How to throw the best 70s Party Ever!

I’ve been asked so many times now about 70s parties that I thought I’d do a guide for those people who want to throw the ultimate themed party.

The first thing you have to do is get into the 70s mindset. What were the 70s all about… Fun of course………Fun with a capital F. So you must do as much as you can to bring in that magic fun factor to bring back the memories of your guests.

Therefore the first thing you must do is make it fancy dress. After all, where’s the fun in going to a 70s party without the flares, huge Afro wigs, platforms or outrageous shirts? There are plenty of decent fancy dress shops around but I have found the best one right here. Of course if you want to be more authentic and have the genuine article then slip down to Ebay for some real bargains although I will say that guys if you want some serious platforms then use the fancy dress shops because unless you’re really lucky the genuine articles will cost you a fortune.

The second most important thing is the music. I’m going to give you a list of tracks that I have compiled over 30 years of DJ’ing and partying experience that has worked for me.

Music-wise I normally split the party up into 4 sections.

The Warm Up
For when the guests are arriving and getting their Babychams.
Here I will play the lesser known tracks that will hopefully get people in the right mood for the evening. You know the type of record that stops you mid sentence to say *oh my god I remember this… I was….* The idea is to get them reminiscing about the days when the record was out and to get them in exactly the right frame of mind for the rest of the evening.

Tracks like.

Heart on my Sleeve – Gallagher & Lyle
Oh Lori – Alessi Bros
Girls Girls Girls – Sailor
Glass of Champagne – Sailor
Coz I Luv U – Slade
Ride a White Swan – T.Rex
Thing we do for Love – 10cc
Arms of Mary – Sutherland Brothers & Quiver
Follow you follow me – Genesis
Love is in the Air – John Paul Young
Jeans On – David Dundas
Heroes – David Bowie
Sound & Vision – David Bowie
Living Thing – ELO
Mr Blue Sky – ELO
Side Show – Barry Biggs
Misty Blue – Dorothy Moore
Lonely Girl – Eddie Holman
I think I love you – Partridge Family
Shaft – Isaac Hayes
I’d like to teach the world to sing – New Seekers

Get Dancing
It’s now time to get the party going so I hit them hard with my first choice 70s dance record that never fails.

Abba – Dancing Queen

Then follow it up quickly with some classic tracks like:
You to me are everything – Real Thing
Heaven must be Missing an Angel – Tavares
Contact – Edwin Starr
Get Dancin’ – Disco Tex & the Sexolettes
Rock the Boat – Hues Corporation
Blame it on the Boogie – Jacksons
The Hustle – Van McCoy
Play that Funky Music – Wild Cherry
You See the Trouble with me – Barry White
Rock Your Baby – George McCrae
Feel the Need in me – Detroit Emeralds
Show you the way to go – Jacksons
Rock me Gently – Andy Kim
Disco Inferno – Trammps
Turn the Music Up – Players Association
Le Freak – Chic
Aint no Stoppin us now – McFadden & Whitehead
I Feel Love – Donna Summer
Jive Talkin’ – Bee Gees
Night Fever – Bee Gees

It’s Time to Party Glam Style
Now it’s time to really get into the 70s party side of things so we kick it off with an absolute Glam classic.

Blockbuster – Sweet

We then follow it up some real Glam gems like:
Hot Love – T.Rex
Rock n Roll Part 1 – Glitter Band
Mama weer all crazy now – Slade
Get Down and get with it – Slade
Devil Gate Drive – Suzi Quatro
My Coo ca Choo – Alvin Stardust
Jean Jeanie – David Bowie
Hey Rock n Roll – Showaddywaddy
Tiger Feet – Mud
Dynamite – Mud
Crazy Horses – Osmonds
Get it On – T.Rex
You ain’t seen nuthin’ yet – Bachman Turner Overdrive
Roll Over Beethoven – ELO
Rubber Bullets – 10cc
Little Willy – Sweet
See my baby Jive – Wizzard
Schools Out – Alice Cooper
I Love you Love – Gary Glitter
Sugar Baby Love – Rubettes
Let’s Stick Together – Bryan Ferry

This then follows nicely into the last section which is what I call my sing-a-long section. This is where you can just have a slow dance to rest your weary bones and enjoy the records with a sing song.

And the one I would always open with is

David Essex – Gonna Make you a Star

Then you can really mix it up with real corkers like:
Come up and see me – Steve Harley
Rockin’ all over the world – Status Quo
When I’m Dead n Gone – McGuinnes Flint
Shang a lang – Bay City Rollers
Dancing on a Saturday night – Barry Blue
Hold me Close – David Essex
Under the Moon of Love – Showaddywaddy
Daydreamer – David Cassidy
Una Paloma Blanca – George Baker Selection
Those were the days – Mary Hopkins
How deep is your love – Bee Gees
Never let her slip away – Andrew Gold
Oh Babe – Hurricane Smith
I hear you knocking – Dave Edmunds
Yellow River – Christie
Mama told me not to come – Three Dog Night
Everything I own – Ken Boothe
Help me make it through the night – John Holt
Far Far Away – Slade
Close to You – Carpenters
You wont find another fool – New Seekers

Of course these are just a guide but they have all proved winners to me over the years.

If you have a track that goes down a storm don’t hesitate to email me the details I’m always up for trying out new things. If you need any of the above tracks try looking here to see if they’re still available.

Some extra things you can do to provide a little extra ambience is to put up 70s music, movie and sports posters, have bowls of 70s sweets and you can even hire your very own illuminated dance floor.

So there you have it, my 70s guide to having the coolest, funkiest party in town. I hope it’s been of some use to you and above all I hope you have a really great fun time after all, that’s what the 70s was all about remember!

So Keep it Cool……..Keep it Groovy

Can You Dig It?