Tom Lane's Music Blog

Ranking: Songs from Whitney Houston - Whitney Houston

2026-04-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

The first time I saw Whitney Houston was in 1983 on the Merv Griffin show. She sang "Home" from The Wiz. It was a great performance. A star seemed to be in the making. But who knows how these things will turn out. The first time I heard her on record was in 1984 when she did a duet with Teddy Pendergrass for his post-accident comeback album. "Hold Me" would peak at #5 on the R&B charts and #46 on the Hot 100.

A year later her self-titled debut album came out. This was a new voice in the Pop world. The album had all the markings of label head Clive Davis' touch. There's a little bit for everything. R&B, Pop, carefully constructed duets. But what held it all together were the songs and Houston's powerful voice.

1. How Will I Know

2. Saving All My Love For You

3. You Give Good Love

4. Thinking About You

5. Greatest Love Of All

6. All At Once

7. Hold Me (w/Teddy Pendergrass)

8. Nobody Loves Me Like You Do (w/Jermaine Jackson)

9. Someone For Me

10. Take Good Care of My Heart (w/Jermaine Jackson)

Playlist for 4/10

2026-04-10T09:22:00.000-07:00

Megan Moroney - Cloud 9

Charli xcx - Wuthering Heights

Paranoid Style - Known Associates

Clover County - Finer Things

Lone Bellow - What A Time To Be Alive

Mon Rovia - Bloodline

Elvis Presley - EPIC Soundtrack

EPIC: Elvis Presley In Concert (Film)

Beach Boys - We Gotta Groove-The Brother Studio Years (Box Set)

Playlist for 3/27

2026-03-27T11:02:00.000-07:00

CBGB: A New York City Soundtrack 75-86 - Various (Box Set)

Musik Music Musique 1979 - Various (Box Set)

Kashus Culpepper - Act I

Beck - Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime

Courtney Marie Andrews - Valentine

Emily Scott Robinson - Appalachia

Langhorne Slim - The Dreamin' Kind

Marcus King - Darling Blue

A Tribute to the King of Zydeco - Various

Highway of Diamonds-Black America Sings Bob Dylan - Various

Song Sung Blue (2025 Film)

Blue Moon (2025 Film)

Inductee Predictions: 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

2026-03-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

Below are my Predictions for the 2026 Rock Hall, listed in alphabetical order.

Some things to consider:

There were 14 nominees last year. This year 17.

There are 7 women nominated.

There are no first year eligible nominees.

There are 10 first time nominees.

There are no acts nominated who started in the 50's/60's. Expect side category inductees to correct that.

5 acts were nominated last year: Idol, Carey, Crowes, JD/NO, Oasis.

The most nominated artists yet to get in all have 3 nominations: Carey, JD/NO, Iron Maiden. Oasis.

This is the first year voters have to pick 7 names. They can't pick less than 7. This could impact who gets in.

This is a dominant 80’s and forward ballot. A handful of these artists started in the 70’s. But none became a star until the 80’s (Phil Collins solo, Vandross, Idol). It remains to be seen if the Hall makes up for no pre-80’s names, with Side Category picks.

Were you surprised by some of the picks this year? Let alone a 17 nominee ballot? Well, for the first time the Hall implemented term limits for NomCom members.

As Future Rock Legends wrote:

"We're assuming they will go with some sort of three-year rotation, similar to what the Country Music Hall of Fame does. Every year, one third of the committee steps off, but can come back on after a 3-year break."

Term limits are something long time Hall watchers have wanted for years. It seems like there was a big shakeup on the NomCom this year, resulting in some wild nominees and maybe in a bigger ballot.

Here's a link to my Personal Picks for 2026: Rock Hall Personal Picks 2026

There were 7 inductees last year, but for this year I’m going to push it to 8.

My 2026 Predictions:

Inductees

Billy Idol - Thanks to MTV, he became a big star in the 80's. His hits have held up, he has a new documentary out and it's possible the publicity from it could put him in. 2nd nomination

INXS - For their fans this has been a long wait. 80’s playlist staples appearing for the first time. 1st nomination

Luther Vandross - Beloved R&B singer whose legend has only grown since he passed in 2005. A 2024 documentary and the recent Kendrick Lamar hit "Luther" might help put him in. 1st nomination

Mariah Carey - Now on her 3rd straight nomination. If she doesn't get voted in, will they put her in as Musical Excellence? 3rd nomination

Melissa Etheridge - Seems like no one is paying much attention to her nomination. Has appeal to older voters, boomers and the classic rock vote. 1st nomination

Oasis - After a big comeback tour, the third time's their best chance for induction.

Phil Collins - This year's one true sure shot. He's already in with Genesis, but it was his solo years in the 80's that made him a superstar. 1st nomination.

Wu-Tang Clan - Not the slam dunk that Outkast were last year, but this long running rap act have definitely built a following and legend in the last 30 years. 1st nomination

The Rest

Black Crowes - 2nd nomination

Iron Maiden - 3rd nomination

Jeff Buckley - 1st nomination

Joy Division/New Order - 3rd nomination

Lauryn Hill - 1st nomination

New Edition - 1st nomination

Pink - 1st nomination

Sade - 2nd nomination

Shakira - 1st nominaion

Poll: March 1976 Songs

2026-03-24T00:47:00.000-07:00

1976. One of my favorite years for music. Check out my article on that year: 1976. So I was very happy to see this year turn up in this latest poll.

