Music bingo › Farewell and retirement
Music bingo at a farewell or retirement
At a farewell or a retirement you want to look back without it turning into a long speech. Music does that better than words: take the biggest hit of every year somebody worked there and the whole career passes by on its own.
It is also a programme the whole department can join, including the people who have only known the departing colleague briefly. They simply recognise the music from the radio.
Scan the QR code with your phone, or tap a button if you are reading this on mobile.
One song per year of service
This is the strongest format. If somebody worked there for 25 years, take the biggest hit of each of those years and play them in order. A timeline appears that everyone understands, and the stories come along the way.
Say a few words along the way
At a handful of years, mention what was happening: a move, a merger, the arrival of a new colleague. Two sentences per moment is enough. That way the bingo becomes the farewell story without anyone giving a speech.
The favourites of the person leaving
Ask the family beforehand what music the departing colleague plays at home, and work in about five of those. That is the moment it becomes personal.
How to make this music bingo yourself
Paste your playlist
A link from Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music or Deezer, or type your own list of songs. The app collects the titles and removes duplicates.
Choose playing time and win pattern
The app works out how many songs you need and picks the card size.
Print the unique bingo cards
Two cards per A4 with cut lines, with a matching emoji above every title, plus a checklist for the host.
Play the hits
The Bingo Master plays the recognizable part of every song and verifies each bingo through the card code.
Running a music bingo yourself
Traditional bingo needs numbers; this game needs songs, and that single twist is what makes it fun. There is no number to check: people listen to the opening seconds, recognise the hit and players mark it off. You do not need a professional host or a trivia round to warm a room up, because the music handles that. Most people know far more songs than they think.
Start by deciding what the evening should be. A short game of three rounds is perfect before dinner; a complete night of 90 minutes suits a party, a company event or a musical theme night. Whether your crowd grew up on the 90s or on last summer's charts, use their own music instead of a generic list: the best selection is the one where every player recognises something — a classic, a guilty pleasure, a recent hit. That is what gets people out of their seats.
The format is easy. Create the list, choose the card size and the win pattern, then give everyone a card with the song titles printed on it. Each song is played once, in a random order. The first person to fill a whole line shouts bingo, and the host verifies that call with the code along the side. Guests who would rather not print join online at bingobanger.party with your game code. Small prizes per round keep the energy up, and they do not have to be expensive.
Questions, or want a hand hosting your first game? Email robin@kreatrix.nl and you will hear from us within a working day. The app is free, six cards included.
Frequently asked questions
Why does music bingo work at a farewell?
Because you can look back through music without long speeches, and everyone can join regardless of how long they have known the person.
How many songs do I need?
With one song per year of service, 25 years means 25 songs, good for about fifteen minutes of play.
Can the company logo go on the cards?
Yes, that is part of Bingo King.
How long does the programme take?
Half an hour is usually enough, leaving time for the informal part afterwards.
More music bingo
Browse the other topics, or read on the main page how to make your own music bingo in ten minutes.
Popular themes: