Nov. 26, 2025

Mike Walter Finds the Greatest Song Ever

Mike Walter Finds the Greatest Song Ever

Send us a message What is the greatest song ever? A chart-topping classic? A perfect lyric? A groove that flips a room from murmurs to full-on chorus? In this episode, Brian B and Joe sit down with one of the most respected voices in the private-event DJ industry, Mike Walter, to unpack a deceptively simple question that reveals everything about how DJs listen, select, and shape emotion on the dance floor. Mike pulls back the curtain on his new book, a bold and deeply thoughtful journey throu...

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Season 5

Send us a message

What is the greatest song ever? A chart-topping classic? A perfect lyric? A groove that flips a room from murmurs to full-on chorus?

In this episode, Brian B and Joe sit down with one of the most respected voices in the private-event DJ industry, Mike Walter, to unpack a deceptively simple question that reveals everything about how DJs listen, select, and shape emotion on the dance floor.

Mike pulls back the curtain on his new book, a bold and deeply thoughtful journey through forty songs that matter. He explains why he limits himself to one track per artist, why some sacred staples don’t make the cut, and how real greatness often shows up on the 20th listen, not the first. Expect spicy takes on iconic tracks like Stairway to Heaven and Bohemian Rhapsody, surprising praise for overlooked writers, and a candid breakdown of how lyrics function like modern poetry.

Then we bring it back to the booth.
Brian, Joe, and Mike trade:

  • Gig-proven tracks that have crushed in 2025 with our music in review
  • Hooks-only edits that turn transitions into moments
  • The 110–116 BPM ladder that moves a room from hip-hop to house without losing the floor
  • Why doors-open programming is a brand statement, not a throwaway warm-up
  • How to stack “double pops” to create late-night peaks with intention

It’s equal parts music theory, DJ psychology, and in-the-trenches perspective...exactly the kind of conversation that makes working DJs better.

We close with Mike’s next chapter: selling Elite Entertainment to his longtime right-hand man, staying active behind the decks, and focusing on the work that lights him up: books, travel, and thoughtful, legacy-level sets.

If you care about music, programming, or building a sustainable career in the private event DJ world, this episode will give you new ways to listen and new ways to lead a room.

Share it with a DJ friend, follow the show, and leave a review with your pick for the greatest song ever (we might read it on a future episode).

Support the show

RESOURCES & LINKS

Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/
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Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn
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Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com

00:00 - Introducing First Guest Mike Walter

03:30 - The Book: Defining A “Great” Song

10:45 - Longevity, Lyrics, And Ranking Choices

17:20 - From Facts To Opinions: Why Write This Book

23:40 - Genre Spread, Beatles Bias, And Avoiding Clichés

29:55 - Today’s Songwriters And Hidden Gems

34:45 - Release Plan And How To Get A Signed Copy

36:50 - Doors Open Philosophy And Event Energy

41:30 - 2024–2025 Gig Songs: What Worked

WEBVTT

00:00:21.600 --> 00:00:25.760
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to Beyond the DJ Booth Podcast.

00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:26.960
I'm Joe Bunn.

00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:28.640
That right there is Brian B.

00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:41.359
And today we have a first, an actual first, the very first guest, and it would have never been anyone else, the one, the only straight out of New Jersey, Mike Walter in the building.

00:00:41.439 --> 00:00:42.719
What's up, Mike?

00:00:49.600 --> 00:00:51.600
Thank you so much, gentlemen, for having me on.

00:00:51.679 --> 00:00:52.320
How are you?

00:00:52.479 --> 00:00:56.000
Dude, I I couldn't be more excited about this.

00:00:56.079 --> 00:01:06.879
I mean, I wish you could see the amount of technology and shit that we have been setting up for two days to get ready to bring on Mike Walter as the first guest.

00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:11.200
You know, I actually I looked into flights to get down there and do this in person.

00:01:11.280 --> 00:01:16.000
It just was impractical, especially because I'm gonna be in Vegas next week for wedding MBM.

00:01:16.079 --> 00:01:17.439
So it just was not gonna make sense.

00:01:17.519 --> 00:01:18.079
But I would have.

00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:20.239
If I could have, I would have hopped on a plane and been there in person.

00:01:20.319 --> 00:01:21.840
I love the setup, it looks awesome.

00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:22.799
Dude, thanks, man.

00:01:22.879 --> 00:01:26.640
We got the little set here, and we were able to hook up a little conference camera.

00:01:26.719 --> 00:01:29.280
And anyway, we are gonna talk about a lot of stuff today.

00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:31.840
We're not gonna put time constraints on this thing.

00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:40.400
Uh, if it goes longer than our normal 30 minutes, then of course it needs to for somebody of this stature, somebody that I've learned from, Brian's learned from.

00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:47.280
I it's probably the reason that I started speaking in the first place, which then led to the DJ's vault, which then led us here.

00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:50.799
He and I did a podcast, what, Mike, five years, 300 episodes?

00:01:51.040 --> 00:01:51.519
We did?

00:01:51.760 --> 00:01:52.799
We did a podcast.

00:01:52.959 --> 00:01:54.239
Dude, it's still out there.

00:01:54.400 --> 00:01:57.920
If you if you don't know about the PHDJ podcast, it is still out there.

00:01:58.079 --> 00:02:01.519
I think there are close to 300 episodes, and it was awesome.

00:02:01.599 --> 00:02:08.639
We called each other every week, uh, Mike being in New Jersey, me in North Carolina, and so again, happy to have him as the very first guest today.

00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:10.400
Tell him what we're talking about, though, Brian.

00:02:10.479 --> 00:02:12.719
You want to tell them about why Mike is on?

00:02:12.800 --> 00:02:17.759
I mean, he's on for multiple reasons, but I think we should lead with the book and then move into the other show.

00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:18.240
Yeah.

00:02:18.319 --> 00:02:19.520
I mean, I this is news to me.

00:02:19.599 --> 00:02:23.039
I when you told me about it, I was like, oh, I'm looking forward to this, actually.

00:02:23.280 --> 00:02:29.039
I I want to talk about the title and then just kind of move from there, Mike, because I think this is so interesting.

00:02:29.199 --> 00:02:32.560
I just was reading it to Brian and I even read it, how it reads.

00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:34.560
So the greatest song ever?

00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:36.240
It's a question, right?

00:02:36.400 --> 00:02:37.520
And I think that's so cool.

00:02:37.680 --> 00:02:39.360
The sub, what do you call that, Mike?

00:02:39.439 --> 00:02:40.639
The the title under the title.

00:02:40.879 --> 00:02:41.280
Subtitle.

00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:48.719
Subtitle, an in-depth analysis of incredible songs with the ultimate goal of finding the greatest ever.

00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:51.840
I want to hear Mike's explanation of greatest.

00:02:51.919 --> 00:02:55.599
Like, is there a formula to this or am I just overthinking it?

00:02:55.840 --> 00:02:57.520
You know, there's no formula, Brian.

00:02:57.680 --> 00:03:01.039
To me, a great song hits you in the feels.

00:03:01.439 --> 00:03:10.159
Whether that's, you know, makes you motivated and makes you feel like you can run through a wall or leaves you sobbing in tears because it was so sad or anything.

00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:13.280
To me, a great song really has to hit you in the feels.

00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:16.240
And I think I make that point many, many times in this book.

00:03:16.400 --> 00:03:21.120
How a song can move you if you really listen to it closely and understand the lyrics.

00:03:21.360 --> 00:03:26.560
So you had to take off the DJ hat to put this list together, or was that part of the equation at all?

00:03:26.879 --> 00:03:28.479
You know, that's a great question, Brian.

00:03:28.639 --> 00:03:36.879
I obviously doing this for as long as I do, I understand the reaction that certain certain songs have to crowds, and that's an important thing as well.

00:03:37.039 --> 00:03:42.800
But I think some DJs only define music by will it rock my dance floor or not.

00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:46.400
You know, we saw that when Taylor Swift just released her latest album.

00:03:46.560 --> 00:03:52.560
The biggest reaction, the biggest comments I saw from DJ friends of mine was, Oh, I don't hear anything that's gonna work at my gigs.

00:03:52.639 --> 00:03:55.280
All right, but that's not the only thing that music can do.

00:03:55.759 --> 00:03:58.400
I don't know you as well as I know Joe Brian.

00:03:58.639 --> 00:04:09.840
I don't know how much you love music outside of just playing at events, but I know Joe and I share that passion for, you know, Joe, you go to plenty of concerts, and those artists aren't artists that you play at your events, right?

00:04:10.080 --> 00:04:15.199
Because you have an appreciation for music as a whole and the fact that some is danceable, some isn't.

00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:25.680
So to answer the question, I took my DJ hat off a little bit, but I kept it on because great dance songs are also a subdivision of great music, and I appreciate great dance songs as much as the next person.

00:04:25.920 --> 00:04:27.600
All right, one more pre-qualifier question.

00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:32.879
So some songs move you in a moment, but then years later, maybe that wanes a bit.

00:04:32.959 --> 00:04:34.079
It doesn't have the same effect.

00:04:34.319 --> 00:04:40.879
So is part of the equation if it still moves you, or it just had its moment and now it's gone.

00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:51.040
I can only write this book from my perspective as a middle-aged man who's you know dealing with looking at 60 next year and the other issues in my life.