Pop Radio Gold

"Wake Up Everybody", Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes : 1
"Bohemian Rhapsody", Queen : 2
"50 Ways To Leave Your Lover", Paul Simon : 3
"Love Hurts", Nazareth : 4
"Slow Ride", Foghat : 5
"Sweet Thing", Rufus featuring Chaka Khan : 6
"You Sexy Thing", Hot Chocolate : 7
"Golden Years", David Bowie : 8
"Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)", Bee Gees : 9
"December 1963 (Oh What A Night)", Four Seasons : 10
"Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (slow version)", Neil Sedaka : 11
"Right Back Where We Started From", Maxine Nightingale : 12
"Sweet Love", Commodores : 13
"Show Me The Way", Peter Frampton : 14
"Take It To The Limit", Eagles : 15
"Dream Weaver", Gary Wright : 16
"Love To Love You Baby", Donna Summer : 17
"Dream On", Aerosmith : 18
"Let Your Love Flow", Bellamy Brothers : 19
"Boogie Fever", Sylvers : 20
"Love Machine", Miracles : 21
"I Write The Songs", Barry Manilow : 22
"Theme From S.W.A.T.", Rhythm Heritage : 23
"All By Myself", Eric Carmen : 24
"Disco Lady", Johnnie Taylor : 25
"I Feel Like A Bullet (In The Gun Of Robert Ford)", Elton John : 26
"Action", Sweet : 27
"There's A Kind Of Hush (All Over The World)", Carpenters : 28
"Money Honey", Bay City Rollers : 29
"Convoy", C.W. McCall : 30
"Only Sixteen", Dr. Hook : 31
"Squeeze Box", Who : 32
"Grow Some Funk Of Your Own", Elton John : 33
"Lonely Night (Angel Face)", Captain & Tennille : 34
"Junk Food Junkie", Larry Groce : 35
"Deep Purple", Donny & Marie Osmond : 36
"Tangerine", Salsoul Orchestra : 37
"The White Knight", Cledus Maggard : 38
"Baby Face", Wing & A Prayer Fife & Drum Corps : 39

Not Inducted In The Country Music Hall of Fame (Updated 2026 Inductees)

2026-03-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

The 2026 Country Hall inductees were announced today: Tim McGraw (Modern Era), Stanley Brothers (Veterans Era), Paul Overstreet (Songwriter).

Voting process (as I know it in 2026), is described below: (credit: Saving Country Music)

The Country Music Hall of Fame inductees are selected through a committee process appointed by the Country Music Association (CMA). The selection process has been split up into three categories:

1) Modern Era – Eligible for induction 20 years after they first achieve “national prominence.” 2) Veterans Era – Eligible for induction 45 years after they first achieve “national prominence.” 3) Non-Performer, Songwriter, and Recording and/or Touring Musician active prior to 1980 – Rotates every 3 years. If there is a tie in voting in any category, two names can be selected, as we saw in 2021.

Below are a list of artists, session musicians, songwriters, producers, etc., that are eligible as of 2025.

Asleep At The Wheel

Blake Shelton

Brad Paisley
Buddy Emmons
Buddy Killen

Charlie Rich

Chicks (Dixie Chicks)

Clint Black
Crystal Gayle
Curly Putnam
Dallas Frazier

Don Rich
Dwight Yoakam

Earl Thomas Conley
Eddie Rabbitt

Freddy Fender
Garth Fundis
Gary Stewart
Gene Watson

Jeannie Seely

Jerry Chesnutt
Jerry Douglas

Jerry Kennedy

Jim Owens
Jimmy Martin
Johnny Horton
Johnny Paycheck

Johnny Rodriguez

Keith Urban

Larry Gatlin

Linda Ronstadt
Lloyd Green

Lorrie Morgan

Lynn Anderson
Maddox Brothers and Rose
Mark O'Connor
Martina McBride
Mickey Gilley

Miranda Lambert

Paul Franklin

Ralph Mooney

Rodney Crowell
Rosanne Cash

Shania Twain

Taylor Swift

Travis Tritt
Trisha Yearwood
Vern Gosdin

Personal Picks: 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

2026-03-17T04:55:00.000-07:00

Below are my Personal picks for the 2026 Rock Hall, listed in alphabetical order. Most of the 17 nominees could get a "Yes" vote from me in other years.

Some things to consider:

There were 14 nominees last year. This year 17.

There are 7 women nominated.

There are no first year eligible nominees.

There are 10 first time nominees.

There are no acts nominated who started in the 50's/60's. Expect side category inductees to correct that.

5 acts were nominated last year: Idol, Carey, Crowes, JD/NO, Oasis.

The most nominated artists this year yet to get in all have 3 nominations: Carey, JD/NO, Iron Maiden. Oasis.

This is the first year voters have to pick 7 names. They can't vote for less than 7. This could have an impact on who gets in.

Were you surprised by some of the picks this year? Let alone a 17 nominee ballot? Well, for the first time the Hall implemented term limits for NomCom members.

