10 Songs Guaranteed to Get The Party Started

As any young gentleman looking to throw a party knows only 2 things matter, one is girls or more specifically girl to guy ratio; two is music. Of course any wise man knows that a diverse mix of libations is the most important thing, but that goes without saying because if you don’t have drinks you don’t have a party. Now if you have good music then the ladies will come. It’s like a siren song of a good time. They know that there might be dancing or at least a good sing-a-long that might develop at the end capping off a great night. Here’s 10 songs guaranteed to get the party started and keep it rolling through the night.

10 Songs Guaranteed to Get the Party Started

Dr. Dre – Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang
This is the monolith of the mix. When you put this on, you mean business. It simply states I’m coming out with all the stops tonight, guns blazing, so you best step up and enjoy yourself fully because tonight will be legendary. This debut off of the “Chronic” came out in ‘93 and Dre changed the whole game forever. With it’s groundbreaking beats and a young Snoop smoothing the rhymes, Dr. Dre mixed this cocktail up in as easy as “1, 2, 3 and to the 4.” link to song

Maceo Parker – Pass the Peas
When I threw parties back in the day at college I simply tossed on Maceo Parker’s Life on Planet Groove and let the bodies lay where they may. This second track shows that you’ve got diverse tastes as a gentleman and isn’t going to be your run of the mill party. Especially at the beginning of the night, this lays a great vibe with Maceo’s sax, Fred Wesley’s trombone, Pee Wee Ellis’s tenor sax, Rodney Jones on guitar, Larry Goldings’ organ and Kenwood Dennard’s drums. It gets the body moving and inevitably is a great conversation starter. link to song

Jay-Z – Big Pimpin’
With a simple whistle and some kettle drums you’ve got a track that will keep you forever mackin’. Reaching #3 on BillBoard’s Top 100, this track has enough stamina to take you to Trinidad and back. Now if your party ends up on lavish yacht throwing money around like it’s cheese you can thank me later. link to song

Notorious B.I.G. – Hypnotize
This posthumous chart-topper is a must have laying down the law to all those thinking I’m going to take a rest from shaking it and fill up my drink. Oh no you’re not, you’re about to be hypnotized by Biggie. link to song

Outkast – Hey Ya
I remember when I was in Vegas for New Years in 2004 and this song came on late in the night at the Voodoo Lounge, the roof almost blew off the place. Which would’ve been kind of ironic because the Voodoo Lounge is on the roof of the Rio. Big Boi and Andre 3000 crafted a dancing masterpiece with some simple keyboard licks, some well placed clapping and lyrics that will make you lend your sugar to your neighbor. You know what to do, make sure you have this track. link to song

Kanye West – Stronger
Go ahead go nuts go ape shit and bow in the presence of greatness. These are the licks that make your party mix stronger. Kanye teaming up with Daft Punk created this monster #1 single so don’t act like I never told you. link to song

50 Cent – PIMP: Snoop Dogg Remix
This goes again to the well tested formula, if you’ve gotta kettle drum chances are you gotta hit. I’m not naive to say that’s the only thing that makes this song a must have because fiddy backs it up with his topical lyrics about “Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana” keeping the party going. “Yeah girl, I got my now-n-later gators on!” link to song

Journey – Don’t Stop Believing
This is the point in the night where the party turns into a sing-a-long if there has been enough man-sodas consumed. And who’s gonna take you there, Steve Perry, that’s who. Along with Neal Schon’s riffs this song will transform the party ”where everybody wants a thrill”. link to song

AC/DC – You Shook Me All Night Long
With Angus Young’s opening cords and Brian Johnson’s gravelly vocals the party is sure to hit another gear. Don’t be surprised to see grown men belting out the lyrics like they were back in high school driving on the country road to the summertime barbecue. This in turn will get the ladies into cutting loose too because any self respecting gentleman willing to close his eyes and belt out the lyrics to the ceiling as if Simon Cowell was judging his performance illustrates the party is almost off the hook. link to song

Billy Joel – Piano Man
This song is arguably one of the best party songs ever. It turns all strangers into friends as they lock arms and shoulders and swing side by side to forget about life for awhile. Released in ‘73, this song peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100. The piano will sound like a carnival and the microphone will smell like a beer and that’s why you’ll never forget about that night. link to song

Did I miss something? Feel free to comment with your list.

photo by jordanfischer