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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:06 pm
by ScottieK
fredo wrote: It's impossible to go to a family wedding now because they always want to see you swing dance, but as you point out, most wedding DJs seem to think that Jive Bunny is the go-to song if someone requests a swing dance.
I've never had this problem. When people want to see me swing dance I just go to the DJ and request a song. Most of the time I have to go through 3 - 4 songs but I've yet to run into wedding DJ that doesn't have something that's halfway decent to dance too.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 3:06 am
by Haydn
Toon Town Dave wrote:That Us 3 re-mix of Cantaloop, thankfully not played any more or at least not at the events, scenes and venues I go to. Still kind of fun for westie but they don't dance that fast anymore :p

Blu Cantrell's Swingin (I've even heard this one at westie event and it didn't seem very popular) Also, thankfully not played anymore.

That damn Shim Sham Song from Bill Elliott, still played by inexperienced DJs.

That damn tune from the Mercury commercials a few years ago that was (and still is in some places) popular for swing rueda. It's like dancing to a muffled air-raid siren.

Crabbuckit by K-OS was popular and frequently played in one smaller scene I've been to a few times. For the life of I can't understand how anyone could think it's suitable for swing dancing.

F'n Van Morrison's Moondance, still played, still awful for swing dancing.

Based on the music at the wedding I was at a couple weekends ago, some general purpose DJs still seem to think Jive Bunny is still a good idea (not only is it horrible for swing dancing, it's a horrible re-mix job). Thankfully I think I've only heard it once at an actual swing dance although once for Jive bunny is enough to qualify as infinitely overplayed.

Peter Gunn and the Pink Panther Theme -- showtunes, need I say more.

That's enough awfulness for now.
I don't know most of these tunes, but, from the names of the artists, I can get an idea of what they are like. The only ones I have heard at Lindy events are Bill Elliott's Shim Sham Song (which I think is fine for a fast shim sham, but not as good as Jimmie Lunceford's T'Ain't What You Do), and The Pink Panther Theme (which I used to hear quite a lot, but haven't heard for a few years - I think it's OK if played occasionally). But for the rest, I don't think I've ever heard them played.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 4:02 am
by penguin
I'm not suprised you haven't heard of most of those songs. No swing DJ who has even half a brain would dare play most of them (apart from that damn shim sham song - which I have decided to boycott. I will now only shim sham to another of the shim sham songs).

The people who play that sort of music for swing dancers are the same sort of people who you need to make sure you add the word dance when saying you "swing"? :lol:

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 4:42 am
by Haydn
djstarr wrote:I was reminiscing with Peter Loggins the other night about being at Memories in 2000 and hearing you yell out of the DJ booth about spinning some really cool Artie Shaw. Although I must have heard Artie Shaw before, that's the first time I connected his name with the music. Artie still is not overplayed.
Just re-reading this, and yes, I've noticed very little Artie Shaw is played. Why is that?

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:49 am
by GemZombie
Haydn wrote:
djstarr wrote:I was reminiscing with Peter Loggins the other night about being at Memories in 2000 and hearing you yell out of the DJ booth about spinning some really cool Artie Shaw. Although I must have heard Artie Shaw before, that's the first time I connected his name with the music. Artie still is not overplayed.
Just re-reading this, and yes, I've noticed very little Artie Shaw is played. Why is that?
I think you might be surprised. I hear a lot of Artie's music (and I play a lot -- one of my favorites!).

There are many Shaw tunes that people might not know are Shaw.

Here are some of the most popular songs of his that have been played often over the 10 years I've been dancing/Djing. I don't believe Shaw is overplayed, however.

