DJ Classic Rock Mix III

This is the third download in the DJ Classic Rock Mix series, DJ Classic Rock Mix III. This DJ Classic Rock Mix begins with The Kinks, includes The Rolling Stones and a medley by The Who and finishes with The Allman Brothers, and a host of other Classic Rock songs. As all these DJ Mixes have been, so much fun to make and hard to leave-out songs that would work great. My definition of Classic Rock is more expansive than any listed below, but thought you might appreciate some of these.

DJ Classic Rock Mix III

      Classic Rock Mix III - DJ Mystical Michael

Classic Rock. There are usually few people who would deny that this genre has some of the best music ever, especially with legendary bands like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and The Doors.

Definitions of Classic Rock

But one debate about classic rock still lingers on… and that is about the actual definition of classic rock. Some people say it’s a style of sound. Some people say it’s rock music that is older than 25 years old. Its often mentioned on this site, and people often ask my opinion. So I thought I would shed some more light on this long standing debate regarding the definition of classic rock.

To quote Wikipedia, here is their rather too detailed definition of classic rock

Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock (AOR) format in the 1970s. The first station to broadcast the format full time, and the first station to use the term “classic rock” on the air was KRBE-AM (Houston) in 1983. Program director Paul Christy designed the format to play only early album rock, from the 1960s and early 1970s, without any current music or Top 40 material. In the United States, this rock music format now features a playlist of songs ranging from the 1960s and 1970s. The traditional classic rock genre usually ends in the early 1980s, with mid-80s additions from the hair metal genre only recently being considered “classic rock.” Some stations continue to (wrongly?) include a limited number of current releases.

Unfortunately in my opinion this doesn’t address a few key issues with this definition, which I have attempted to address with my very own definition of classic rock.  From, the Classic Rockers Network

DJ Classic Rock Mix III with DJ Mystical Michael - Rhode Island Rock DJ

A definition of classic rock which helps clarify things

‘Classic rock is a genre of music that combines a particular guitar-driven rock sound with a particular era of time. The classic rock era began in early 1960’s with rock n’ roll based bands like The Beatles and Rolling Stones, diversifying into bands like Led Zeppelin and The Doors.

The classic rock era ended in the early 80s, with the rise of modern pop music. It should not be confused with other rock genres like glam rock (e.g. David Bowie), heavy metal (e.g. Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica) and hair metal (e.g. Poison and Motley Crue). Even though new bands sometimes mimic the classic rock sound (e.g. The Black Crowes), they are not considered a true classic rock band because they are in the wrong era (not early 60s to early 80s). However, classic rock bands from the original era who still produce new music outside of that classic rock era (like The Rolling Stones) are grandfathered in and are still defined as classic rock (as long as their style hasn’t changed).

There is an entertaining debate about what is and what isn’t classic rock on this forum on Classic Rockers Network. Worth reading if you have the time.

If you would like me to send you a CD copy of the DJ Classic Rock Mix III or any of the DJ Classic Rock Mixes, I invite you to send e an email and I will mail it to you free of charge!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

DJ Classic Rock Mix II

This is the second in the DJ Classic Rock Mix Series, DJ Classic Rock Mix II! It is full of great Classic Rock Songs spanning music from the 60’s to the 80’s. It begins with Supertramp and ends with Simon and Garfinkel. Some of the bands that are included are The Beatles(of course), Peter Gabriel, Elton John and Heart, to name a few.

DJ Classic Rock Mix II – DJ Mystical Michael

      DJ Classic Rock Mix II - DJ Mystical Michael

 

Classic rock music is a musical genre that relies heavily on popular songs that were produced in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Typically, the term is used to refer to radio stations. Most cities in the United States and in many other countries have at least one radio station that is dedicated to playing music from these decades. However, the term “classic rock” can also apply to musical groups in general.

DJ Classic Rock Mix II with U2 at Live Aid - Rhode Island Rock DJ

The earliest form of classic rock music radio station was called album-oriented rock, or AOR. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, these stations played current music as well as music from the past, but in the mid-1980s, most AOR stations stopped playing new music and began to focus exclusively on playing classic rock. The first radio station to call itself a classic rock music station was Philadelphia’s WYSP, in 1981; by 1984, more than 40 stations in the United States were using this term.

