Principal restricting playlist

So I get a message tonight from a sponsor (1st year teacher) with their student play list as well as a list of restrictions for thier homecoming dance later this month. I get a student playlist with all the usual suspect's and a second list containing EVERY LYRIC OF EVERY SONG ON THE LIST, with any lyric of question highlighted. According to thier principal if the song has any suggestive lyrics at all ("I wanna get next to you" was highlighted) or any swear word bleeped out will not be playable at the dance.

I played their homecoming dance last year and they had a lot of student's engaging in the typical front to back dancing, but thier only 2 chaperones where sitting in chairs reading books. I told them they needed to up the chaperone presence if they wanted to clean up the dancefloor otherwise the students will dance like that to the chicken dance if they allow them to. Heck thier school SRO officer (police officer) wanted me to use my camcorder to film them gringing so he could make fun of some students he knew later. Yet it's the music's fault this year.

I replied to this email telling them that I do this for a living and will exclude songs with any egregious mention of sex and drugs but to exclude every song with a single bleep or suggestive lyric would be to restrictive. As a teacher and a DJ I told them to either let me use my judgement and throw a clean fun dance or to find another DJ.

What would you have done? I feel like if I agreed to the playlist and played "celebration" and "brickhouse.....oh wait, brickhouse says "lettin it all hang out, which would have been highlighted...all night that the kids would have a horrible time and my name would be tied to it.

Any thoughts?

How about Greased Lightnin :D:D:D:D, I think you're going to run out of songs if you omit everything that may be suggestive.

I just got off the phone with J. Nichol of JF productions who is working this dance with me. We join forces occasionally and planned on throwing up all our trussing, crazy lighting and two HUGE screens for 30% of our regular price to land thier prom. He agrees with me in saying our rep is on the line and the playlist would be impossible to adhere to. I've already passed on 3-4 gigs on this date so I'm eager to either show them what we can do or drop the booking.

Last year I cancelled jobs for this reason. I tell them that we use the same versions of the songs that the kids hear on the radio. If this is not acceptable we won't do the job.

You will end up having a miserable time on the job if you take the job.

Also,,,with a client like this I would NOT go with setting up screens and doing music videos. All the booty in the videos will make the situation worse. However, if you intend to use it for ambients, live camera etc, then that is different.

It's like you said...it doesn't matter if you play the chicken dance the kids are going to freak dance.

Hey guys, I too am in a similar situation. You gotta get real creative!

I plan on making compiling a list of songs that have the lyrics in the verses but just mix them together to the chorus' only. This should work.

Videos: Edit your videos for content! I know arnoldo already does this, although tedidius this will help.

I included the video dance as a free add on to the school to show them what I can do, and they will have to pay if they want it for the next events. I just could not have turned down the money for getting the entire dance contract of 5 dances from this school.

Another thing I did was get Student Council involved. I told the Sponsor to get the students to compile a list, the head meister will then approve the list and hand it to me. Therefore I will not be responsible. They will not let words be bleeped out. However I have already begun picking songs that will work. Here is a list.

I know I can slip a few songs in there with a few bleeped words, I mean they are verses and real quick bleeps. It's not like 50 Cents, and we don't give a ____ it's your birthday.

