I am making a playlist for a party next month. Nothing sophisticated. Just slapping together some danceable, sing-a-long songs for a bunch of drunks to stumble to.
I hope to conjure up a variety of memories; hokie middle school dances, slutty excursions to the club and unabashed dancing during household cleaning chores.
The main event will be live music via my amateur, punk-indie (and any other constricting label one can think of) band. A few friends will also play in their respective bands.
The playlist will be used in-between, before and after band sets. Really, it is an excuse to throw together music I like and obsessively run through it.
The secret to a good playlist is transitions.
It is those special moments, like when “Hello, Goodbye” by The Beatles starts to fade out and DJ Paul from Three-6 Mafia lets out a long, guttural “yeaaaah”. Or when Meg White of The White Stripes, stomps her bass through the end of a Dr. Dre song.
I have about six hours worth of music on the list. The party will require two hours, tops. But “better to be safe than sorry” an estranged relative once told me over the internet.
Live music, some jolly friends, a little Talking Heads mixed with Snoop Dogg — here’s to a great party next month.
