Mandaris"Djobi Djoba" by Gipsy Kings
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.
Crucial Track
Crucial Track for September 22, 2025
"Skid Row (Downtown)" by Michelle Weeks, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold, Ellen Greene & Rick Moranis
If today were a genre, what would it be? Pick a matching song.
I'm just being cheeky this morning.
Crucial Track for September 21, 2025
"Tainted Love" by Soft Cell
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.
Crucial Track for September 20, 2025
"N.T. (feat. Busta Rhymes)" by Q-Tip
What’s a hidden gem or underrated song you love?
Q-Tip had a great album and I really enjoy the piano on this track. I've got a playlist I'm creating on songs that I haven't heard in a while and this one is going on it.
I also really enjoy Busta Rhymes crashing out
on the track.
Crucial Track for September 19, 2025
"This Is the Song That Never Ends" by ABC Kids
What’s a song that grew on you over time?
It's a very catchy song. It's got energy and lyrics that are easy to pick up.
It will outlive us all.
Crucial Track for September 18, 2025
"Controversy" by Prince
What’s your favorite deep cut from an album?
I'm not good at identifying deep cuts
, but the first song that comes to mind is Prince's Controversy. I first heard it on a compilation of B-Sides from Prince. You could argue that Prince's B-sides are better than some other artist A-sides... and that's not a diss in any since of the word.
Crucial Track for September 17, 2025
"My Humps" by Black Eyed Peas
Share a song you feel was ahead of its time.
I'm only considering this ahead of its time because I heard it on the album before it was on all the top 40 radio stations. I remember putting it in my cd player and then calling my wife - then girlfriend- on the portable phone about this new song.
She didn't like it at first, as she heard the line:
She's got me spending! Spending all his money on me And all his time on me
Still, the hook and beat are now very recognizable for people my age.
Crucial Track for September 16, 2025
"Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)" by Elton John & Dua Lipa
What’s the last song you discovered and loved instantly?
I wouldn't use the word love
, but I wanted to hear this song immediately after listening to it. Since then it has been in a semi regular rotation of playlists.
Crucial Track for September 15, 2025
"Holy Calamity [Bear Witness II] (feat. DJ Shadow & DJ Quest)" by Handsome Boy Modeling School
What’s a lyric that resonates deeply with you and why?
This song has a couple lines that my wife and I quote back and forth to each other.
Holy calamity, scream insanity
All you ever gonna be's
Another great fan of me, break
It's quick, funny, and memorable. It's part of a track that has a lot of energy on one of my top 100 favorite albums.
Crucial Track for September 14, 2025
"Cheers Theme (Full Length Record)" by Gary Portnoy
If your life were a movie, what would its theme song be?
My wife says this is my theme song, because of the iconic phrase "everyone knows your name."
