Crucial Track

Crucial Track for September 30, 2025

"I'm Still Standing" by Taron Egerton

Listen on Apple Music

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!

View Mandaris Moore's Crucial Tracks profile

Crucial Track for September 29, 2025

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

Listen on Apple Music

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.

View Mandaris Moore's Crucial Tracks profile

Crucial Track for September 28, 2025

"Heartburn" by Alicia Keys

Listen on Apple Music

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.

View Mandaris Moore's Crucial Tracks profile

Crucial Track for September 27, 2025

"Beat It" by Senor Coconut

Listen on Apple Music

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.

View Mandaris Moore's Crucial Tracks profile

Crucial Track for September 26, 2025

"Larger Than Life" by Backstreet Boys

Listen on Apple Music

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.

View Mandaris Moore's Crucial Tracks profile

Crucial Track for September 25, 2025

"Kokomo" by The Beach Boys

Listen on Apple Music

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.

View Mandaris Moore's Crucial Tracks profile

Crucial Track for September 24, 2025

"Vacation" by The Go-Go's

Listen on Apple Music

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.

View Mandaris Moore's Crucial Tracks profile

Crucial Track for September 23, 2025

"Djobi Djoba" by Gipsy Kings

Listen on Apple Music

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.

View Mandaris Moore's Crucial Tracks profile

Crucial Track for September 22, 2025

"Skid Row (Downtown)" by Michelle Weeks, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold, Ellen Greene & Rick Moranis

Listen on Apple Music

If today were a genre, what would it be? Pick a matching song.

I'm just being cheeky this morning.

View Mandaris Moore's Crucial Tracks profile

Crucial Track for September 21, 2025

"Tainted Love" by Soft Cell

Listen on Apple Music

What’s a remix or cover you like more than the original?

This is one of those songs that you see in a compilations of Songs you didn't know were covers. This one is special to me because it was the first time that I knew of it happening. Before I knew about Motown or any of the music I was popular in the 90s that was associated with Puff Daddy.

View Mandaris Moore's Crucial Tracks profile