As Future Rock Legends wrote:

Term limits are something long time Hall watchers have wanted for years. It seems like there was a big shakeup on the NomCom this year, resulting in some wild nominees and maybe in a bigger ballot.

With each of my picks, I recommend some of their best recordings.

Again, these are my Personal picks, not predictions.

Top 7

INXS - Save for one album, what really made their 80's run so much fun is that they were a great singles band. 1st nomination

1. Kick

2. Shine Like It Does: The Anthology

Mariah Carey - We all know she can sing, but she can also write a good song. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall in 2022. 3rd nomination

1. Emancipation of Mimi

2. Essential

Luther Vandross - One of the greatest R&B singers of his generation. 1st nomination

1. The Night I Fell In Love

2. Essential

New Edition - Early days were teen Pop/R&B then matured into Adult/R&B. Blueprint forr many 90's R&B/Pop bands of the 90's. 1st nomination

1. Hits

2. Heart Break

Oasis - It's really all about those first two albums, which I love. 3rd nominaiton

1. Definitely Maybe

2. (What's the Story) Morning Glory

Phil Collins - For those of you too young to remember, he was one of the best solo Pop stars of the 80's. 1st nomination

1. No Jacket Required

2. The Singles

Sade - As a lover of the Quiet Storm format, I’ve got to support one of the pioneers of the genre. 2nd nomination

1. Diamond Life

2. Essential

The Rest

Billy Idol - 2nd nomination

Black Crowes - 2nd nomination

Iron Maiden - 3rd nomination

Jeff Buckley - 1st nomination

Joy Division/New Order - 3rd nomination

Lauryn Hill - 1st nomination

Melissa Etheridge - 1st nomination

Pink - 1st nomination

Shakira - 1st nomination

Wu-Tang Clan - 1st nomination

Ranking: The Original Songs from Saturday Night Fever

2026-03-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

Writing the songs in a single weekend, the Bee Gees reached a creative zenith with the original songs featured in Saturday Night Fever. By the way, the movie is in my personal top 10 films of all time. Hard to think of John Travolta's star turn without the Bee Gees music carrying him along to such heights. For this ranking I'm only going to include the original songs from the soundtrack. So, no KC & The Sunshine Band, Trammps or Kool & The Gang, two previous Bee Gees hits, regardless of how much I love those songs.

1. Stayin' Alive

2. How Deep Is Your Love

3. Night Fever

4. More Than A Woman

5. If I Can't Have You (Yvonne Elliman)

6. More Than A Woman (Tavares)

7. Manhattan Skyline (David Shire)

8. Night On Disco Mountain (David Shire)

9. Salsation

Playlist for 3/7

2026-03-07T07:44:00.000-08:00

Lucinda Williams - World's Gone Wrong

U2 - Days of Ash

James Hunter Six - Off the Fence

Zach Bryan - With Heaven On Top

Robbie Williams - Britpop

Jill Scott - To Whom This May Concern

Santana - Caravanserai

Pat Metheny - Bright Sized Life

Paul McCartney: Man on the Run (Documentary)

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (2025 film)

RIP Neil Sedaka

2026-02-28T08:24:00.000-08:00

Neil Sedaka first became a star in the post-Elvis Army/pre-Beatles era of the early 1960's. It's a part of Rock history that often gets dismissed by music critics. Despite the fact that some incredible records came out during that time. Sedaka often gets lumped in with the teen idols of the era, usually the most scorned by critics. But Sedaka was more of a Pop professional than those idols. For one he played piano and co-wrote his own songs. His songs became hits for Connie Francis and Gene Pitney. Still, if you're looking for a reason that Sedaka was never nominated, let alone put in under Musical Excellence or Influence, consider the era he first had hits.

The British Invasion put an end to Sedaka's 60's chart run. His hits would be ones that others covered. Which gives me the chance to bring up another early 60's institution that deserves more respect: the Brill Building. The NYC building that was home to a bunch of the greatest songwriters who crafted future classic songs: Goffin/King, Bacharach/David, Mann/Weil, Barry/Greenwich, Leiber/Stoller, Neil Diamond and Sedaka/Greenfield.

Sedaka's 70's comeback didn't begin in United States, but in the UK. There he recorded three albums of varying success. But the recordings caught the attention of Elton John who signed him to his new Rocket Records in 1974. A compilation album, Sedaka's Back, containing tracks from those three albums was released to acclaim in the U.S. And one of its tracks, 1975's "Laughter In the Rain" became Sedaka's first number one since the early 60's. Sedaka's Back is a great album. Even though a compilation, its still his best album, outside of greatest hits sets. Sedaka quickly followed it up with 75's The Hungry Years, and had another one with "Bad Blood" that featured Elton on vocals. But things began to slow down in 1976. The hits dried up again. After 1976 Sedaka only had one other Top 40 hit, a duet in 1980 with his daughter.

But he never stopped recording or touring. Most of us that hadn't followed him in years caught up with him again during the 2020 COVID shutdown. Sedaka took to social media to do mini concerts consisting of his hits, deep tracks and covers. The ultimate professional, he never let up on his posts up until his death. Because Neil Sedaka loved to please. His passion was performing and pleasing his audience. Nearly 68 years since his first Top 40 hit, he accomplished that and more.