Natch
Man From Mars
Carioca
Traffic Jam
Diga Diga Do
Summit Ridge Drive
Just Kidding' Around
Hop, Skip and Jump
Little Jazz
Back Bay Shuffle
Anyt Old Time
Oh! Lady Be Good
Frenesi
Begin The Beguine
Everything is Jumpin'

There are many other great tunes, these just happen to be the most widley played ones i can think of off the top of my head.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:58 am
by fredo
ScottieK wrote:
fredo wrote: It's impossible to go to a family wedding now because they always want to see you swing dance, but as you point out, most wedding DJs seem to think that Jive Bunny is the go-to song if someone requests a swing dance.
I've never had this problem. When people want to see me swing dance I just go to the DJ and request a song. Most of the time I have to go through 3 - 4 songs but I've yet to run into wedding DJ that doesn't have something that's halfway decent to dance too.
I'm glad you haven't had this problem. My experience reflects someone going to the DJ asking for a swing song without my knowledge, then when it comes on I'm suppose to demo for friends and family. [sigh]

After hearing Jive Bunny one time, I went to the DJ and asked for some Louis Armstrong, or Ella, or Billie, but I should have asked for specific songs that he had, because I walked away to the sound of Louis' "What a Wonderful World". [double sigh]

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:40 am
by Toon Town Dave
Take the sort of requests we get and turn the tables.

My first assumption with a wedding/general purpose DJ is that they won't have anything pre-WWII (except maybe some Glenn Miller), no early rhythm and blues. That pretty much leaves Bill Haley or neo-swing as the remotely suitable music for swing dancing. The same is generally true for specialty DJs that do ballroom and singles dances around here.

Mileage may vary with the DJ, the one at the last wedding I was at was a pretty young guy (probably a student doing it as a summer gig). He was horrible on the mic and pretty much followed the stereotypical playlist for a wedding of 20-30 somethings in this area.

Back on the topic of avoiding overplaying stuff, I've gone 8 weeks so far without repeating anything at our outdoor dance. The spectators seem to dig the music. This week there was a group that brought a picnic cooler and blankets and just came to watch. Even they ended up getting out to dance, I assume because good swing music just makes you want to dance.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:53 am
by Surreal
Toon Town Dave wrote:That Us 3 re-mix of Cantaloop, thankfully not played any more or at least not at the events, scenes and venues I go to. Still kind of fun for westie but they don't dance that fast anymore :p

Blu Cantrell's Swingin (I've even heard this one at westie event and it didn't seem very popular) Also, thankfully not played anymore.

That damn Shim Sham Song from Bill Elliott, still played by inexperienced DJs.

That damn tune from the Mercury commercials a few years ago that was (and still is in some places) popular for swing rueda. It's like dancing to a muffled air-raid siren.

Crabbuckit by K-OS was popular and frequently played in one smaller scene I've been to a few times. For the life of I can't understand how anyone could think it's suitable for swing dancing.

F'n Van Morrison's Moondance, still played, still awful for swing dancing.

Based on the music at the wedding I was at a couple weekends ago, some general purpose DJs still seem to think Jive Bunny is still a good idea (not only is it horrible for swing dancing, it's a horrible re-mix job). Thankfully I think I've only heard it once at an actual swing dance although once for Jive bunny is enough to qualify as infinitely overplayed.

Peter Gunn and the Pink Panther Theme -- showtunes, need I say more.

That's enough awfulness for now.
I think I only have one song each of Blu Cantrell and Jive Bunny. Swing Set from Jurassic 5 was popular for a bit too (they have one that I like to use for balboa on occasion... Canto de somethingsomething).

I think the rueda one you're thinking of is Get A Move On by Mr. Scruff. I hate that song with the fiery passion of a thousand burning suns that are also on fire. Unfortunately, everyone else here seems to love that song. It's simply known as "that rueda song" here and is the only one that can successfully get people to form up into a circle as soon as they hear it.

I don't mind the remixed cantaloop too much, except for those sections that have the guy yelling "what?" every few beats. It's ok for rueda as long as the caller can shout above the lyrics.

I play the shim sham song at open house events because it's the only song that actually gets people up to do the shim sham. Well, that or Tuxedo Junction or Jumpin' At The Woodside for the ridiculous slow/fast versions.

Were you referencing my scene for Crabukkit? We used to use it for demos and jam circles. I don't like the song all that much, but it's ok for charleston.

I like Pink Panther, Peter Gunn not so much. I think show tunes are fun pieces that people like dancing to, especially newcomers. They always get this "hey, I know this song!" and it lets them play with some of the musicality (if any). It's a good alternative to playing Fever for the umpteenth time.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:29 pm
by Toon Town Dave
Surreal wrote:Were you referencing my scene for Crabukkit? We used to use it for demos and jam circles. I don't like the song all that much, but it's ok for charleston.
Yes.