00:04:51.199 --> 00:04:54.720
And one song specifically that I can think of, I talk about that.

00:04:54.879 --> 00:05:06.720
The it hits me differently than it did 30 years ago or 40 years ago when I first heard it, because I'm coming at it from a perspective now of a middle-aged man as opposed to when I first heard it, I was a kid.

00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:15.360
So um, yeah, that absolutely songs hit you in different I mean, any art form hits you in a different way depending on where you are in your life.

00:05:15.759 --> 00:05:22.319
So to work your way up the list, if it has held on longevity-wise, does that help move it up the list of numbers?

00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:23.680
I mean, is it okay?

00:05:23.839 --> 00:05:24.319
It's yeah.

00:05:24.560 --> 00:05:28.160
I listen, I think that's one of the defining factors of great songs.

00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:37.279
There's a lot of, and they're usually pop songs that you love when you first hear it, and then five listens, ten listens later, you're like, meh, that song's not great.

00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:42.240
And conversely, I think most great songs don't grab you right away.

00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:48.879
That it takes a while to kind of bury into your soul, and then you start going, oh wow, that's a really great song.

00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:50.959
I get what the artist is trying to do there.

00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:54.319
It didn't come to you immediately, but it took a while for it to really grasp you.

00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:55.439
You might have to ask another one.

00:05:55.519 --> 00:05:55.920
Yeah, sorry.

00:05:57.199 --> 00:05:58.560
How many did you put in the book?

00:05:58.720 --> 00:05:59.120
40.

00:05:59.439 --> 00:06:02.560
And they are ranked in that way, or no?

00:06:02.639 --> 00:06:12.560
It's just no, I I I point this out in the book that the first 39, I honestly put them into a Spotify playlist, I hit random, and I put the songs in that order.

00:06:12.879 --> 00:06:20.800
And I did that specifically for the first 39 because I I thought about doing chronological order, I thought about doing alphabetical order, but I just wanted some random effect.

00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:27.120
The 40th one I did save for the fact that you put a gun to my head and say what's the greatest song ever?

00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:29.199
It would be the 40th song that I write about.

00:06:29.279 --> 00:06:34.720
I think the first 39 are all great and deserve consideration as the greatest song ever.

00:06:34.800 --> 00:06:38.480
But if you forced me to decide, it would be the 40th one that I read.

00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:39.519
And you gotta read the book.

00:06:39.680 --> 00:06:40.720
So I saved that one specifically.

00:06:40.879 --> 00:06:41.519
And you gotta read the book.

00:06:41.680 --> 00:06:42.240
You gotta read the book.

00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:43.279
Damn right, you did.

00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:49.600
So was there any honorable mention ones, or was it easy to come up with this list of top 39?

00:06:49.839 --> 00:06:50.639
No, it wasn't.

00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:55.040
As a matter of fact, I thought about putting this in the in an addendum, but I I just didn't do it.

00:06:55.279 --> 00:07:02.240
There were over 200 songs that I listened to and considered and researched and really gave some soul searching about.

00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:08.399
So from over 200, I've narrowed this down to what I consider to be 40 of the greatest songs.

00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:09.360
That's amazing.

00:07:09.519 --> 00:07:12.160
Can I can I put this word in a fucking interview?

00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:19.199
Can I do you mind if I ask my mentor and and uh the legend a couple of questions?

00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:19.759
Is that okay?

00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:20.800
Cool, cool.

00:07:21.040 --> 00:07:24.079
Um, so Mike, you are an author.

00:07:24.160 --> 00:07:26.560
Like you've put out multiple books now.

00:07:26.720 --> 00:07:28.079
It's kind of run the gamut.

00:07:28.399 --> 00:07:33.759
Originally you'd made a lot of um uh let's call them video books or instructional things for DJs.

00:07:33.920 --> 00:07:36.480
The last book, is it on this day in music?

00:07:36.720 --> 00:07:37.360
Am I saying it right?

00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:38.399
On this date in music.

00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:41.920
On this date, I remember that's right, because you couldn't get the URL or something.

00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:48.319
On this date in music, which I used ad nauseum for multiple TikToks over the years.

00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:49.759
What brought on this concept?

00:07:49.839 --> 00:07:51.199
Like, how do you parlay from it?

00:07:51.360 --> 00:07:57.759
And by the way, just for the listeners that aren't familiar with that book, and I'm sure you can go out there and get it still on Amazon on this date in music.

00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:11.519
It was awesome because every day of the year, 365 days, Mike basically pulled a song and associated it with that date and then told the story behind it, and it was still is sitting on my coffee table.

00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:12.399
No, it's right there.

00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:14.399
I knew it was somewhere near me.

00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:15.519
It's right here between us.

00:08:15.600 --> 00:08:16.560
It sits right here between us.

00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:17.519
There it is, right there.

00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:20.000
And here it is, right here between us.

00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:23.920
So it sits here on the table as a reminder of where we came from.

00:08:24.079 --> 00:08:26.319
But how do you parlay from that book to this book?

00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:28.079
How does this come about, this concept?

00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:42.559
This latest book, The Greatest Song Ever, is actually inspired by On The State in Music because a friend of mine recently online said he loved On the State in Music, but he said you really didn't offer many opinions about the songs.

00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:43.679
And I didn't.

00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:49.759
It's a very factual book, and you know, this happened on this date, and here's an interesting thing that happened behind the scenes or whatever.

00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:55.440
But I didn't offer a lot of, and this song is great because, or this album is worth listening to because.

00:08:55.600 --> 00:09:01.679
And so I thought, hmm, I wonder if there's any value in just offering almost like a music critic, which is funny.

00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:06.240
I call myself that on the back of the book because there's no true definition of what a music critic is.

00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:09.039
You don't have to have everything a lawyer that you have to have passed apart.

00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:11.279
So yeah, I'm gonna use that title for myself.

00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:12.639
I think I'm a music critic.

00:09:12.799 --> 00:09:16.960
You are, and I think my opinion is of value, and not that everyone's gonna agree with that.

00:09:17.039 --> 00:09:25.440
I'm sure most people are gonna read this book and disagree with certain songs that I put in and say, Oh, I can't believe you didn't put this, but that's part of the fun of any kind of list like this, right?

00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:27.679
The things you agree with and the things you disagree with.

00:09:27.919 --> 00:09:35.600
So it was more about taking some of the facts from On the State and Music, but also offering my opinion about what makes the song so great.

00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:48.639
So speaking of, do you factor in or you know, put in this equation, this this Mike Walter formula, melody, rhythm, lyrics, all of the above, or do you focus on one thing?

00:09:48.720 --> 00:09:52.080
Or even like Brian was saying, like, do people throw ass to it?

00:09:52.159 --> 00:09:52.720
You know what I mean?

00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:53.759
Shake their ass to it?

00:09:54.080 --> 00:09:57.120
All of the above, but melody and rhythm are extremely important.

00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:04.799
But if if the lyrics don't hit me and hit me hard, and again, it doesn't have to be emotional, it can be that shaking your ass on the dance floor.

00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:13.440
I mean, there are a number of songs in here that we'll all know as gig songs because they get the dance floor moving, but that isn't the only deciding factor for me about what makes a great song.

00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:16.480
And to me, the lyrics just have to get me somehow.

00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:23.039
They have to make me go or wow or yeah, or just some kind of reaction from what the writer wrote.

00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:26.639
I mean, you also know I released a book of poetry uh about a year ago.

00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:29.039
I've made a whopping like$40 off of that.

00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:29.840
It was amazing.

00:10:30.320 --> 00:10:31.440
Nobody buys poetry.

00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:41.919
And I actually talk about that in the forward of this book that I've always believed music is a gateway to get people to read poetry or listen to poetry or be moved by poetry.

00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:45.200
I happen to read a lot of books of poetry, but most people don't do that.

00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:49.519
But when you listen to lyrics, it's really like appreciating poetry.

00:10:50.240 --> 00:11:01.360
You were kind of one of the people that we talked about it on the on the old podcast where you know you're riding around in the car and for whatever reason, let's say you're on a throwback station and Brick House comes on, you're like, oh no, I can't do that one.

00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:01.919
You know what I mean?

00:11:02.080 --> 00:11:02.639
Gig songs.

00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:06.240
How many of the 40 would you put into that category of gig songs?

00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:06.960
Shit, we play.

00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:10.399
I would say September is definitely a a gig song, right?

00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:11.039
100%.

00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:12.480
So that's that's covered in it.

00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:13.679
It's his favorite, it's his opener.

00:11:13.919 --> 00:11:16.559
Uh Respect, Aretha Franklin.

00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:17.840
Would you consider that song?

00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:18.399
Yeah, I do.

00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:19.919
Would you consider Usher?

00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:20.320
Yeah.

00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:21.759
100% a gig song.

00:11:22.159 --> 00:11:22.480
Not at all.

00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:23.440
Just kidding.

00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:23.919
Yeah.

00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:25.039
That's three.

00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:27.200
I think those are probably the only.

00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:29.840
Oh, I talk about hypnotize by Biggie.

00:11:29.919 --> 00:11:31.759
That to me is one of the greatest rap songs.

00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:32.960
I just love everything.

00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:37.440
I didn't agree more song, and I delve into the lyrics of that and I delve into the legacy of that.

00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:39.519
So yeah, probably four, maybe five.