Latest Podcast Appearance (Rock in Retrospect Podcast)

2026-02-27T18:59:00.000-08:00

I joined host Nick Bambach's the Rock in Retrospect podcast, with some others, to talk about the 2026 Rock Hall nominees.

Rock in Retrospect

Poll: February 1986 Songs

2026-02-27T08:46:00.000-08:00

Latest poll I voted in was for songs from February 1986. Not the greatest list of songs to be honest. But I've always loved my top pick.

Pop Radio Gold

"How Will I Know", Whitney Houston : 1
"My Hometown", Bruce Springsteen : 2
"I'm Your Man", Wham! : 3
"That's What Friends Are For", Dionne & Friends (with Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder) : 4
"A Love Bizarre", Sheila E. : 5
"Tender Love", Force M.D.'s : 6
"These Dreams", Heart : 7
"I Miss You", Klymaxx : 8
"When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going", Billy Ocean : 9
"Broken Wings", Mr. Mister : 10
"Life In A Northern Town", Dream Academy : 11
"Do Me Baby", Meli'sa Morgan : 12
"Secret Lovers", Atlantic Starr : 13
"Conga", Miami Sound Machine : 14
"Silent Running", Mike + the Mechanics : 15
"Alive And Kicking", Simple Minds : 16
"I Like You", Phyllis Nelson : 17
"Can You Feel The Beat", Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force : 18
"You're A Friend Of Mine", Clarence Clemons & Jackson Browne : 19
"Walk Of Life", Dire Straits : 20
"Tonight She Comes", Cars : 21
"It's Only Love", Bryan Adams & Tina Turner : 22
"Tarzan Boy", Baltimora : 23
"The Sweetest Taboo", Sade : 24
"Party All The Time", Eddie Murphy : 25
"Day By Day", Hooters : 26
"Sara", Starship : 27
"Living In America", James Brown : 28
"Russians", Sting : 29
"Goodbye", Night Ranger : 30
"Say You, Say Me", Lionel Richie : 31
"Talk To Me", Stevie Nicks : 32
"Go Home", Stevie Wonder : 33
"Kyrie", Mr. Mister : 34
"King For A Day", Thompson Twins : 35
"Sidewalk Talk", Jellybean : 36
"The Sun Always Shines On TV", A-Ha : 37
"Separate Lives", Phil Collins & Marilyn Martin : 38
"Burning Heart", Survivor : 39
"Spies Like Us", Paul McCartney : 40

Playlist for 2/20

2026-02-20T10:46:00.000-08:00

Clipse - Let God Sort Em Out

Cecile McLorin Salvant - Oh Snap

Thelonious Monk - Standards

Doc Pomus - Songs for Elvis (the Demos)

Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately (Documentary)

I’m Chevy Chase and You're Not (Documentary)

Happy and You Know It (Documentary)

Poll: Top 77 Songs of All-Time

2026-02-17T05:09:00.000-08:00

My first time voting in this yearly poll. Vote for 10 songs. I didn’t spend too much time on my picks. Just thought of 10 all-time faves. If I had to vote in this again, I might change a song or two. But this is still a varied list of 10 songs I love.

Top 77 Songs All-Time

Here's how you voted this year:

1: Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley (1969)

2: You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers (1965)

3: Respect - Aretha Franklin (1967)

4: Wichita Lineman - Glen Campbell (1968)

5: I Only Have Eyes For You - Flamingos (1959)

6: Midnight Train To Georgia - Gladys Knight & the Pips (1973)

7: Stop In The Name Of Love - Diana Ross Supremes (1965)

8: The Love I Lost - Harold Melvin& the Blue Notes (1973)

9: Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac (1977)

10: Could It Be I'm Falling In Love - Spinners

Favorite Love Songs for Valentine's Day

2026-02-13T05:20:00.000-08:00

All of these Valentine's Day type tracks have meant something to me at some point in my life.

Al Green - Sha-La-La
Alexander O'Neal - If You Were Here Tonight
Atlantic Starr - Send For Me
Aretha Franklin - Day Dreaming
Barry White - Can't Get Enough
Bill Withers - Lovely Day
Boz Scaggs - We're All Alone
Bread - Make It With You
Con Funk Shun - Love's Train
Daryl Hall & John Oates - One On One
DeBarge - All This Love
Earth, Wind & Fire - Love's Holiday
Ella Fitzgerald - I Concentrate On You
ELO - Strange Magic
Elvis Presley - Fame and Fortune
Flamingos - I Only Have Eyes For You
Frank Sinatra - You Make Me Feel So Young
Gap Band - Yearning For Your Love
Gladys Knight & The Pips - You're The Best Thing That's Ever Happened To Me
Gregory Abbott - Shake You Down
Isley Brothers - Voyage to Atlantis
Janet Jackson - Let's Wait Awhile
Jackie Wilson - To Be Loved
Jason Isbell - If We Were Vampires
Jimmy LaFave - Into Your Life
Joni Mitchell - Case of You
L.T.D. - Love Ballad
Luther Vandross - If Only For One Night
Major Harris - Love Won't Let Me Wait
Manhattans - Shining Star
Marvin Gaye - After The Dance
Maxwell - Whenever, Wherever, Whatever
Maze featuring Frankie Beverly - I Wanna Thank You
Merle Haggard - That's The Way Love Goes
Michael Jackson - Lady In My Life
Neil Young - Harvest Moon
Norman Connors - You Are My Starship
O'Jays - Lovin' You
Patti LaBelle - Love, Need and Want You
Peabo Bryson - I'm So Into You
Prince - Adore
Randy Travis - Forever and Ever, Amen
Ray, Goodman & Brown - Special Lady
Rene & Angela - Your Smile
Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - Closer I Get To You
Rodney Crowell - After All This Time
Rose Royce - Wishing On A Star
Roxy Music - Avalon
Rufus featuring Chaka Khan - Sweet Thing
Sam Cooke - Nothing Can Change This Love
Smokey Robinson - Quiet Storm
Spinners - Could It Be I'm Falling In Love
Stevie Wonder - You and I
Stylistics - I'm Stone In Love With You
T-Connection - Best of My Love
Teddy Pendergrass & Stephanie Mills - Feel The Fire
Terence Trent D'Arby - Let's Go Forward
Tom Jones - Move Closer
Tony! Toni! Tone! - Anniversary
Whispers - Lady
Willie Nelson - Moonlight In Vermont

