The debs is the last big night out with your whole year before everyone heads off in different directions, and the music makes or breaks it. The good news is that the best debs songs don't really change much from year to year. The current chart hits will be different every summer, but the songs that get a full room jumping follow the same pattern. This guide covers the kinds of songs to put on your debs playlist, some reliable examples, and practical advice for the debs committee.
Throwbacks from your childhood
Nothing gets a debs crowd going like a song they last heard at a disco in primary school or on a car journey with their parents. The exact songs depend on your year group, so think about what was huge when you were about eight to twelve.
For recent year groups, that has meant songs like:
- "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen
- "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction
- "Gangnam Style" by PSY
- "Happy" by Pharrell Williams
- "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift
- "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
A good exercise for the committee: ask the group chat "what song takes you straight back to primary school?" You'll have a throwback list within an hour.
Noughties anthems
These songs are older than most people at the debs, but they have become anthems that every generation knows. They also tend to be the ones teachers and staff will happily dance to.
- "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers
- "Sex on Fire" by Kings of Leon
- "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" by Beyoncé
- "Umbrella" by Rihanna featuring Jay-Z
- "I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas
- "Valerie" by Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse
Irish sing-alongs
An Irish crowd will always go mad for an Irish song, and the debs is no exception. These are reliable every year:
- "Zombie" by The Cranberries
- "Dreams" by The Cranberries
- "Maniac 2000" by Mark McCabe
- "Galway Girl" by Mundy and Sharon Shannon
- "N17" by The Saw Doctors
- "Whiskey in the Jar" by Thin Lizzy
Throw in "Rock the Boat" by The Hues Corporation, the one where everyone sits on the floor and rows, and you have a guaranteed highlight. For a bigger list, our post on Irish wedding floor fillers covers many of the same crowd-pleasers.
Big chorus songs for the end of the night
The last half hour of the debs is when everyone wants to be in one big circle singing. Save your biggest choruses for here:
- "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
- "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi
- "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
- "Wonderwall" by Oasis
- "Angels" by Robbie Williams
- "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by The Proclaimers
Pick your last song as a committee and tell the DJ. It is the one people will remember.
What about this year's chart hits?
Of course you want the songs everyone is listening to right now. Rather than trying to guess them months ahead, ask your year to vote on their current favourites close to the date and send the top ten or so to your DJ. A mix of current hits and the categories above works far better than a night of only one or the other.
Advice for debs committees
If you are on the committee, a bit of planning makes the night run much more smoothly.
Send must-plays and banned songs in advance
Collect a short list of must-play songs from the year, and a list of any songs you want banned. Novelty songs, anything with very explicit lyrics (teachers and parents may be there for part of the night) and songs connected to any sensitive event in the school are common ones to flag. Our guide to a do-not-play list is written for weddings, but the same approach works for the debs. Get both lists to the DJ a couple of weeks before.
Check the hotel's rules
Every hotel is different, so ask the venue early:
- What time does the music have to finish?
- Are there any sound level limits?
- Where will the DJ set up, and what time can they get into the room?
- Are there rules on the dance floor area or on photographers and videographers?
Pass the answers on to your DJ. For reference, DJ G Beats needs 60–90 minutes to set up before guests arrive, plus an extra 30 minutes for adjustments, so make sure the room is free in time.
Plan the timing of the night
A typical debs runs something like this:
- Arrival and drinks reception, with background music while photos are taken.
- The meal, with quieter music and any announcements or speeches.
- The dance floor, usually three to four hours of music.
- The last song, agreed in advance.
Decide who the DJ should speak to on the night if something comes up (a committee member, not a teacher who might leave early). If there will be speeches or awards, check whether the DJ can provide a microphone. DJ G can, and also handles announcements like calling everyone in for the meal.
Take requests, but keep control
Guest requests on the night are part of the fun. Your must-play and banned lists act as the guide, so the DJ can say yes to the songs that fit and quietly skip the ones that don't.
Check your date
DJ G Beats is a debs DJ based in Athlone, covering the Midlands and all of Ireland, and also plays graduations and school formals. Every booking includes a professional sound system and dance floor lighting, and most 4-hour events cost €400–€600 (see prices and FAQs). Debs dates book up quickly, so check your date or call 087 355 7696.