Everyone has their favorite tunes that make them happy. And people love having a chance to dance to popular tunes they've heard. So don't leave those out. Furthermore, the better leads want to match their variations to the breaks in the music, which only happen when they know the break is coming. Similarly the better follows like to add stylistic flourishes and footwork modifications to match the musical changes. So the more experienced dancers, both lead and follow, have a strong preference for familiar tunes, for these reasons.
Then new music is always exciting for most people, including the experienced dancers, so also include those in your mix.
DJ's more often err on the side of not enough familiar favorites (or worse, none). Those are usually the DJs who are grandstanding, showing off their immense music resources. That's their version of "Look at me! Look what I have!" instead of selflessly giving the dancers what they want. Then they wonder why the dancers don't come back. But erring the side of only old favorites isn't much better, in my opinion. Give them plenty of both.
This recommendation is specifically for social dance music. If you're a psy-trance or techno DJ, then your following will want the latest music they've never heard before. Conversely some dances have period themes, like all-fifties, disco or all-eighties. And a wedding couple may request only their old favorites at their reception dance. Each situation is different.
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