One of the DJ's here has played it as well. I don't think it's okay for Charleston. Top-rock, maybe but that's not a swing dance. That tune should remain on top-40 radio where it belongs and I won't have to listen to it.

There is so much great music out there, there's no reason to over-play any good stuff. The only conceivable reason to play crap may be as a joke and that's not a great reason to begin with.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 1:27 pm
by djstarr
GemZombie wrote: I think you might be surprised. I hear a lot of Artie's music (and I play a lot -- one of my favorites!)............... I don't believe Shaw is overplayed, however.
it's not overplayed because it is. :P or perhaps it's not overplayed even though it is because it's just so damn good. I always get compliments on my sets when I play a lot of Artie Shaw; I need to remind myself to do that more often since it counteracts the tendency I have to play too many vocals.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 1:35 pm
by djstarr
Haydn wrote:
Toon Town Dave wrote:... ...That's enough awfulness for now.
But for the rest, I don't think I've ever heard them played.
I was thinking the same thing when I read Dave's post and just thought it had to do with playing swing music in the Canadian plains [i.e. these are local issues], reaffirmed by the DJ from Manitoba's post. If my grandparents had not immigrated to the US from Saskatchewan I too may have been forced to swing rueda :P

Dave - is this mix of songs because people dance a wide variety of styles? It appears you have bigger issues than having to hear Moondance played too much!

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 2:31 pm
by Haydn
djstarr wrote:Since I haven't posted in a while I may as well make up for it here ;-) This is my take on how these songs are currently being treated in Seattle [other Seattle folk feel free to jump in since it's tough to make it to ALL the dances in Seattle ALL the time].

*******************************************************

All That Meat And No Potatoes / Fats Waller occasionally played
All The Cats Join In / Benny Goodman overplayed but everyone dances
Alright, Okay, You Win / Peggy Lee not played. Joe Williams/Count Basie version is played sometimes
And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine / Anita O'Day not played
Apollo Jump / Lucky Millinder overplayed 2000, 2001? I will spin this now when there are lots of beginners

Be Careful (If You Can't Be Good) / Buddy Johnson And His Orchestra not played
Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me / Sidney Bechet overplayed. Falty ruined this song for me by teaching to it in Herrang 2004 when I was there. Found a nice alternate version by Arts Hodes courtesy of Bill Borgida
C Jam Blues / Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra overplayed in 2000, 2001; I play this now for beginners, prefer version on Duke's Blues in Orbit for regular play.
Easy Does It / The Big Eighteen not played now
Flat Foot Floogee / Slim & Slam played sometimes - I'll get request for this for doing different jazz dances

Flying Home / Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra played when I want to start the Big Apple ;-0 fast version at 190 bpm of course
The Frim Fram Sauce / Louis Armstrong not played. I prefer to overplay Satch plays Fats!
The Gal From Joe's / Duke Ellington not played
I's A Muggin' / Django Reinhardt played a little bit.
Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby / Louis Jordan not played anymore

Joshua Fit De Battle Of Jericho / Sidney Bechet this is a popular song. overplayed? nah, I still like it a lot.
Jump Session / Slim Gaillard & Slam Stewart this is somewhat of a CJ trademark so doesn't tend to get played on it's own.
Lavender Coffin / Lionel Hampton ha ha. I still don't have a copy of it and I keep getting requests frequently for it, so I need to go get it. Still a great song. It will continue to get overplayed.
Loose Wig / Lionel Hampton Used to get played a lot. I just started playing it and people giggle then dance.
One O'Clock Jump / Count Basie Can't play this song too much. I think because it's subtle and instrumental everyone is always happy to dance to it.

Shout, Sister, Shout / Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra overplayed, I use it only on special occasions. Will invoke groans.
Tippin' In / Erskine Hawkins don't know the song well enough to say; Erskine Hawkins is a big hole in my collection I need to fix at some point
We Cats Will Swing For You / The Cats & The Fiddle There are enough people here who play Cats & The Fiddle that I don't own any yet, not even Gangbusters. Not sure if this is overplayed or not.
Whatcha Know, Joe? / Tommy Dorsey overplayed by one DJ. Named Joe. lol. The rest of us don't touch it as far as I know.
Yacht Club Swing / Fats Waller overplayed. Everyone still loves this song. I will always get a full floor if I put this on.

