Tracks of Your Tears
Feeling down even though things are looking up? You’re certainly not alone. Allow yourself some time to run the full gamut of emotions, with songs from Lana Del Rey, Roy Orbison, Julie London, Dr. John, and more
Mood-Swinging
Songs to get you in the right frame of mind, from Billie Holiday, Sharon Van Etten, the Band, Sidney Bechet, and more
Cheer Up!
Still finding yourself snared in despair? Slip loose with these tracks from Barbra Streisand, Charles Trenet, Lena Horne, Eydie Gormé, and more
The Name Game
Sometimes, musicians make it personal. Herewith, tracks from Joni Mitchell, Elton John, Dave Edmunds, Chuck Berry, and more
Flowery Verses
Music, like gardens, is often better when you don’t have to do the work yourself. Let Jerry Lee Lewis, Nina Simone, Bobby Vinton, the Wailin’ Jennys, and others do the heavy lifting this spring
Odes to the Office
Dying to return to your place of work? (Or are you back in the office and doing your dying there?) Herewith, a collection of songs that will make you feel better in either case
On the Road Again
Tunes to complement your wanderlust, from Willie Nelson, the Coasters, Laura Nyro and Labelle, Van Dyke Parks, and more
Stoop Slide
Brush up on your boogying with these numbers from Brett Dennen, Mathien, Haim, Mayer Hawthorne, and more
Déjà Voodoo
Reggae covers of non-reggae songs that will make you think twice, from John Holt, Peter Tosh, Marcia Griffiths, Alton Ellis, and more
World-Wise
Songs about our precious planet, from Moondog, Nils Frahm, the Turtles, Rare Earth, Koko Taylor, and more
Emergency Exit
Come out of hiding with these songs from the Animals, Junior Parker, Lyn Collins, Animal Collective, and more
Neon Dion
The Bronx’s doo-wop prince is also a soulful rock ’n’ roller whose catalogue is as deep as it is vast
Sonic Cinema
When you can’t make it to the movies (or just don’t want to), satisfy your filmic desires with these songs from Lou Reed, Lyle Lovett, Ellen Foley, and more
Lovers’ Season
A soundtrack in homage, with music from the Lemonheads, Eddie Hazel, the Beatles, Elvis Costello & the Attractions, and more
Living for the City
A restaurateur shares his tracks to rebuild New York City to, from Bruce Springsteen, Sister Nancy, Gary Clark Jr., and more
Tripping Out
Lake Street Dive shares their collaborative road-trip playlist, with songs from Mavis Staples, Amber Mark, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, and more
Learning to Reed
On the occasion of the birthday of one of rock ’n’ roll’s finest songwriters, a playlist of Lou Reed covers (and some that aren’t) from Bryan Ferry, Sandra Nkaké, David Bowie, Mink DeVille, and more
Divine Divas
Music to celebrate the fairer sex with, from Jan Bradley, Mina, Bettye Swann, and Lucinda Williams
The Best Is Yet to Come
Delighted that things seem to be looking up in 2021? Celebrate and remain hopeful with these songs from Cher, Harry Belafonte, Cat Stevens, and more
Funny Valentines
Oh, the things we overlook for love. Herewith, honest tracks for faithful lovers, from Alvin Robinson, Ella Fitzgerald, Dorothy Lamour, and more
The Good Earth
Stay grounded with songs from Tracy Chapman, John Denver, Bill Withers, and more
My Ever Changing Moods
Songs for mutable minds, from Marvin Gaye, Seu Jorge, Frank Ocean, the Kinks, and more
Living in Mono
Phil Spector, the thorny mastermind behind the Wall of Sound, died last week. Herewith, a collection of songs—from the Ronettes, the Ramones, and more—that demonstrate the power of his hidden hand
Bygones and Begones
Music for the weary but hopeful, from Billy Preston, Lucinda Williams, Justin Townes Earle, Henry Thomas, and more
