Mixed CD's

I love a good mixed CD. You know, when someone puts a bunch of random songs and mixes it onto one CD. Over the years I've made lots of mixes for my wife. Some of our friends have ended up hearing the mixes and have then asked me to make them one. I typically make them for road trips, or for my wife's birthday. I have some rules that I try to keep when making a mix.

• Put new songs on. This is tough because some songs are new but they are already played out. I try to find new music that is popular, but has not yet been overplayed.
• Old songs. A great mix has old songs that you love. I tend to always put an 80's or 90's song on every mix I make.
• Mix up the styles. A little hip hop, a dash of rock, a sprinkle of country, and then add in lots of pop and you have a good mix.
• I take at least one risk. There are songs out there that I know I like but I know my wife doesn't know yet. I put one of those songs on the CD hoping that she'll like it. Sometimes it's a swing and a miss, but other times it helps create a home run CD.
• Vary the pacing. Because most of my mixes are road trip CD's I put on more upbeat then slow songs. With that being said I believe it's crucial to include a good mid-tempo or slow song. When there is a slow song I try to pick it back up soon after.
• Vary the bands. I try to not have the same artist on a mix more than once. Every once in a while I will put two songs on by the same artist, but I try to avoid this.
• Know the type of music the person you are giving the CD to likes. I know Monica's type of music pretty well. I try to make CD's with her in mind.
• Listen to the CD before you give it. Sometimes I listen to a CD and it just doesn't flow right. I'll go back and remix things up whenever that happens.

And there you have it. I can't promise everyone will love every mix you make, but following these rules has worked pretty well for me.