00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:44.639
Did you find yourself sticking with one genre primarily, or it kept coming reoccurring?

00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:46.799
Like there's actually a singer-songwriter genre.

00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:51.679
I'm surprised that that wouldn't dominate because the lyrical content is usually so poignant.

00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:52.720
Yes, that's the word.

00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:53.120
Thank you.

00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:53.600
Great word.

00:11:53.840 --> 00:11:54.799
I did my best, Brian.

00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:59.759
Just like on this date in music, I did my best to spread the love throughout different eras.

00:11:59.840 --> 00:12:02.799
The oldest song in this book goes back to the 1930s.

00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:05.039
The most recent is just two years ago.

00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:10.080
So I tried to spread the love through different timelines and but also genres.

00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:14.159
There's country song, hip-hop, rock, folk, singer-songwriter.

00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:16.240
There I tried to cover as many genres as possible.

00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:17.039
Follow-up.

00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:19.840
Did one artist seem to dominate?

00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:21.600
Only one per artist.

00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:23.759
And listen, everyone knows me as a Prince fan.

00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:26.799
Of course, there's a Prince song in here, but only one.

00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:31.039
Probably the only artist that you could say is represented twice.

00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:34.559
I have a Beatles song and also a solo John Lennon song.

00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:41.600
So you might say I overweighed the Beatles a little bit, but I think if any band deserves to be overweighed in a book like this, it's the Beatles.

00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:49.039
So talk about avoiding like the cliches or how do you avoid the Stairway to Heaven or Bohemian Rhapsody?

00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:49.840
Or maybe you didn't.

00:12:49.919 --> 00:12:50.159
I don't know.

00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:50.639
Maybe they're in there.

00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:53.360
I only have a chance to glance at it.

00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:54.559
But here's my thing, Joe.

00:12:54.879 --> 00:13:03.360
First of all, I think that those songs have been given enough flowers through the years, written about, admired, adulted, everything else.

00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:05.759
But I don't think Stairway to Heaven is a great song.

00:13:05.840 --> 00:13:08.799
I know that might be sacrilege, but I think it's a very good song.

00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:10.159
I don't think it's a great song.

00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:11.679
I think it's a little over the top.

00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:13.360
I think it's a little self-indulgent.

00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:17.919
And I think Led Zeppelin has four or five better songs than Stairway to Heaven, in my opinion.

00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:20.080
I feel the same way about Bohemian Rhapsody.

00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:22.559
I think Bohemian Rhapsody is a great song.

00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:25.120
In my opinion, it's not even the best Queen song.

00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:28.799
And I just think it suffers a little bit from overexposure, if you will.

00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:30.080
I mean, I couldn't agree more.

00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:37.919
As somebody that really likes both of those bands and listens to songs even to this day and all through high school, you know, stuff that came out way before my time.

00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:38.320
I don't know.

00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:45.360
Not way before my time, but before my time, I would still pick three, four songs from Zeppelin or Queen before I would pick either one of those.

00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:49.279
But yes, they have been written to death, played to death, talked about to death.

00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:52.080
I mean, movies made about the songs, literally.

00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:55.600
Back in the day, there used to be a rock station in New York.

00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:57.919
I forget which one it was, maybe WNEW.

00:13:58.080 --> 00:14:04.080
And on I think it was July 4th, they would do like a top 500 countdown of the rock songs.

00:14:04.159 --> 00:14:05.360
And I loved listening to it.

00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:07.440
We would have barbecues and we'd have it on all day long.

00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:15.120
Once you got to the top 10, you could turn it off because you knew it was going to be some semblance of order of Baba O'Reilly and Stairway to Heaven.

00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:21.840
Like you pretty much knew, and again, not that those songs don't deserve to be in that placement, but maybe it's just overexposure to me.

00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:27.279
It wasn't hard for me to eliminate some of those cliche songs because they wouldn't have made my list even if I'd never heard them before.

00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:34.000
Well, with the music that's out today, I mean, obviously, just my own personal opinion that great songwriting is starting to suffer.

00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:40.480
Do you carry that same take in the sense that music today, the emphasis on great songwriting isn't there?

00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:47.919
And on the flip side, are there any artists that are out there currently that you think could make a list like this come 10 years from now?

00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:49.360
Damn, that's good.

00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:51.759
I disagree with the first thing.

00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:55.840
The thing is that great songwriters are not represented on the pop charts anymore.

00:14:56.080 --> 00:15:05.759
I mean, there's not even a rock band, I think, in most like most times when you look at the top 40 or whatever, you don't you're not even seeing any rock music or singer songwriters or things like that.

00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:11.440
So I think they're still out there, but I just don't think they're represented well as far as the pop charts go.

00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:15.600
Yeah, I mean, you guys have heard me talk about this young artist, Jake Wesley Rogers.

00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:17.039
I think he's a great example.

00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:19.200
I just saw him over the summer perform live.

00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:21.759
He actually opened up for Cindy Lopper on her last tour.

00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:24.559
The kid is an incredible artist, incredible lyricist.

00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:29.759
He's kind of a modern-day Elton John because he's very flashy and showy and plays piano.

00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:33.279
And I mean, he's another one that he put he released an album earlier in the year.

00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:34.799
It's my favorite album of the year.

00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:38.960
I've been listening to it nonstop, but it didn't make a blip on the pop chart.

00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:41.200
So I think you just have to look for those.

00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:45.840
If I wrote a book like this 25 years from now, would any of today's artists get in?

00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:48.080
Yeah, I mean, there's Alana Del Rey song in here.

00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:50.480
That's the most recent song, is Alana Del Rey song.

00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:50.879
I love it.

00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:53.279
She's an incredible lyricist, incredible artist.

00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:54.960
So those artists are still out there.

00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.480
You just got to look a little harder for them.

00:15:56.720 --> 00:16:01.200
So, Mike, what can people hope to learn, you know, if they buy this?

00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:02.320
And they are going to buy it.

00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:09.120
But what what is what's the the end, you know, what's the end goal for them as a reader to to pick this book up?

00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:16.639
I hope what they come away with it is a a deeper appreciation for songs that they might have heard their whole lives.

00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:24.960
You know, this a lot of the songs in here are going to be very, there's maybe three or four that people might go, oh wow, I'm not even familiar with that song, or I barely know that song.

00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:40.559
But most of the songs in here are going to be songs you go, wow, I've heard that song hundreds of times throughout my life, but I never noticed that lyrical pun or that lyrical twist or that guitar solo or the way the drum drops out there that emphasizes this lyric, that type of thing.

00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:43.759
That's the type of analysis I give to each one of these songs.

00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:49.360
And hopefully it's gonna give the reader a deeper appreciation for what I consider to be some great, great songs.

00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:50.559
Dude, I can't wait.

00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.759
I know I've got the PDF.

00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:53.120
I haven't had a chance to read it.

00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:54.320
I'm obviously gonna buy the heart.

00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:56.399
As soon as I will send you both copies.

00:16:56.480 --> 00:17:01.919
I wish I had them today so you could hold them up and show everybody, but you're both gonna get copies in the mail as soon as I get the print.

00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:04.240
We'll make a little video reel or whatever.

00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:06.400
So this comes out the day before Thanksgiving.

00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:07.359
This episode does.

00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:07.519
Yes.

00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:07.839
Yep.

00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:09.279
This episode that we're recording now.

00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.559
When does the book come out?

00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.440
How do they get it?

00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:14.240
Like, talk about all that good stuff before we move into the rest.

00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:16.000
It will be released on that Monday.

00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:18.880
So by the time you launch this, uh happy Thanksgiving, everybody.

00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:20.480
By the way, if that's gonna be tomorrow.

00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:22.400
Yeah, um, it will be available.

00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:27.359
You can get it on Amazon and it'll be the same price on Amazon as it will on my website.

00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:29.920
The difference is on my website I can sign it for you.

00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:39.279
So if you want to go to DJMikewalter.com, you can buy the book there, and I will send you an autographed signed and personalized if you want me to personalize it to you as well.

00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:43.759
And the good part about something like that is then if I die, it shoots up in value.

00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:48.640
You have a non-signed copy, it's not worth anything, but DJMikewalter.com.

00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:49.279
Get it signed.

00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:50.079
Yes, get it signed.

00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:52.240
All right, let's talk about some DJ shit, man.

00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:55.440
You know, you can we're not bringing Mike on here and just talk about books.

00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:59.759
We're talking uh we're just you guys welcomed me and you didn't give me an opportunity.

00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:00.880
I love this podcast.

00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:02.559
I've loved it since you launched it.

00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:05.279
I've always wanted to say this longtime listener, first time caller.

00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:06.960
Um, I I love it.

00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:10.240
And I love the fact that you don't just talk about DJ stuff.

00:18:10.400 --> 00:18:14.799
Very recently, Kelly said to me, my wife Kelly said, Have you heard about the Starbucks challenge?

00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:18.799
And I'm like, Yeah, I saw Joe and Brian do that with the with the cups that you were doing.

00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:26.319
Remember you guys did the episode where you heard a medium was the same as a large or grandes, and I was like, Yeah, Joe and Brian talked about that.

00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:28.079
So uh tip of the cap, Joe.

00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:31.759
I appreciate where you took your podcasting skills to an even higher level.

00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:32.960
Dude, I appreciate it.

00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:38.799
We wouldn't be here with it without the the years that you and I put behind the camera and behind the uh mic as well.