Some of the bands that are commonly associated with classic rock music are the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi HendrixAerosmithAC/DC, Queen, and the Eagles. Though some of the artists played on these stations are still actively recording music, only their earlier hits are represented on the airwaves. Some classic rock stations also include popular hard rock and metal bands from the 1980s, such as Guns ‘n Roses and Metallica. Recently, some stations have also begun to incorporate 1990s bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains into their rotation.

Classic rock music is typically most popular among people who were young when the music first came out. Today, that group includes 50 year olds who listened to the Beatles when they were young, 40 year olds who listened to the Eagles, or even 30 year olds who listened to Nirvana in their teenage years. The audience is primarily male, and so are most of the DJs associated with classic rock radio stations. There are also several magazines devoted to this style of music, such as Relix and Uncut. wiseGeek

 

If you would like me to burn you a CD copy of DJ Classic Rock Mix II, I invite you to send me an email with your address and I will ship it to you free! Let me know what you think of DJ Classic Rock Mix II.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

DJ Classic Rock Mix I

I am producing a series of DJ Classic Rock Mixes to share with you. It has been fun creating the playlist to choose songs. As has been the case with all the DJ Mixes I have produced, it is so hard to select songs when they are so any incredible Classic Rock Songs to choose from. This particular DJ Classic Rock Mix starts out with Electric Light Orchestra and ends The Eagles. There is some U2, Dusty Springfield and The Beatles mixed in with a bunch of other great music.

DJ Classic Rock Mix

      Classic Rock Mix I - DJ Mystical Michael

 

Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock (AOR) format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on hard rock popularized in the 1970s. Although the format appeals mainly to adults, many classic rock acts consistently attract new generations of fans. Some classic rock stations also play a limited number of current releases which are stylistically consistent with the station’s sound, or from established classic rock artists who still produce new albums.

Jimi Hendrix and the DJ Classic Rock Mix from Rhode Island Rock DJ

The classic rock format evolved from AOR radio stations that were attempting to appeal to an older audience by including familiar songs of the past with current hits. In 1980, AOR radio station M105 in ClevelandOhio began billing itself as “Cleveland’s Classic Rock”, playing a mix of rock music from the mid-1960s to the present. In 1982, radio consultant Lee Abrams developed the “Timeless Rock” format which combined contemporary AOR with hits from the 1960s and 1970s. By 1986, the success of the format resulted in oldies accounting for 60–80% of the music played on album rock stations. Although it began as a niche format spun off from AOR, by 2001 classic rock had surpassed album rock in market share nationally.

DJ Classic Rock Mix from Rhode Island Rock DJ

If you would like a CD version of DJ Classic Rock Mix from Rhode Island Rock DJ, please write and I will send you one free. The next DJ Classic Rock Mix from Rhode Island Rock DJ in the series will be released next week!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

Fun. Some Nights

Fun. Some Nights, Fun.’s second major hit from their Some Nights album. It is both catchy, pop and self-reflective. How many Pop songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 reach #3 with this being part of the chorus?

“But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh Lord, I’m still not sure what I stand for oh
What do I stand for? What do I stand for?
Most nights, I don’t know anymore…”

Fun. Some Nights Music Video

The lyrics to Fun. Some Nights are very introspective and include a depth and thoughtfulness rarely heard in Pop Music. I am so glad to have come across Fun. Some Nights long before it became a hit. Similar to “We Are Young”, Fun. Some Nights spent several months on the Billboard Hot 100 before it finally climbed into the Top Ten.

