An Alternative Homecoming DJ set.
For generations, the music at Urbana High School’s annual homecoming dances have reflected the most popular songs of that given era. For example, during the 1970s, bands ranging from The Beatles to The Bee Gee’s blasted through UHS’s massive low-fi speakers. Everyone back then enjoyed it. Today, given the change in music taste among youth, it would be completely different story.
At present, hip-hop and pop dominate the mainstream music scene. Mily Cyrus’ recent hit, “Party in the USA” graced everyones ears during the dance last Saturday. Sure, it’s a catchy song, but many think it lacks adequate “dance material.” There were some interesting picks, though, from the “General DJ,” the middle-aged, unenthusiastically looking DJ who rarely took requests (except for Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”). The MIA hit, “Paper Planes,” was welcomed with a roar from all corners of the dance floor, as was the obnoxious, but fun, tune “I’m the Ish” by DJ Class.
The following (downloadable) 20 tracks below is an “alternative” homecoming DJ set for all you music lovers out there:
- Standing On the Shore by Empire of the Sun
- Young Adult Friction by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
- Planisphère (Part 3) by Justice
- Electric Feel (Justice Remix) by Justice
- Crimewave (Crystal Castles VS Health) by Crystal Castles
- Feel The Love by Cut Copy
- When I Grow Up (Version by Lissvik) by Fever Ray
- Hold the Line (feat. Mr. Lex & Santigold) by Major Lazer
- Xtatic Truth (Xtra loud Mix) by Crystal Fighters
- The ‘Yes Mate’ Summer Mixtape by Starsmith
- Good Times Roll, Pt. 2 by RJD2
- Death (Chase & Status Remix) by White Lies
- Little Secrets by Passion Pit
- The Magnificent by Lindstrøm
- Chi Don’t Dance by BBU
- No Reasons by VEGA
- Kilometer (Aeroplane ‘Italo 84’ Remix) by Sebastien Tellier
- Extraball (Breakbot Remix) by Yuksek
- I’m A Rope (Yuksek Remix) by Tommy Sparks
- I Will Come Back by Holy Ghost!
Note: The MP3 is all one track, so you will need to skip ahead to find the song you want to listen to. Or, you can simply sit back (or dance, rather) and listen to the music as it plays. To download, just click on the player and you will be directed to the download page.
About The Author
I really wish I’d talked to you before doing all the DJ stuff. This music is really good. Unfortunately, DJ arrangements were really messed up this year, and I’d planned on having Lauren and Rachel do the playlist, but that never happened. You should talk to the Juniors about the Prom music, cause this is a great idea.
The Lindstrom is a nice choice (I constantly grade to Lindstrom), but any band named “The Pains of Being Pure at Heart” needs to be abolished from life.
Also, you’re gonna need more hip hop. Why don’t you talk to Herr Neal about DJing the prom? Just a thought – you could save the Class of ’10 some money and you’d probably do a great job.
Just remember the hip hop. This *is* Urbana High School. Trance goes over like a lead zeppelin. You’re gonna need some Lil’ Wayne.
Thanks for the comments, guys!
Kendall, yeah, I will definitely contact the Junior class. The current music lineup for our dances are, frankly, unsustainable.
Mr. Foley, with all due respect, have you even listened to The Pains of Being Pure at Heart? They are a great band — full of emotion and great beats. I am happy to make a mix for you to, you know, give you an update on what’s going on in the indie music world. I will definitely add some hip-hop. Does A Tribe Called Quest/DJ Shadow/Notorious B.I.G sound good?
I guess Lil’ Wayne should be added — though to be honest, he’s not all that talented. He just acts outrageous to gain more fame. In my opinion, his pervasive use of Autotune is a disgrace to music and it just illustrates the fact that he’s a lazy, weak singer and needs machines to create the right voice. Oh well! C’est La Vie, as the french would say it. The majority of American youth love his kind of stuff, whether I like it or not. So you’re right on that note.
Also, music above IS NOT ‘TRANCE MUSIC.’ Not sure where you get such terms. Most of it is considered electronic/altpop.
Sorry, Mr. Foley : )
I think there should be a variety of music played at dances. Yes, it’d be nice to hear something a little less mainstream, but playing only indie rock/electronica would appeal to a very select group of students, and really it can get just as repetitive as the rap songs you hear 107.9. While Cody’s selections may fit a little more nicely into my own personal taste in music, I’m not going to lie, Party in the USA is my jam. It’s fun to dance to music that you yourself like, but it’s also fun to dance to music everyone knows, regardless if one feels it’s an abomination to the eardrums. Besides there are artists that manage to crossover. Yes, they effectively appeal to the pretentious and masses at the same time. Think back to homecoming. MIA, as you mentioned Cody, and Kid Cudi are just two examples of well received tunes that did not offend the music critic’s delicate palette for delightfully obscure.
Also Cody, trance (not trace) is a subgenre of electronica, or a related genre, however you want to argue it, but it’s electronic nontheless.
While a relatively large group of people, although not large when compared to the general population, enjoy non-mainstream/indie music, I think mainstream at the school dances is a more practical choice. People are more likely to dance to songs that mostly everyone knows, even if the song is bad; for example, I know a lot of people who hate Miley Cyrus’s music, but whenever it comes on the radio, people sing at the top of their lungs! Mainstream songs are popular because a lot of people like them and like the artists, which means a lot of people will dance to their music at Homecoming.
I agree with Foley, and Lily. While indie-music is popular among some, the vast amount of UHS Students doesn’t care about bands that are “full of emotion and great beats” when it comes to dances. Stick to Mainstream at dances and you are sure to avoid the awkward stillness that occurs when only the self-proclaimed hipsters, who are too cool for school dances anyway, know the lyrics. You must appeal to the masses my dear cody and save your indie hipster Mixed CD’s to parties with a more select audience.