Yes Indeed / Tommy Dorsey I like Sy Oliver's version. Played a lot by some people, but I don't think it's overplayed
720 In The Books / Charlie Barnet Used to hear it a lot, not so much now. In fact I will find it so I can start spinning it - nice mid tempo in the pocket swing song
Re-reading the post by Brenda above recently, I've just realised that you listed all the songs I said were overplayed in London at the moment. Reading your comments, I've realised I was wrong - actually, in common with your take on Seattle, I think very few of these are over-played in London at the moment.

In Seattle, you say that of the 27 songs, only these 5 are currently overplayed:

All The Cats Join In
Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me
Lavender Coffin
Shout, Sister, Shout
Yacht Club Swing

On reflection, I think only these 2 are currently overplayed in London:

Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me
Shout, Sister, Shout

So why did I think that all 27 songs are over-played, where only 2 actually are? I suppose I think of them as being over-played, because I've become bored with them, having heard them enough in London over the years to become bored. Although I liked most of them when I first discovered them, I have gradually become bored with most of them over time. And it’s always more fun dancing when I’m excited by the music rather than bored. The same goes for DJing, although in the case of DJing, I think I'm learning to take pleasure in the enjoyment of others even if I'm bored with the song myself - people who've just discovered C Jam Blues by LCJO might well be as excited by it as I was when I first heard it.

Inspired by Brenda's post on Seattle, here's my take on how much these songs are played in London at the moment. (These are just my views - anyone else from London, please comment!).

All That Meat And No Potatoes / Fats Waller Don't hear it now
All The Cats Join In / Benny Goodman Played quite a lot
Alright, Okay, You Win / Peggy Lee Don't hear it now
And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine / Anita O'Day Played a bit
Apollo Jump / Lucky Millinder Played a bit

Be Careful (If You Can't Be Good) / Buddy Johnson And His Orchestra Played a bit
Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me / Sidney Bechet Over-played everywhere, lots of people still love it
C Jam Blues / Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra Haven't heard it for a while, one guy yelled out 'No!' when someone tried to play it the other day
Easy Does It / The Big Eighteen Don't hear it now
Flat Foot Floogee / Slim & Slam Played a bit

Flying Home / Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra Played quite a lot
The Frim Fram Sauce / Louis Armstrong I don't hear it now
The Gal From Joe's / Duke Ellington Played a bit
I's A Muggin' / Django Reinhardt Played a bit
Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby / Louis Jordan Played a bit

Joshua Fit De Battle Of Jericho / Sidney Bechet Played quite a bit
Jump Session / Slim Gaillard & Slam Stewart Played a bit
Lavender Coffin / Lionel Hampton Played a bit
Loose Wig / Lionel Hampton I rarely hear hear it now
One O'Clock Jump / Count Basie Don't hear it much

Shout, Sister, Shout / Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra (Over)-played quite a bit
Tippin' In / Erskine Hawkins Don't hear it much
We Cats Will Swing For You / The Cats & The Fiddle Don't hear it much
Whatcha Know, Joe? / Tommy Dorsey Played a bit, still seems to work
Yacht Club Swing / Fats Waller Not played much now

Yes Indeed / Tommy Dorsey Don't hear it much
720 In The Books / Charlie Barnet Don't hear it much


The next bit is very self-indulgent, but possibly interesting to a few - and I've typed it now so I'm going to post it anyway :P . It's a history of my feelings for each song. I've tried to remember how I felt when I first discovered these songs, and how my feelings for them have changed over the years, if at all. Why bother with this? Because I remember being excited by songs like C Jam Blues and I's A Muggin' when I first discovered them, but I'm bored with them now. I wanted to try to remember the history of my feelings about the different songs ...

All That Meat And No Potatoes / Fats Waller
I remember when I first got into this. Some teachers played it in a lesson a few years ago, and it was obviously one of their favourites at the time. I thought it was fun and easy to dance to. Now I think it’s a bit corny and lacks depth, and although I still dig the gentle swinging style of the music, I'm pretty bored by it.

