If you ever want to make your kids feel bad, remind them that if they live to be 100, they will never accomplish as much as Stevie Wonder did by age 20. On the other hand, they will probably never write a song as dippy as “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” so things kind of even out.
top ten
Steve Miller Band
“Abra/Abra/Cadabra/I want to reach out and grab ya.” Those are real lyrics, to a real song.
Steely Dan
Steely Dan is two guys and an endlessly rotating cast of musicians. And yet, all their songs sound exactly the same! And when the two leads have released solo albums … they sound exactly like Steely Dan! So clearly Steely Dan is really one guy, a computer, and a bunch of holograms.
Staple Singers
I don’t get it. Their last name is “Staples,” but they are the “Staple Singers.” That’s wrong, right? Though to be honest, if Mavis is singing lead in my band, she can call herself whatever she wants.
Southern Rock
When Pete and I were about 16, we went to see a documentary about Lynyrd Skynyrd at the University of Delaware movie theater. If you’ve ever met either of us, you might wonder, “Why on earth did you go see a documentary about Lynyrd Skynyrd?” I have no idea, either.
Southern African
My original idea for this list was to focus on Ladysmith Black Mambazo and township jive. But the more I looked into it, the more I realized how widespread the music of southern Africa really is. That is because I am a dumb white American.
Sonny Rollins
Miles Davis called Sonny Rollins the greatest tenor ever. I guess there isn’t too much to add to that.
SoCal Rap
When Larry (Lawrence) and I were roommates, we used to call “Next Episode” the drive-by song. Or maybe it was “That Was a Good Day.” Actually, you could call pretty much any song on this list the drive-by song.
Smokey Robinson/ Miracles
The day I met Max, the first thing he said to me was, “Don’t you think Smokey Robinson was the greatest singer of the 60s?” I knew right away I was going to like this kid. Smokey Robinson and I also have the same birthday, so clearly I am awesome by association.
Playlist of the Day 