Tom Lane's Music Blog

Ranking: Songs from Janet Jackson - Control

2026-09-15T11:38:00.000-07:00

After two middling albums, Janet Jackson finally broke through with 1986's Control. Thanks to her co-producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, she crafted a remarkable mix of R&B, funk, disco and pop sounds. This album was a blueprint for many for Jam & Lewis productions with other acts. And many female singers followed Jackson's style on this album for their own releases. I always forget that there were only nine songs on this album. A concise listen.

1. When I Think Of You

2. What Have You Done For Me Lately

3. Nasty

4. Let's Wait Awhile

5. Control

6. Pleasure Principle

7. Funny How Time Flies

8. You Can Be Mine

9. He Doesn't Know I'm Alive

Playlist for 9/13

2026-09-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

Raul Malo - Live in Nashville

Margo Price- Days of Unrest

Carly Pearce - Honest Woman

Billy Strings - So Much for Goodbyes

Joe Pernice - Sunny I Was Wrong

Slayyyter - Worst Girl in America

Courtney Barnett - Creature of Habit

Ratboys - Singin' to an Empty Chair

Low Cut Connie - Livin In The USA

Peter Frampton - Carry the Light

Cecile McLorin Salvant - With Every Breath I Take

Michael (2026 Movie)

Music Years of My Life: 9/11/01

2026-09-11T05:51:00.000-07:00

First posted in September 2016

We all seek comfort in music when tragedy strikes. One of the things I remember most about September 11, 2001, was going to Borders to buy the new Bob Dylan album, "Love and Theft" in the late afternoon. 9/11 was a Tuesday, which back then was New Release day, so I did what was normal for me on a Tuesday, and go to Borders (or Circuit City) and check out the latest CD's. It was odd that inside this big store people were going about their daily business of browsing books, magazines, CD's, etc., while over the store's speaker system was a newscast of 9/11 events.

The comfort of entertainment in times like that can't be denied. For some it's as much needed as family, faith. On September 21 the first benefit concert was broadcast, America: A Tribute to Heroes. An unplugged/acoustic show, which featured many notable performances. On October 20, a bigger event was staged, Concert For New York City, which had many powerful moments.

There were also patriotic songs post 9/11, mostly from the Country field. Two I liked were Alan Jackson's "Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning" and Aaron Tippin's "Where The Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly".

Many people have noted Clear Channel's infamous memorandum of songs which the company suggested radio stations not play. The list came out a week after 9/11. In the end, it's memo didn't say stations couldn't play, say "In The Air Tonight" or "Free Fallin'", but suggested use their own judgment. Still, as misguided as the their list was, it gives you an idea of how fragile the national psyche was in those early days.

Music has always played a part in my life. In times of stress and personal pain, music can soothe you. We always go back to the songs we love.

Most Liked, Living Musicians

2026-09-08T09:16:00.000-07:00

The last time I updated this list was in 2023. You'll always find someone who doesn't like some artist. So this list doesn't claim that all the names here are 100% loved. But this is still a good sample of our most liked, living musicians.

1. Paul McCartney - It's very simple. He's a Beatle. But he also had a massive solo career. Who didn't love the Beatles? Well, maybe someone out there didn't. But not anyone in my world.

2. Stevie Wonder - Seems to me that Wonder had already reached the "beloved figure" moment right after Songs in The Key Of Life was released in 1976

3. Willie Nelson - Like Dolly, Willie is a Country music legend who is instantly recognized outside of his genre. A 2023 Rock Hall of Fame Inductee at age 90, he continues to tour and record.

4. Bob Dylan - The greatest songwriter who ever lived? Many would say yes. But even if he's not #1, Dylan advanced what was possible as a singer/songwriter.

5. Joni Mitchell - Her battle back from a brain aneurysm in 2015 won her even more fans. And her back catalog of classic recordings has continued to find newer listeners.

6. Elton John - In July of this year, Elton finished a lovingly reviewed "Farewell Tour", which brought the nostalgia factor to new levels of admiration.

7. Mick Jagger/Keith Richards/Ronnie Wood/Bill Wyman - Jagger & Richards are so linked that it proved impossible to separate. Ronnie Wood has been with the band since 1976. While Bill Wyman left the Stones in 1993, he is still part of their history.

8. Ringo Starr - Again, like McCartney, he's a Beatle. More than Paul, George, and John, he was the Beatle who carried his lovable persona into a solo career that is still viable.

9. Bruce Springsteen - The "Voice of the Working Class" also known as "The Boss"? It would be impossible to rank him outside the Top 10 with those credentials.

