Two playlists, in fact: one for a day-time al fresco party, the other for dancing later on. While you don't want to be playing The Birdie Song, this is not the moment to educate your guests in the finer points of minimal techno. Recent dance hits, undeniable 80s pop, and old soul and disco are your friends. Whether or not they profess to like Chic, with a few drinks in them, everybody who is going to dance will dance to Good Times.

Daytime
Carly Simon: Why?
Lorde: Tennis Court
Steely Dan: Do It Again
Dawn Richard: Break Of Dawn
Robert Palmer: Every Kinda People
Matthew E White: Big Love
MIA: Paper Planes
Roxy Music: More Than This
Janelle Monae feat. Erykah Badu: Q.U.E.E.N
Saint Etienne: People Get Real

Night-time
Disclosure feat. AlunaGeorge: White Noise
The Flirtations: Nothing But A Heartache
Joe Godard feat. Valentina: Gabriel
Fleetwood Mac: Everywhere
Chic: Good Times
Jane Weidlin: Rush Hour
Daft Punk: Get Lucky
Stevie Wonder: We Can Work It Out
Robin Thicke: Blurred Lines
Love Unlimited: Under The Influence Of Love

• With thanks to the good people of Twitter.