Beautiful Rhode Island Wedding Fun. Some Nights Rhode Island DJ

Fun. Some Nights Lyrics

Some nights, I stay up cashing in my bad luck
Some nights, I call it a draw
Some nights, I wish that my lips could build a castle
Some nights, I wish they’d just fall off

But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh Lord, I’m still not sure what I stand for oh
What do I stand for? What do I stand for?
Most nights, I don’t know anymore…
Oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa oh oh
Oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa oh oh

This is it, boys, this is war – what are we waiting for?
Why don’t we break the rules already?
I was never one to believe the hype – save that for the black and white
I try twice as hard and I’m half as liked, but here they come again to jack my style

And that’s alright; I found a martyr in my bed tonight
She stops my bones from wondering just who I am, who I am, who I am
Oh, who am I? mmm… mmm…

Well, some nights, I wish that this all would end
Cause I could use some friends for a change
And some nights, I’m scared you’ll forget me again
Some nights, I always win, I always win…

But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh Lord, I’m still not sure what I stand for, oh
What do I stand for? What do I stand for?
Most nights, I don’t know… (come on)

So this is it? I sold my soul for this?
Washed my hands of God for this?
I miss my mom and dad for this?

(Come on)

No. When I see stars, when I see, when I see stars, that’s all they are
When I hear songs, they sound like this one, so come on
Oh, come on. Oh, come on, OH COME ON!

Well, that is it guys, that is all – five minutes in and I’m bored again
Ten years of this, I’m not sure if anybody understands
This one is not for the folks at home; Sorry to leave, mom, I had to go
Who the fuck wants to die alone all dried up in the desert sun?

My heart is breaking for my sister and the con that she call “love”
When I look into my nephew’s eyes…
Man, you wouldn’t believe the most amazing things that can come from…
Some terrible lies…ahhh…

Oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa, oh oh
Oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa, oh oh

The other night, you wouldn’t believe the dream I just had about you and me
I called you up, but we’d both agree
It’s for the best you didn’t listen
It’s for the best we get our distance… oh…
It’s for the best you didn’t listen
It’s for the best we get our distance… oh..

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

DJ Rock Party Mix

Another professional DJ music mix to add to the collection. The DJ Rock Party Mix was a mix I created for a festival I could not make it to due to another professional DJ gig, but was requested to provide DJ music. I knew there was one set that needed Party Rock and the DJ Rock Party Mix seemed to do the trick. It was a fundraiser for a non-profit I wanted to support as a professional DJ. Hope you enjoy it!

DJ Rock Party Mix

      party rock mix 4.23.2011 - DJ Mystical Michael

Fun Wedding with DJ Rock Party Mix Rhode Island Wedding DJ

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Non-Traditional Romance Mix (Rock Jams)

I am finding no matter how hard I try, I always seem to have songs that would work perfectly that just don’t fit or make it on these mixes. This time it was the next in the DJ Non-Traditional Romance Mix Series, Rock Jams.

DJ Non-Traditional Romance Mix (Rock Jams)

[m3j track= “Non-Traditional-Romance-Mix.-Rock-Jams.mp3”]

I do not get to play as much Rock Music as I used to and grasp at the opportunity when presented. While compiling the list of DJ Non-Traditional Romantic Mix songs over the last few weeks, it stared at me that there were enough Rock songs to make a mix of just Rock Romance! Of course, like I shared above, the amount of songs that I marked for this mix and what could comfortably fit in a mix below 100MB just didn’t work. No worries, I had fun and I think those of you Rockers out there will have something to enjoy! There may be a DJ Non-Traditional Romance Mix Rock Jams Part II at some point including more female voices than this mix, which only has one female lead vocalist.

Rhode Island Wedding DJ Non-Traditional Romance Mix (Rock Jams)

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Hall and Oates You Make My Dreams

I find it fascinating which and when certain 80’s songs like Hall and Oates You Make My Dreams, pop into current music requests again. Recently, I have noticed that many of the Hall & Oates hits are being replayed with enthusiasm. Hall & Oates were sort of their own genre for a little while, often being referred to as ‘Blue Eyed Soul’. This was during the period when musical genre split social and cultural groups to very specific audiences and it was rare for a group like Hall & Oates to reach multiple groups. Another group that had success with this were The Doobie Brothers, especially when Michael MacDonald went solo.

Hall and Oates You Make My Dreams Music Video

This song in particular, Hall and Oates You Make My Dreams, is a great song for a professional DJ since it can be mixed with Pop, Dance, Oldies, R&B and Rock seamlessly. Last Thursday night, Hall and Oates You Make My Dreams worked perfectly with an 80’s Rock set but also on Friday night with some Pop and Dance stuff from the same period.