10. Barbra Streisand - She amassed a huge, passionate fan base almost from the start of her career in the early '60s.

The Rest

Adele

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson

Al Green

Alison Krauss

Ann & Nancy Wilson

Annie Lennox

Barry Gibb

Beyonce

Billy Joel

Bonnie Raitt

Bono & The Edge

Brenda Lee

Buddy Guy

Carlos Santana

Carly Simon

Carole King

Celine Dion

Chaka Khan

Cher

Dave Grohl

David Byrne

Daryl Hall

Debbie Harry

Diana Ross

Dion DiMucci

Dionne Warwick

Elvis Costello

Emmylou Harris

Eric Clapton

Frankie Valli

Garth Brooks

George Benson

George Clinton

George Strait

Gladys Knight

Gloria Estefan

Herb Alpert

Herbie Hancock

Iggy Pop

Jack White

James Taylor

Janet Jackson

Jay-Z

Jeff Lynne

Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis

John Williams

Johnny Mathis

Kelly Clarkson

Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds

LL Cool J

Lady Gaga

Linda Ronstadt

Lionel Richie

Madonna

Mariah Carey

Mavis Staples

Miranda Lambert

Missy Elliott

Neil Diamond

Neil Young

Nile Rodgers

Pat Benatar

Patti LaBelle

Paul Simon

Pete Townshend & Roger Daltrey

Peter Frampton

Phil Collins

Queen Latifah

Randy Travis

Ray Davies

Reba McEntire

Rihanna

Robert Plant & Jimmy Page

Rod Stewart

Ronald & Ernie Isley

Sade

Shakira

Shania Twain

Sheryl Crow

Smokey Robinson

Snoop Dogg

Steven Tyler & Joe Perry

Steven Van Zandt

Stevie Nicks

Sting

Taylor Swift

Tim McGraw

Tom Jones

Van Morrison

Vince Gill

Yo-Yo Ma

Tom’s Top Albums of 1996

2026-09-03T02:26:00.000-07:00

2Pac - All Eyez On Me

A Tribe Called Quest - Beats, Rhymes and Life

Alan Jackson - Everything I Love

Alejandro Escovedo - With These Hands

Amy Rigby - Diary Of A Mod Housewife

Babyface - The Day

Beatles - Anthology 2

Beatles - Anthology 3

Beck - Odelay

Belle & Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister

Belle & Sebastian - Tigermilki

Blackstreet - Another Level

Bobbie Cryner - Girl Of Your Dreams

Brooks & Dunn - Borderline

Cardigans - First Band on the Moon

Counting Crows - Recovering the Satellites

Curtis Mayfield - New World Order

Deana Carter - Did I Shave My Legs For This?

De La Soul - Stakes Is High

DJ Shadow - Endtroducing

Elvis Costello - All This Useless Beauty

Fiona Apple - Tidal

Fountains of Wayne - s/t

Fugees - The Score

George Michael - Older

George Strait - Blue Clear Sky

Gillian Welch - Revival

Go-Betweens - Spring Hill Fair

Hootie & the Blowfish - Fairweather Johnson

Iris DeMent - The Way I Should

Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt

John Anderson - Paradise

John Mellencamp - Mr. Happy Go Lucky

Johnny Cash - Unchained

LeAnn Rimes - Blue

Local H - As Good As It Gets

Mandy Barnett - s/t

Maxwell - Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite

Nas - It Was Written

Neil Diamond - Tennessee Moon

Nirvana - From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah

No Doubt - Tragic Kingdom

OMC - How Bizarre

OutKast - Atliens

Patti Smith - Gone Again

Patty Loveless - Trouble With the Truth

Paul Westerberg - Eventually

Pearl Jam - No Code

Pet Shop Boys - Bilingual

Prince - Emancipation

Randy Travis - Full Circle

REM - New Adventures in Hi-Fi

Robbie Fulks - Country Love Songs

Shawn Colvin - A Few Small Repairs

Sheryl Crow - s/t

Sleater Kinney - Call the Doctor

Snoop Dogg - Doggfather

Social Distortion - White Light, White Heat, White Trash

Soundgarden - Down on the Upside

Spice Girls - Spice

Steve Earle - I Feel Alright

Sting - Mercury Falling

Sublime - s/t

Toby Keith - Blue Moon

Toni Braxton - Secrets

Tony Toni Tone - House of Music

Tori Amos - Boys for Pele

Trainspotting Soundtrack - Various

Trisha Yearwood - Everybody Knows

Vic Chesnutt - About to Choke

Weezer - Pinkerton

Wilco - Being There

Willie Nelson - Spirit

Playlist for 9/1 (Dolly Parton Albums)

2026-09-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

All recommended Dolly Parton albums:

9 to 5 and Odd Jobs

All I Can Do

Blue Smoke

Coat of Many Colors

Dolly (Box set)

Eagle When She Flies

Fairest Of Them All

Grass is Blue

Hello I'm Dolly

Here You Come Again

Jolene

Just Because I'm A Woman

Little Sparrow

Love Is Like A Butterfly

My Tennessee Mountain Home

New Harvest...First Gathering

Porter Wayne and Dolly Rebecca -(Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton)

Rockstar

The Bargain Store

Trio (w/Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris)

Trio II (w/Ronstadt & Harris)

White Limozeen

Poll: August 1981 Songs

2026-08-27T07:31:00.000-07:00

This month in 1981 turned out to be stronger than I remembered. We are often told that this era on the Pop charts was pretty dire. What's missing from this era are R&B hits that didn't cross over to Pop Top 40. There was a disco backlash happening during these years.

