100% play lists for DJ's are when the dj is supplied with a list of all the music to play during a party and the order in which it should be played. At First this might seem a good idea but here are my thoughts for thinking its not. Recently I saw an article in a Wedding magazine that said “If you want great music at your Wedding reception, don’t leave it to chance give the DJ a 100% play list”. This is a terrible idea for instance, I doubt anyone would say to the Limo driver “pull over here, I’ll drive” or to the photographer "give me the camera, I’m pretty good with the happy snaps”. DJs who say they love 100% usually don't have that much DJ experience and want to work with a safety net and let you to take responsibility for the night if it’s a flop. I’ve only ever used a 100% play list once and the party was a disaster.

Don’t believe me, then take this test. Sort through you music collection and work out a five hour play list. Note down all the tracks in the order you want to hear them and in two weeks time sit down and see just how many tracks you skip through because you get bored. Now imagine your friends and family listening to this list; and consider will this music make everyone want to get up and have a dance.

Music creates a mood, and the mood you are in today will be different in two weeks time. A party situation is far more complex than this; music will change the collective mood throughout the evening. The aim is to make sure these changes are positive ones. Pick a record, one with great lyrics, and has a deep meaning say for instance the biggest selling record of all time, Elton Johns candle in the wind 97 perhaps it may put a tear into peoples eyes but its never going to get anyone on the dance floor. Unfortunately a record like its raining men will usually create that up beat mood we are looking for. However lets not get carried away here I am not say playing the weather girls will pack a dance floor in fact in many cases it will have the exact opposite effect.

A good DJ will sense the changing moods throughout evening and try to create an emotional roller coaster that draws everyone together. No one would say Y.M.C.A is a great record but it often (not always) has a great effect in a party situation. Joining into a party dance reinforces a feeling of collective good will, we all know the tune may be naff but “it’s a party, lets have a laugh anyway.”

I’ve performed at thousands of different parties and know what happens on the night is unique, everyone brings something to a party and it’s impossible to predict what to play in advance. For example a few years back I was sent a list of about 50 club dance and trance type tracks requested for a wedding reception. No problem with that, as it was along party I still had some room to maneuver and I would have time to splice in about 30 other tunes. When I arrived I noticed most people were of quite senior years and I spoke to the groom about the list. He was a great bloke, and honestly thought anyone over thirty was past it, and only the youngsters would be doing any dancing. I suggested we make a few alterations to the list and see how it went. It was early on and I still had my 30 tunes so for the sake of variety put on a Neil diamond track. The old folk set aside their Zimmer frames and invaded the dance floor. The bride was dancing with the groom’s granddad and the groom with his new mother in law. The bride and groom knew their younger friends had something in common but they expected the two families to stay poles apart. The music changed the complexion of the evening and in a way the bride and groom had never expected.

Although I had nearly all of the 50 requested tracks, in the end  we only played about 10 and every one caused a walk off. However sometimes this is not a bad thing, People never dance all night, in a packed party usually the dance floor is refreshed by people joining and others leaving it. A party is not just about dancing but about social interaction, having a drink, a chat and a bit of a laugh. If there are fewer guests then as long as the timing is right, a walk off can give everyone a break and a chance to gather their energies for even more dance floor action later.

I've done 18th birthday parties when granny dancing to knees up mother brown has rocked the house. In a party situation a piece of music can set off a chain reaction, if there is one person who really likes a tune they can infect the whole crowd with their enthusiasm. This is something that can only ever be judged on the night because, on the dance floor things change so quickly.

Having said all this there are some exceptions, where long play lists that are almost 100% do work. Teenage disco Parties are the best example, Teenagers tend to like what they like and hate everything else. When I do a school Prom Night party I encourage the organisers to send me a list of requests. Often I receive a list so long it amounts to a 100% play list. Because everyone feels that they have ownership of the party they approach the evening with a more positive attitude. To conclude my thoughts on this matter, in general 100% play lists do not work but I do love request’s , about 10 to 30 is great. However for any DJ it is far easier to work with a 100% play list, so I don’t mind it’s your party you can have it your way.

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