Ranking: Songs from Teddy Pendergrass - TP

2026-02-10T14:40:00.000-08:00

Released in 1980, TP is Teddy Pendergrass' greatest album. And famously, despite being released on Philadelphia International Records, it has no songs produced or written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. But expertly chosen songs from Ashford & Simpson, Peabo Bryson, Cecil Womack and others more than make up for G & H's absence. There are two incredible duets with Stephanie Mills. Too bad they never did a duets album together. I've said this about many R&B albums from this era. You won't find these types of records listed on various greatest album countdowns ever lists. This era of R&B was and still is vastly underrated in history. Having said many of the best albums from that era, TP as well, were critically praised when they were released.

1. Love T.KO.

2. Feel the Fire (w/Stephanie Mills)

3, Is It Still Good To Ya

4. Take Me In Your Arms Tonight (w/Stephanie Mills)

5. Can't We Try

6. Girl You Know

7. I Just Called To Say

8. Let Me Love You

Playlist for 2/5

2026-02-05T10:05:00.000-08:00

Rosalia - Lux

Beatles - Anthology 4

Beatles - Anthology Episode 9

Paul Anka: His Way (Documentry)

It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley (Documentary)

Colter Wall - Memories and Empties

Ken Pomeroy - Cruel Joke

Crystal Gayle - Somebody Loves You

Anne Murray - Together

Dick Feller - Some Days are Diamonds

Lefty Frizzell - Classic Style

Steve Young - Honky-Tonk Man

Jerry Jeff Walker - Ridin' High

Oxford American Southern Music Issue #27 Austin Live - Various

For Our Una (2012-2026)

2026-02-05T08:08:00.000-08:00

The day after Una passed away was a rough one. The house was too quiet. My routine of taking care of the dog's daily needs was gone. I still couldn't grasp that she won't be back. She spent the night with someone I said. Or she's outside running around. But she'll be back in the house, I know she will. There are now reminders everywhere of Una. Her beds. Her food and water bowl. Her dog food. Her walking leashes. Her blankets. I picked up one of her blankets just to inhale her smell again. Her sweaters for those cold days. And even more sadly, her medicine that she had been taking since last November. Una suffered from epilepsy/seizures from last November until the day before she died. These are awful things to watch your dog go through. But Una was a fighter. And until the last week of her life she would always recover. But the seizures took a toll. She was not the same Una anymore. The light and sparkle in her eyes had disappeared. She had trouble walking. She was telling us its time.

My wife named her Una. Meaning “the one”. Although we had no idea when we got her in September 2013 that she would be “the one”. But something in that initial meeting told my wife this dog was special. We never owned a dog before. Or any pets. My parents had cats. Her parents had dogs. But since we lived together we never owned a pet. Particularly for me, having a dog was a brand new experience. But Una was special from day one. She made me feel less nervous. And she made us feel like we were meant to be together.

Una was born on December 10, 2012. But she was given up by her owner nine months later. We'll never know why. And I always felt bad for her that someone let her go. My wife knew about Una through her friends. And outside of one photo we never met Una before. My first reaction was how small she was. Una was a long-haired Chihuahua. It's not a rare breed, but not the most common seen of the Chihuahua's. It was love at first sight. From the start she changed our lives. My son had moved out of the house and the timing was right for a pet in our life. Una opened up a whole new world in our eyes. For 13 years her enthusiasm and curiosity about life was fascinating. She would get excited to go for car rides. She'd jump in the car and have that "take me somewhere" attitude. Holding and getting kisses from her was special. She was my walking companion. No change that. I was her walking companion. Almost every night she sat or slept next to me on the couch as I watched television.

