Senior journalism major
“It’s going down. I’m yelling timber. You better move. You better dance!”
And so, at Kesha’s command, you dance. Even if you hate Pitbull’s monotone rapping style (really, does anybody love Pitbull?), it’s impossible to listen to “Timber” at a party without moving wildly. It’s got an easy beat, a catchy hook and endless repetition. It’s fun. And because it’s fun, “Timber” has been booming nonstop for the past few months, along with “Talk Dirty,” “Turn Down For What” and every Avicii song.
Party hosts and aspiring DJs put these songs on playlists because they assume they’re what everyone wants to hear. Maybe they’ll throw in some variety with a “crazy dope” dubstep remix, but for the most part, you know what you’re in for: another night of singing along to Pitbull and Kesha.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Please, I beg you: Next time your friends get together to dance and you’re in charge of the music, find a way to include the following essentials. I guarantee a successful, unique night of Pitbull-free fun.
Turn up the nostalgia. Surprise your guests with the seventh-grade dance classics. Drop “In Da Club” and watch in amazement as people party like it’s their birthday. Remind your friends that Sean Paul and Sean Kingston existed and that they still know all the words to “Temperature” and “Beautiful Girls.” Hit them with old-school Britney Spears, Usher and Beyoncé. Because back in 2005, we were sick of all these songs — but hearing them now is exhilarating. So bring ’em out. “Lose Control.” “1, 2 Step.” “Since U Been Gone.” Bring ’em all out. And don’t forget to play “Bring Em Out,” too.
Don’t be afraid to go further back in time. Nobody expects to hear “I Want You Back,” “Come On Eileen” or “Build Me Up Buttercup” in a South Campus Commons apartment or fraternity house basement. But nobody’s going to complain, either. If one of your friends does complain about “I Want You Back,” maybe you should reconsider that friendship.
If you’re trying to throw a true rager, stay away from these old-school Motown and classic rock gems. But if you’re throwing a party for a group of good friends, you should be willing to swap out some EDM for some sing-alongs.
KANYE, KANYE, KANYE. This theory is tried and true. Kanye always works. For car rides, barbecues, parties — whatever. As Will Ferrell would say, Yeezy just “gets the people going.” If you’re trying to hype people up, go with “Stronger,” “Black Skinhead” and “All Of The Lights.” If you’re looking for a joyous celebration, go with “Touch The Sky” and “Gold Digger.” If you’re having a calmer pregame, try “School Spirit” and “We Don’t Care.” Kanye never fails. Any successful social gathering needs a little bit of Yeezus.
Finally, don’t neglect pop. Just because songs such as “Timber” are overplayed doesn’t mean they aren’t good. Definitely include a solid chunk of recent tunes on your playlist — just make sure to diversify. With iTunes and Spotify, you can give your party a distinct flavor. If you just play Lorde, Avicii, Pharrell and Drake in a row, you might as well turn on the radio instead.
These suggestions aren’t foolproof, and their success definitely depends on the type of party you’re trying to have. But I’m willing to bet that by sprinkling some middle-school classics, some Jackson 5 and a ton of Kanye into your next playlist, your guests will be relieved they don’t have to keep yelling “timber” to have a good time.
Adam Offitzer is a senior journalism major. He can be reached at aoffitzerdbk@gmail.com.
