Mandaris"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
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."
Crucial Track for September 13, 2025
"Du hast" by Rammstein
A song from a genre you didn’t think you’d like—what changed?
I like a lot of genres and wanted to find something that I do not normally listen to. So I picked this song that I haven't heard in a while.
I'm going to attempt to embed the video.
Crucial Track for September 12, 2025
"Sorry I'm Here For Someone Else" by Benson Boone
How do you discover new music, and what’s the latest gem you’ve found?
I now find music by listening to what my kids listen to. Otherwise I listen to what I’ve already heard.
Crucial Track for September 11, 2025
"This Is America" by Childish Gambino
What is a song that feels like home to you?
Yessir. This one is definitely inspired by current events. The video is definitely iconic.
Crucial Track for September 10, 2025
"Let's Get It Started (Radio Version)" by Black Eyed Peas
What’s the first song you’d play at a party?
You have to start off with the radio version of this song. I think I'm used to listening to other cuss words such as The B-Word, The N-Word, and The F-Word, but The R-Word just takes me out of the groove.
I remember it being used as an insult when I was one the playground in primary school, no one used the others. And then people just stopped, we knew why it was unacceptable.
Thank you "Something about Mary".
Anyway, I think Fergie yelling about how we need to get started followed by the beat coming in is a great signal that the party (or at least the party music) has started.
Crucial Track for September 9, 2025
"September" by Earth, Wind & Fire
What song do you associate with the current season?
It's that time of year again!
Crucial Track for September 8, 2025
"Nobody Wants to Be Lonely (with Christina Aguilera) [With Christina Aguilera]" by Ricky Martin
What’s your favorite love song, and why?
This is my favorite song by Ricky Martin or Christina Aguilera. There is desire and heart ache in the lyrics and I find myself singing along.
I think Christina does a great job of restraining herself from using that big beautiful voice of hers. Her voice comes in and starts building up just like the emotions of the song.
Crucial Track for September 7, 2025
"My Neck, My Back (Lick It) [Radio Version]" by Khia
What’s a guilty pleasure song?
I had to find a clean version of this song.
Oh 2004 me was into some... um... different kind of music.
I heard this version on the radio and was surprised when listening to the album/club version.
This song walked so that WAP for run. 😆
Crucial Track for September 6, 2025
"Your Idol" by Saja Boys, Andrew Choi, Neckwav, Danny Chung, Kevin Woo, samUIL Lee & KPop Demon Hunters Cast
What’s a song you’ve had on repeat recently?
The whole house is talking about the Kpop Demon Hunters movie. The family has even gone to see the singalong in theaters!
This is my favorite song as it incorporates how evil the Saja Boys are. It's the epitome of what a controlling significant other can be when they sing.
You know I'm the only one who'll love your sins
Feel the way my voice gets underneath your skin
🚩
Definitely as great example of an upbeat song with terrifying lyrics.
Crucial Track for September 5, 2025
"The Son of Flynn" by Daft Punk
What’s a song that helps you focus or concentrate?
When I'm trying to focus, I put on the Tron: Legacy soundtrack. This is usually the song that really snaps my mind into focus on what needs to be done.
Most times it works, but sometimes other tracks cause distractions if they start off with huge drumbeat.
Crucial Track for September 4, 2025
"Quickly" by John Legend
What’s your favorite collaboration between artists?
I didn't think that Brandy would be on a better duet than when she sang "The Boy Is Mine" with Monica.
What I enjoy most about this song is the amount of longing for love.
If I had twenty million dollars in a vault somewhere baby
It wouldn't matter anyway
'Cause the doctor told me that I'm dying slowly
So I guess I got to love you while I'm here baby
Did you know?
It's one of my favorite John Legend songs.
Crucial Track for September 3, 2025
"Firestarter" by The Prodigy
Which song would you use to introduce yourself to someone new?
For some reason, this song came to mind. I don't think that it's me at the moment, but it resonates with some of the periods of my life.
I like that aspect of fire; the symbolism of change and how it can make things better.
Crucial Track for September 2, 2025
"Children's Story" by Slick Rick
Share a song that tells a great story.
The old man in me jumps up and yells about how that's when rap music was about something and kids these days with their mush mouth songs.
I'm actually a little sad to hear the backing track used in other songs because the story in this song is a good warning on what not to do.
Crucial Track for September 1, 2025
"We Like To Party! (The Vengabus)" by Vengaboys
What song always makes you feel better?
This song has a great beat to it. It's simple and soothing at the same time.
Amusement parks would use the song for there commercials to get people excited and it was a whole thing.
Crucial Track for August 31, 2025
"Hopeless" by Dionne Farris
Share a song that represents your current mood.
I woke up with a headache. Just feeling a little downtrodden. I don't feel that I met my personal goals this month.
Maybe I can turn it around later on and make next month just a little better.
Well, I'm going to get dressed and go for a walk.
I hope you have a good day.
Crucial Track for August 3, 2025
"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 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.