Bachelorette Party Songs: The Best Beats for Your Hen or Stag Do

In charge of the music for the stag or hen do and need a playlist that’s guaranteed to get everyone on the dance floor? Here are the safe singalong bets – sorted into all-time classics, the 90s and the 2000s – plus a few tips on getting the tech and the running order under control.

The selection deliberately sticks to songs that almost every age group knows and that reliably fill the dance floor. Use them as a backbone and mix in the bride’s or groom’s favourite songs.

The best all-time classics

These songs have stood the test of time and work across generations – from disco through rock to pop. If you only need a handful of safe bets, take them from here.

Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (1983). An unmistakable beat and cult moonwalk status; guaranteed to get everyone onto the dance floor.

Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now (1979). Pure energy, Freddie Mercury at his best – one of the most reliable mood-lifters of all.

The Beatles – Twist And Shout (1963). A cheerful tune that gets young and old tapping along.

Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody (1987). A powerful voice and a catchy beat; good mood guaranteed.

AC/DC – Highway To Hell (1979). The rock block for the party: loud, easy to sing along to, timeless.

Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive (1978). The ultimate belt-it-out anthem, a symbol of strength and independence.

ABBA – Dancing Queen (1976). A timeless pop sound that practically every generation knows.

Madonna – Like a Prayer (1989). Provocative and danceable at once, Madonna at her best.

Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive (1977). Disco groove in its purest form; it makes any dance floor shake.

Bon Jovi – Livin’ On A Prayer (1986). A rock anthem with a chorus that really everyone shouts along to.

Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Want To Have Fun (1983). A feel-good classic, perfect for a girls’ night out.

The Proclaimers – I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) (1988). A cheerful rhythm made for bellowing along.

Village People – YMCA (1978). Disco cult, complete with join-in choreography.

Earth, Wind & Fire – September (1978). A funky earworm that goes straight to your feet.

Dexys Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen (1982). A nostalgic feel-good song with a catchy chorus.

Prince – 1999 (1982). Futuristic funk-pop that still fills every party today.

The best hits of the 90s

The 90s are the perfect time trip: boy bands, girl power, grunge and the first Latin pop boom. These tracks land instantly with almost any group from their late 20s up.

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991). The figurehead of grunge; Kurt Cobain’s rebellious energy still hits today.

MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This (1990). A hip-hop classic with a catchy beat and iconic dance moves.

Britney Spears – …Baby One More Time (1998). The pop milestone that made Britney a superstar.

Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way (1999). A boy-band anthem every 90s crew can sing along to.

Spice Girls – Wannabe (1996). Girl power as an earworm – a sure-fire mood-lifter.

R.E.M. – Losing My Religion (1991). Melancholy yet danceable, and defining for 90s alternative rock.

2Pac – California Love (1995). The West Coast hip-hop classic that made 2Pac a legend.

No Doubt – Don’t Speak (1996). Gwen Stefani’s voice meets irresistible pop-rock.

Ricky Martin – Livin’ la Vida Loca (1999). It brought Latin pop into the charts and fills any dance floor.

Ace of Base – All That She Wants (1992). A reggae-tinged pop hit that topped the charts worldwide.

The best hits of the 2000s

The 2000s mixed pop, hip-hop, R&B and indie into an era that instantly wins over people in their thirties and forties today. These songs belong on every stag or hen do playlist with a mixed crowd.

OutKast – Hey Ya! (2003). Hip-hop meets pop, and one of the best-selling singles of the decade.

Beyoncé – Crazy In Love (2003). The song that made Beyoncé “Queen B” – explosive R&B and hip-hop.

The Killers – Mr. Brightside (2003). An indie-rock hit that no party can do without, even today.

Rihanna – Umbrella (2007). A worldwide number 1 hit that made Rihanna a pop icon.

Eminem – Lose Yourself (2002). An Oscar-winning rap classic and Eminem’s most successful single.

Lady Gaga – Poker Face (2008). An electrifying pop hit that made Lady Gaga a global phenomenon.

Coldplay – Viva La Vida (2008). An epic singalong that won the Grammy for Song of the Year.

Usher – Yeah! (2004). The R&B club banger that dominated the 2000s.

Amy Winehouse – Rehab (2006). A raw soul hit that gets under your skin.

Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling (2009). Pure optimism and one of the best-selling digital songs ever – a must for partying.

Planning the playlist and the party

You’re spoilt for choice: Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music and Deezer are just some of the platforms where you can put together your perfect party playlist. Spotify, for example, lets you create collaborative playlists that all the guests can add to – but only if you want them to!

Connecting devices

Before the party starts, make sure your playlist will play without a hitch. Test the connection between your smartphone, tablet or laptop and the speaker system beforehand. Bluetooth, an AUX cable or a Wi-Fi connection can be your friends here.

And don’t forget: check that you have a stable internet connection too, if your songs are being streamed online. No internet? No problem! Most music apps let you save playlists offline. So download your songs in advance.

Warning: DJ control

We all know it: there’s always that one person who keeps changing the song and interrupting the flow of the music. To prevent that, decide who’s in charge of the music – ideally someone you trust who has good taste. That way the party keeps flowing and nobody is caught out by sudden changes of music.

Final tips

Make sure the playlist is varied. A mix of current hits, all-time classics and a few surprise songs means there’s something for every taste in music. From pop to rock, from hip-hop to electronic – variety is everything for a successful party.

Think about where you can play your music

Your stag or hen party isn’t happening in just one place? No problem! Whether during a limo ride, on the party bus or while relaxing together in the garden – plan ahead where and how you want to play your music. A portable Bluetooth speaker can be your best friend here.

Be sure to include the bride’s or groom’s favourite songs.

The stag or hen do is a special day for the bride or groom – and their favourite songs should definitely be on the playlist. Whether it’s guilty-pleasure hits from the 90s or their current favourites, this personal touch makes the party even more special and emotional.