Fun new Jersey Wedding DJ Hall and Oates You Make My Dreams

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

Glitch Mob/The White Stripes Seven Nation Army

The other night I was at an event dancing with some friends and the DJ played this version of Glitch Mob/The White Stripes Seven Nation Army. I had not heard Glitch Mob/The White Stripes Seven Nation Army before and it rocks! It is an exclusive mix for the film G.I. Joe” Retaliation. The funny part is that the DJ is someone I trained as a DJ!  This is one of the beauties of music; it never ends with its constant surprises and inspiration.

Glitch Mob/The White Stripes Seven Nation Army Mp3

      The Glitch Mob - Seven Nation Army Remix (The White Stripes)

I have typically not been a big fan of overplaying remixes and mash-ups but am starting to open my mind lately due to some really fun versions I have heard and moved to in recent weeks, especially, Glitch Mob/The White Stripes Seven Nation Army.

Fun Rhode Island Wedding DJ with Glitch Mob/The White Stripes Seven Nation Army

“Glitch Mob/The White Stripes Seven Nation Army was also featured on the February 1, 2011 broadcast of Democracy Now!, where it was linked to the massive pro-democracy demonstrations then occurring in Egypt.  Speaking with Egyptian journalist Mona Eltahawy, host Amy Goodman said “That music is in your ears and head all the time, you said, Mona,” to which Eltahawy replied:

It’s a loop, Amy, because every time I hear the opening lines—”I’m going to fight them off. A seven-nation army couldn’t hold me back”—it just takes me to Egypt, where people—I’ve never seen anything like it. Literally, nothing can hold them back. Mubarak shuts down the internet, shuts down the train system, shuts down almost the entire country, and still they come. It’s beautiful.”

 

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

 

 

The Beastie Boys (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)

The Beastie Boys (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)is a classic song and The Beastie Boys are legends that have left a legacy across genre and generations.  I remember when I was the professional DJ at a graduation party for a friend of mine. Halfway through the night, my friend Mark came up and handed me a record and said, “Play this”.

 

“What is it?”

 

“Don’t worry, just play it”.

Fun Rhode Island Wedding DJ The Beastie Boys (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)

It was his party so I played it. It was The Beastie Boys (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party). I was hooked. Very few artist have been as experimental and creative with their bold attempts to try few things for themselves and for all musicians simultaneously like The Beastie Boys (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party).

The Beastie Boys (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party) Music Video

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Fun. featuring Janelle Monae We Are Young

One of the marvels of the technological age in the music industry is the various ways a song can become a hit. Fun. featuring Janelle Monae We Are Young went from #48 to #3 on Billboard HOT 100 this week, it is the highest ranking yet for the group Fun..  Fun. featuring Janelle Monae We Are Young has been featured on TV shows “Chuck” and “Glee” and was still not a hit. It took a Chevy commercial during the Super Bowl with Fun. featuring Janelle Monae We Are Young for this song to receive the notoriety it deserves.

 

I also find it entertaining that folks insult each other over how they found out about the artist or song. To me, the source is not important. If you like a song or found it increased the enjoyment of a TV show, movie or commercial, good for you! Music has the magic of shifting anything into something special with the right song. This is the job of a good professional DJ. We take traditional occasions and turn them into a lasting memory and an event to talk about with excitement. Music can do that.

Fun Wedding Celebration with Bride and Groom with New jersey Wedding DJ Fun. featuring Janelle Monae We Are Young

Fun. featuring Janelle Monae We Are Young is a fun video and creative in its presentation. I appreciate the unique story they tell in the video, while continuing to hold the energy of the Fun. featuring Janelle Monae We Are Young. Have fun.

Fun. featuring Janelle Monae We Are Young Music Video

Fun. featuring Janelle Monae We Are Young is a song recorded by American band Fun for their second studio album Some Nights (2012). It was released on September 20, 2011 as the lead single from Some Nights. Musically, “We Are Young” is an anthem that incorporates the genres of indie popalternative rock, and power pop. The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, with many noting the song as a breakthrough for the indie genre and praising the song’s catchiness. “We Are Young” has attained commercial success worldwide, reaching number one in several countries.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