Una was a special dog loved by everyone. She passed away from the effects of too many seizures, which in turn caused some dementia. I don't want to remember her last weeks. I want to remember how she was always there with a kiss when i asked for one. Today there is sadness at her passing. Much grief. No, change that. Much devastation. Like every dog, Una deserved to live a long life free of illness. She did not deserve to suffer in her last days. I wonder if she knew how much she was loved in her final moments. She is no longer in pain. I am comforted in knowing she is running free once again a healthy dog. On her last day we walked around one of her favorite spots, a lake. She couldn't walk as well anymore, so we held her the whole way. In her last hour we sat on the front steps holding her. It was a beautiful, peaceful moment. Just Mommy, Daddy and our beautiful Una. Together one last time. I choose to remember all the wonderful moments we had with her. After she passed I took walks around areas we always walked. I brought her leash with me. Like the old days. Just me and my Una out for a walk.

On the first night without her she came to my dreams briefly but as a reminder. From my bed I saw her in the hallway. I heard her scratching herself next to me in her own bed. She's letting us know that we are all still together. She was a precious angel. We hope our little Una Buna knows that she will never be alone. We are indeed all together. And we will love her forever.

Poll: January 1970 Songs

2026-01-27T11:06:00.000-08:00

The latest poll I voted in were the songs of January 1970. Still living in North Carolina. But my young 6 year old self heard many of these on the radio.

Pop Radio Gold

"Fortunate Son", Creedence Clearwater Revival : 1
"Come Together", Beatles : 2
"Something", Beatles : 3
"I Want You Back", Jackson 5 : 4
"Whole Lotta Love", Led Zeppelin : 5
"The Thrill Is Gone", B.B. King : 6
"Thank You (Fallentinme Be Mice Elf Agin)", Sly & the Family Stone : 7
"Sugar, Sugar", Archies : 8
"Someday We'll Be Together", Diana Ross & the Supremes : 9
"Venus", Shocking Blue : 10
"Down On The Corner", Creedence Clearwater Revival : 11
"Psychedelic Shack", Temptations : 12
"Don't Cry Daddy", Elvis Presley : 13
"Wonderful World, Beautiful People", Jimmy Cliff : 14
"Hey There Lonely Girl", Eddie Holman : 15
"Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye", Steam : 16
"Leaving On A Jet Plane", Peter, Paul & Mary : 17
"Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head", B.J. Thomas : 18
"Take A Letter Maria", R.B. Greaves : 19
"Without Love (There Is Nothing)", Tom Jones : 20
"I'll Never Fall In Love Again", Dionne Warwick : 21
"No Time", Guess Who : 22
"Walk A Mile In My Shoes", Joe South & the Believers : 23
"Winter World Of Love", Engelbert Humperdinck : 24
"Early In The Morning", Vanity Fare : 25
"Backfield In Motion", Mel & Tim : 26
"Jam Up Jelly Tight", Tommy Roe : 27
"Holly Holy", Neil Diamond : 28
"Evil Woman Don't Play Your Games With Me", Crow : 29
"Arizona", Mark Lindsay : 30
"Eli's Coming", Three Dog Night : 31
"Jingle Jangle", Archies : 32
"And When I Die", Blood, Sweat & Tears : 33
"Blowing Away", 5th Dimension : 34
"Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday", Stevie Wonder : 35
"Heaven Knows", Grass Roots : 36
"Walkin' In The Rain", Jay & the Americans : 37
"She", Tommy James & the Shondells : 38
"Baby Take Me In Your Arms", Jefferson : 39
"Midnight Cowboy", Ferrante & Teicher : 40
"La La La (If I Had You)", Bobby Sherman : 41

Not Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2026 Inductees Updated)

2026-01-21T07:55:00.000-08:00

Updated for 2026 Inductees

The 2026 Songwriters Hall Inductees have been announced: Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins, Taylor Swift, Paul Stanley & Gene Simmons in the Performers category. Terry Britten & Graham Lyle, Walter Afanasieff, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, in the Non-Performer category.

Here's a 2025 article with more info on the Song Hall process: The Song Hall Process

Here's something interesting to consider:

"Each nominee must approve their nomination and select five representative songs and submit a photo before ballots are distributed to roughly 1,850 voting members, a body made up of music industry professionals."

"Voting is conducted electronically, with six inductees elected annually. Those chosen are notified privately ahead of the public announcement."

Maybe this is why some big name acts haven't been nominated. But then again isn't this what managers are for? They don't get back to the Song Hall with an approval for their nomination. But isn't this what managers are for? The Song Hall appears to be making an effort to induct deceased songwriters who received enough votes, but were denied induction by this ridiculous rule listed below:

"Deceased writers to be considered for posthumous induction were included in a special segment of the 2023 ballot. (There is now a separate ballot for deceased nominees). As the annual SHOF gala normally does not include inductions for songwriters after their death, the organization intends to continue hosting future posthumous inductions at unique venues and special events".