00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:41.119
So they were good training years, weren't they?

00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:44.480
I think we taught a lot of people.

00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:46.799
I thought people to still stop me all the time.

00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:48.799
Man, I love the PHDJ podcast.

00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.839
You want to talk about music?

00:18:49.920 --> 00:18:50.400
You want to do that?

00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:50.960
Hell yeah.

00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:51.200
Absolutely.

00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.240
That's what I want to talk about.

00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:53.279
Absolutely.

00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:17.680
So you came up with this topic, Mike.

00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:18.799
You want to walk it in?

00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:25.839
So normally this time of year, uh Joe and I would talk about our favorite songs of the year or the best gig songs of the year.

00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:30.880
So I thought if you're gonna have me on and you want to delve into that topic, I can be prepared and discuss it.

00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:31.519
Let's do it.

00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:31.839
Yeah.

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:34.880
It looked like we all pick songs from 2025.

00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:35.279
Okay.

00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:38.720
Or at least it didn't seem like I didn't go into depth to look exactly when they got ready.

00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:40.000
Yeah, I'm pretty sure.

00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:43.279
I'm pretty sure the songs I sent you, although I do want to give an honorable mention.

00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:44.000
Yes, I saw that.

00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:46.319
Pink Pony Club came out in 2024, right?

00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:49.440
As far as new music goes, newer music, yeah.

00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:52.160
Pink Pony Club has been the best song of the year for me.

00:19:52.319 --> 00:20:00.079
It just rocks my dance floor, not rocks it in a high energy kind of way, but people they don't even sing along to that song, they scream along to it.

00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:05.519
Yeah, and it's a very tension release, very similar back in the day to I Will Survive.

00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:13.599
So I know I didn't include that on my list, and I I know it's not a 2025 song, but as far as newer music goes, Pink Pony Club deserves some mention.

00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:15.839
Just real quick before we move into the other ones.

00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:21.119
Mike, do you start it from the bat like do you play the the like the album version to start it from kind of the ballad part?

00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:21.920
No, no, no.

00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.480
Yep.

00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:23.440
Oh, okay.

00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:26.720
So just hard come out of something and then boom, slam that in.

00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.200
Exactly.

00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:27.519
Okay.

00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:27.680
Yeah.

00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.160
What about you?

00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:34.799
And as soon as they recognize the the melody, they launch into singing along, and yeah, it's just an amazing moment.

00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:37.680
It really depends on what part of the night I'm playing it.

00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:43.119
But usually I'm going into a mixed point of the pre-chorus, not the chorus.

00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:43.839
Yeah, me too.

00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:44.880
I think that's the one I have.

00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:47.200
Where it goes dun dun dun dun.

00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:47.839
Yeah.

00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:51.039
Not the pink, but you kinda need that little pink.

00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:51.839
It needs something, right?

00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:52.000
Yeah.

00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:52.880
I think that's what my own.

00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:53.920
You need that build-up too.

00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:54.319
Yeah.

00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.519
Anyway, just curious.

00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:55.839
Okay.

00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:56.480
What other songs?

00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:56.799
What else?

00:20:57.039 --> 00:21:01.920
Well, let's start with so we I the way we designed it was we got a little bit of a sample of each of these.

00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:02.319
Okay.

00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:07.680
And Mike, your first one I have, uh, round one, was uh from Lady Gaga.

00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:09.759
I'll let you kind of talk about it, then we can play a sample.

00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:12.400
I thought Abracadabra was a great song when it came out.

00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:15.119
I I played it a number of times when it first came out.

00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:17.440
I don't think I've been rocking it the last month or so.

00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.799
I think it's kind of fallen off.

00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:25.519
But as far as how many, you know, as far as new songs and how many times that I play it this year, the Gaga song Abracadabra is definitely up there.

00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:26.880
So if you're not familiar with it, let's hit it.

00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.680
Say go on.

00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:45.039
Ram B, did you play it?

00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:45.839
Never.

00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:48.480
Um couple times for me.

00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:50.720
It did never really took help.

00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:53.920
Never took help for me.

00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:57.119
That's interesting part, too.

00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:59.440
That that definitely has a jersey like that.

00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:01.039
So, Brian, you never played it?

00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:02.160
I never played it once.

00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:02.720
I had it.

00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:03.119
Wow.

00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:04.400
I never got requested for it.

00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:06.000
I never felt like can fit it in really.

00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:06.400
Yeah.

00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.519
Your first pick.

00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:10.720
My first pick was APT.

00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:12.000
You still rocking it?

00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:12.640
Uh no.

00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.039
Mm-mm.

00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:13.759
That's falling off.

00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:15.359
It just fell off for me.

00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:15.680
Yeah.

00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:21.359
Uh I liked it because it was super fast and it could go with other 150.

00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:22.319
Or is it even higher?

00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.279
It was something like that.

00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:24.240
Like a footloose.

00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:29.200
It sounds like footloose, kind of, or even um bright side or something like that.

00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:29.920
Shout.

00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.319
I don't know.

00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:31.519
We got a little bit of a sample.

00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:31.759
Yeah.

00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:41.599
Uh uh uh kissy face, kissy face, fancy phone butt.

00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:43.599
I'm trying to kiss your lips for real.

00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:44.240
Uh-huh.

00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:46.319
Red hearts, red hearts.

00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.440
That's what I'm on.

00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.000
Yeah.

00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:49.920
Come give me something I can feel.

00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:50.480
Uh uh.

00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:54.160
Don't you want me like a want to baby?

00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:57.440
Don't you need me like a need to laugh?

00:22:57.680 --> 00:23:00.720
See tomorrow, but tonight go crazy.

00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:02.880
All you gotta do is miss me.

00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:05.440
Me at the butt it.

00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:07.279
So you're not playing it, or are you still playing it?

00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.319
I haven't played it in a while.

00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:08.880
What about you?

00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:09.599
But it did well.

00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:10.720
I haven't played it in a while either.

00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.119
Yeah.

00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:12.240
I don't remember the last time.

00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:13.599
It it it hit big for a while.

00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:13.759
Yeah.

00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:15.359
Yeah, I don't remember the last time I did play it.

00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:20.799
So my first pick out of this is actually the latest banger for me that's crushing my floors right now.

00:23:20.880 --> 00:23:22.880
It's Man I Need, the Olivia Dean.

00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.200
Yeah.

00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.319
I do like this song.

00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:30.799
I had a version, and this was going to be an honorable mention too, but because it came out in November of 24, Messi, if you're familiar with that track.

00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:30.960
Yeah.

00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:32.000
The Gracie Adams.

00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:32.480
Yeah.

00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:37.359
So I always am looking for ways to get like two or three times the pop out of a song.

00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:39.119
In other words, like reactions.

00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:44.160
So I had this blend of that's so true over the Timberland song.

00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:48.480
And then they came out with this version of Man I Need with that as well over it.

00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:48.799
Okay.

00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:52.799
So I only hit the choruses of Man I Need and to That's So True.

00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:54.640
And I got live or you made an edit?

00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:55.519
I made an edit of it.

00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:57.759
I'm gonna play it here in a second so you'll hear both.

00:23:57.839 --> 00:24:00.319
But the beauty is like it gives me three times the pop.

00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:04.160
I get the Timberland, I get the Man I Need, and this other one all within a minute.

00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:07.519
And individually, you would not have played those songs as they stood either.

00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:08.240
No, I would.

00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.119
I've done them before.

00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:12.480
This is just a way, one way of playing it in peak hour.

00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:15.680
Yeah, but like sometimes I feel like I just burn three songs in one.

00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:17.519
I do that to myself all the time.

00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:17.920
Right.

00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:18.480
I don't mind.

00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:21.920
And then I got a three-hour dance set, and I'm like, fuck, I just burned three songs in one.

00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:22.559
I don't mind.

00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:23.119
Okay.

00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:24.000
Because you're that good.

00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:25.599
No, I don't say it like that.

00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:26.720
Go ahead.

00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:42.000
And I like the fact that it's like around 115 beats per minute because you can go anywhere, you know, getting in or getting out.

00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:52.880
Here we go.

00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:03.920
Okay.

00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:10.559
But I'm just gonna play like a little bit of that pre-verse end of the hook.

00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:11.359
And I'm out.

00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:16.000
To get one more pop of the chord.

00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:25.279
Critical critical.

00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:29.039
Oh, I can manage.

00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:30.240
Tend it tend it.

00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.400
I will.

00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:41.440
I want to show you how it ends though, because how you can mix out.

00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:44.799
I'm out.

00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:45.440
Oh, right.

00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:49.200
See, like, so uh it that literally is like a minute and 20 seconds.

00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:49.680
Uh-huh.

00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:52.880
But those like that are easy to get in and out of.

00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:53.839
Anyway, that's good shit.

00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.480
Good shit, guys.

00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:56.160
And Brian, you mentioned that BPM.

00:25:56.319 --> 00:26:04.480
115 in that range is so important to me because they need songs in the 110s to climb from my hip hop up to my 120s.

00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:06.559
And there's not a lot of great songs in that in that range.

00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:06.880
Right.

00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:08.319
Or I don't know them.

00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:10.480
So I still use sexy back sometimes.

00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:13.359
Not because I think it's going to work, but because that's a climb song.

00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:18.240
Like I can I can slow it down to 110 and then bring it up to 124 and it still works.

