Music has always played an integral role at my parties. From setting up and welcoming the children, to the food break and then games afterwards. Like a DJ, the right songs get everyone going and the energy soaring. The wrong songs clear the floor and suck all the energy out of the party. Here's my take on what's hot and what's not fresh from Banana Head Towers. 

The first thing I do when setting up is put music on. I've come in, met the birthday child and spent some time with them. By now they are either laughing at my every word or crying that they want me to go home. To be fair, the latter only happened once and when the party started she was fine. In my defence, she was turning four and clearly had issues with my oversized facial features. I tell them I'm going to play all my favourite songs and then play theirs. This leads initially to a reaction of pleasant surprise. They tell me they love the song, I'm in shock and we sometimes sing it together. This always happens if it's Frozen, mainly as it's the only album I know all the words to. That comes naturally after watching it with your children 3,569 times.

By the 7th song I coincidentally love too, they are hyperventilating and so excited they're ready to burst. I ask them if they're reading my brain and they reply, "No Mr Banana Head, I really love this song." It's so cute! This is before their friends have arrived and it's one of my favourite parts of the whole party experience. I have had some wonderful and bizarre requests when asking for favourite songs on the booking form. There have been some absolute classics like: Push It (Salt-N-Pepa), Eye Of The Tiger (from Rocky), Everybody Dance Now (C&C Dance Factory), Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) and lots by The Beatles. An honourable mention goes to songs from the High School Musical films. Great tunes and I know almost all the lyrics after watching them on repeat with the girls for years too. I do get very excited when they're requested. 

I know what you're thinking, "Have any children requested Kate Bush songs?" I lived in hope for 7 years and nothing. Then, over a magical and unforgettable period of 5 months, 4 separate children had requests on the booking forms. Cloudbusting, Wuthering Heights, Babooshka and Running Up That Hill if you're wondering. I was genuinely emotional playing them and seeing the children sing along. Big respect to the parents for doing their children a solid. Fans for life with any luck. What is disturbing however are the requests for totally and completely inappropriate songs. I'm not joking here, N.W.A and Cypress Hill amongst others. I'm not judging but that's the equivalent of letting your little 5 year old angel watch Goodfellas with its 300 swear words. I've had to politely turn those down and play the Peppa Pig theme tune instead to create some sense of equilibrium. 

There are other songs I get requested from time to time that to me are almost as bad as gangster rap. I'm talking action songs, the bane of my life. Think Superman and Agadoo by Black Lace, The Conga by Black Lace, basically anything by Black Lace. Oh and the Birdie song. They are as painful to me as playing Pass the Parcel at a party. It takes three hours for everyone to get a sweet and at least 3 children will end up fighting over whose turn it is. All the energy gets sucked out of the party and you'll find me in the corner, under a table gently rocking back and forth gently weeping. To date, I've never played it or any songs by Black Lace. Nothing personal guys, I know lots of entertainers do, just not for me. 

Playing favourite songs before the party can sometimes cause confusion and acute embarrassment. This occurs when I play the wrong song which has happened multiple times. The first time it was with Eye of the Tiger from Rocky. I was so excited to play it and put it on, to be met with blank faces from the birthday boy and his family. I'd meant to play it at the morning party but had put it in the wrong place on my playlist. All I got after 30 seconds was, "Mr Banana Head, this is rubbish, please can you play the Greatest Hits of Black Lace." I screamed "NO" and stormed out. He didn't really and neither did I. One Direction came to the rescue and all was good in the world. 

So here are my top ten songs in reverse order, requested over the last 12 or so years. Most won't be a surprise and if there's an * next to it, it means it's still being requested constantly today. 

10. I'm Still Standing - Elton John / Sing*

9. Shake It Off - Taylor Swift *

8. Can't Stop The Feeling - Trolls *

7. You're Welcome - Moana

6. Spiderman / Star Wars themes *

5. Dance Monkey - Tones and I 

4. Happy - Despicable Me *

3. I like To Move It - Madagascar*

2. Gangnam Style - PSY

1. Let It Go - Frozen *

So there you have it, tunes to make you dance, cry and in the case of Black Lace, cringe. I look forward in hope, to Kate Bush making it onto the list in years to come. 

Until next time.