Have you ever been at an event or nightclub, maybe had a drink or two, and thought to yourself.... “I would really love to hear this song right now.” “I wonder if I should go and tell the DJ to play it?” The answer, NO!
I’m going to be honest and tell you the rules of requests. Let’s start by explaining the three things that DJ’s do accept: Drinks, money, and compliments. Now giving one or all three does not guarantee that your song will be played. Why not?! The DJ’s job is to play to the crowd...the entire crowd. Certain crowds require certain genres. Now sometimes the song that you request might not be a bad song, it just doesn’t go with the party at the time.
The usual questions and conversations that drive us crazy...and yes almost all DJ’s around the world have heard these at one point in their career.
Q: Do you take requests? A: No Q: Why not? A: I’m sorry about that, I’m working right now. Q: You’re not nice. A: Again, I’m sorry, but you approached me, I didn’t come to you.
Q: Do you have this song? A: Yes, I might have it, but that song isn’t going to work so no I can not play it.
Q: Do you have this song? A: No Q: Can you download it right now? A: No, I’m playing right now and can’t log on to the internet, find your song, download it, and play it. Plus, if I don’t have the song, it’s probably because it’s not that good to dance to.
Q: What songs do you have? A: I have 75,000 songs and I’m playing live right now in front of 500 people, if you haven’t noticed. So I don’t have time to tell you my collection.
Q: I don’t like this song can you play something else? A: I’m sorry if you don’t, the crowd with there hands in the air jumping up and down loves this song and it’s the #1 jam out. I’ll be playing many more like it, so maybe this party isn’t for you.
Q: Can you play a line dance or a very old cheesy group dance song? A: No, the 90‘s cheese era was 20 years ago and we don’t need to bring that back...ever.
Q: Does it matter if I’m a beautiful girl or cool guy? A: Nope..it’s still annoying. We see drunk people on the regular and your physical appearance does not take away from us noticing that your falling all over and almost bumping our equipment.
Q: Can you play this song? A: I’ll see what I can do.
Q: Can you play it right now? A: No, I will soon.
5 minutes later....
Q: When are you going to play the song? A: I don’t know soon.
Q: How soon because we are leaving? A: Well why would I play your song if you’re going to leave?
Q: Ok, I don’t know the name of the song, but it goes Ba-da diddy da da da, do you have that? A: Really?!
Q: I'm a new artist, usually a rapper that no one has ever heard of. Can you play this song in the middle of your set so me and my two friends that I brought can rap and dance to it. A: I respect that you are an artist and your music might be really good. But the crowd has never heard this song before and probably will wonder why the DJ is playing it. It also might kill the mood and energy right now and that won't be good. So please have your song downloaded a lot on itunes, get thousands of hits on youtube, possibly played on the radio, and I'll be happy to throw it into rotation.
Q: Here’s a drink. A: Thank you! Q: Can you play a random song I thought of in my head that no one knows and can’t dance to? A: No, but thank you for the drink.
Q: Here’s $20 you’re doing great. A: Thank you! Q: Can you play a random song I thought of in my head that no one knows and can’t dance to? A: No, but thank you for the tip.
Q: You’re a great DJ! A: Thank you! Q: Can you play a random song I thought of in my head that no one knows and can’t dance to? A: No, but thank you for the compliment.
Q: WHY? WHY? WHY? A: Because it’s my job to make people dance. Because I’ve been doing this for half of my life and I know what songs work and don’t work. Because you probably work in an office, sit in a cubicle, don’t go out to much, and aren’t up to date what works in the club or event and nobody wants to hear that song. Because I’m working. WORKING yes this is my job. Just like we don’t tell the doctor I think you should prescribe a different medicine or a chef I think you should use different ingredients, when we know nothing about wellness or cooking.
Now as DJ’s there are times when we make exceptions and you are allowed to request any song you want. At the end of the night, the person who ultimately writes the check or gives us the cash, has the right to tell the DJ whatever they want to hear and receive that at the time they request it. This includes the manager or owner of the club, the bride, the groom, the parents of both, the event co-ordinator, or the person or CEO or the company who the event is for. If you are not on that list, I’m sorry to say but we have no obligation to play your song, especially if does not work with the party. Please don’t take it personal, you’re not a DJ and it’s not you’re job to know what good party songs are.
I hoped this helps you understand where we as DJ’s are coming from. We do appreciate you coming out to our events, but understand that we are real people that take what we do very seriously and to please have respect for what we do.
