or undertones.  Even if a word is bleeped out, the people dancing or listening to the song will know what is being said or implied.
• Be sure the song does not support activities that we have been taught are wrong.  For example, the popular song, "Follow Me" is about leading a woman into an aduterous affair, and Nickleback's "How You Remind Me" mentions a drinking binge. Other topics would include unmarried sex, word of wisdom, etc.  If you are not sure about a song, use the "For the Strength of Youth" standards as your guide.
• A song should not reflect depression, suicidal thoughts, voilence, inappropriate behavior, or rebellion against parents or other authorities.
• A song should be DANCABLE!  Just because a song is appropriate and popular, doesn't mean you can dance to it! Remember the dance factor, be it fast or slow.
• A song should be approved by the dance committee or Stake youth leader before being played.  There have been many occasions where people have brought in their own music and asked to have a certain song played.  Usually, if you tell them the following, they will leave you alone:
1. If the song you want isn't on the play list, I can't play it.
2. Have the Stake President listen to it.  If he says it's okay, I will play it.  These approaches usually work.
The best thing I have done is to convert all of my music to MP3 format, so I can bring my computer and honestly tell them that I can't play the song without digitizing it first.  And, I can't do that and play the music at the same time... I LOVE TECHNOLOGY! ;o)
• A song should not take away from the Spirit at an activity.  This means some hard rock songs and some rap that are just too noisy or unintelligible to get anything out of it. Use your own discretion with this.
• Listening to the lyrics is the biggest chore, and the best thing you can do for a Church activity.  Making sure that music is appropriate and uplifting can make or break a dance.  You can still have decent music and have fun at the same time! 

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Some classic standard songs for dances:
(These are songs that get the most participation)

• Limbo Rock - Chubby Checker
• Conga - Miami Sound Machine
• The Bunny Hop (Download for free at MP3.com)
• The Chicken Dance (Download for free at MP3.com)
• YMCA - The Village People
• Hokey Pokey - Ray Anthony
• The Twist - Chubby Checker
• Jump, Jive and Wail - Brian Setzer Orchestra
• The Macarena
• Electric Slide - Marcia Griffiths
• Boot Scootin' Boogie - Brooks and Dunn
• Cotton Eye Joe - Rednex

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My own personal DJ formula

• If there are only a few people dancing to a song, fade out and go to another.
• Typical music ratio: 2 fast/1 slow or 3 fast/2 slow
• Have a playlist posted so requests don't begin with "Dou you have...".  Also provide paper and pen to write requests on.
• No dedications unless it is from or to a group of people.
• I have a karaoke player on the system, and that makes a nice way to break up "dead" time.
• Keep some of the classic stand-bys ready!  You never know when you're going to need to spice things up!
• Have just as much fun as the people on the dance floor!!!

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