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The Best Chicago Block Party Playlist

Posted on July 18, 2023   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Sidney Madden

Sidney Madden

DJ Brian Vaxter at his mixer

DJ Brian Vaxter. (Courtesy of Brian Vaxter)

What tunes should you bump at your block party? DJ Brian Vaxter shares the songs that get people moving at block parties and fests.

Best for kids and parents: ‘Stayin' Alive’ by the Bee Gees

Everyone knows this song, but Brian said to look for remixes that can capture the kids’ ears, too.

Best remix: Beyoncé's ‘Break My Soul’ by DJ Terry Hunter

Can’t make it to this weekend's concert? Play Bey at a block party.

Best hype songs: Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ or Earth, Wind, & Fire’s ‘September

Get the party started and people dancing with these classics.

Most popular line dance: ‘Cupid Shuffle’ by Cupid

Because it's instructional — “to the right; to the left” — anyone can do it.

Most overplayed song: ‘Sweet Caroline’ by Neil Diamond

Everyone and their mom knows this one ... even if some of us would rather it be skipped.

Most hit or miss: ‘Percolator’ by Cajmere (aka Green Velvet)

It’s def repetitive, but Brian said people couldn't get enough of the 30-year-old song at the Taste of Randolph a couple weeks ago.

Most surprising: MC Hammer

People like MC Hammer’s songs because they're nostalgic and campy.

Best song to end the night: ‘Another Star’ by Stevie Wonder

The chorus gets people singing and it goes off musically.

What else to keep in mind? People love campy, corny songs. Watch the decimal levels of the music. Stop playing at a respectable time.

A Spotify playlist

Start the block party with these hits! (Sidney Madden / City Cast Chicago)

🎶 Check out our Spotify playlist

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