popradiogold.com

"Bette Davis Eyes", Kim Carnes : 1
"Jessie's Girl", Rick Springfield : 2
"In The Air Tonight", Phil Collins : 3
"Stop Draggin' My Heart Around", Stevie Nicks (with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) : 4
"You Make My Dreams", Daryl Hall & John Oates : 5
"Urgent", Foreigner : 6
"This Is For The Lover In You", Shalamar : 7
"Slow Hand", Pointer Sisters : 8
"Who's Crying Now", Journey : 9
"Lady (You Bring Me Up)", Commodores : 10
"A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)", Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio : 11
"The Stroke", Billy Squier : 12
"Private Eyes", Daryl Hall & John Oates : 13
"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)", Christopher Cross : 14
"I'm In Love", Evelyn King : 15
"Just Once", Quincy Jones featuring James Ingram : 16
"Hold On Tight", Electric Light Orchestra : 17
"Endless Love", Diana Ross & Lionel Richie : 18
"Queen Of Hearts", Juice Newton : 19
"Sweet Baby", Stanley Clarke & George Duke : 20
"The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)", Greg Kihn Band : 21
"Theme From "Greatest American Hero" (Believe It Or Not)", Joey Scarbury : 22
"I Don't Need You", Kenny Rogers : 23
"Winning", Santana : 24
"Love On A Two-Way Street", Stacy Lattisaw : 25
"Two Hearts", Stephanie Mills featuring Teddy Pendergrass : 26
"(There's) No Gettin' Over Me", Ronnie Milsap : 27
"Time", Alan Parsons Project : 28
"Boy From New York City", Manhattan Transfer : 29
"Elvira", Oak Ridge Boys : 30
"Step By Step", Eddie Rabbitt : 31
"Don't Let Him Go", REO Speedwagon : 32
"What Are We Doin' In Love", Dottie West (with Kenny Rogers) : 33
"Really Wanna Know You", Gary Wright : 34
"Touch Me When We're Dancing", Carpenters : 35
"Hearts", Marty Balin : 36
"The One That You Love", Air Supply : 37
"Gemini Dream", Moody Blues : 38
"Fire And Ice", Pat Benatar : 39
"All Those Years Ago", George Harrison : 40
"Stars On 45 (Medley of Venus, Sugar Sugar and Beatles songs)", Stars On 45 : 41
"Just Be My Lady", Larry Graham : 42
"Cool Love", Pablo Cruise : 43
"Modern Girl", Sheena Easton : 44
"The Beach Boys Medley", Beach Boys : 45
"It's Now Or Never", John Schneider : 46

RIP Dolly Parton

2026-08-25T12:21:22.559-07:00

Back in 2023, I published a list of the 100 Most Loved, Living Musicians And it was a real toss-up at #1 between Paul McCartney and Dolly Parton. Ultimately Dolly came in at #2.

This what I wrote:

“ Thanks to her philanthropy she has become known as Saint Dolly. Not just confined to the Country genre, she long ago became an icon known throughout the world.”

I first heard Dolly Parton in the early 70’s because my Dad listened to Country radio a lot in that time. And because he was an Army soldier stationed in Fort Bragg, NC in the 60’s/early 70’s, I went to my Country music shows. Sadly, I was too young to remember the shows. But I do remember being there. My Dad said we went and saw Haggard, Pride, Jones, Wynette, Lynn and Porter and Dolly.

My favorite era of Dolly’s remains the pre-crossover years from the late 60’s to mid-70’s. Some of her most authentic recordings came from these years. This is what made her a genius. Especially “Coat of Many Colors”.

But Dolly was always destined to be bigger than just a Country star. And crossing over to the Pop charts was only a matter of time by the late 70’s. She was no dumb blonde. A savvy business woman who knew how to market her brand. Remember, Dolly grew up poor. Her ambition was to always break free of whatever restraints weren’t her way.

Not only an incredible musician/singer/songwriter, she was also one of our greatest humanitarians. It’s why always said she was one of the most beloved people in the world.

This is a good time to dig into Dolly’s recorded legacy. Start at the beginning. Check out the Porter duets. All her albums prior to her 1077 Pop chart breakthrough. The 1987 Trio album she made with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. Check out her 90’s bluegrass records. And her “Rock” record from 2023 that celebrated her much deserved induction into the Rock Hall. Take it all in. Her movies too. She was a singular artist. A genius.

Here's some albums by Dolly I recommend:

9 to 5 and Odd Jobs

All I Can Do

Blue Smoke

Coat of Many Colors

Dolly (Box set)

Eagle When She Flies

Fairest Of Them All

Grass is Blue

Hello I'm Dolly

Here You Come Again

Jolene

Just Because I'm A Woman

Little Sparrow

Love Is Like A Butterfly

My Tennessee Mountain Home

New Harvest...First Gathering

Porter Wayne and Dolly Rebecca -(Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton)

Rockstar

The Bargain Store

Trio (w/Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris)

Trio II (w/Ronstadt & Harris)

White Limozeen

Playlist for 8/20

2026-08-21T16:32:00.000-07:00

Mike Campbell - Mission of Mercy

Jack White - Goodbye Charlotte

Madonna - Confessions II

Dailey & Vincent - A Beautiful Life

Rodney Crowell - Then Again

Swamp Dogg - Contemplates the Afterlife

Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted (2025 Documentary)