00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:20.319
So yeah, that BPM range is important.

00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:20.960
Round two.

00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:24.960
We all had the same pick, but I like this because we all have different versions.

00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:25.519
Oh.

00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:28.480
So you put this on your banger list that's in the Patreon.

00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:33.759
The hooks and drops only of what I would consider the song of the summer, in my opinion.

00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:34.960
The no Brook Boys.

00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:35.279
Yep.

00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:35.839
Why do you play?

00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:38.799
I saw that was on your banger list that you had the hooks and drops.

00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:40.079
Just you don't think the verse works.

00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:42.160
I don't either, but I'm just curious why.

00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:45.039
Um did you play it that way on purpose for some reason?

00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:46.319
I've always been playing it that way.

00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:46.720
Okay.

00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:50.160
I just didn't feel like the verse was necessary.

00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:51.440
And you always play clean?

00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:52.480
I always play clean.

00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.839
What does the unclean say?

00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:56.240
It has ass hair and a couple other things.

00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.279
I'm a clean guy.

00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.720
I'm a I'm a clean guy.

00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:01.599
And then Mike, you had the Ultimix version.

00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:04.240
I usually do verse, chorus, then get out.

00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:06.960
So I do that opening verse and then the chorus and then get out.

00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:12.000
And then the version I usually play, but I've already shared on this podcast, is that one with Glamorous.

00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:12.240
Yeah.

00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:17.279
But the other one I played recently was with Sweet Nothing, which is the Calvin Harris track.

00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:19.440
I've been doing a lot of like after parties.

00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:28.640
And again, this is just another way of getting two pops out of a song because you're kind of hitting people who want that more progressive feel, but it's not like a remix necessarily.

00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:30.000
And the after party vibes.

00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:36.720
You need that almost like peak big room EDM kind of feeling to keep the energy from 11 to 1 or whatever it is.

00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:38.400
And Sweet Nothing's good on its own.

00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:40.079
So usually I go from this right into it.

00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:42.319
You want to play a little sample of that one?

00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:45.440
You know that song Sweet Nothing?

00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.440
No broad, no new friends.

00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:50.960
I'm not putting it in my tent, ain't no love, ain't no sex.

00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:59.039
It's the dirty version.

00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:16.319
Then you're out.

00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:16.559
Yeah.

00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:24.079
You can put obviously I played a lot longer than that, but I'm just saying like after a chorus of that hit.

00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:24.400
Yeah.

00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:25.839
But those two work really well.

00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:28.880
It's the only thing that makes it a dirty version, the word ass.

00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:30.720
No, I think there's I think she said bitch.

00:28:31.119 --> 00:28:33.519
Something something something nasty bitch.

00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:33.839
Okay.

00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:35.440
Yeah.

00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:36.480
Even bitch.

00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:39.279
I mean, that's I mean, to me the F-word and the N-word.

00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:41.039
Like that's still looking left much, really.

00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:46.559
I mean, I hear them say they say shit on on like regular cable TV.

00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.119
Oh, I know.

00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:47.440
Yeah.

00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:47.839
Yeah.

00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.160
Yeah.

00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:50.079
I almost fell out one time I heard that.

00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:51.119
All right, round three.

00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:53.359
We got uh another guy from across the pond.

00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:55.359
This is Mike's pick, Alex Warren.

00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:55.839
Okay.

00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:58.880
The non-remix of Ordinary, I think, is a great song.

00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:01.119
I think I had it as a wedding song earlier in the year.

00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:01.839
That's what I thought.

00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:08.240
But I also I love uh Ultimix made a made a remix of it that just really punches up that chorus and makes it danceable.

00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:11.039
I've used this a handful of times to kind of snuck it in on a crowd.

00:29:11.119 --> 00:29:14.799
Again, verse chorus, one chorus, and out, but this has worked for me.

00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:15.680
Oh mama.

00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:22.720
Kind of healthy.

00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:37.599
Yeah.

00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:41.519
Okay.

00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:43.599
My third pick was also ordinary.

00:29:43.839 --> 00:29:44.079
Okay.

00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:45.200
Um version.

00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.720
I can't wait to hear what version you're playing.

00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:49.119
Well, again, I'm playing a lot of after parties lately.

00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:49.279
Yeah.

00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:51.119
So this is kind of like a late night one.

00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:57.839
But another way I like to sometimes bring these songs in is if they've picked this for their first dance or for a ceremony to play it again.

00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:58.160
Yeah.

00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:59.920
Like later in the dance set where they don't explain.

00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:00.720
Expect it.

00:30:01.359 --> 00:30:04.240
And so this is with um, this is my own edit of this.

00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:08.319
This is um with if I lose myself, Alesso in One Republic.

00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:08.640
Yeah.

00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:09.440
You made it.

00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:26.480
Late night, they're all right.

00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:28.640
But then I go into the original so you'll hear it.

00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:38.240
So yeah, I'll get a double pop again, right?

00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:42.400
Jesus.

00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:44.400
Anyway, kind of got chills.

00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.759
That hit it does.

00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:47.119
Works all the time.

00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:48.400
It's in like that too.

00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:48.880
Will.

00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:53.039
Alright, that's good.

00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:53.599
Take one.

00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.160
Thank you, sir.

00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:55.279
Uh, round three.

00:30:56.160 --> 00:30:57.200
Oh, yeah, espresso.

00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:58.480
I just like this song.

00:30:58.559 --> 00:30:59.200
I like her.

00:30:59.359 --> 00:31:00.559
I think people like her.

00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.759
It's a big pop song.

00:31:01.839 --> 00:31:14.400
I think I play Chartbusters or something that just has basically a you know, 16-bar intro type thing and let it ride again, same as Mike, verse, chorus, maybe a little more if they're really feeling it, but it's not the most energetic song, I guess.

00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:15.359
When do you play it?

00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:19.680
Do you play it like it would be uh let's say first 15 songs?

00:31:19.920 --> 00:31:20.160
Interesting.

00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:20.880
You know what I mean?

00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:25.920
So so that people are not thinking like this guy's some old Fuddy Duddy 2024, you say?

00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.240
Yeah.

00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:32.400
So maybe I'm in September, or maybe I do play Boogie Shoes or something, and then maybe I would sneak it in somewhere in there.

00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:33.680
But it's like 105.

00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:35.200
Yeah, but I can make it work.

00:31:35.359 --> 00:31:36.160
I can make it work.

00:31:36.319 --> 00:31:39.519
With like a respect or something, like a redrum of respect or something.

00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:44.000
I've talked a lot about doors open and how important I consider that segment of it.

00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:44.799
That's critical.

00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:55.279
The original version, not a remix or anything else, but I'll drop espresso there because I don't think it's good enough to dance to, but it's got a great beat and a catchy chorus and everything else.

00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:59.200
So I've used espresso probably more in my doors open than in my dance segments.

00:31:59.359 --> 00:32:01.279
And then SNL, that blew it up.

00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:02.640
Oh, we know it was on there.

00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:07.759
Well, she did a whole segment where like she talks about her boyfriend who like you know do you remember that, Mike?

00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:09.599
Do you watch it enough to see that?

00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:14.160
I just so that had a huge pop on TikTok, and like everybody was asking for it at one point.

00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:18.480
You know, I I will say this, and and it really comes from both of y'all.

00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:30.000
Genuinely, I'm not just sitting there blowing smoke, but the doors open movement, if you will, or the importance, I would say I overlooked and still maybe sometimes overlooked forever.

00:32:30.160 --> 00:32:32.000
Just because I'm trying to get the names together.

00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:45.440
You know, I I know I need to go out in the hall and probably line up people like I've overlooked that song, but like the more that I've actually played it and played it well, and listened to you on here and listen to Mike and watch his videos about doors open, that whole behind the scenes what was it?

00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:48.640
Uh uh a wedding day with Mike Walter, the the series.

00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:49.359
What was that, Mike?

00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:50.640
It was a wedding with Mike Walter.

00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:52.720
Also available at DJMikeWalter.com.

00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:54.559
Genius.

00:32:55.359 --> 00:32:56.079
Right in there.

00:32:56.799 --> 00:33:02.240
I I really kind of uh uh overlooked that for the majority of my career, and I think it is absolutely imperative.

00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:04.559
And I started thinking about it more like as a guest.

00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:15.920
Like if I'm a guest and I walk in this room right now, we haven't been allowed in this ballroom see or whatever, and the DJ's standing up there and he's got a smile on his face and he's bopping his head and he's playing espresso or whatever, something good.

00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:18.480
I'm gonna be like, okay, this guy came to fucking play.

00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:20.319
Yeah, like he he's gonna get down tonight.

00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:24.559
If he's doing this when the doors open, like what is he gonna do at you know 10 o'clock?

00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:24.960
Yeah.

00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:26.400
Anyway, thank you guys for that.

00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:28.960
And Joe, when you say as a guest, we had that experience.

00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:31.359
Joe and I were both guests at Jason Jani's wedding.

00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:32.079
Was that two years ago?

00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:32.880
Yeah, I was there too.

00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:39.440
I remember when those when those doors opened from cocktail hour, you know, we walked into it, it was a full-on party already.

00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:42.799
And you know, I I've I've always had that philosophy.

00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:45.519
Whether people are on the dance floor or not, it doesn't matter.