Here's my list of songwriters not inducted as of 2026:

Alicia Keys

Ann & Nancy Wilson

Andreas Carlsson

B.B. King

Beyonce
Billy Joe Shaver
Bo Diddley
Bob McDill
Bobby Womack
Bonnie Raitt

Bootsy Collins
Boz Scaggs
Bryan Adams
Bryan Ferry

Burton Cummings
Carl Perkins

Chips Moman
Chrissie Hynde

Curly Putnam
Dallas Frazier
Dan Fogelberg
Dan Penn

David Byrne
David Gates
Dean Dillon
Debbie Harry/Chris Stein
Dion DiMucci

Dwight Yoakam

George Clinton

George Harrison
George Michael

Gerry Beckley/Dewey Bunnell

Giorgio Moroder/Pete Bellotte
Guy Clark
Harry Nilsson
Harry Wayne Casey

J.J. Cale
Janet Jackson
Jerry Chesnut
Jerry Fuller
Jimi Hendrix

Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Cliff

Joe South

Joe Strummer/Mick Jones
John Hiatt

John Legend
John D. Loudermilk
Kate Bush

Kix Brooks/Ronnie Dunn
Led Zeppelin
Lefty Frizzell

Lindsey Buckingham/Stevie Nicks/Christine McVie

LL Cool J

Lou Reed
Lucinda Williams
Luther Vandross
Madonna
Mark Knopfler
Mary J. Blige

Max D. Barnes

Mike Chapman/Nicky Chinn

Mike Stock/Matt Aitken/Pete Waterman
Muddy Waters
Neil Young
Nick Lowe
Outkast
Pam Sawyer
Paul Overstreet
Percy Mayfield
Pete Townshend
Peter Gabriel
P.F. Sloan & Steve Barri
Phil Ochs

Pink

Randy Bachman
Randy Goodrum
Ric Ocasek

Richard Carpenter
Richard Thompson
Robbie Robertson
Robert "Mutt" Lange
Rod Stewart
Rod Temperton
Rodney Crowell
Roger Miller
Roger Waters/David Gilmour
Rosanne Cash

Sandy Linzer/Denny Randell

Sarah McLachlan

Shania Twain
Shel Silverstein
Sheryl Crow

Sly Stone
Sonny Throckmorton
Spooner Oldham
Steve Earle

Steve Kipner
Steve Perry/Neal Schon/Jonathan Cain
Steve Winwood

The Doors
Tim Hardin

Todd Rundgren

Tom Snow
Tom Waits
Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
Tony Joe White

Toots Hibbert
Townes Van Zandt
Tracy Chapman
U2
Vince Gill
Warren Zevon
Waylon Jennings

2026 Rock Hall Nominee Predictions

2026-01-20T07:55:00.000-08:00

There are no slam dunk first year eligibles this year. I've tried to add some first time nominees though. And a few returnees. Going with 15 nominees. There were 14 last year.

Alanis Morissette - 90's female Alt/Rock singers haven't been making it on the ballot. But Alanis is still a big act from that era. Never nominated.

B-52's - New wave legends have surprisingly (shockingly?) never been nominated.

Beck - Nominated once in 2022, but a performer at last year’s induction ceremony. Seems like a good time to bring him back.

Bryan Adams - His appearance as an inductor and performer at last year's Hall ceremony should help with a first time nomination.

Coldplay - The Hall wants a big name that is still active and popular and big in the 00's. Never nominated

De La Soul - Hard to predict what rap act will go in after OutKast last year. Snoop would walk right in. But would the Wu-Tang Clan? Would De La Soul? Never nominated.

Iron Maiden - What to about Metal? It’s a yearly puzzle. This twice nominated act (2021/23) is often mentioned as the next Metal artist to be inducted. But are the votes there this time?

Jethro Tull - Are there still some classic rock era names left to nominate? Here’s one that comes up often. Never nominated.

Lenny Kravitz - Nominated in 2024, but not last year.

Luther Vandross - I predicted his nomination last year thanks to a 2024 documentary that got a lot of press. But the Kendrick Lamar song that sampled him, "Luther" got quite a bit of airplay in 2025. So, I'll try again. Never nominated

Mariah Carey - Kind of a shock, to me at least that she can't get in. This would be nomination number 3 (in a row).

Melissa Etheridge - We tend to forget how popular she was in the mid-90’s. Newish nomcom member Sheryl Crow thinks she belongs in the Hall. Never nominated.

Monkees - Chubby Checker's induction showed that the right name from the 60's could still get an induction from the ballot. This group would do the same thing. And it’s their 60th anniversary. Never nominated.

Oasis - The Gallagher brothers came storming back with a much publicized tour last year. This would be nomination number 3 (in a row).

Smashing Pumpkins - Time for more 90's alt-rock acts to get noticed. This band seems to have been just waiting for their turn at a nomination. Never nominated.

Playlist for 1/18

2026-01-18T10:21:00.000-08:00

Charley Pride - Charley

Johnny Cash - Look At Them Beans

Tanya Tucker - Tanya Tucker (1975)

Gene Watson - Love In The Hot Afternoon

Bobby Bare - Hard Time Hungrys

Tompall Glaser - Tompall

David Allan Coe - Once Upon A Rhyme

Johnny Rodriguez - Just Get Up and Close the Door

Earl Scruggs - Anniversary Special

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Symphonion Dream

Orville Peck - Appaloosa

Black Crowes - Amorica

Songs About Elvis Presley

2026-01-08T02:22:00.000-08:00

Updated January 2026

There have been more songs written about Elvis Presley than any other performer. No surprise since he's one of the most important musicians of all time. But doing research for this post, even I couldn't believe how many songs about Elvis have been released. Im missing a lot of songs. I can't claim that all the ones listed below are stellar. A lot of tribute records can be pretty mawkish, no matter the subject. But there's certainly many good ones and at the very least, interesting takes on Elvis' legacy.