Carter Sisters - Voices From the Ridge - Final Sessions

Del McCoury Band - Del & the Boys

Allison Russell - In The Hour of Chaos

Ranking: Songs from Elvis Is Back

2026-08-16T03:28:00.000-07:00

Elvis' first studio album released in 1960 after his stint in the Army. The original version of this album had 12 tracks. But such great singles like "It's Now or Never", "Are You Lonesome Tonight", "Fame and Fortune", "Stuck on You" and " A Mess of Blues" were not included on the album. Although added in the 1990's on the deluxe version. Elvis is Back is one of his greatest albums as it shows his range and depth on a wide variety of songs. Elvis is in great voice, committed to the material and ready to show the world he hasn't lost any of his talent since leaving the Army. I'm only ranking the original 12 track album.

1. Reconsider Baby

2. Such A Night

3. Girl of My Best Friend

4. Fever

5. Dirty, Dirty Feeling

6. Thrill of Your Love

7. Make Me Know It

8. Like A Baby

9. It Feels So Right

10. Soldier Boy

11. Girl Next Door Went A'walking

12. I Will Be Home Again

RIP Dave Marsh

2026-08-15T11:28:00.254-07:00

Dave Marsh was one of the first music critics who shaped my listening habits. I first noticed his name when I took out my first subscription to Rolling Stone magazine in the late 70's. His column, American Grandstand, became a must read. Then came his first book on Elvis Presley in 1982. This was the first book on Elvis I read. After that I purchased the first Rolling Stone record guide, which he edited, as well as the Book of Rock Lists. There were other books: Springsteen, the Who.

The best of all was 1989's The Heart of Rock & Soul: 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. It was his best book. I also subscribed to his monthly Rock & Roll Confidential (later Rock & Rap Confidential), from the 80's through the 90's.

Marsh was fan of 70's R&B. That's what made me a long time reader. Spinners, Stylistics, Teddy Pendergrass. Philly Soul especially. His love of this era made him stand out against other critics from that era.

Marsh was one of the earliest members on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's nominating committee. He championed many R&B acts while on the NomCom. For me, most notably, was getting Joe Tex nominated five times.

He was also a champion of human rights, civil rights and other progressive causes. Again, another reason I read him.

And I can't forget the weekly show he had on SiriusXM, Kick Out the Jams. Essential listening. He hosted other show on SiriusXM too.

As with any critic, be it movies, television or whatever, I didn't agree with every opinion by Marsh. But more often than not he opened my ears to artists and records that I would have never heard.

Back in 2006 I came up with the idea for a Music Critics Hall of Fame. But it wasn't until 2019 that I actually published it. I updated it in 2021 (Music Critics Hall of Fame) The thought was music critics might get into the Rock Hall someday. That hasn't happened and probably never will. But it was fun recognizing some of the great music critics of yesterday.

Of course Dave Marsh would be a first time inductee into any critics hall of fame. One of music's first and influential critics.

