Mandaris"Brave" by Sara Bareilles
Share a song that captures the feeling of being brave.
My family was listening to this repeatedly for months. So this is the first song that comes to mind.
Crucial Track
Crucial Track for July 29, 2025
"Canned Heat" by Jamiroquai
What song makes you want to dance alone in your room?
You know this boogie is for real!
Jamiroquai has so many great songs. I don't know why I haven't been keeping up with what they have been doing.
Maybe it's because I'm too busy dancing to what they already made.
Crucial Track for July 23, 2025
"All Night Long" by Mary Jane Girls
What song makes you want to stay up all night?
I'm actually not a fan of staying up late. Maybe because I'm an early riser or just getting old(er).
This song is a classic song written by Rick James. The bass riff is amazing and rocks you into slow groove.
Crucial Track for July 22, 2025
"Arco Arena (Instrumental)" by CAKE
What's a song you associate with your hometown?
Cake is a band from where I'm from -- don't be creepy -- and this song is about a building that no longer exists. But, it really gets me hyped and ready to do something. I thought about having it as my morning alarm, but I don't want to wind up hating it.
Crucial Track for July 15, 2025
"So Anxious" by Ginuwine
Share a song that perfectly captures anticipation.
Yes, Ginuwine has more than just Pony in his list of songs! Funny enough, I didn't know what exactly this song was about when it came out.
Crucial Track for July 16, 2025
"Change the World" by Babyface & Eric Clapton
What's your favorite song about change?
This song has beautiful instrumentation and wonderful energy.
Depending on the version, you can get the extra kick at the end!
Crucial Track for July 11, 2025
"4 Page Letter" by Aaliyah
What song makes you want to write a letter?
I miss Aaliyah. I think she had wonderful talent as a singer and phenomenal stage presence. She had a way of soothing and entrancing at the same time. After this post, I'm going to write a letter to my wife. Sometimes, it's better to express yourself that way.
Crucial Track for July 10, 2025
"Can You Stand the Rain" by New Edition
What's your favorite song to listen to in the rain?
I’m not a fan of being outside in the rain. I know that it’s good for the area that I live in to have it on a regular basis. I just don’t like being cold and the rain we see is usually associated with the colder months.
For some, rain is rejuvenating. For me, it’s sadness that I have to go through.
Crucial Track for July 9, 2025
"The Freshmen" by The Verve Pipe
Share a song that captures the feeling of being seventeen.
Seventeen wasn't a good year for me.
I don't even remember what this song was about but it's the first thing that comes to mind.
Crucial Track for July 8, 2025
"Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5
Share a song that sounds like your ideal Sunday morning.
My friends like to joke that this was made when Maroon 5 was good. And I have to admit it’s still my favorite album and I listen to it semi frequently.
Crucial Track for July 7, 2025
"Alive" by Sia
What song makes you feel grateful?
What I like about this song is the passion. Sia’s voice has this way of almost cracking as she screams out how she’s still alive and still fighting.
There have been too many times when I’ve been close to death. A wrong step here, a slight change in circumstances and I would not be here writing this post.
For me, this also stirs up that feeling of questions about why am I alive. Life is for the living and we have an opportunity to do something with it. Do not sit there waiting for death because it’s going to get you anyway.
Live.
And be alive.
Crucial Track for July 5, 2025
"Back to Life" by Soul II Soul
Share a song that feels like it has healing powers.
This actually isn't the first song that came to mind, but it definitely fits.
For me it gets me into a groove and I can somewhat drift into the zone.
Crucial Track for June 12, 2025
"WAP (feat. Megan Thee Stallion)" by Cardi B
What's a song you only listen to when you're completely alone?
That's a weird prompt. The fact that you would online listen to alone but you'd put it on your blog.
Sure, I'll bite.
I listen to it because it has a great beat and different from the musical misogamy that I enjoyed in my youth.
Crucial Track for June 11, 2025
"Nobody Speak (feat. Run The Jewels)" by DJ Shadow
What's your favorite opening line from any song?
This song is not for kids, but makes me laugh every time I hear it.
Picture this I'm a bag of dicks Put me to your lips
Yes, definitely not going to listen to that at work.
Crucial Track for June 10, 2025
"Invincible" by Kirsten Arian
Share a song that makes you feel invincible.
One of the best tracks on the Lego Batman soundtrack. It's a fun song that just gets me going.
Crucial Track for June 9, 2025
"Nobody Wants to Be Lonely (With Christina Aguilera)" by Ricky Martin
What song do you turn to when you need to cry?
I really enjoy this song because it also gives me hope in the despair. I also think about how Christina Aguilera should be a bigger name in music. She can sing very well, but I think it just comes down to song choice.
Crucial Track for June 8, 2025
"Killing In the Name" by Rage Against the Machine
What song feels like a personal anthem right now?
I didn't hear the message of this song when I first head it years ago. It saddens me we are still dealing with these things.
Crucial Track for June 7, 2025
"Pardon My Freedom" by !!!
Share a song that represents rebellion or freedom to you.
I shared this song with my kids. I'm not always feeling this way but it feels good to put this one on and cut loose.
Crucial Track for June 6, 2025
"I Wanna Sex You Up (Single Mix)" by Color Me Badd
What's a song with lyrics you didn't fully understand until you were older?
I had -and if you ask my wife still don't - no understanding of what any of these words mean.
Crucial Track for June 5, 2025
"Larger Than Life" by Backstreet Boys
What's a song that feels larger than life to you?
Sorry, not sorry. This is the track that comes to mind when I saw the prompt. I still smile thinking about how people would argue whether Backstreet Boys or N*sync were better.
Crucial Track for June 4, 2025
"Life Is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts
Describe the perfect song for a road trip and why it works.
I didn't think much of this song when I heard it in the movie, but it's really grown on me over the years. I think it's because my daughter would keep on saying "Kachow".
Crucial Track for June 3, 2025
"Nobody Knows" by The Tony Rich Project
What song would you use to describe your current relationship?
I've been married for years and sometimes relationships can ebb and flow as we try to make things work in this world. At the moment, we've got a lot of things going on as our children start moving on to their next stage in life. This doesn't leave us a lot of time to be a couple.
We're not on the rocks but sometimes I just miss being with my wife and having her smile.
Crucial Track for June 2, 2025
"Kokomo" by The Beach Boys
Describe music that reminds you of a specific place you've traveled.
I’ve never been to Kokomo. For me, the song actually reminds me of Santa Cruz, Ca. My wife and I would sometimes listen to this song as we would drive down there. It was her happy place and that would make me feel good to know that she was happy.
Crucial Track for June 1, 2025
"The Dynamo of Volition" by Jason Mraz
What song do you associate with your biggest accomplishment?
This isn’t the biggest accomplishment, but I was able to beat a ticket one time and “The Dynamo of Volition” by Jason Mraz. It probably won’t happen again.
Crucial Track for May 31, 2025
"Human Nature" by Michael Jackson
What song makes you feel understood when no one else does?
I feel that Human Nature by Michael Jackson is the best fit for the prompt. It might just be because I'm a big Michael Jackson fan.