Billy Burnette - Today Is Elvis' Birthday

Bob Dylan - Went To See The Gypsy

Bobby Bare (as Bill Parsons) - All American Boy
Bruce Springsteen - Come On (Let's Go Tonight)
Bruce Springsteen - Johnny Bye Bye

Bryan Adams - Hey Elvis

Carmella Rosella - Oh It Was Elvis

Chris Wall - Half Of What Killed Elvis
Confederate Railroad - Elvis and Andy

Danny Mirror - I Remember Elvis Presley

Dead Milkmen - Going to Graceland
Dire Straits - Calling Elvis

Dolly Parton & Ronnie McDowell - I Dreamed About Elvis
Elton John - Porch Swing in Tupelo

Fatboy - What Would Elvis Do?

Florence + The Machine - Morning Elvis

Frankie Allan - Just A Country Boy

George Jones - King Is Gone
George Michael - John and Elvis Are Dead

Gillian Welch - Elvis Presley Blues

Hayden Thompson - Boy from Tupelo

James Brown - Love Me Tender (A remake, but first 30 seconds JB talks about his love for Elvis)
Janis Martin - My Boy Elvis
J.D. Sumner - Elvis Has Left The Building
Jerry Reed - Tupelo Mississippi Flash

Jillian Cardarelli - If I Could Talk To Elvis
Jim Ford - Story of Elvis Presley

Jimmy Webb - Elvis and Me

John Fogerty - Big Train
John Hiatt - Riding With The King
John Hiatt - Tennessee Plates

Johnny Earle - Private Elvis
Kacey Musgraves - Velvet Elvis

Kate Bush - King of the Mountain
Kenny Chesney - Jesus and Elvis
Lalo Guerrero - Elvis Perez

Lana Del Rey - Elvis

Lenny LeBlanc - Hound Dog Man

Link Davis - Trucker from Tennessee

Link Wray - It Was Elvis

Lisa Marie Presley - Lights Out

Lola Kirke - Mississippi, My Sister, Elvis & Me

Marc Cohn - Walking In Memphis

Margo Price - Long Live The King

Merle Haggard - From Graceland to the Promised Land
Mojo Nixon - (619) 239-KING
Mojo Nixon - Elvis Is Everywhere
Neil Young - He Was The King

Nuns - Elvis Said
Odie Palmer - Letter to Elvis

Patty Loveless - I Try To Think About Elvis

Paul Simon - Graceland

Phil Lynott - King’s Call
Ray Stevens - Mama's In The Sky With Elvis

Richard Thompson - From Galway to Graceland

Ronnie McDowell - The King Is Gone

Sonny Cole - I Dreamed I Was Elvis

Sonny Fisher - I Miss You Elvis
Stan Freberg - Heartbreak Hotel

Steve Forbert - House of Cards
Steve Goodman - Elvis Imitators

Stray Cats - Elvis On Velvet

T M Hanna - I Saw Elvis At The K-mart
Unknown (Jimmy Fields) - I Have Returned

U2 - Elvis Presley & America

Wall of Voodoo - Elvis Bought Dora A Cadillac

Wanda Jackson - I Wore Elvis' Ring
Warren Zevon - Jesus Mentioned
Warren Zevon - Porcelain Monkey

Weeklings - Little Elvis

Ranking: Songs from Elvis Presley - Elvis' Golden Records

2026-01-08T00:50:00.000-08:00

This was Elvis' first compilation. Comprising songs from 1956/57. Released in March 1958. For me this was the first greatest hits album I remember hearing. The reason is my parents bought a copy after Elvis died in 1977. In fact they bought a few other Elvis titles after he died. Now before 1977, my Dad was already a huge Elvis fan. He bought albums that Elvis recorded in the early 70's. So, I heard these albums all throughout my young life. But oddly they never had an Elvis compilation album. So, this is one has always been close to my heart. Nine A-Sides, 4 B-sides and one album track. For many this was where to start with Elvis.

1. Jailhouse Rock

2. Don't Be Cruel

3. Hound Dog

4. All Shook Up

5. Heartbreak Hotel

6. Love Me Tender

7. Love Me

8. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear

9. Treat Me Nice

10. Too Much

11. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You

12. Loving You

13. Anyway You Want Me

14. That's When Your Heartaches Begin

Playlist for 1/2

2026-01-02T15:26:00.000-08:00

Geese - Getting Killed

Last Dinner Party - From the Pyre

Steve Martin & Alison Brown - Safe, Sensible & Sane

Chrissie Hynde - Duets Special

Vince Gill - I Gave You Everything I Had/Secondhand Smoke

Willie Nelson - Workin' Man

Bruce Springsteen - Electric Nebraska

Elvis Presley - King In The Ring

Sam Fender - People Watching

Lily Allen - West End Girl

Dijon - Baby

Miguel - Caos

Macis Staples - Sad and Beautiful World

Bob Dylan - Bootleg Series Vol. 18 Highlights

Carl Perkins - Some Things Never Change

Florence & The Machine - Everybody Scream

Luke Bell - The King is Back

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025 Film)