Don't flame here is a quick list I've been working on whenever I was bored:1. Cupid - Cupid Shuffle-(Radio Edit) (3:53)
2. Shop Boyz - Party Like a Rockstar (Clean) (4:14)
3. Jibbs - Chain Hang Low (3:31)
4. Weezer - Island in the Sun (3:22)
5. Danity Kane - Show Stopper (3:52)
6. Rihanna - SOS (3:58)
7. Spice Girls - Wannabe (3:02)
8. Avril Lavigne - When Youre Gone.wma
9. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy (3:01)
10. Weird Al Yakovic - White and nerdy.mp3
11. Elliott Yamin - Wait For You.wma
12. Blur - Song 2.wma
13. Mario Vazquez - Gallery.mp3
14. Carrie Underwood - Jesus Take The Wheel.mp3
15. Bob Seger - Old Time Rock & Roll.mp3
16. Plain White Ts - Hey There Delilah.wma
17. Wherever You Will Go - The Calling (Rock Mix) - Wherever You Will Go - The Calling (Rock Mix) (3:23)
18. Club Nouveau - Lean on Me (5:51)
19. Lifehouse - Hanging By A Moment (3:36)
20. GIMME THREE STEPS - LYNARD SKYNARD - GIMME THREE STEPS - LYNARD SKYNARD (4:28)
21. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - I Love Rock ' N Roll (2:55)
22. Nick Lachey - What's Left of Me (4:05)
23. T.I. - Big Things Poppin [Do It] (Amended Album Version).wma
24. PARADISE CITY - GUNS N ROSES.mp3
25. NIRVANA - SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT (4:57)
26. Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby (4:31)
27. WHAT IS LOVE - HADDAWAY.mp3
28. U CAN'T TOUCH THIS - M.C. HAMMER.mp3
29. Commodores - Brick House.mp3
30. Lecrae feat. Tedashii - Represent.wma
31. BYE BYE BYE - NSYNC.mp3
32. Stevie Wonder - Superstition.mp3
33. Gwen Stefani - The Sweet Escape (4:06)
34. Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight (3:12)
35. Cameo - Word Up (4:22)
36. Brooks & Dunn - Neon Moon (4:21)
37. Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone [Jason Nevins Rock Da Edit]/Jason Nevins Rock Da Edit (3:20)
38. Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl (3:35)
39. Linkin Park - Numb (3:06)
40. Outkast Feat. Sleepy Brown - The Way You Move.mp3
41. Diddy - Come To Me (Featuring Nicole Scherzinger) (Mix Show Clean) (4:32)
42. Counting Crows - A Long December (4:58)
43. Pussycat Dolls - Stickwitu (3:27)
44. K-Ci & JoJo - Crazy (4:20)
45. Goo Goo Dolls - Iris (4:49)
46. GUNS N ROSES - SWEET CHILD OF MINE (5:54)
47. Will Smith - Gettin' Jiggy Wit It (3:47)

Sounds like a rough situation. I was told to use my own judgement for the Back to School dance I'm doing tomorrow (pretty happy about it... though it's my first gig so a few butterflies). But that's besides the point.

Here's my two cents... It's probably a decent assumption that the faculty doesn't listen to this music (rap/hip-hop) on a regular basis and would have a rough time identifying a song's title/artist. By chance there are a few of the faculty that do listen to these songs, they probably don't have a problem with it... otherwise they wouldn't listen.

To get to the point it may be worth playing some of the "banned" songs, clean versions of course, with the mid turned down slightly to help hide the suggestive lyrics. Maybe even turn your lows up some. The students will still know what song you're playing, but hopefully you'll stump the faculty.

If you get by with it great. If not what's the worst that can happen... you don't get repeat business from the school but the student's realize your ability to provide a good time. Maybe after a few dances of strict censorship and a decreasing attendance you'll find yourself back at the school because you bring the party.

After all, as mentioned, you won't have any fun keeping things so clean (at least I wouldn't). Anyway, that's my two cents, hope I wasn't too long winded.

Hey Travis I really appreciate you taking the time to include that list. My only concern with it is it's lacking about 30 songs every kid will want to hear. I think your right to make this work for you to secure the contracts...I may do the same thing in your position, I just can't throw a party without all my tools. If they would be okay with me mixing around with the songs...playing the guts of each song and avoiding some potential trouble spots I'd be okay. The songs they want to hear (crank that, walk it out, 2-step, thizzle dance...) look bad on paper, but you would never know they contained questionable concepts and lyrics live.

I just don't look forward to working a gig where sponsors are breathing down my neck. A private party or wedding is one thing, I'll play what they want, but adhearing to red tape laid down by the man has never been my strong suit.

Hey Zman - good luck on your first gig. I remember my first time...sloppy and went by way to fast! Wait a minute, what are we talking about again?

Turn those butterflies into energy on the mic and rock the crowd!

Just don't be cheesy:sqwink: