A musical menu for National Junk Food Day:
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Tunes Du Jour Celebrates International Be Kind To Lawyers Day
It started, as these things often do, with a law.
Or more accurately, with three: “Law of the Land” (Temptations), “The Laws Have Changed” (New Pornographers), and “You Can’t Rule Me” (Lucinda Williams). A trifecta of declarations, all suggesting that whether you’re enforcing the law or dodging it, someone’s about to get into trouble.
This playlist is my musical tribute to International Be Kind To Lawyers Day — a real holiday, celebrated annually on the second Tuesday in April, for reasons that are presumably legal. It’s not just about lawyers, though. This 30-track journey follows the trajectory of a full-blown legal drama: rules are established, rules are broken, crimes are committed, time is served, lawyers are called, and justice is… complicated.
We meet a few Fun Lovin’ Criminals, some Smooth Criminals, and even those who insist they’re just Criminal Minded. The lawbreakers get caught — there’s fighting, testifying, jail time, and at least one unfortunate visit to the Court of the Crimson King (which, I suspect, is not a traffic violation court).
And let’s not forget the lawyers themselves. They’re gun-toting in one song, love-struck in another, and altogether overburdened. But in honor of their service — and in defense of their billable hours — we end on a note of redemption: “Return to Innocence” by Enigma. Because if music has taught us anything, it’s that legal complications can always be resolved in just over four minutes.
So, whether you’re in the mood to break the law, beat the rap, or rap to the beat of the Fat Boys (or Snoop, Freddie Gibbs, Boogie Down Productions…), press play and pass the gavel. And if you happen to know a lawyer, consider saying something nice. After all, they know where all the paperwork is buried.
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My Favorite Songs Of 2024
- Good Luck, Babe! – Chappell Roan
- HOT TO GO! – Chappell Roan
- TEXAS HOLD ‘EM – Beyoncé
- Houdini – Dua Lipa
- I KNOW ? – Travis Scott
- Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter
- girl, so confusing – Charli xcx & Lorde
- Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
- I Guess Time Just Makes Fools Of Us All – Father John Misty
- Like That – Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar
- Training Season – Dua Lipa
- Jerkin’ – Amyl and The Sniffers
- Nothing Matters – The Last Dinner Party
- Water – Tyla
- Guess – Charli xcx feat. Billie Eilish
- Broken Man – St. Vincent
- Please Please Please – Sabrina Carpenter
- Pink Pony Club – Chappell Roan
- Starburster – Fontaines D.C.
- Abigail – Soccer Mommy
- Step Into Your Power – Ray LaMontagne
- What About the Children? – Gary Clark Jr. feat. Stevie Wonder
- LUNCH – Billie Eilish
- WILDFLOWER – Billie Eilish
- MY HOUSE – Beyoncé
- Mamushi – Megan Thee Stallion feat. Yuki Chiba
- Deeper Well – Kacey Musgraves
- yes, and? – Ariana Grande
- My Golden Years – The Lemon Twigs
- All In Good Time – Iron & Wine feat. Fiona Apple
- Taste – Sabrina Carpenter
- Lights Camera Action – Kylie Minogue
- The Architect – Kacey Musgraves
- That’s How I’m Feeling – Jack White
- Dancing in the Flames – The Weeknd
- BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish
- Femenine – Empress Of
- Saturn – SZA
- Once in a Lifetime – Joshua Idehen with the Social Singing Choir
- Capricorn – Vampire Weekend
- The Door – Teddy Swims
- Calling You Out – Charly Bliss
- Mess It Up – The Rolling Stones
- Eusexua – FKA twigs
- x-ray eyes – LCD Soundsystem
- Grace – IDLES
- Too Sweet – Hozier
- Young Lion – Sade Adu
- Baddy on the Floor – Jamie xx and Honey Dijon
- Euphoria – Kendrick Lamar
- Life – Jamie xx & Robyn
- Mother Nature – MGMT
- JOLENE – Beyoncé
- The Rest of Me – Michael Kiwanuka
- Worth It. – RAYE
- Dream Job – Yard Act
- Mood Swings – Little Simz
- All You Children – Jamie xx & The Avalanches
- The Light Nights – Camera Obscura
- J CHRIST – Lil Nas X
- Weightless – Romy
- 360 – Charli xcx featuring Robyn and Yung Lean
- LEVII’S JEANS – Beyoncé featuring Post Malone
- Sinner – The Last Dinner Party
- Sticky – Tyler, the Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne
- Too Much – girl in red
- Well, Alright – Johnny Cash
- Peaceful Place – Leon Bridges
- Clams Casino – Cassandra Jenkins
- Sympathy Is a Knife – Charli xcx feat. Ariana Grande
- Take Me Home, Country Roads – Lana Del Rey
- Racist Piece of Shit – Fishbone
- While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Lucinda Williams
- Classical – Vampire Weekend
- Bells and Whistles – Bright Eyes
- Alimony – Miranda Lambert
- Genesis. – RAYE
- Neva Play – Megan Thee Stallion feat. RM of BTS
- Disease – Lady Gaga
- BLACKBIIRD – Beyoncé with Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts, Tanner Adell and Tiera Kennedy
- Flea – St. Vincent
- Friend of a Friend – The Smile
- HIND’S HALL – Macklemore
- HISS – Megan Thee Stallion
- Timeless – The Weeknd with Playboi Carti
- 16 CARRIAGES – Beyoncé
- we can’t be friends (wait for your love) – Ariana Grande
- On My Mama – Victoria Monét
- Death Valley High – Orville Peck featuring Beck
- Tennessee Rise – The Tennessee Freedom Singers
- The Feminine Urge – The Last Dinner Party
- Surround Sound – JID feat. 21 Savage & Baby Tate
- Talk Talk – Charli xcx
- Cinderella – Remi Wolf
- Afterlife – Sharon Van Etten
- Real Good – Homeboy Sandman
- Sexy To Someone – Clairo
- Beaches – Beabadoobee
- Favourite – Fontaines D.C.
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My Favorite Songs Of 2023
Five years after then president of The Recording Academy proclaimed that women need to step up, the ladies have responded with “How’s this, jerkface?” Women dominate this year’s Grammy nominations. More importantly, all but two of the top 20 songs on my year-end list are led by female artists (with one guy showing up to provide guest vocals). That’s a record, I think, but don’t quote me on that. I’m too lazy to check. I don’t have a deep analysis for this phenomenon, but I do have a deep appreciation for the talent and diversity of these women (not that women have ever been underrepresented in my annual tallies). The highest placing male acts on my 2023 list are none other than The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. Yes, you read that right. The legends are back, and they still can show the young-uns how it’s done. With their song “Angry,” The Rolling Stones have achieved a remarkable feat: the longest span from first appearance to most recent appearance in my year-end surveys. In 1981, my first year of making such lists, the group placed with “Start Me Up.” The 80s are also well represented by Kylie Minogue and Madonna, each of whom made a triumphant return to my list after long absences. Welcome back, ladies! And last but not least, let’s give a round of applause to Megan Thee Stallion, who has been in my top five for five years in a row. That’s a record, I think, but don’t quote me on that. I’m too lazy to check. Now, without further ado, here is my list of the best songs of 2023. Enjoy!
