I’m Jerry Frempong, and after more than 25 years behind the decks at weddings, birthday parties, corporate events and themed nights across the UK, I can confidently say this: nothing fills a dancefloor faster than the right throwback party. Decade themed parties tap into pure nostalgia. They trigger memories, emotions and moments people forgot they even had. When you plan a throwback party by decade properly, you’re not just hosting an event, you’re creating an experience people talk about for years.
This guide is written to help you plan a high energy, well structured throwback party that works brilliantly for birthdays, anniversaries, office parties and milestone celebrations. I’ll walk you through the most popular decades, how to style them, how the music should flow, and how to make sure your party feels authentic rather than gimmicky. I’ll also share why booking a specialist DJ is the single most important decision you’ll make.
Why throwback parties by decade always work
Throwback parties succeed because they’re inclusive. Everyone knows the songs, everyone recognises the fashion, and everyone feels confident joining the dancefloor. From a DJ’s perspective, decade themed parties give structure to the night. They allow seamless transitions, controlled energy and moments where the entire room reacts together. Search engines love this topic too because people are constantly searching for throwback party ideas, decade party themes, retro party planning tips and the best music for themed events.
Planning a 1950s throwback party
A 1950s themed party is all about rock and roll, jukebox energy and timeless charm. This decade works beautifully for vintage lovers and classy celebrations. Think polished hairstyles, bold red lips, leather jackets and swing dresses. The music should be upbeat but not overpowering, with plenty of rhythm to encourage jive and twist-style dancing.
When I DJ a 1950s throwback party, I focus on keeping the atmosphere playful and elegant. Lighting should be warm rather than flashy, and the sound should feel rich and full rather than bass heavy. This decade suits mixed age groups particularly well.
Popular 1950s songs that always connect with the crowd include **Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley, **Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry, **Tutti Frutti by Little Richard, **Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis, **Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley, **Hound Dog by Elvis Presley, **Peggy Sue by Buddy Holly, **Blue Suede Shoes by Carl Perkins, **La Bamba by Ritchie Valens, and **That’ll Be the Day by Buddy Holly.
Planning a 1960s throwback party
The 1960s were revolutionary. Music, fashion and culture exploded with creativity. A 1960s throwback party can lean into early rock, Motown, soul or the British Invasion depending on your crowd. This decade is ideal if you want colour, optimism and movement.
From a DJ’s point of view, the 60s are all about groove and flow. You want people dancing without realising how long they’ve been moving. Décor should feel bold and expressive, and the playlist should balance recognisable hits with feel-good anthems.
Popular 1960s songs that ignite nostalgia include **Twist and Shout by The Beatles, **My Girl by The Temptations, **Respect by Aretha Franklin, **I Want to Hold Your Hand by The Beatles, **Dancing in the Street by Martha and the Vandellas, **You Can’t Hurry Love by The Supremes, **Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys, **Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations, **Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison, and **Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye.
Planning a 1970s throwback party
The 1970s are a DJ’s dream. Disco, funk and soul dominate the dancefloor, and the energy is infectious. Bell bottoms, flares, afros and glitter are encouraged. This decade works exceptionally well for high energy parties where dancing is the main focus.
A proper 70s throwback party needs smooth transitions and strong bass control. The aim is to build momentum without exhausting the room too early. Lighting effects can be more playful here, and the atmosphere should feel celebratory and carefree.
Classic 1970s party songs include **Stayin’ Alive by Bee Gees, **September by Earth, Wind & Fire, **Le Freak by Chic, **I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor, **Superstition by Stevie Wonder, **Dancing Queen by ABBA, **We Are Family by Sister Sledge, **Car Wash by Rose Royce, **Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry, and **Night Fever by Bee Gees.
Planning a 1980s throwback party
The 1980s remain one of the most searched throwback party decades, and for good reason. Big hair, neon colours, synth-heavy music and unforgettable hooks make this decade unbeatable. An 80s throwback party should feel bold, loud and unapologetically fun.
As a DJ, I treat 80s parties with respect. Yes, they’re fun, but the order of songs matters. Build slowly, then unleash the anthems. When done right, the dancefloor becomes electric.
Essential 1980s songs include **Billie Jean by Michael Jackson, **Like a Virgin by Madonna, **Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey, **Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!, **Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics, **Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper, **Footloose by Kenny Loggins, **Take On Me by a-ha, **I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston, and **Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi.
Planning a 1990s throwback party
The 1990s bring pure versatility. Pop, R&B, hip hop and dance classics all work together. This decade suits mixed crowds and milestone birthdays perfectly. A 90s throwback party should feel energetic, playful and slightly rebellious.
From my experience, pacing is key. Too many high-energy tracks too quickly can overwhelm the room. A specialist DJ knows when to switch genres and when to drop those hands-in-the-air anthems.
Top 1990s throwback songs include **No Diggity by Blackstreet, **Wannabe by Spice Girls, **This Is How We Do It by Montell Jordan, **Rhythm Is a Dancer by Snap!, **California Love by 2Pac, **Everybody by Backstreet Boys, **Vogue by Madonna, **Freed from Desire by Gala, **Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana, and **Return of the Mack by Mark Morrison.
Why booking a specialist DJ matters
Planning a throwback party by decade is about more than a playlist. It’s about reading the room, understanding the era, managing energy and creating seamless transitions. A specialist DJ brings professional sound, lighting, crowd awareness and decades of experience. I’ve seen parties fail because the music order was wrong or the sound didn’t suit the room.
If you want your throwback party to feel authentic, exciting and unforgettable, booking a DJ who truly understands decade themed events is essential. If you’re ready to take the next step, I encourage you to make an enquiry through the booking page at https://www.djsondemand.co.uk/dj-hire-prices/ and secure a specialist DJ who knows exactly how to bring your chosen decade to life.