Party planning experts have said it again and again: Music can make or break your party. If you've ever been to a party where the music is too loud, too geared toward a narrow taste in music, or absent altogether, you know that when it's your turn to host, you've got to put together the perfect party mix of songs.
Music is an important part of a successful party – just as important as the food, many would say. Whether you're burning a party mix CD, creating a playlist on your iPod and hooking it up to your sound system, or choosing a custom Pandora station, choosing the music should be on your party planning to-do list.
Watch the Volume
Party music should be not too loud, not too soft, but just right. Test out the volume before the party starts and remember the settings. Party music volume will depend on the type of party you're throwing and the age of the guests. Remember, party guests often talk above the music and will just talk more loudly if the music is louder.
Party Music Should Be in the Background
Make your music know its place. Unless you're hosting a karaoke party or the reason for your celebration is to preview your new recording, make party music a mood-setting background. The perfect party music sets a mood without any of the partygoers even realizing it. You may have spent hours putting together the perfect party mix, but don't expect anyone to comment on your wonderful music choices or stop conversing when a good song comes on. You'll know you've put together good party music when it adds to the party without anyone knowing it.
Mix It Up
When making a party mix, include a variety of music styles and eras. Just because you love Sheryl Crowe doesn't mean she has to be at the party all night long. Blend Music writer Mack Rawden suggests giving every party guest a little of what he wants to hear.
"Sometimes people want to dance; sometimes people want to scream lyrics to currently trendy songs; and sometimes people want to hear pop songs they haven't heard since high school. Your party mix should be able to cover all of these areas and more," Rawden writes. He suggests this formula for the perfect party mix: 30 percent danceable pop music, 25 percent rap music, 25 percent songs everyone knows the lyrics to, 10 percent current pop music, 5 percent "Girl Talk," a compilation music CD, and 5 percent whatever you want.
Know Your Audience
Think about your guests for a few minutes before putting together the perfect party music mix. If the majority of your guest list is the over-40 crowd, music from the '70s and '80s is always welcome, as well as old Motown and classics like Sinatra.
It’s Not All About You
"Avoid adding weird stuff to try and prove how indie you are," says Claire Lawton, a reporter for Arizona State University's Statepress.com news service. Your choice in party music is about your guests and the great time they'll have, not about you and your superior taste in music. Don't be too proud to add some "nostalgic party boosters," Lawton says. "Nostalgic party boosters include anything classified as 'pop-punk' that you listened to in middle school, most songs from Guitar Hero, and Journey."
Play to Your Theme
If you're having a Latin theme party, by all means make a play list of salsa dance music, Santana, Gloria Estefan and Latin instrumentals. There's enough old and new Irish music out there to fill hours of a St. Patrick's Day party. But don't feel obligated to stretch it too far. A Hawaiian luau can only stand so much ukulele music, and even Halloween music is limited. For theme party music, think about the mood you want to set and forget about the lyrics of the songs you choose.
Plan for the Long Party Haul
A good party mix is about four hours long. If you have to start it from the beginning, you're probably OK, but only a couple hours of music is not enough and will be repeated too much for comfort.
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