Mandaris"I'm Coming Home" by The Spinners
Share a song that feels like coming home after a long trip.
I feel that sometimes it's not the distance what happens when you leave the home that makes a trip long. I'm really happy that I found this song today.
Crucial Track
Crucial Track for January 14, 2026
"Tick Tock" by Raphael Saadiq
What's your favorite song about patience?
It's been a long time since I've heard this song. It was about waiting for someone to love you. I like the song, but I don't feel that we should put our lives on hold for someone to love you the way that you want to be loved.
Crucial Track for January 28, 2026
"Golden" by Harry Styles
Describe a concert that changed your perspective on music or life. Pick a song from that artist or band.
This is the first concert
that my family went to together. This was the first song that was played and it was a great start.
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 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.
Crucial Track for December 11, 2025
"I Got You Babe (Single Version)" by Sonny & Cher
What's a song you associate with your favorite holiday?
I told my wife that my favorite holiday was Groundhog Day and she challenged me to name one song that celebrates the holiday.
I feel that this is the most iconic song from the movie that highlights the holiday!
Crucial Track for December 10, 2025
"Sexual Healing" by Marvin Gaye
Share a song that feels like it has healing powers.
I showed my selection with my wife and she laughed in my face. Good thing laughter is good medicine.
One of my favorite things about this song is that I remember watching a pop up video stating that he thought videos capture your soul.
Crucial Track for December 9, 2025
"Tomorrow" by Aileen Quinn & Orphans
What song makes you think about the future?
I was trying to think of another song, but this is the only thing that came to me.
Crucial Track for December 8, 2025
"Whistle While You Twurk (ColliPark Mix)" by Ying Yang Twins
What's your favorite song to listen to while doing chores?
I don't actually listen to this song. I just picked it because it reminds me of the whistle why you work song.
Crucial Track for December 7, 2025
"You Can't Win (The Wiz/Soundtrack Version)" by Michael Jackson
Share a song that sounds like your favorite childhood memory.
My mother and I would watch The Wiz on a regular basis. This is one of my favorite songs from the movie. It's a a fun song in that it has an up tempo beat with some depressing lyrics.
You can't win, you can't break even And you can't get out of the game People keep sayin' things are gonna change But they look just like, they're stayin' the same
You can't win, your in over your head And you only got yourself to blame You can't win Child (You can't win Child) You can't break even And you can't get out of the game
I remember there being a dark period in my life where I was listening to it everyday. I had to stop and put it aside.
Crucial Track for November 25, 2025
"Float On (Single Version)" by The Floaters
What song makes you feel like you're floating?
I remember listening to this song and thinking it was The Temptations.
There aren't that many songs that I know of where they take the time to introduce all the members of the group.
Larry is my favorite.
Crucial Track for December 6, 2025
"Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat)" by Saweetie
What's a song you'd want your best friend to hear for the first time?
If you want to count my wife, then I think she would like to experience listening to this song again.
Crucial Track for December 5, 2025
"Home" by Daughtry
Share a song that captures the feeling of being homesick.
This was a very big hit when it was first released. I remember it being used in commercials and rom-coms where the protagonist goes home after having a rough time "in the big city".
Crucial Track for December 4, 2025
"We Are the World" by U.S.A. for Africa
What song makes you feel like you're part of something bigger?
I wish there were more songs about world peace. I guess I'll have to settle for the Pluribus soundtrack.
Crucial Track for December 3, 2025
"Friendship" by Tenacious D
What's your favorite song about friendship?
I think this song is special to me because I heard it when I became friends with my Best Friend. It's a nice little number and I think I'm going to listen to it after posting.
Crucial Track for November 26, 2025
"4 Seasons of Loneliness" by Boyz II Men
Share a song that captures the moment when seasons change.
I feel that this is one of the songs that really showcase what Boyz II Men could do. It's a song with a very simple backing track that allow the Boyz to demonstrate how they can do an interplay of vocal runs.
I feel that the vocal runs highlight the excitement and joy of what it was like to be with someone and then crescendos when they mentioned that "you are not here".
A true classic of 90s R&B.
Crucial Track for December 2, 2025
"We Will Rock You" by Queen
What song do you associate with your favorite book or movie?
In the movie "Dodgeball", there is a scene where they introduce the Globo Gym Purple Cobras, using this song.
Crucial Track for November 27, 2025
"Lovely Day" by Bill Withers
Share a song that sounds like your favorite weather.
Some like it hot, some like it cold.
I like it somewhere in the middle 'cause I'm kind of old.
Wherever you are on the spectrum, I hope that this post finds you having a lovely day.
Crucial Track for November 28, 2025
"Be Prepared" by Jeremy Irons, Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin & Jim Cummings
What's your go-to song for getting ready in the morning?
Honestly, shouldn't we all be prepared for what is going to happen in the day. I understand that this song has evil intentions, but the songs of the villains have something that can inspire all of us. And that is having a plan can lead you to success.
So, start everyday with a plan and maybe you can be king one day!
I had another song, but I can't think of it.
Crucial Track for November 29, 2025
"Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got)" by Four Tops
What song makes you feel nostalgic for a time you never lived through?
I like the music but definitely do not want to live through that era of American history.
Crucial Track for November 30, 2025
"Minimum Wage" by They Might Be Giants
Share a song that perfectly soundtracks your commute.
We all have to make a living in this modern world. I think about all those who are living paycheck to paycheck.
I'm grateful for what I have and hopefully good things happen to those who read this.
Crucial Track for December 1, 2025
"El Dorado Sunrise (Super Chicken)" by Cee-Lo
What's a song that makes you want to learn an instrument?
For a brief period, I tried learning the trumpet. So, I really enjoy hearing horns used in popular music.
Crucial Track for October 23, 2025
"Harder To Breathe" by Maroon 5
A song from college or early adulthood.
I distinctly remember having an opportunity to see these guys in concert for free.
I chose to hang out with some friends and those plans fell through.
I kick myself on a regular basis because of it.
Crucial Track for October 11, 2025
"Somebody's Watching Me (Single Version)" by Rockwell
A song from the 1980s that you like or means something to you.
Tis the season! I like this song more because I know some of the history behind it. Rockwellwas actually the son of Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown and used this name to get signed.
Michael Jackson sings the chorus but isn't credited and I like to think of it as the Halloween Michael Jackson song that isn't Michael Jackson.
Crucial Track for October 20, 2025
"Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus
What's a song that you like but most of your friends don't.
I'm just going on a limb here. In all honesty, I don't talk to my friends about music that they don't like.
I like this song it's fun and light. I think there's also a line dance as well.