how not to request a song – part 14
last thursday at madame x:
him: hey man, i’m (insert name)!
me: hey. jon.
him: we’re a little drunk (smiling).
me: huh?
him: we’re a little tipsy! can you play the gypsy kings?
me: don’t have them.
him: oh man – you need to get their greatest hits. the last song…track 18, you could just put in on…you wouldn’t even have to do anything…you could just have a drink…it’s mixed…all of their hits…mixed. you got a little [starts singing one of these songs at full volume, turning heads within 20 feet] and then you got a little [same volume -- different song].
me: (staring)
him: how about a little latin?
me: i’ll see what i can do for you.
him: be flexible!
me: o…k…
he goes away. i play “steppin’ out” by joe jackson before i play anything latin and his group of friends all react – he yells “jazzy j!” to/at me from across the bar. i follow it with a latin song to which there is no response. five minutes later as i’m scribbling down what he said on a guest check at the bar, his friend comes over:
her: hey – he’s the only one dancing. do you have any gypsy kings?
me: you’re friend already asked, i don’t.
(she pauses and stares at what i was writing, after a second i realize what she’s looking at and put my hand over it – oops!)
her: do you have anything else?
me: (staring)
her: (staring)
me: (raising my eyebrow then tilting my head a little)
her: (slightly smiling in akwardness)
(ten seconds total passes)
her: …like…them?
me: (shrug)
her: should i come back with better requests?
me: (shrug)
her: ok, i’ll come back with better requests.
May 14th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Yes, djing can be very degrading. I hate getting requests—except if it is something I was already about to play (this happens often—people have an unconscious sense of tempo that makes them request songs at the same tempo to the one i’m playing). However, I often feel a a near complete lack of authority if no one is dancing. If I have dancers I don’t mind ignoring lame requests completely—if I have no dancers, i feel a lack of purpose…like i’d rather switch on a jukebox and walk away.
May 14th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
i know that feeling; the spot where this story happened is loungey though and i’m not supposed to get people dancing…ironically, the guy she was referring to wasn’t dancing.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:39 am
now i just bring a clipboard with a pen stuck to it. the paper affixed to the clipboard says “if i have it i’ll play it! but if i don’t i won’t!” it has cut down on stupid interactions like this in a big way…
October 1st, 2009 at 10:03 am
nice!
October 1st, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Over the years I’ve learned that a good first move is to always say ‘yeah i’ll try to work that in’ regardless of whether you plan to. Getting people out of your face is more important than making a point.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Great stories man! Sh*t… I could write a book on all of the idiotic exchanges I have with people making requests. Unfortunately, and I’m sure most dj’s can attest, it’s the women who always feel entitled to come over and make such obnoxious suggestions, as if you are their personal servant for the night. Props on the way you handle the situations… Restraint is the key lol
October 1st, 2009 at 1:00 pm
worst request ever – at a wedding: The Beatles “For No One”. Shall I paste in a few of the lyrics?
“Your day breaks, your mind aches
You find that all her words of kindness linger on
When she no longer needs you
She wakes up, she makes up
She takes her time and doesn’t feel she has to hurry
She no longer needs you
And in her eyes you see nothing
No sign of love behind the tears
Cried for no one
A love that should have lasted years”
Oh yeah – a dancefloor burner!! DENIED! – Uncle Weevie (of BlackCrackAddict listserv)
October 1st, 2009 at 2:39 pm
I do weddings.
How not to request a song:
Him: can you play some Disturbed?
Me: no, it’s a wedding. And I’m still trying to get the grandparents going before they leave.
Him: well that sucks. What about Gwar?
Me: uh.. no.
5 minutes later, he’s back.
Him: what about some 80′s?
Me: yeah sure, what would you like?
Him: uh.. what’s that band.. they were really big. Starts with a “D”.
Me: *stare*
Him: you know, they were huge
Me: Debbie Gibson? Def Leppard? Duran Duran? David Bowie?
Him: no, no, no.. uhhh what were they called!
Turns to his friend
Friend: Depeche Mode?
Him: yeah!
Me: ok. what song?
Him: I don’t know, one of the good ones.
Me: you like Disturbed. What qualifies as good? give me a name.
Him: I don’t know, pick one.
Me: ok. I’ll play it in a while, I’m trying to get the Grandparents up there.
Him: they’ll like it!
Me: In a bit.
no exaggeration, half a song later..
Him: are you going to play it now?
Me: no.
Him: when?
Me: in a bit.
5 minutes later, girl walks up
Girl: are you going to play his song? he really wants to hear it.
Me: yes, I’m playing it later.
Her: you should really play it now.
Me: I’ll see what I can do.
So I put on ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’
Him: this song sucks
Me: *stare*
Him: you should have picked a better one
Me: you should know the song name when you make requests
Him: can you play something else for me?
Me: you’re not even dancing. How about no.
Him: you hate me don’t you
Me: *stare*
Him: maybe you should play some…
I cut him off
Me: since you’re not dancing, and the songs you request no one dances to, maybe you know better than me? they should have hired YOU to DK
Him: oh yeah you hate me
Me: *stare*
Him: do you want to go for dinner?
Me: *stare*