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Three songs?

(25 Posts)
Cabbie21 Mon 19-Dec-22 09:03:55

I have been asked to suggest three songs for a playlist for a big family party ( after Christmas) and am looking for ideas.
Guests’ ages range from 5 - 85, across three generations with many different backgrounds, personalities and tastes.

My tastes are classical, and I sing in three choirs, so typically I would want to choose something choral, but obviously not too “ heavy”, and ideally two of them need to be recognisable, and really beautiful.
Any thoughts please?

Cabbie21 Mon 19-Dec-22 09:08:50

I should add that I have looked at lists of Favourite songs and I don’t actually know most of them! I’ll leave them to others..

MrsKen33 Mon 19-Dec-22 13:42:15

Are you going to be singing or just listening?

MiniMoon Mon 19-Dec-22 14:28:58

My Brother by Terry Scott
We all stand together ( the frog song) by Paul McCartney
Firework by Katy Perry
The nightmare song from Iolanthe
A million dreams from The Greatest Showman
The flower duet from Lakmè
Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffman
Va Pensiero from Nabuko
The Runaway Train

Well that's a mixed bag, to be sure.

Pittcity Mon 19-Dec-22 14:36:51

I'd go for singalong power such as
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
The Power of Love by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
One Day like This by Elbow

Cabbie21 Mon 19-Dec-22 15:07:38

I am definitely not planning to sing! All the guests have been asked for three suggestions, so we should get a variety.
I must confess I don’t know some of those already mentioned, though Bohemian Rhapsody is on my list. I might recognise some more if I heard them.
I am also thinking of the 8 part version of In Dulci Jubilo, as we will still be in the Christmas season( often sung at King's Cambridge), and perhaps a song by John Rutter eg the sort than might be heard on Classic FM. Opera is definitely not my thing.
Further ideas welcome. I’ve then got to do the techie bit to find and send on. Not my forte.
And find a photo of me as a baby, for a quiz!

MrsKen33 Mon 19-Dec-22 15:49:05

Green grow the rushes O!
Head, shoulders, knees and toes.
And anything in the round.

Not terribly uplifting but good fun for all ages.

Georgesgran Mon 19-Dec-22 15:52:54

I’ve just watched a YouTube of Holly Johnson singing ‘The Power of Love, live - absolutely phenomenal. He can still hold a note.

Sorry to derail.

SachaMac Mon 19-Dec-22 15:59:33

Beyoncé’s version of Ave Maria or Sweet Child O’Mine Guns n Roses.

Ailidh Mon 19-Dec-22 16:01:38

MiniMoon

My Brother by Terry Scott
We all stand together ( the frog song) by Paul McCartney
Firework by Katy Perry
The nightmare song from Iolanthe
A million dreams from The Greatest Showman
The flower duet from Lakmè
Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffman
Va Pensiero from Nabuko
The Runaway Train

Well that's a mixed bag, to be sure.

Wow! Love the mixture!

I don't know Firework or A Million Dreams but love all the others.

Blossoming Mon 19-Dec-22 17:01:10

Uptown Funk

Georgesgran Mon 19-Dec-22 17:03:00

Let it go - from Frozen?

JackyB Mon 19-Dec-22 20:45:28

For a "big family party" it would be best to go for something with a simple, well-known tune and a good beat.

If you would like to put your own style to it by including a choral piece, it would have to be a showstopper such as O fortuna from the Carmina Burana, or the Habanera from Carmen.

When I'm going through my tunes on my computer and putting a playlist together I always seem to gravitate towards Imelda May "Johnny's got a Boom Boom".

henetha Mon 19-Dec-22 22:30:21

One of the loveliest songs is Mary Did You Know?. Lots of people have recorded it. My favourite is CeeLo Green.

henetha Mon 19-Dec-22 22:33:56

Oh yes. Three songs.
Johnny Mathis. When a Child is Born.
Queen . Teo Torriata.

Callistemon21 Mon 19-Dec-22 23:12:26

A Million Dreams ✅
Children seem to love singing this one - I remember Y5 and 6 singing it at last year's concert.
In Dulce Jubilo ✅

O Holy Night
Last Christmas
White Christmas
O Tannenbaum
Mary’s Boy Child’ by Harry Belafonte

Callistemon21 Mon 19-Dec-22 23:14:26

My favourite is Adeste Fideles (with descant)

Doodledog Mon 19-Dec-22 23:30:48

Is it for a singalong? If so, you want ones that are easy to pick up, for little ones and those who don't know the songs:

She'll be Coming Round The Mountain
London Bridge is Falling Down (can be sung in a round)
The Quartermaster's Store

JackyB Tue 20-Dec-22 07:47:11

She says it's after Christmas so people may have had enough of Christmas carols and songs by then. Good question, though Doodledog - is it just background music or will people be listening?

Cabbie21 Tue 20-Dec-22 13:41:08

Thanks for all the ideas.
I dont think a singalong is intended. There will be background music all evening so that would be a bit much!
I am going for
Bohemian Rhapsody( Queen )
In dulci jubilo

Just one more to decide on ….

Cabbie21 Tue 20-Dec-22 17:05:54

ABBA. Thank you for the music.
Decided.

JackyB Tue 20-Dec-22 18:00:12

Would that be the Mike Oldfield "In dulce jubilo?"

Cabbie21 Tue 20-Dec-22 18:16:02

No way. King’s College Cambridge . The best.

welbeck Tue 20-Dec-22 20:55:27

the okey cokey.
the lambeth walk.
my old man said follow the van...
the boy i love is up in the gallery

Fleurpepper Tue 20-Dec-22 20:59:04

Cohen's Hallelujah

and Maria Carey's 'all I want for Christmas'

(sung both at choir tonight)