All The Cats Join In / Benny Goodman
I think I got into this when I saw a couple doing a demo to the long version of this in the open air, including aerials. I really liked the song, and was surprised to discover it was Benny Goodman. I still like it, but just don’t find it exciting in the way that I used to.

Alright, Okay, You Win / Peggy Lee

Never really liked this anyway, I think I got bored with it very quickly. There’s nothing exciting there for me.

And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine / Anita O'Day

I never particularly liked this and still don’t. It’s got a good beat, steady tempo and hand-clapping, but it comes across as much too corny for my liking.

Apollo Jump / Lucky Millinder
Only got into this fairly recently. Don’t really like the opening much (feels a bit labored), but when it gets going, it’s great.


Be Careful (If You Can't Be Good) / Buddy Johnson And His Orchestra
I’ve always liked this, and still do. I have heard it a lot over the years though, so I guess I prefer not to hear it too often now.

Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me / Sidney Bechet
I think I took a while to like this, but eventually couldn’t resist its’ sleazy late-night feel. It does seem to get played a lot everywhere, and I’m not as keen on it as I was, but it creates such strong imagery and is so different to most other music, that it still works for me.

C Jam Blues / Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra

Got into the steady hand-clapping groove of this very quickly, but gradually became bored with it. I just can’t get excited by it at the moment.

Easy Does It / The Big Eighteen
This is a well-crafted arrangement, because it’s over 5 minutes long, but has lots of light and shade and variety in the instrumentation. I think I appreciated discovering a slow song that had the same ‘swinging’ feel of some older ones. I was surprised to discover that it was recorded in 1958, as I thought it sounded older. Now I’m pretty bored with this song.

Flat Foot Floogee / Slim & Slam
Fell in love with the rhythms of this one, and the way the rhythm fitted with the words. I still enjoy it.


Flying Home / Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
Gradually discovered that there are three major versions of this. For me, the best is the 2m 58s 1940 version. Still love this one, and quite like the other two – they all have great energy, which gradually builds.

The Frim Fram Sauce / Louis Armstrong
The high cheese content made me quickly tire of this

The Gal From Joe's / Duke Ellington

Fell in love with the raising bass line and sax riffs of this, and they still haven’t lost their appeal

I's A Muggin' / Django Reinhardt
A sort of cross between the Flat Foot Floogie and Blues My Naughty Sweetie, this song has got a special feel of its’ own. But the magic has worn off after many hearings.

Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby / Louis Jordan
Remember I liked this when I first heard it. Good lyrics, nice feel and groove. Again, the magic has worn off.


Joshua Fit De Battle Of Jericho / Sidney Bechet
This version has never really done it for me.

Jump Session / Slim Gaillard & Slam Stewart
The rhythm of this had me jumping when I first heard it. Still quite like it. In common with a lot of other songs I know well, I find myself looking forward to the second half of the song, because there is more for me to enjoy there, perhaps because I know the first half too well.

Lavender Coffin / Lionel Hampton
A friend of mine has been getting into this recently (he described it as“that song with something about Saratoga”). I remember I used to love it, but the magic has worn off. The first time, it was like being invited to a great party. Now, it feels like being invited to the same party with them same people again and again.

Loose Wig / Lionel Hampton
Loved the driving energy of this when I first discovered it. Still enjoy it. Perhaps it has a higher boredom threshold than Lavender Coffin because it’s basically an instrumental (with just a few shouted lyrics).

One O'Clock Jump / Count Basie
I’ve always liked this, but more and more, I find myself looking forward to the bit after the piano-based intro, where the rhythm really kicks in.


Shout, Sister, Shout / Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra

One of the first slower high-energy songs I discovered. Loved the life and lyrics in this one. Just doesn’t have the same magic after so many hearings.

Tippin' In / Erskine Hawkins
This is a song that gradually grew on me, now I really like it. I think it I enjoy it more that songs like Shout Sister Shout or Apollo Jump. It doesn’t seem to shout at you (!) in the way that those songs do. It has a more laid-back energy, but is still great to dance to.