00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:52.799
I want them just feeling it, I want them into it so that when I do open the dance floor, it's not it's not like this is the first upbeat song they're hearing all the time.

00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.839
Right, right, right.

00:33:54.079 --> 00:33:56.480
Sidebar, JSG killed that party, by the way.

00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:57.200
He did kill that.

00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:58.559
Jeff Jeff killed that party.

00:33:58.799 --> 00:34:01.279
And Marcello and the DMC was incredible.

00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:04.799
And Brian, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I forgot you were there as well.

00:34:04.880 --> 00:34:06.480
So we all had that chance to marry.

00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:07.759
He was incredible.

00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:08.239
Yeah.

00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:10.559
I hadn't ever heard him play a wedding before, obviously.

00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.280
Killed.

00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:14.639
And I was so great to see somebody that I've heard so much about.

00:34:14.800 --> 00:34:15.199
Yeah.

00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:16.480
All right, we're almost done with this.

00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:17.440
Uh, what do we got here?

00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:19.360
Round four, you're starting us off.

00:34:19.679 --> 00:34:22.559
I am, oh yeah, Taylor, the fate of Ophelia.

00:34:22.719 --> 00:34:24.719
Mike, are you playing that or anything from the new Taylor?

00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:27.760
I haven't I haven't played anything off the new Taylor.

00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:31.920
I haven't gotten any requests yet, and I haven't gotten my hands on any great remixes.

00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:33.679
So yeah, what remix of that are you playing?

00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:35.519
I think it's just like an intro clean.

00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:37.360
It must be chartbusters or something like that.

00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:39.519
There was nobody messed with it.

00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:40.079
You know what I mean?

00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:40.880
It was a good podcast.

00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:44.559
Have you been asked for that, or are you just trying to introduce that to your crowds?

00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:45.519
Some of both.

00:34:45.760 --> 00:34:45.920
Same.

00:34:46.239 --> 00:34:52.320
A little, a little bit of uh it's on the list, and then sometimes I'm just like, I feel like I can sell this today.

00:34:52.480 --> 00:34:53.119
You know what I mean?

00:34:53.280 --> 00:34:53.440
Right.

00:34:53.679 --> 00:34:55.039
But quick, in and out of there.

00:34:55.280 --> 00:34:56.400
So I picked the same song.

00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:56.880
Okay.

00:34:57.280 --> 00:35:04.400
But I had actually mixed this live with last Friday night, and it went so well that I put it over it, like made my own edit of it.

00:35:04.719 --> 00:35:06.960
You just did that live, just decided to do it.

00:35:07.280 --> 00:35:11.039
No, well, I just went in from that from that song into last Friday night, and it just worked.

00:35:11.199 --> 00:35:13.679
I was like, oh my god, this actually could be like an actual edit.

00:35:13.760 --> 00:35:15.119
So you want to hit it real quick?

00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:15.840
This is what it sounds like.

00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:18.719
And I go into Last Friday night too, so you can hear all the switches.

00:35:27.760 --> 00:35:30.880
This is where I was mixing out, you know, some of the chorus.

00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:31.039
Yeah.

00:35:38.239 --> 00:35:40.400
And that's the perfect place to go with 100%.

00:35:40.800 --> 00:35:46.880
Not the verse, because it would have been weird, but just having again, I'm always trying to find like, is there a way I can get two pops out of this track, not just one?

00:35:47.039 --> 00:35:47.199
You know?

00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:48.400
Boy's good, Mike.

00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:49.280
That boy's good.

00:35:49.519 --> 00:35:49.920
He is.

00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:51.599
That boy is good.

00:35:51.760 --> 00:35:53.360
Well, Mike, you had another one on here.

00:35:53.440 --> 00:35:54.400
Let me see which one I put in that.

00:35:54.639 --> 00:35:55.679
I had Mystical Magical.

00:35:55.840 --> 00:35:56.320
Yeah, I love this.

00:35:56.880 --> 00:36:01.280
You know, going back to my answer earlier, Benson Boone is one of those artists.

00:36:01.360 --> 00:36:04.239
I mean, he is a pop artist too, but you listen to his lyrics.

00:36:04.400 --> 00:36:08.159
He is an incredible writer, incredible artist, a credible performer.

00:36:08.239 --> 00:36:10.400
I mean, the guy jumping all over the stage, everything else.

00:36:10.480 --> 00:36:14.719
And Mystical Magical just has one of those hooks for a chorus that just it works.

00:36:15.119 --> 00:36:16.800
And it has been working on the dance course.

00:36:16.880 --> 00:36:16.960
Yeah.

00:36:17.199 --> 00:36:17.440
Nice.

00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:21.519
He's got such a good voice.

00:36:34.320 --> 00:36:35.039
I like that kid.

00:36:35.360 --> 00:36:38.559
And again, first chorus out on that, but but it's been working for me.

00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:41.679
He reminds me of like this generation's Adam Levine.

00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:42.159
Yeah.

00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:42.960
Or somebody like that.

00:36:43.280 --> 00:36:44.559
Like I think he's got that kind of sting.

00:36:44.960 --> 00:36:47.519
Or like this generation's Freddie Mercury, even.

00:36:47.599 --> 00:36:49.360
I mean, like the theatrics.

00:36:49.760 --> 00:36:52.400
Yeah, the the jumpsuits and the stage show.

00:36:52.480 --> 00:36:57.199
Like, what was the one that Mike threw in that that neither of us had played, and you were like, this seems very jersey.

00:36:57.599 --> 00:36:58.400
It's coming, it's coming next.

00:36:58.480 --> 00:36:58.559
Okay.

00:36:58.800 --> 00:36:59.199
It's coming soon.

00:36:59.280 --> 00:37:00.000
Yeah, I want to hear that.

00:37:00.159 --> 00:37:01.679
So round five, I have this song.

00:37:01.760 --> 00:37:02.960
I don't know if you guys have heard it.

00:37:03.039 --> 00:37:10.639
It's actually a um kind of a retake of Bel Biv DeVo's Poison, but the song's called Toxic, and it's by Chris Lake.

00:37:10.800 --> 00:37:16.400
I love it because of the fact that I can start it cold with those drum hits and get from whatever I need to anywhere else.

00:37:16.480 --> 00:37:19.679
But whereas Poison's like, I think 112 or somewhere in that BPM range.

00:37:19.760 --> 00:37:20.800
This is 124.

00:37:20.880 --> 00:37:23.840
And then I added a little rap thing to it so you can kind of hear how it is.

00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:24.559
So check it out.

00:37:26.800 --> 00:37:30.960
If I were you, I think the bass line is always nasty.

00:37:31.679 --> 00:37:35.920
And people kind of take it down.

00:37:41.599 --> 00:37:41.840
Right here.

00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:48.639
Fetty wop?

00:37:48.880 --> 00:37:50.159
Yeah, so we kind of go in and out.

00:37:52.880 --> 00:37:55.119
Can I keep you out my bed?

00:37:56.000 --> 00:38:02.559
And I felt like it needed it because that middle section where there's the turn is is you could lose people, especially the older folks, you know.

00:38:02.800 --> 00:38:06.079
But that melody of Fetty Wap is good enough to kind of like.

00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:07.599
What made you pick that particular?

00:38:08.159 --> 00:38:09.440
It just tended to work.

00:38:09.599 --> 00:38:10.159
It just worked.

00:38:10.480 --> 00:38:12.719
You know, I tried a couple different ones, but that was the one I made.

00:38:12.960 --> 00:38:13.920
Is that another one you made, bro?

00:38:14.239 --> 00:38:14.639
Yeah, yeah.

00:38:14.800 --> 00:38:14.960
Jeez.

00:38:15.280 --> 00:38:15.760
Ah, damn.

00:38:15.840 --> 00:38:16.800
This guy's talented.

00:38:17.280 --> 00:38:18.480
He's talented.

00:38:21.440 --> 00:38:24.719
Isn't it so freeing, uh, Mike, to be able to curse on here?

00:38:24.880 --> 00:38:31.119
Remember, because we used to host with John Young and and and we felt like John didn't want us cursing on disc jockey news.

00:38:31.599 --> 00:38:34.320
It feels very I feel very free on this show.

00:38:34.559 --> 00:38:35.760
So you had another Taylor track.

00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:39.599
So mine would have gone either the Fate of Ophelia or Opalite.

00:38:39.760 --> 00:38:44.480
And again, pretty pretty much the intro clean version, nothing special.

00:38:44.719 --> 00:38:46.880
It has that hot to go energy.

00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:47.360
It does.

00:38:47.519 --> 00:38:48.960
In the sense of like sing along.

00:38:49.039 --> 00:38:52.480
Uh I mean, Randy sent me a video the day after the record came out.

00:38:53.039 --> 00:38:54.480
And I think it was on the list.

00:38:54.559 --> 00:38:59.199
He didn't just like, I'm gonna pull Opalite off this album that's been out for 24 hours.

00:38:59.360 --> 00:39:03.519
And the video is literally the people are singing Opalite.

00:39:06.000 --> 00:39:08.960
I mean, singing along like as if it had been out for a year.

00:39:09.119 --> 00:39:13.519
So I it's got when I first heard the album, that's the song that I thought would be big.

00:39:13.840 --> 00:39:17.039
I thought Opalite, as far as gig, as far as gig used agreed.

00:39:17.280 --> 00:39:18.719
I thought Opalite would be the big one.