Playlist for 8/10

2026-08-10T07:32:00.000-07:00

Brook Benton - My Country

Ricky Nelson - Bright Lights & Country Music

George Jones - We Found Heaven Right Here On Earth

Kay Adams - Wheels & Tears

Dick Curless - Soul of

Bobby Bare - Streets of Baltimore

Ray Price - Another Bridge to Burn

Porter Wagoner - Confessions of A Broken Man

Esther Phillips - Country Side of

Jack Greene - There Goes My Everything

Tom's Top Albums of 1986

2026-08-03T09:47:00.000-07:00

Anita Baker - Rapture

Aretha Franklin - Aretha

B52's -Bouncing Off the Satellites

Bangles - Different Light

Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill

Billy Joel - The Bridge

Billy Ocean - Love Zone

Black Flag - Wasted Again

Bob Seger - Like A Rock

Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet

Boston - Third Stage

Bruce Hornsby & the Range - The Way It Is

Bruce Springsteen - Live 75-85

Cameo - Word Up

Crowded House - s/t

Cyndi Lauper - True Colors

Daryl Hall - Three Hearts in the Happy Ending Machine

David & David - Boomtown

David Lee Roth - Eat 'Em and Smile

Duran Duran - Notorious

Dwight Yoakam - Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc, Etc

El DeBarge - s/t

ELO - Balance of Power

Elvis Costello - Blood and Chocolate

Elvis Costello - King of America

Eurythmics - Revenge

Fabulous Thunderbirds - Tuff Enuff

Feelies - Good Earth

Freddie Jackson - Just Like The First Time

Genesis - Invisible Touch

Georgia Satellites - s/t

George Strait - #7

Huey Lewis & the News - Fore

Husker Du - Candy Apple Grey

Indestructible Beat of Soweto - Various

Jackson Browne - Lives in the Balance

Janet Jackson - Control

Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy

Journey - Raised on Radio

Kool & the Gang - Forever

Lionel Richie - Dancing on the Ceiling

Luther Vandross - Give Me The Reason

Madonna - True Blue

Megadeth - Peace Sells

Metallica - Master of Puppets

Moody Blues - Other Side of Life

Motorhead - Orgasmatron

New Order - Brotherhood

Nu Shooz - Poolside

Pat Metheny/Ornette Coleman - Song X

Patti LaBelle - Winner In You

Paul Simon - Graceland

Pet Shop Boys - Please

Peter Gabriel - So

Phil Alvin - Unsung Stories

Pretenders - Get Close

Pretty in Pink Soundtrack - Various

Prince - Parade

Public Image Ltd. - Album

Queen - A Kind of Magic

Randy Travis - Storms of Life

Reba McEntire - Whoever's In New England

R.E.M. - Life's Rich Pageant

Robert Cray - Strong Persuader

Rod Stewart - Every Beat of My Heart

Run DMC - Raising Hell

Salt-n-Pepa - Hot, Cool and Vicious

Slayer - Reign in Blood

Smiths - The Queen Is Dead

Sonic Youth - Evol

Sonny Sharrock - Guitar

Steve Earle - Guitar Town

Steve Winwood - Back in the High Life

Talking Heads - True Stories

Teena Marie - Emerald City

Timbuk 3 - Greetings from Timbuk 3

Tina Turner - Break Every Rule

Top Gun Soundtrack - Various

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Live Alive

Wham - Music from the Edge of Heaven

Willie Nelson - Promiseland

XTC - Skylarking

Playlist for 8/1

2026-08-01T00:41:00.000-07:00

Shania Twain - Little Miss Twain

Marisa Anderson - Anthology of UnAmerican Folk Music

Highwomen - Live at the Gorge 2023

Don Williams - Epilogue:The Cellar Tapes

Sara & Maybelle the Original Carters - An Historic Reunion

Buck Owens - Open Up Your Heart

Everly Brothers - Two Yanks in England

Osborne Brothers - Up This Hill and Down

Poll: July 1967 Songs

2026-07-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

July 1967. I'm 3 years old. But some of these songs make up my earliest musical memories: The Doors, Procol Harum, "Groovin'".

popradiogold.com

"Respect", Aretha Franklin : 1
"A Whiter Shade Of Pale", Procol Harum : 2
"Light My Fire", Doors : 3
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough", Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell : 4
"Groovin'", Young Rascals : 5
"Windy", Association : 6
"I Was Made To Love Her", Stevie Wonder : 7
"Somebody To Love", Jefferson Airplane : 8
"Soul Finger", Bar-Kays : 9
"All You Need Is Love", Beatles : 10
"White Rabbit", Jefferson Airplane : 11
"Let's Live For Today", Grass Roots : 12
"Can't Take My Eyes Off You", Frankie Valli : 13
"Little Bit O' Soul", Music Explosion : 14
"Carrie-Anne", Hollies : 15
"Hypnotized", Linda Jones : 16
"Pleasant Valley Sunday", Monkees : 17
"Society's Child (Baby I've Been Thinking)", Janis Ian : 18
"Up-Up And Away", 5th Dimension : 19
"San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)", Scott McKenzie : 20
"Don't Sleep In The Subway", Petula Clark : 21
"Sunday Will Never Be The Same", Spanky & Our Gang : 22
"New York Mining Disaster 1941 (Have You Seen My Wife, Mr. Jones?)", Bee Gees : 23
"A Girl Like You", Young Rascals : 24
"Silence Is Golden", Tremeloes : 25
"Jackson", Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood : 26
"7-Rooms Of Gloom", Four Tops : 27
"The Tracks Of My Tears", Johnny Rivers : 28
"C'mon Marianne", 4 Seasons : 29
"Make Me Yours", Bettye Swan : 30
"Here We Go Again", Ray Charles : 31
"Alfie", Dionne Warwick : 32
"She'd Rather Be With Me", Turtles : 33
"Come On Down To My Boat", Every Mother's Son : 34
"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy", Buckinghams : 35
"There Goes My Everything", Engelbert Humperdinck : 36
"Don't Let The Rain Fall Down On Me", Critters : 37
"I Take It Back", Sandy Posey : 38
"Don't Go Out Into The Rain (You're Going To Melt)", Herman's Hermits : 39
"Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead", Fifth Estate : 40
"My Mammy", Happenings : 41

Ranking: Songs from Randy Travis - Storms of Life

2026-07-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

Released in 1986, Storms of Life was a major release that helped usher in the New Traditionalist movement of the 1980's. Randy Travis came from the Merle Haggard/Lefty Frizzell world of Country music. There was very little Pop crossover moments in his music. He made other strong albums, but none with the impact that his had on Nashville in 1986. Three number one Country singles came from this album.

1, On The Other Hand

2. Diggin' Up Bones

3. Reasons I Cheat

4. 1982

5. No Place Like Home

6. Send My Body

7. There'll Always Be A Honky Tonk Somewhere

8. Storms of Life

9. My Heart Cracked

10. Messin' With My Mind

Playlist for 7/16

2026-07-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

Earth, Wind & Fire - To Be Celestial (2026 Documentary)

War and Treaty - Story of Michael & Tanya

Rolling Stones - Foreign Tongues

Paul McCartney - The Boys of Dungeon Lane

Taj Mahal - Time

Willie Nile - s/t

Old No. 1 Revisited - Various

Dr. Hook - Sloppy Seconds

Dr. Hook - Bankrupt

Earth, Wind & Fire (2026 Documentary)

Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie (2024 Documentary)

Tom's Top Albums of 1976

2026-07-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

Abba - Arrival

AC/DC - Dirty Dees Done Dirt Cheap

AC/DC - High Voltage

Aerosmith - Rocks

Al Green - Full of Fire

Al Green - Have A Good Time

Al Stewart - Year of the Cat

Aretha Franklin - Sparkle

Arlo Guthrie - Amigo

Average White Band - Soul Searching

Bad Company - Run With the Pack

Barbra Streisand & Kris Kristofferson - A Star Is Born Soundtrack

Barry White - Let the Music Play

Bee Gees - Children of the World

Billy Joel - Turnstiles

Billy Swan - s/t

Blondie - s/t

Blue Oyster Cult - Agents of Fortune

Bob Dylan - Desire

Bob Marley - Live

Bob Marley - Rastaman Vibration

Bob Seger - Live Bullet

Bob Seger - Night Moves

Bootsy’s Rubber Band - Stretchin’ Out In

Boston - s/t

Boz Scaggs - Silk Degrees

Brothers Johnson - Look Out for #1

Burning Spear - Marcus Garvey

Car Wash - Soundtrack

Chicago - X

Commodores - Hot on the Tracks

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Bigger Than the Both of Us

David Bowie - Station to Station

Deniece Williams - This Is Niecy

Diana Ross - s/t

Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band - s/t

Don Williams - Harmony

Donna Summer - A Love Trilogy

Doobie Brothers - Takin' It To The Streets

Dwight Twilley Band - Sincerely

Eagles - Hotel California

Earth, Wind & Fire - Spirit

Electric Light Orchestra - A New World Record

Elton John - Blue Moves

Elvis Presley - From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Presley - Sun Sessions

Emmylou Harris - Luxury Liner

Emotions - Flowers

Flamin’ Groovies - Shake Some Action

Freddy Fender - Rock 'N' Country

Funkadelic - Hardcore Jollies

Gary Stewart - Steppin’ Out

Genesis - Trick of the Tail

George Harrison - Thirty Three and 1/3

George Jones - Alone Again

George Jones - The Battle

George Jones & Tammy Wynette - Golden Ring

Graham Parker - Heat Treatment

Guy Clark - Texas Cookin’

Heatwave - Too Hot to Handle

Ian Hunter - All American Alien Boy

Isley Brothers - Harvest for the World

Jackie Wilson - Nobody But You

Jackson Browne - The Pretender

Jacksons - s/t

Jaco Pastorius - s/t

James Taylor - In The Pocket

Jean-Michel Jarre - Oxygene

Jeff Beck - Wired

Jefferson Starship - Spitfire

Jessi Colter - Jessi

Joan Armatrading - s/t

Johnnie Taylor - Eargasm

Johnny Cash - One Piece At A Time

Johnny Paycheck - 11 Months and 29 Days

Johnny "Guitar" Watson" - Ain't That A Bitch

Joni Mitchell - Hejira

Kansas - Leftoverture

Kate & Anna McGarrrigle - s/t

KC & the Sunshine Band - Part 3

Kiss - Destroyer

Kiss - Rock and Roll Over

Kool & The Gang - Open Sesame

Led Zeppelin - Presence

Leona Williams - San Quentin's First Lady

Linda Ronstadt - Hasten Down the Wind

Loretta Lynn - When the Tingle Becomes A Chill

Lou Rawls - All Things In Time

Lou Reed - Coney Island Baby

L.T.D. - Love to the World

Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More From The Road

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Gimme Back My Bullets

Manhattans - s/t

Marvin Gaye - I Want You

Merle Haggard - Roots of My Raising

Merle Haggard - It'a All In The Movies

Michael Hurley/Unholy Modal Rounders - Have Moicy

Michael Franks - Art of Tea

Mighty Diamonds - Right Time

Miles Davis - Agharta

Modern Lovers - s/t

Natalie Cole - Natalie

Norman Connors - You Are My Starship

Ohio Players - Contradiction

O’Jays - Message in the Music

Olivia Newton-John - Come On Over

Parliament - Clones of Dr. Funkenstein

Pat Metheny - Bright Sized Life

Patti Smith - Radio Utopia

Peter Frampton - Frampton Comes Alive

Peter Tosh - Legalize It

Queen - A Day at the Races

Rainbow - Rising

Ramones - s/t

Return to Forever - Romantic Warrior

Rod Stewart - A Night on the Town

Rolling Stones - Black and Blue

Rory Gallagher - Calling Card

Roy Ayers - Everybody Loves the Sunshine

Runaways - s/t

Rush - 2112

Ry Cooder - Chicken Skin Music

Spinners - Happiness is Being With the Spinners

Stanley Clarke - School Days

Steely Dan - The Royal Scam

Steve Miller - Fly Like An Eagle

Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key of Life

Stills/Young Band - Long May You Run

Sylvers - Something Special

Tavares - Sky High

Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak

Tom T. Hall - Faster Horses

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - s/t

Tom Waits - Small Change

Trammps - Disco Inferno

Warren Zevon - s/t

Waylon Jennings - Are You Ready For The Country

Wild Cherry - s/t

Wild Tchoupitoulas

Willie Nelson - Sound In Your Mind

Willie Nelson - Troublemaker

Waylon Jennings,/Willie Nelson/Jessi Colter//Tompall Glaser - Wanted! The Outlaws

