Music is a key factor in setting the mood at your party and should be planned with care. We have provided:

• Guidelines for selecting songs for your playlist
• Suggestions for a Mexican Fiesta party
  

Guidelines for Building Your Playlist

For any type of cocktail party, it is strongly recommended that you prearrange a list of songs. Choose a mix of popular songs, recognizable standards, and your personal favorites. Here are our guidelines for selecting your playlist songs:

• Choose upbeat tempos for a light and happy mood
• Mix genres to appeal to all tastes
• Vary styles to add interest
• Contrast artists for diversity and to avoid sameness

and for a Mexican Fiesta party:

• Interject tunes in the spirit of the Mexican theme, about 1 every 20 minutes or every 5-6 songs.
  
• Add humor, nostalgia, and contrasting styles for surprises & smiles

Edit your song list by:

• Eliminating songs 4 minutes or longer
  
• Include only one song per any single group or artist

For a dinner party, you may select a list of songs and play your list on shuffle.  You may want to choose a list for the pre-dinner cocktail hour and a separate list for during dinner that is a little more low-key. 

For more about making a general playlist refer to Cocktail Party Planning: Making Music and Dinner Party Planning: Selecting the Music.

Musical Suggestions For A Mexican Fiesta

Apply the same suggestions above for selecting theme-related songs as for building your playlist.  Choose upbeat, fast tempos to maintain the party spirit. Do not include songs over 4 minutes long and incorporate only one song per any single artist into your playlist.

Here are our top picks to include in a Mexican Fiesta song playlist:

• La Bamba by Ritchie Valens
• Mexican Radio by Wall of Voodoo
  
• Besame Mucho by Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme
• South of the Border by Frank Sinatra
• Tijuana Taxi by Herb Alpert
  
• Mexico by Bob Moore & His Orchestra
  
• Cielto Lindo by Count Basie
• Mexico by James Taylor
• Tequila by The Champs
  
• Mexican Hat Dance aka Chiapanecas
• Oye Como Va by Santana
• Vaya Con Dios
• La Cucaracha
• Cuando Calienta el Sol (aka Love Me With All Your Heart),

For a Cinco de Mayo party, include:

• Cinco de Mayo by War
  

There are many more great possibilities depending upon your personal style and the tastes of your guests.  Here are the criteria and songs we found for a Mexican Fiesta party:

• Traditional Mexican songs
• Mexican Hat Dance
  
• La Cucaracha
• Cielto Lindo
  
• Hit Mexican songs
  
• La Bamba by Ritchie Valens
  
• Besame Mucho
• Somos Novios (It's Impossible)
• Songs About or Related to Mexico
• Mexican Radio by Wall of Voodoo
  
• South of the Border by Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline, or Willie Nelson
  
• Mexico by James Taylor
• Mexico by Bob Moore & His Orchestra
• Lonely Bull by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
  
• Tijuana Taxi by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
• Spanish Flea by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
• Mexican Shuffle by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
• Mexican Bands by Merle Haggard
  
• Acapulco by Neil Diamond
  
• Mexico by Elvis Presley
  
• Fun in Acapulco by Elvis Presley
• Songs with a Mexican sound or feel
  
• Cuando Calienta el Sol (Love Me With All Your Heart)
• Vaya Con Dios
• Hot Hot Hot by Buster Poindexter
  
• Java by Bob Moore & His Orchestra
• Spanish Eyes by Bob Moore & His Orchestra
• Mexican artists
• Santana's Oye Como Va
  
• Vikki Carr
• Selena
• Freddy Fender
• Content related songs
• Tequila by The Champs
  
• Tequila Sunrise by The Eagles
  
• Low Rider by War
  
• Cocaine by Eric Clapton

Find more information about making a musical party playlist in Cocktail Party Planning.