I also try to play what was popular when they were in high school & college. (Sadly, as time progresses, that list is starting to include pop music I don't really care for. With any luck I'll be dead by the time they want disco and rap.) But fun "specialty" tunes like Carolina usually go over pretty well, really anything that's peppy and happy.
Sometimes I'll announce "This is the music your mom and dad loved... and they were RIGHT!"