Weather Report - Black Market

Wings - At the Speed of Sound

ZZ Top - Tejas

Songs About Cities, Streets and Towns (Mixtape)

2026-07-04T07:52:00.000-07:00

I was 12 years old in 1976, the 200th anniversary birthday of America. I remember the hype seemed more intense than for the 250th. Still, the weeks leading up to the 200th were spent with TV specials and local town events. Much like the 250th.

In the early 2000's I made a CD mixtape of songs about towns and cities. Remember mixtapes? Before streaming I used to make cassettes and CD's for family and friends. This was one of them. It wasn't a July 4th themed mixtape, but some 20 years later I realize that it was. Towns, streets, cities make up the heart of America. Another reason this could be a July 4th theme? All the artists are Americans.

So hear are 20 songs that I came up with some 20 years ago for this mixtape theme.

1. Simon & Garfunkel - My Little Town

2. Brooks & Dunn - Only In America

3. Bob Seger - Mainstreet

4. George Benson - On Broadway

5. John Mellencamp - Small Town

6. Miranda Lambert - Famous In A Small Town

7. Billy Joel - Allentown

8. Hal Ketchum - Small Town Saturday Night

9. Bruce Springsteen - My Hometown

10. Merle Haggard - Big City

11. John Denver - Take Me Home, Country Roads

12. Pretenders - My City Was Gone

13. Montgomery Gentry - My Town

14. Iris DeMent - Our Town

15. Bobby Bare - Detroit City

16. Eagles - In The City

17. Michael Stanley Band - My Town

18. Lucinda Williams - Car Wheels On A Gravel Road

19. Arlo Guthrie - City of New Orleans

20. Stevie Wonder - Living for the City

Poll: June 1965 Songs

2026-06-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

June 1965, Beatlemania! Although only one song by them is listed here. This is the biggest of these polls I've voted in: 50 songs. June 1965. I'm a year old. Don't think my musical memories have completely started yet. But I do know my six year old sister liked the Beatles.

popradiogold.com

"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", Rolling Stones : 1
"Ticket To Ride", Beatles : 2
"It's Not Unusual", Tom Jones : 3
"Sitting In The Park", Billy Stewart : 4
"I Can't Help Myself", Four Tops : 5
"Help Me, Rhonda", Beach Boys : 6
"For Your Love", Yardbirds : 7
"What The World Needs Now Is Love", Jackie DeShannon : 8
"I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)", Otis Redding : 9
"Mr.Tambourine Man", Byrds : 10
"Land Of 1000 Dances", Cannibal & the Headhunters : 11
"Yes, I'm Ready", Barbara Mason : 12
"Back In My Arms Again", Supremes : 13
"Wooly Bully", Sam the Sham & the Pharoahs : 14
"Crying In The Chapel", Elvis Presley : 15
"She's About A Mover", Sir Douglas Quintet : 16
"Seventh Son", Johnny Rivers : 17
"Just Once In My Life", Righteous Brothers : 18
"(I Cry) Just A Little ('Cause I Love You So)", Beau Brummels : 19
"What's New Pussycat?", Tom Jones : 20
"I Do", Marvelows : 21
"Nothing Can Stop Me", Gene Chandler : 22
"Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter", Herman's Hermits : 23
"I'll Never Find Another You", Seekers : 24
"Count Me In", Gary Lewis & the Playboys : 25
"Engine Engine #9", Roger Miller : 26
"Concrete And Clay", Unit Four Plus Two : 27
"Cast Your Fate To The Wind", Sounds Orchestral : 28
"L-O-N-E-L-Y", Bobby Vinton : 29
"Nobody Knows What's Goin' On (In My Mind But Me)", Chiffons : 30
"I'm A Happy Man", Jive Five : 31
"Cara - Mia", Jay & the Americans : 32
"Concrete And Clay", Eddie Rambeau : 33
"A Walk In The Black Forest", Horst Jankowski : 34
"Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte", Patti Page : 35
"Baby The Rain Must Fall", Glen Yarbrough : 36
"Last Chance To Turn Around (Last Exit To Brooklyn)", Gene Pitney : 37
"Before And After", Chad & Jeremy : 38
"Darling Take Me Back", Lenny Welch : 39
"I'm Henry VIII, I Am", Herman's Hermits : 40
"Theme From "A Summer Place"", Lettermen : 41
"Marie", Bachelors : 42
"Laurie (Strange Things Happen)", Dickey Lee : 43
"You Were Made For Me", Freddie & the Dreamers : 44
"You Turn Me On (Turn On Song)", Ian Whitcomb & Bluesville : 45
"True Love Ways", Peter & Gordon : 46
"Wonderful World", Herman's Hermits : 47
"Queen Of The House", Jody Miller : 48
"Silhouettes", Herman's Hermits : 49
"Do The Freddie", Freddie & the Dreamers : 50

