SLOW SONGS - HOW DO YOU HANDLE?

During that whole "Swing" phenomenon back in the 90s...i used to play a couple swing tunes back to back and have everyone panting and catching their breath...it was always the perfect segue to a welcomed slow dance...

Now a lot of the music seems to only require the bare minimum dancewise...so people can stand in one spot and do little jumps without wearing themselves out...

The closest thing is some good latin music... or perhaps dabbling with swing ...like a Jive Bunny... but i rarely play Jive Bunny...very rarely...

cc

Mawnin, ya'll!

Coming out of dinner.
"After this delight dinner, I know most of you are not quite ready to jump up and down just yet. Let's open the dance floor again with a hug and snuggle tune from xxxx."

After this one begins to fade, a talk over; "I'm going to give you one more on the mellow side, then the music temperature is gonna get hot."

5 or 6 fast songs from all generations then move into parent dances, cake, bouquet, garter, garter, specialty dance, compatibility quiz, et al.

Two slow songs.

6 to 7 fast songs.

"We have many guests tonight who do not dance fast and we need to make sure we have something for them as well. Here comes belly button set number three.

Two slow songs.

All fast tracks until 5 minutes to closing. Circle of love (repeat first dance song and I vocalize best wishes. Invite all remaining guests to join them. Close the evening with a slow song such as "Wonderful Tonight" (campy, I know) or preferably Don Henley "Taking You Home."

So, it looks like (on average) I play 6 to 8 full audience participation slow songs in a four-hour wedding event. Anniversaries, birthdays, mitzvahs, holiday gigs, corporate events are sometimes less slow songs; sometimes more. I'm always gut checking to make sure no one gets overlooked.

Just got another wedding this weekend who today confirmed they want no slow songs for their wedding as they said they want it to be upbeat the whole night, as well as one I met with yesterday who said during the meeting no slow songs (they hate how they totally kill the vibe on the dancefloor is what they said based on the weddings they go to). The one for this weekend is down in florida and the one I spoke with yesterday is for next month down in Baltimore... so def not just a jersey thing. Both said they have enough slower songs during the dinner that anyone can dance to if they really feel the need to.

Late to the party...but...

I always use slow songs as a backup for when the dance floor slows down.
But I have done gigs where I played almost NO slow ones...
because the crowd just didn't WANT or NEED to hear them.

As far as how many I play in a row...
I never play a specific amount.
I wait to see how the first one goes over, and add more as needed.

Even if I hear a groan...
I know there are still plenty of people out there who are waiting for me to slow it down.