- Ice Cream Man. – RAYE
- vampire – Olivia Rodrigo
- Kill Bill – SZA
- Bongos – Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
- Not Strong Enough – boygenius
- Flowers – Miley Cyrus
- Escapism. – RAYE & 070 Shake
- Paint the Town Red – Doja Cat
- Lipstick Lover – Janelle Monáe
- Nobody Gets Me – SZA
- Dance the Night – Dua Lipa
- Shirt – SZA
- AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM – Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar
- What Was I Made For? – Billie Eilish
- Padam Padam – Kylie Minogue
- Cobra – Megan Thee Stallion
- Brenda Put Your Bra On – Ashley McBryde, Caylee Hammack & Pillbox Patti
- Angry – The Rolling Stones
- Now and Then – The Beatles
- Cool About It – boygenius
- RATATA – Skrillex, Missy Elliott & Mr. Oizo
- Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd – Lana Del Rey
- Calm Down – Rema with Selena Gomez
- Gorilla – Little Simz
- Seven – Jung Kook feat. Latto
- My Love Mine All Mine – Mitski
- bad idea right? – Olivia Rodrigo
- Jaded – Miley Cyrus
- Tropic Morning News – The National
- Someday At Christmas – Lizzo
- Used To Be Young – Miley Cyrus
- Pretty Girls Walk – Big Boss Vette
- River – Miley Cyrus
- Light On In The Kitchen – Ashley McBryde
- Out Alpha the Alpha – Megan Thee Stallion
- Bubblegum – Dawn Richard
- Rush – Troye Sivan
- It’s Not Just Me, It’s Everybody – Weyes Blood
- Weightless – Arlo Parks
- Psychos – Jenny Lewis
- The Sea – Romy
- Lil Boo Thang – Paul Russell
- Popular – The Weeknd & Madonna feat. Playboi Carti
- The Narcissist – Blur
- (It Goes Like) Nanana – Peggy Gou
- Tukoh Taka – Nicki Minaj, Maluma and Myriam Fares
- Freak Me Now – Jessie Ware
- Standing Next To You – Jung Kook
- Eyez – The Arcs
- What Now – Brittany Howard
- Thinking About You – Beck
- Wall of Eyes – The Smile
- Good Lookin’ – Dixon Dallas
- Girl Like Me – Dove Cameron
- Wild Flower – RM with youjeen
- Helmet – Steve Lacy
- Everybody’s Got to Learn – First Aid Kit
- Flip a Switch. – RAYE feat. Coi Leray
- Nothing Left To Lose – Everything But The Girl
- Say Yes To Heaven – Lana Del Rey
- Moonlight – Kali Uchis
- Bending Hectic – The Smile
- In My Head – The Lemon Twigs
- Snooze – SZA
- Attention – Doja Cat
- get him back! – Olivia Rodrigo
- Will Anybody Ever Love Me? – Sufjan Stevens
- Tux (Your Body Fills Me, Boo) – US Girls
- Lottery – Latto feat. LU KALA
- Bug Like an Angel – Mitski
- The Hands – serpentwithfeet
- A day in the water – Christine & the Queens
- Drummer Boy – Titus Andronicus
- Little Things – Jorja Smith
- Daydreaming – Harry Styles
- True Love – Christine & the Queens & 070 Shake
- Evicted – Wilco
- Got Me Started – Troye Sivan
- Eye For An Eye – Rina Sawayama
- Water Slide – Janelle Monáe
- Single Soon – Selena Gomez
- Odyssey – Beck & Phoenix
- I Don’t Know What You See In Me – Belle & Sebastian
- Seem an I – PJ Harvey
- Begin Again – Jessie Ware
- One of Your Girls – Troye Sivan
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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 12-2-23
According to my Spotify Wrapped, pop was my top genre of 2023, thanks to the many hits I jammed to this year. But did you know I almost missed one of the greatest pop songs ever? Back in 1999, I barely heard Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” when it was a chart-topper. It was only when the song was descending on the charts and I joined Jive Records, her label, as their head of Licensing that I discovered this masterpiece. I’ve been a loyal fan ever since, even after I left the company.
We had a party at Jive when Britney turned 18. It’s hard to believe that today she turns 42. A few of her hits are on today’s playlist.
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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 6-21-23
When recording started it was called Bird World. Somewhere along the way Lana Del Rey changed the title of her 2019 album to Norman Fucking Rockwell! The actual middle name of artist Norman Rockwell is Percevel. Fucking is a better middle name.
Lana Del Rey turns 38 today. Showing her lots of love on today’s playlist.
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