Playlist for 6/25

2026-06-25T14:18:00.000-07:00

Dale Watson - Unwanted

Social Distortion - Born to Kill

Margaret Glaspy - Golden Heart Protector

Keith Urban - Flow State

Charley Crockett - Clovis

Olivia Rodrigo - You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl In Love

Neil Diamond - Wild at Heart

Ricky Nelson - Sings For You

RIP Clive Davis

2026-06-22T09:15:05.829-07:00

I often thought of Clive Davis as the "Last Record Man". But there were others that could claim that title like Berry Gordy. He certainly represented an era of music moguls that no longer exists. While head of Columbia or Arista he wasn't against signing artists that didn't have top of the chart potential, he's mostly remembered for his "golden ears". Clive knew a hit when he heard it. But there's no doubting his legend. The names he had at his labels reads like a who's who of Hall of Famers. Joplin, Santana, Whitney, Manilow, Aretha, Springsteen, etc.

Clive also signed acts that weren’t big sellers but were critically acclaimed: Gil Scott-Heron, Laura Nero and Patti Smith. All three are in the Rock Hall. He revived the sagging chart fortunes of the Kinks, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick and Santana. Not everything sold and many releases stiffed. But that’s how it is with every record executive.

I first knew about him when I was a teenager just getting to know the music business. Those were the 70’s, when he first started running Arista Records. What stood out until his last years was his devotion to the music industry and how many people loved working for him.

Great Father’s Day Songs

2026-06-19T04:43:00.000-07:00

Great Father's Day Songs:

Alan Jackson - Drive (For Daddy Gene)
Beyonce & Chicks - Daddy Lessons
Brad Paisley - He Didn't Have To Be

Bread - Everything I Own

Bruce Springsteen - Independence Day

Bruce Springsteen - My Father's House
Cat Stevens - Father and Son

Conway Twitty - That's My Job

Dallas Burrow - My Father's Son

Dan Fogelberg - Leader Of The Band
Dolly Parton - Daddy's Working Boots
Drive-By Truckers - Outfit
Elton John - Last Song
Elvis Presley - Don't Cry Daddy
Eric Clapton - My Father's Eyes
Everclear - Father of Mine

George Strait - Best Day

George Strait - So Much Like My Dad

Harry Chapin - Cat's In The Cradle

Holly Dunn - Daddy's Hands

Jack Ingram - Measure Of A Man

James Blunt - Monsters

James Brown - Papa Don't Take No Mess

Jerry Jeff Walker - My Old Man

Jimmie Rodgers - Daddy and Home
John Lennon - Beautiful Boy
John Prine - Paradise
Johnny Cash - Boy Named Sue
Keith Urban - Song For Dad
Loudon Wainwright III - Father and A Song

Luke Combs - My Old Man Was Right
Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father
Madonna - Oh Father
Madonna - Papa Don't Preach
Marc Cohn - Silver Thunderbird
Mike & The Mechanics - Living Years
Nas - Daughters

Paul McCartney - Put It There

Paul Overstreet - Seein' My Father In Me

Paul Simon - Father and Daughter

Queen - Father To Son
Reba McEntire - Greatest Man I Never Knew

Rod Stewart - Touchline
Simon & Garfunkel - Silver Haired Daddy of Mine

Slaid Cleaves - Welding Burns

Steve Goodman - My Old Man
Temptations - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
Tori Amos - Winter

Waylon Jennings - Between Fathers and Sons
Will Smith - Just The Two Of Us
Winstons -Color Him Father

Zac Brown Band - My Old Man

Ranking: Songs from Fleetwood Mac & Rumours

2026-06-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

This month two albums. Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joining Fleetwood Mac in 1975. And putting them on the Top 40 singles chart for the first time ever. Rumours was an even bigger classic. It's the greatest breakup album ever? It's up there for sure. These are my 2 favorite Buckingham/Nicks era albums.

Fleetwood Mac

1. Rhiannon

2. Landslide

3. Over My Head

4. Say You Love Me

5. Monday Morning

6. World Turning

7. I'm So Afraid

8. Crystal

9. Warm Ways

10. Sugar Daddy

11. Blue Letter

Rumours

1. Go Your Own Way

2. Dreams

3. The Chain

4. Don't Stop

5. Gold Dust Woman

6. You Make Loving Fun

7. Never Going Back Again

8. Songbird

9. Second Hand News

10. I Dont' Want To Know

11. Oh Daddy

Playlist for 6/10

2026-06-10T11:50:00.000-07:00

Ashley McBryde - Wild

Ella Langley - Dandelion

Carter Faith - Cherry Valley

Rolling Stones - Foreign Tongues

U2 - Easter Lily

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Paul Collins Weekly Mixcloud Show

Mickey Bo's Rock 'n' Roll Revue Weekly Show