Mandaris"4 Page Letter" by Aaliyah
What song makes you want to write a letter?
Her music was SO good!
I used to write my wife letters on a regular basis but stopped...
I've really got to get back into that. She deserves to be told how much I love her.
Crucial Track
Crucial Track for January 25, 2026
"Speed Demon" by Michael Jackson
Pick a song from an artist or band that’s had the biggest impact on your life.
I think I talk about Michael Jackson a lot, but I wanted to point out this song that makes me hit the accelerator!
I really loved the music video in how it used claymation to make a fun story about enjoying speed.
Crucial Track for January 24, 2026
"Use the Force" by Jamiroquai
What is a song that instantly energizes you?
Nice little song that hits all the important beats. I think I'll listen to it now to get in the mood to finish the day with some pizzazz.
Crucial Track for January 21, 2026
"Springfield Soul Stew (A.K.A Memphis Soul Stew)" by The Simpsons
Share a song that changed your perspective on music.
If I recall correctly, this is the first time that I heard how a song is layered. I knew that music could have different instruments, but didn't understand how they would be put together.
Crucial Track for January 22, 2026
"Baby Shark" by Pinkfong
What song do you wish you had written?
Just for the royalties.
Crucial Track for December 15, 2025
"The Rain" by Oran "Juice" Jones
What's your favorite song to listen to in the rain?
I'm not a fan of the rain. It reminds me of when I would work at a grocery store and having to chase after carts while being cold and wet. People make getting out of the weather more of priority than pushing the carts in a place that they can be collected. Sometimes they would be pushed by the rain or just left in spots.
Anyway, I like hearing this song because of the plot and the hook. The music video also shows shots of the lady walking down the street with all of her possessions in a garbage bag.
DRAMA!
Crucial Track for December 14, 2025
"The Freshmen" by The Verve Pipe
Share a song that captures the feeling of being seventeen.
Although there were a lot of good things about being 17, I don't want to go back to those days. I was feeling sad about a lot of things and really didn't have an outlet.
I just though this was going to be it.
Things got better but some of us didn't make it.
Just a statistic and ultimately leaving an impact.
Crucial Track for December 13, 2025
"Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5
Share a song that sounds like your ideal Sunday morning.
This is my favorite song about Sunday. I just enjoy that feeling of having nothing else to do.
No rush.
No fuss.
In fact, I just checked my calendar to see if I had anything scheduled.
Crucial Track for January 23, 2026
"Starboy (feat. Daft Punk)" by The Weeknd
Did you sing along to anything today? Describe the moment.
I've been a fan of Daft Punk for years and still enjoy listening to the Key of Awesome parody. It's funny to me how I bleep myself when I'm by myself.
Crucial Track for December 12, 2025
"What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong
What song makes you feel grateful?
Sometimes I lose track of all the things I can feel grateful for. There's a lot of things going on in this world - a lot asking for our attention - and sometimes we need to sit back and think about the good things in our life.
