Channel your inner DJ. “Create a vibe” for the kind of soiree you plan to hold. “Variety is the best way” to keep people moving and mingling, so a playlist should include an assortment of “slow songs, fast songs, classics, and pop-y stuff.”
Mix old and new. For a dinner party, for instance, don’t be afraid to put a cutting-edge group like Vampire Weekend next to classic jazz vocalist Billie Holiday. Both have a sound that’s “mellow but still cool.”
Get a little cheesy. Feel free to include some “old top-40 songs,” even if you fear they’re a bit too familiar. Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” and Madonna’s early songs were hits for a reason: They “always get people moving.”
Have fun. “Don’t be shy,” and always experiment with song selection. If you want to include more obscure music, just “sandwich anything unfamiliar between songs everyone knows.”
Source: Allure
