West coast swing tends to be bluesy, R&Bish, BUT, just about anything pop will work.

The thing we need to remember is people are talking about a dance step. West coast swing generally doesn't have anything to do with swing as in big band type music. So when somebody requests a swing tune these days I always try to find out what kind of swing they are refering to. I find it almost always is west coast swing rather than say Honeysuckle Rose.

The speed is important in using different dance steps. The competition and social dance tempo for west coast swing is the same which is 112-128. These tempos come from the National Dance Council Of America, United States Imperial Society for the Teachers of Dance and the International Dancesport Federation.

Some people prefer west coast swing to be even a little slower than 112. Also, at around 128 you could dance a Triple Swing if desired.

Some tunes I play for west coast are Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, Love Potion #9, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, Mustang Sally, St Louie Blues, Sweet Home Chicago and Watermelon Man.