Three Janis Joplin songs make a good introduction to her different bands. Start with “Piece of My Heart” for Big Brother & the Holding Company, “Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)” for the Kozmic Blues Band, and “Me and Bobby McGee” for the Full Tilt Boogie Band era.
From Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” in 1970 to The Clash’s “London Calling” in 1979, here’s one song for every year of the ’70s. The playlist moves through soul, funk, country, reggae, rock, and disco in release order.
Gordon Lightfoot’s “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” tells the story of a Great Lakes freighter that sank on Lake Superior on November 10, 1975, with all 29 crew members aboard. The original recording appeared on Summertime Dream in 1976. Listen for the way the same guitar figure keeps returning as the story moves from the ship’s final voyage to the people who remember her.
Start with “The Race Is On” for George Jones at full speed, “The Grand Tour” for his way with a heartbreak story, and “Golden Ring” for the sound of Jones and Tammy Wynette trading lines.
Start with Hank Williams’s “Your Cheatin’ Heart” for old-school honky-tonk, Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” for a smooth Nashville ballad, or Lainey Wilson’s “Heart Like a Truck” for a newer country anthem. These 20 country music songs trace how the genre sounds across generations, from fiddle and steel guitar to crossover pop and soul.
If you’re getting into Gwen Stefani’s solo songs, start with the drumline stomp of “Hollaback Girl,” the soft-focus pop of “Cool,” and the sunny hook of “The Sweet Escape” with Akon.
Start with “Back & Forth” for Aaliyah’s early dance-floor sound, “One in a Million” for her spare, offbeat R&B, and “Rock the Boat” for the easy sway of her third album.
Songs about the U.S. can celebrate its people, question its promises, or simply notice the details of daily life. These 20 tracks bring together country, soul, rock, and pop perspectives, including a few views from artists outside America.
Songs from The Sound of Music include “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things,” “Edelweiss” and the title number. The 1965 film follows Maria and the von Trapp family, with music that moves between teaching games, quiet affection and moments of courage.
Van Morrison’s songs move from the sharp R&B of Them to romantic ballads, swinging jazz, and long, reflective performances. These 20 choices offer several ways into his catalogue, whether you are starting with “Brown Eyed Girl” or looking for something to play next.