# You're Marty McFly, ready to play 3 songs from the future at a 1955 prom. What do you play? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 17, 2011, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256 "2011-11-17T19:29:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/41 "2011-11-18T03:30:24Z")
Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody David Bowie: Young Americans Brother Ali: The Undisputed Truth ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/42 "2011-11-18T03:44:09Z")
Upon reading the rest of the thread: If I really wanted to incite a lynch mob (or, dare them to attack the guy who’s covered in blood and gore, and carrying way too many edged weapons\*), I’d finish off with Strapping Young Lad’s ‘You Suck’. Hopefully some of the kids would have unlocked their inner bad-ass joined me. If not, gun control laws weren’t a thing and a lot of the parents were veterans, so they might give me a run for my money. COME MEET YOUR FATE, DOGS! DEATH AND BLOOD! THUNDER AND GLORY! \*The OP said **I** am Marty McFly, and if **I** was Marty McFly, it would be quite a different movie. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/43 "2011-11-18T04:01:55Z")
I do like the idea of easing into it. Start with something fun, poppy and danceable like _Sugar Sugar_. I don’t think anybody finds this song objectionable, but the repeated line of “pour a little sugar on it(…)” might get some questioning thoughts. Follow it up with some Pixies, I am torn but think that _Monkey Gone To Heaven_ is the best choice. _Sugar Sugar_ has a pop quality that I think would not be too alien to the mid 1950s crowd, but _Monkey Gone To Heaven_ sure would sound different. But not so different that it wouldn’t be completely out of place. Plus, you may score points with the chaperones for putting God above the Devil and humans. To end, you hit them with some Prince. Song doesn’t really matter since no matter what the kids are going to have their jaws on the floor and most of the adults will be looking to kill the power or the band. Have _Let’s Go Crazy_, _Little Red Corvette_, _Cream_, _Darling Nikki_ or _Sexy Mother Fucker_ ready to go based on the overall attitude of the crowd. ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/44 "2011-11-18T04:15:43Z")
> [@Sudden\_Kestrel](#): > > Yeah, I thought of that, but then I heard Alice in my head saying, “Cadaver eyes upon me see…nothing,” and I was forced to obey. Do it right! Start with No More Mr Nice Guy and then hit 'em with School’s Out. The Kids will love it and the chaps will be having fits. then go for the guarenteed pitchforks - Only Women Bleed! All ya need is Alice! ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/45 "2011-11-18T04:26:10Z")
God, reading all these makes it impossible to pick just three. On top of that, do I choose things I personally like? Things appropriate to a teenage dance? Or iconic examples of specific genres? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/46 "2011-11-18T04:37:56Z")
So many songs… so few choices… When I first thought of this, I would have easily chosen _Sweet Child O’ Mine_ by G 'n R, and who knows… on the stage, I just might do it. But looking at some of the other choices - there are some great picks here. And so many styles of music that would just drop jaws… OK, time to stop futzing around: _Everlong_, the Foo Fighters. Teach these kids what guitar rock is all about. It’s also melodic enough that it wouldn’t sound like noise to everybody (but it would to some, that’s for sure). Then I want to do some rap, or something with rap elements in it… I don’t want to lose my audience (what’s the fun in that?) with some NWA or Eminem (hell, even _Rapper’s Delight_ would be too weird for 'em), but I do want them to say “WTF was _that_?” after they’re done dancing. And I think a song that would be relatively palatable to what I’m imagining would be an **extremely** white bread audience would be _In The End_, by Linkin Park (actually, the only Linkin Park song I know). It’s got melody. It’s got rap. It might work. Then, a genre that I don’t think has been mentioned in this thread: country. And I think to close out the set I would choose _The Devil Went Down to Georgia_ by Charlie Daniels, a helluva shit-kicking song to belt out in 1955. (For some reason, I can’t fathom doing a slow song for the couples dance… any suggestions? I keep thinking of Springsteen’s _I’m on Fire_, but am drawing a blank on any others that might be worthy.) For our encore, we might as well get kicked out of the building: _Hot for Teacher_, Van Halen would do the trick. Hope we make it past my groundbreaking guitar solo. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/47 "2011-11-18T04:39:05Z")
> [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](#): > > \*The OP said **I** am Marty McFly, and if **I** was Marty McFly, it would be quite a different movie. Eh, that’s just a cultural starting point. Marty didn’t get to play 3 songs from the future, either. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/48 "2011-11-18T04:42:13Z")