00:39:18.880 --> 00:39:19.599
I think it still is.

00:39:19.679 --> 00:39:20.880
I think it's got potential.

00:39:20.960 --> 00:39:22.960
It it could be our early 2026.

00:39:23.280 --> 00:39:25.280
And then Mike, you had uh some Sabrina Carpenter.

00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:27.199
Yeah, I had the uh her new one, Manchild.

00:39:27.280 --> 00:39:28.880
I th I think the hook on this is pretty good.

00:39:28.960 --> 00:39:33.119
I've only played it once, I think, but I think this one has a chance to be kind of big for me.

00:39:33.360 --> 00:39:35.199
And you're playing this Ultimix version, right?

00:39:35.280 --> 00:39:35.440
Yeah.

00:39:35.599 --> 00:39:36.960
So you know I hit this one, Saquon?

00:39:37.039 --> 00:39:39.599
I'm curious because I can't remember how it goes if there's much of a difference.

00:39:42.880 --> 00:39:44.559
So they stay pretty true to the original.

00:39:44.800 --> 00:39:45.119
They do.

00:39:46.719 --> 00:39:48.159
I I'll be honest with you, Brian.

00:39:48.239 --> 00:39:50.159
That's one of the things I like about Ultimix.

00:39:50.400 --> 00:39:55.280
They they punch up the beat a little bit, which give me nice intros, but but they really stay true to the original.

00:39:55.519 --> 00:39:56.960
Well, that's what I was telling Brian earlier.

00:39:57.039 --> 00:39:58.719
We he was like, Mike plays a lot of Ultimates.

00:39:58.880 --> 00:40:03.679
I was like, Yeah, but you you're thinking about Ultimix from back in the 90s when they used to do all that hype edit stuff.

00:40:04.000 --> 00:40:05.679
Remember at the beginning, I did too.

00:40:05.840 --> 00:40:06.079
Yep.

00:40:06.400 --> 00:40:08.079
I was like, Mike didn't play that shit, bro.

00:40:08.159 --> 00:40:08.800
No, well, they've changed.

00:40:09.119 --> 00:40:11.360
I'm the only one, I'm the only one that needs to hype my crowds.

00:40:11.519 --> 00:40:14.079
I don't need to let's end with the last round here.

00:40:14.159 --> 00:40:14.880
You had this song.

00:40:14.960 --> 00:40:17.840
It to me, when you picked this, I have had it on a request list once.

00:40:18.000 --> 00:40:18.559
I have not.

00:40:18.800 --> 00:40:21.519
Just to me, this is like quintessential jersey to me.

00:40:21.679 --> 00:40:23.039
It has that sound of like you get it.

00:40:23.440 --> 00:40:24.000
Really, Brian?

00:40:24.079 --> 00:40:27.440
That's I I just think it's such a great sing-along to it.

00:40:27.519 --> 00:40:28.719
And I've played it a couple times.

00:40:28.800 --> 00:40:31.440
I've played it twice by request, but I've also worked it in.

00:40:31.519 --> 00:40:34.559
And it's got people know the chorus, they sing along to it.

00:40:34.639 --> 00:40:38.719
I just think it's got a great So you sold it even though it wasn't on the list a couple of times?

00:40:38.960 --> 00:40:39.119
Okay.

00:40:39.360 --> 00:40:42.079
And actually, I'm when I say that, I'm not being disparaging here.

00:40:42.159 --> 00:40:43.280
I actually really like the song.

00:40:43.519 --> 00:40:44.320
It's a great track.

00:40:44.559 --> 00:40:46.639
I could hear this in a Jersey like bar somewhere.

00:40:46.719 --> 00:40:49.360
I feel like name this name of the song in uh artists.

00:40:49.440 --> 00:40:52.639
It's called Sally When the Wine Runs Out by Role Model.

00:40:53.039 --> 00:40:53.599
Go for it.

00:40:53.920 --> 00:40:59.679
Sally We did play this once.

00:41:02.400 --> 00:41:03.519
Yeah, it's a good one.

00:41:10.480 --> 00:41:13.280
But you're playing this during dinner, or are you also playing this during dancing?

00:41:13.440 --> 00:41:14.960
I've worked it at the dance sets.

00:41:15.119 --> 00:41:15.679
Wow, okay.

00:41:15.760 --> 00:41:16.239
That's cool.

00:41:16.400 --> 00:41:18.400
Uh Brian, you want to work on an edit for us?

00:41:19.039 --> 00:41:20.239
Yeah, I don't even know how that did that.

00:41:20.320 --> 00:41:21.360
I I wouldn't want to mess with that one.

00:41:21.440 --> 00:41:22.000
That one's like too good.

00:41:22.400 --> 00:41:24.079
All right, can I parlay into the last segment?

00:41:24.239 --> 00:41:25.440
Well, you got one more segment.

00:41:25.920 --> 00:41:26.559
I do, can I see it?

00:41:26.719 --> 00:41:29.519
Yeah, it was um you said you've been getting a lot of requests for a reload.

00:41:29.760 --> 00:41:30.239
I have.

00:41:30.719 --> 00:41:32.800
There was a song, is it Axwell and Engrosso?

00:41:32.960 --> 00:41:34.079
Yeah, Sebastian.

00:41:34.320 --> 00:41:36.159
This thing is like 10 years old now.

00:41:36.320 --> 00:41:39.360
And for whatever reason, we've played it like three times this year.

00:41:39.679 --> 00:41:40.000
Hit it.

00:41:40.079 --> 00:41:40.719
I'm just curious.

00:41:42.400 --> 00:41:43.360
This is the original edit.

00:41:43.440 --> 00:41:47.440
You're playing like this is very Jersey too.

00:41:47.679 --> 00:41:48.480
Jersey Club.

00:41:49.119 --> 00:41:50.559
CO2 canon right here.

00:41:56.559 --> 00:41:58.239
Anyway, I don't know why it's come back.

00:41:58.320 --> 00:42:00.000
It's great for the CO2 blast, though.

00:42:00.159 --> 00:42:00.559
Reload.

00:42:00.800 --> 00:42:05.280
So my honorable mention this song was 2024, I believe, when it came out.

00:42:05.440 --> 00:42:08.400
And it wasn't gonna put on the list, but it is crushing my floor.

00:42:08.559 --> 00:42:10.480
Almost song of the night, almost every time.

00:42:10.559 --> 00:42:13.920
It's the song Stargazing by Miles Smith.

00:42:14.400 --> 00:42:16.159
But this is levels.

00:42:16.239 --> 00:42:18.000
Uh and this this is the Dafts Boys.

00:42:18.159 --> 00:42:19.119
This is uh Drew and Fuse.

00:42:19.840 --> 00:42:20.800
They put this edit together.

00:42:20.880 --> 00:42:23.440
Uh actually, this is Fuse's personal edit, and it's really good.

00:42:23.519 --> 00:42:24.880
It's just hooks, hooks and drops.

00:42:25.039 --> 00:42:25.360
Okay.

00:42:28.480 --> 00:42:31.039
I mean, always works.

00:42:31.920 --> 00:42:35.760
All the gents are out there just like oh hell yeah.

00:42:35.920 --> 00:42:39.760
And then when the beat kicks in, he's got a great build-up with this drum build.

00:42:41.199 --> 00:42:42.000
Drum build here.

00:42:43.360 --> 00:42:46.559
But it never goes into the verse because the verses are kind of like low energy.

00:42:46.719 --> 00:42:47.039
Yeah.

00:42:47.519 --> 00:42:48.719
So here comes the build.

00:42:56.320 --> 00:42:57.199
Yeah, yeah.

00:42:57.440 --> 00:42:58.480
I mean, send me this.

00:42:58.800 --> 00:42:59.679
You don't even need it.

00:43:00.320 --> 00:43:04.159
The verse on those, that song is crushing for me, peak hour.

00:43:04.400 --> 00:43:05.199
This was super fun.

00:43:05.360 --> 00:43:10.079
Mike, I do know let's let's switch topics to the to the to the closer of this podcast.

00:43:10.239 --> 00:43:22.159
And I need to, I need more clarity on your future plans in business and not necessarily life, because you have a lot of life to live and you're a traveler, and Kelly's freaking awesome.

00:43:22.239 --> 00:43:23.679
And I don't need to know about your life.

00:43:23.760 --> 00:43:31.039
I need to know about business because I was at the front row or on the front row in Atlantic City at your last seminar.

00:43:31.119 --> 00:43:41.840
And I felt like at the closing there were hints of pseudo-retirement slash uh end of speaking slash selling elite entertainment.

00:43:41.920 --> 00:43:47.280
And I need clarity for my own personal safety and sanity, and just want to know what's going on, man.

00:43:47.519 --> 00:43:49.440
And and and do I need to be happy?

00:43:49.599 --> 00:43:50.320
Am I sad?

00:43:50.400 --> 00:43:51.519
I need to know how to feel.

00:43:51.840 --> 00:43:53.199
I'm not a very feely person.

00:43:53.599 --> 00:43:54.320
Where are you going with this?

00:43:54.559 --> 00:43:57.440
It's it's just there's a lot to unpack, and I just need to hear it.

00:43:57.679 --> 00:43:58.960
It's gonna be some therapy, bro.

00:44:00.800 --> 00:44:03.119
I need to know where where we're going with this, Mike.