We Cats Will Swing For You / The Cats & The Fiddle
Still sounds like a novelty song. Never really got into it. It seems to try too hard to be liked.

Whatcha Know, Joe? / Tommy Dorsey
Easily the most energetic version of this song, I remember growing to like it quite quickly, and I still enjoy it. Always seems to get the dance floor going.

Yacht Club Swing / Fats Waller

Loved the drive of this. Old Fatsy Watsy’s piano playing really shines. I still enjoy both the recorded and live versions.


Yes Indeed / Tommy Dorsey
Used to quite like this, but I much prefer some of the other versions now. I only recently discovered it’s a gospel song – I just don’t associate Tommy Dorsey with Gospel.

720 In The Books / Charlie Barnet
Love the lyrics and gentle chugging beat. The magic’s only just starting to wear off.

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 6:40 pm
by kitkat
Haydn wrote:One O'Clock Jump / Count Basie
I’ve always liked this, but more and more, I find myself looking forward to the bit after the piano-based intro, where the rhythm really kicks in.
You, sir, need to start listening to Two O'Clock Jump versions.

I don't know about spinning them--most don't get the room going as well as a One O'Clock Jump version. So maybe the rhythm in most versions of it never match the rhythm from the latter part of most One O'Clock Jump versions.

But most Two O'Clock Jump versions do sound a bit like a One O'Clock Jump w/o the 1st half.
Haydn wrote:Lavender Coffin / Lionel Hampton
A friend of mine has been getting into this recently (he described it as“that song with something about Saratoga”). I remember I used to love it, but the magic has worn off. The first time, it was like being invited to a great party. Now, it feels like being invited to the same party with them same people again and again.
This bit cracked me up, Haydn.

I don't think your subjective things are the kind of descriptions that would really give a new DJ good floor-filling tips...but they sure were a hoot to read as someone who can recall the melody of most of these songs and put music with your words as I read.

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 6:46 pm
by kitkat
You know what I notice about a lot of the high-quality-yet-have-worn-off-on-some-regulars songs? Especially Haydn's 27?

Lots of slow-tempo-but-high-energy songs in there.


Ahhhhh, the eternal quest of the old-school swing DJ.

We've gotta get in good with some composers and arrangers and just plain get more slow-tempo, super-high-energy material made. :-Þ

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 6:22 am
by Haydn
kitkat wrote:
Haydn wrote:One O'Clock Jump / Count Basie
I’ve always liked this, but more and more, I find myself looking forward to the bit after the piano-based intro, where the rhythm really kicks in.
You, sir, need to start listening to Two O'Clock Jump versions.

I don't know about spinning them--most don't get the room going as well as a One O'Clock Jump version. So maybe the rhythm in most versions of it never match the rhythm from the latter part of most One O'Clock Jump versions.

But most Two O'Clock Jump versions do sound a bit like a One O'Clock Jump w/o the 1st half.
I know what you mean about Two O'Clock Jump sounding a bit like One O'Clock Jump without the intro, especially if you're talking about the Basie OOCJ.

At the moment, my favourite versions of One O'Clock Jump are the live Glenn Miller ones (mostly from 1939 and 1940). They too seem to have piano in the intro, but the Miller intros have loads more energy leaving the Basie one sounding very tame in comparison. In the intros to the Miller versions, the drummer seems to be driving the song right from the start, but in the Basie one the drummer just provides a straight beat as background to the piano. The Miller drummer says 'Let's go!', the Basie guy says 'OK, I'll just give you a beat while you do the intro - let me know when the song starts'.

kitkat wrote:You know what I notice about a lot of the high-quality-yet-have-worn-off-on-some-regulars songs? Especially Haydn's 27?

Lots of slow-tempo-but-high-energy songs in there.
Yes, I noticed that most of the songs in that list are mid-tempo (130-170 BPM), good for an average dance crowd, which is one reason they tend to get played a lot over the years. My feelings about many of them have changed from excitement to boredom over time. Quite a few dancers I know complain about hearing songs too often. One of the biggest problems I have when DJing is finding enough exciting high-energy mid-tempo material. I've got more than enough 200 BPM+ songs, but it's the ones around 150 BPM that are really useful for DJing.