> [@Ponderoid](#): > > I wouldn’t want to be Marty McFly; I’d rather be myself, with a voice worth listening to, of course. And with a backing band I’d had a chance to rehearse with. Most of those songs I’d like to play were originally by male artists, and end up displaying interesting twists on the power relationship between the sexes even if the lyrics are altered to keep them heterosexual songs. It’s a fantasy. Don’t get hung up on the details. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/49 "2011-11-18T04:54:52Z")
Rage Against the Machine: “Killing in the Name” Followed by Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” First encore: Peaches’ “Fuck the Pain Away” Drop the mic and crowd surf into an adoring poodle-skirted crowd. ---
**Author:** ![bahia\_hombre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@bahia\_hombre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bahia_hombre)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/50 "2011-11-18T04:55:23Z")
John Denver - Rocky Mountain High (the future of folk music) Van Halen - Jump (what makes _that_ sound?) Billy Joel - Uptown Girl or For the Longest Time (back to 50’s Frankie Valli normalcy) ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/51 "2011-11-18T05:27:22Z")
Peaches en Regalia - Frank Zappa Buddy Holly - Weezer Lose Yourself - Eminem Why the hell not? ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/52 "2011-11-18T06:20:27Z")
_Rainbow in the Dark_. It rocks hard, doesn’t have any profanity, and I can totally sing it (at least if the Starlighters can tune it down half a step). Plus, the great part is that someone can still call up the author, who proceeds to join his first band [just three years later](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_James_Dio#Early_years.2C_education_and_musical_training). I’m sure there’s some plausible explanation why he then waits another 25 years to record it. Also, _Candle in the Wind_. They so won’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![mac\_bolan00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@mac\_bolan00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mac_bolan00)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/53 "2011-11-18T07:42:38Z")
blue suede shoes i saw her standing there highway star ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/54 "2011-11-18T08:58:51Z")
Let’s go simple: “The One I Love,” R.E.M. “Doomed to Be Together,” Z “Swan Lake,” the Church. Nothing too revolutionary, but definitely a later phase of pop music culture. I was going to say “Yellow Submarine” but the main effect of that would be to bewilder Paul McCartney with accusations of plagiarism, and really, why? ---
**Author:** ![Gretel\_burps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@Gretel\_burps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gretel_burps)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/55 "2011-11-18T09:25:20Z")
Michael Jackson - Human Nature Madonna- Vogue Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen ---
**Author:** ![Gretel\_burps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@Gretel\_burps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gretel_burps)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/56 "2011-11-18T09:26:24Z")
> [@Gretel\_burps](#): > > Michael Jackson - Human Nature > > Madonna- Vogue > > Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen I meant Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody:D ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/57 "2011-11-18T17:24:40Z")
> [@Number](#): > > Also, _Candle in the Wind_. They so won’t get it. I like the way you think. ---
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/58 "2011-11-18T20:37:44Z")
I use my knowledge of the future to become the worlds greatest rock star : I stay in the past, write every hit song, become the USA’s first billionaire and pass the torch to my children. To start this off, we must introduce the 1950’s to Rock N Roll. Now, I’m assuming I’ve already played “Johnny B. Goode” like in the movie. So from there, we continue on with: 1. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley. Then we introduce the 60’s with : 1. Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones And we close with the 70’s classic : 1. Rock N Roll - Led Zeppelin. If asked for an encore again, we do “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” from The Beatles, assuring myself of that famous spot on the Ed Sullivan show. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/59 "2011-11-18T21:10:32Z")
Actually, John Rockefeller was a billionaire _long_ before 1955. But it’s good to have goals! ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/60 "2011-11-18T21:12:18Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Anything from Michael Jackson, but probably _Billie Jean_ > [@tdn](#): > > Shine On You Crazy Diamond. I didn’t see it mentioned yet, so Stevie Wonder’s _Superstition_. I might go for Pink Floyd’s _Money_ instead of SOYCD, and I’d have a hard time not playing The Beatles’ _Day Tripper_. But I would want to show that 50’s crowd that they weren’t even close to cool! 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256.md?page=4)