Crucial Track for October 1, 2025

"La Isla Bonita" by Madonna

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A song from the last gig you went to.

The last gig that I went to was for an up and coming singer named Madonna.

Unfortunately it wasn't that great because the energy just wasn't there. The first couple of rows were filled with people just sitting there with their arms folded.

COME ON PEOPLE!!! THIS IS MADONNA!!!

I miss the other local stadium that was torn down.

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Crucial Track for September 30, 2025

"I'm Still Standing" by Taron Egerton

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A song that you discovered on a film soundtrack.

This is my favorite song on the album. At this point, I knew of Elton John but only knew of Candle in the Wind and Can you feel the love tonight.

I missed one!

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Sinners (2025) - ★★★★★

Sinner 2025 Movie poster showing people dancing and having a good time.
Not everyone had a good time at the new juke joint.

Unfortunately, I had read a lot about the movie before I got a chance to see it and I brought some expectations into viewing it.

Couple that with the fact that this little review is several weeks after seeing it.

That being said, I would happily watch this movie again!

From the opening scene, you know things are not going to go well for the people in this movie. The beautiful thing about the movie isn’t so much the blood and gore, but the build up to it. How did we get here?

I know some people might not appreciate the build up, but I feel that you can’t really enjoy the next part without it.

Overview

Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.

Crucial Track for September 29, 2025

"Caribbean Queen (No More Love On the Run)" by Billy Ocean

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A song you'd do at karaoke?

I do not consider myself as having a deep voice but this is the song that calls to me to sing. My family probably would have thought that I would do something from Michael Jackson. Maybe it's because I'm such a fan of Michael Jackson that I don't want to do one of his songs.

This one has very simple lyrics and a chance to breath before you belt out the next verse.

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Crucial Track for September 28, 2025

"Heartburn" by Alicia Keys

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A song you've seen performed live, or would really like to see performed live?

Years ago, I saw Alicia Keys perform in Reno. John Legend was the opening act promoting his first album which got me so excited that I purchased it later that year.

The concert was Marti Gras themed and I wasn't really feeling it until this song came on.

Lots of bass and funk to really get your heart pumping.

It was my favorite song of the night.

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Crucial Track for September 27, 2025

"Beat It" by Senor Coconut

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A song that you discovered in an unusual way.

I had to think about this one for a while. What is an unusual place to find music? There are only so many places that don't have music or muzak. Music is found in so many places that people congregate that I couldn't think of a place or instance right away.

Finally, I thought about a podcast that I used to listen to regularly. The podcast is Coverville and at one point, I remember loading it up hours of audio onto my iPod and making sure that new episodes didn't get removed when new ones were released.

My favorite episode was a Cover story - an episode focused on one artist - on Michael Jackson where I got to hear Senor Coconut for the first time.

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Crucial Track for September 26, 2025

"Larger Than Life" by Backstreet Boys

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A song that reminds you of a particular friend.

This reminds me of a friend I had in high school who would always sing in class. He was not a great singer but I don't think he cared. He would sing this and other songs with the confidence of a rock star. He didn't care if there were 2 or 200 people around him.

And the coolest part is that no one gave him any grief about it. We all just rolled with it.

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Crucial Track for September 25, 2025

"Kokomo" by The Beach Boys

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A song that reminds you of one of your favorite places.

I don't know if it's "Kokomo" or "The Kokomo", but I do know that I've never been there.

For me, it represents a place that I can just sit back and relax; not worry about the stress of the world.

Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you to Bermuda, Bahama, come on, pretty mama Key Largo, Montego, baby, why don't we go? Ooh, I wanna take you down to Kokomo We'll get there fast and then we'll take it slow That's where we wanna go, way down in Kokomo

Maybe I'll be able to go down there one day.

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Crucial Track for September 24, 2025

"Vacation" by The Go-Go's

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A song that reminds you of your last vacation or holiday.

This is the first song that came to mind when I thought about vacation. When I hear the song I think about a commercial for a vacation more than the vacation itself. Either that or a comedy about vacations.

It's weird to me that vacations cause so much stress that I sometimes feel I need an extra day after just to rest and recover.

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Crucial Track for September 23, 2025

"Djobi Djoba" by Gipsy Kings

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A song in a language that you don't know.

This is my favorite Gipsy Kings song. It's fast and seems fun and I have know idea what they are saying.

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