70's & 80's Playlist

There's a reason 70s and 80s nights are some of the most fun events to DJ: nearly everyone in the room knows nearly every song. These two decades gave us disco, funk, new wave, and stadium rock, and the floor-fillers from that era still pack a dance floor faster than almost anything current. The set below splits the two decades, because a disco-soaked 70s groove and a synth-driven 80s anthem hit a little differently, and knowing how to move between them is what keeps the energy up all night.

I run retro and throwback nights all over Sarasota and Siesta Key, and this is the mix I build from.

The 70s: disco, funk, and groove
"Stayin' Alive" – Bee Gees
"Dancing Queen" – ABBA
"September" – Earth, Wind & Fire
"Super Freak" – Rick James
"I Will Survive" – Gloria Gaynor
"Celebration" – Kool & The Gang
"Funkytown" – Lipps Inc.
"Le Freak" – Chic
The 80s: new wave, synth-pop, and stadium anthems
"Billie Jean" – Michael Jackson
"Don't Stop Believin'" – Journey
"Livin' on a Prayer" – Bon Jovi
"Sweet Child O' Mine" – Guns N' Roses
"Like a Virgin" – Madonna
"Eye of the Tiger" – Survivor
"Footloose" – Kenny Loggins
"I Wanna Dance with Somebody" – Whitney Houston
"Africa" – Toto
"Physical" – Olivia Newton-John
"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" – Eurythmics
"Karma Chameleon" – Culture Club
"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" – Cyndi Lauper
"Take on Me" – a-ha
The one I added
I worked in "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire, which is hard to leave off any retro set. It's one of the most-requested party songs of all time, crosses every generation in the room, and fills a floor instantly. If I had to bet on a single song to get everyone up at a 70s/80s night, it's that one.

Everything else on your list was already a genuine floor-filler, no weak picks, so the rest is just organized by era to make it easier to program.

How I run a 70s/80s night
The fun of a retro set is that it almost runs itself, but a few things separate a good throwback night from a great one.

I read which era the room leans toward. Some crowds light up for the disco stuff, others want the 80s rock and synth-pop. I feel that out early and weight the set accordingly, while still giving both decades their moment.

The sing-along anthems are timing tools. "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Livin' on a Prayer" aren't just songs, they're peak moments. I save them for when the floor's full so the whole room belts them together.

Lighting makes the era. This is one set where the disco-ball and color-wash lighting genuinely add to the night. For a themed retro party, I'll lean into that look to match the music.

Requests are welcome. Everyone has a 70s or 80s song they love. Send me your must-plays ahead of time and I'll build them in.

Let's plan your retro party
Tell me the occasion, the venue, and whether you're leaning more 70s disco or 80s anthems, and I'll build the set around it. Serving Sarasota, Siesta Key, Bradenton, and the surrounding area.

Book DJ Alpha — Sarasota Event DJ