Music Recommendations by Decade
1950s: Rock & Roll Beginnings
- Chuck Berry – “Johnny B. Goode”
- Elvis Presley – “Jailhouse Rock”
- Little Richard – “Tutti Frutti”
- The Platters – “Only You”
- Buddy Holly – “Peggy Sue”
Use For: Cocktail hour or early mingling with softer volume
1960s: Psychedelic & Pop Explosion
- The Beatles – “Twist and Shout”
- Aretha Franklin – “Respect”
- The Rolling Stones – “Paint It Black”
- The Supremes – “You Can’t Hurry Love”
- Jefferson Airplane – “Somebody to Love”
Use For: Setting a groovy, upbeat mood for early-to-mid party
1970s: Disco, Funk, and Classic Rock
- Bee Gees – “Stayin’ Alive”
- ABBA – “Dancing Queen”
- Earth, Wind & Fire – “September”
- Fleetwood Mac – “Go Your Own Way”
- Donna Summer – “Hot Stuff”
Use For: Dance hour or disco spotlight segment
1980s: Synth-Pop, Rock, and Hip-Hop Emergence
- Prince – “1999”
- Madonna – “Like a Prayer”
- Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean”
- Journey – “Don’t Stop Believin’”
- Run-D.M.C. – “It’s Tricky”
Use For: Peak energy and high-volume dancing
1990s: Pop, R&B, and Grunge
- Britney Spears – “…Baby One More Time”
- Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
- TLC – “No Scrubs”
- Backstreet Boys – “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)”
- Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg – “Nuthin’ But a G Thang”
Use For: Later-night dancing and sing-along fun
Additional Music Options
Mixed Decades Playlist
- Spotify/Apple playlists titled “Hits Through the Decades” or “Ultimate Retro Party”
- Custom playlist sorted by hour or era block (every 30–60 mins)
Live DJ or Band
- DJ can segment the night into decade blocks
- Band can cover retro medleys from each era
Background Sounds (Between Music Sets or in Quiet Zones)
Lounge/Chill Areas
- Vintage diner ambiance: clinking glasses, soft jukebox hum
- Nature with retro radio chatter in background
- Soundtracks from 80s/90s sitcoms playing softly
Restroom or Entry Areas
- Audio mashup loops of TV theme songs, vintage commercials, or movie trailers
- “TV static” style background loop with iconic catchphrases sprinkled in