00:44:03.360 --> 00:44:06.719
Well, as far as the happiness equation, I'm I'm happy.

00:44:07.119 --> 00:44:08.480
So I hope you're happy for me.

00:44:08.880 --> 00:44:09.679
This is yeah.

00:44:09.840 --> 00:44:14.960
Uh Dominic, you everyone, for listeners who don't know, Dominic has been my right-hand man forever.

00:44:15.199 --> 00:44:16.159
He's your Randy.

00:44:16.239 --> 00:44:16.559
Yes.

00:44:16.719 --> 00:44:21.920
Um, he has uh he and I have discussed very seriously about him purchasing Elite Entertainment.

00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:26.960
The timeline looks like it's gonna line up to right around this time next year, we're gonna be closing the deal out.

00:44:27.039 --> 00:44:27.199
Okay.

00:44:27.440 --> 00:44:30.480
And then at that point, I will semi-retire.

00:44:30.719 --> 00:44:32.079
I certainly don't plan on retiring.

00:44:32.239 --> 00:44:32.400
Okay.

00:44:32.960 --> 00:44:38.559
I will continue to DJ, okay, which if I stay in New Jersey, I will always DJ for Elite Entertainment.

00:44:38.639 --> 00:44:40.960
But we're, you know, Kelly and I are not married to New Jersey.

00:44:41.039 --> 00:44:43.920
We might consider uh moving to a different part of the country.

00:44:44.400 --> 00:44:45.599
Raleigh's got some property from where.

00:44:45.920 --> 00:44:46.559
Oh, yeah, it does.

00:44:46.960 --> 00:44:49.199
Listen, I've I've visited Raleigh a number of times.

00:44:49.360 --> 00:44:50.000
I love Raleigh.

00:44:50.239 --> 00:44:50.719
Yes, he does.

00:44:50.800 --> 00:44:51.039
He does.

00:44:51.360 --> 00:44:54.239
I might be uh submitting uh applications for both of these.

00:44:54.559 --> 00:44:54.639
Right.

00:44:54.800 --> 00:44:59.760
Then we put another, then we get one of those triangle-shaped tables, and then it's just the three of us.

00:44:59.840 --> 00:45:00.559
We're alive.

00:45:00.880 --> 00:45:01.360
I'd love it.

00:45:01.519 --> 00:45:01.840
Shit.

00:45:02.000 --> 00:45:06.559
Uh as far as speaking goes, I don't know if I'm done speaking, but I know this.

00:45:06.719 --> 00:45:14.639
I never want to be the type of speaker who you pretty much know what he's gonna talk about every single time because you've heard him a number of times, and all he does is regurgitate the same shit.

00:45:15.119 --> 00:45:17.199
So I'm fresh out of ideas.

00:45:17.440 --> 00:45:24.000
This last seminar that I came up with, last dance, was pretty much me emptying my head out of everything that I can think of.

00:45:24.159 --> 00:45:29.679
If I get another inspiration and come up with another topic for a seminar, then by all means I'll speak on one someday.

00:45:29.760 --> 00:45:38.239
But until that happens, this seminar, which I'm going to be doing at next next year and also at Marquee, will probably be the last seminar that I do for the industry.

00:45:38.559 --> 00:45:39.679
And what am I going to do?

00:45:39.840 --> 00:45:42.719
Like, I like now I need to follow Mike's lead.

00:45:42.880 --> 00:45:45.039
Like, what how many more years behind am I?

00:45:45.199 --> 00:45:47.760
Like, I just you don't have to follow anything, Joe.

00:45:48.000 --> 00:45:52.480
I'm just, you know, I I looked at my life a number of years ago and I said, what part of my life do I love?

00:45:52.559 --> 00:45:53.440
What part don't I love?

00:45:53.599 --> 00:45:57.119
And I the part that I don't love, to be honest with you, is running elite entertainment.

00:45:57.280 --> 00:46:04.719
The day-to-day stress of dealing with every single machination of dealing with DJs, dealing with banquet halls, dealing with sales, dealing with that.

00:46:04.880 --> 00:46:05.760
I've done it long enough.

00:46:05.920 --> 00:46:09.840
I've been fortunate enough that I've saved up some money and I've got a nice nest day.

00:46:09.920 --> 00:46:18.719
And if I can get rid of that part of my life and just focus on the things that I love doing, maybe I've got more books in me, more travel, DJing.

00:46:19.199 --> 00:46:24.719
You know, the amazing thing is I'm laying out my finances for post-retirement or semi-retirement.

00:46:24.800 --> 00:46:29.760
And for the first five years, I'd like to continue to make about$50,000 a year.

00:46:29.920 --> 00:46:30.079
Okay.

00:46:31.760 --> 00:46:33.679
That is so easy to do in our industry.

00:46:33.760 --> 00:46:34.000
Yeah.

00:46:34.400 --> 00:46:44.559
I mean, I can do 40 weddings a year and with what Dominic will pay me, and I'll make that like how many other people are fortunate that they can say, Hey, I want to make$50,000 a year.

00:46:44.880 --> 00:46:46.480
That means I got to work 40 days.

00:46:46.960 --> 00:46:52.719
That's I mean, sometimes we have to stop and pinch ourselves that we are in such an industry that we have that opportunity.

00:46:53.119 --> 00:46:55.280
So, yeah, I mean, that's my immediate future right there.

00:46:55.360 --> 00:46:56.239
And I'm thrilled about it.

00:46:57.039 --> 00:46:59.039
So if you're if you're asking me, yes, I'm thrilled.

00:46:59.119 --> 00:46:59.440
I can't.

00:46:59.599 --> 00:47:00.480
I'm happy too then.

00:47:00.639 --> 00:47:01.119
I'm happy.

00:47:01.760 --> 00:47:05.280
So will you retain any part of ownership percentage?

00:47:05.440 --> 00:47:08.320
Or what went into that equation of not being just like a silent partner?

00:47:08.880 --> 00:47:15.599
You know, Brian, I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I had a partner early on at Elite and it was a horrible, horrible situation.

00:47:15.840 --> 00:47:18.000
And Dominic even asked me about that a number of years ago.

00:47:18.079 --> 00:47:19.360
He was like, Well, what if I buy 50%?

00:47:19.679 --> 00:47:23.119
And I'm like, Dominic, as much as I love you, I don't want to be partners.

00:47:23.199 --> 00:47:25.119
I want to either own it or not own it.

00:47:25.199 --> 00:47:27.760
And so, no, he's buying 100% of Elite Entertainment.

00:47:28.000 --> 00:47:28.639
It's incredible.

00:47:28.880 --> 00:47:32.800
Man, this was been the greatest hour of the show.

00:47:32.960 --> 00:47:33.119
Yeah.

00:47:33.360 --> 00:47:37.199
I feel like out of all the episodes we've done, man, this is super, super fun.

00:47:37.360 --> 00:47:40.239
Uh please go get the book, DJMikeWalter.com.

00:47:40.320 --> 00:47:42.400
He'll sign up for you, personalize it for you.

00:47:42.559 --> 00:47:44.960
I mean, Mike, thank you so much for being on again, man.

00:47:45.039 --> 00:47:48.239
I mean every word that I say when I say that I've learned from you.

00:47:48.400 --> 00:47:49.920
I I wouldn't be where I am.

00:47:50.079 --> 00:47:52.159
I wouldn't be the person that I am today if not for you.

00:47:52.320 --> 00:47:52.960
Dead serious.

00:47:53.039 --> 00:47:54.000
I'm not trying to be funny.

00:47:54.079 --> 00:47:55.920
I'm not trying to be cute or whatever.

00:47:56.079 --> 00:48:04.880
I'm being completely genuine and sincere when say I would not be the DJ that I am and the person that I am and the business owner that I am without you.

00:48:05.119 --> 00:48:06.320
100%, man.

00:48:06.639 --> 00:48:07.039
Thank you.

00:48:07.360 --> 00:48:08.800
Those are very kind words, Joe.

00:48:08.880 --> 00:48:10.880
And and you know I feel the same way about you.

00:48:11.039 --> 00:48:15.039
I learned a lot during our years of podcasting and doing workshops together.

00:48:15.199 --> 00:48:16.400
I learned so much from you as well.

00:48:16.480 --> 00:48:17.519
So ditto to you, man.

00:48:17.760 --> 00:48:18.320
Awesome, man.

00:48:18.639 --> 00:48:20.320
Well, let's thank our podcast sponsor.

00:48:20.639 --> 00:48:20.960
Hell yeah.

00:48:21.119 --> 00:48:21.599
All three use.

00:48:21.920 --> 00:48:23.760
We all three use DJ Event Planner.

00:48:23.920 --> 00:48:25.199
Thank you guys for sponsoring the show.

00:48:25.280 --> 00:48:27.039
It's DJEventplanner.com.

00:48:27.119 --> 00:48:33.920
If you're looking for a way to keep your leads organized and book your shows, then they are right off the beach.

00:48:34.079 --> 00:48:36.880
Right off the beach, Mike Walter style with a golden tan.

00:48:37.199 --> 00:48:38.559
You can do it right there from the beach.

00:48:38.719 --> 00:48:40.000
So thank you guys for listening.

00:48:40.320 --> 00:48:41.760
New episodes every single Wednesday.

00:48:41.840 --> 00:48:42.480
Thank y'all.