Starting Point playlist for April 4, 2012

STARTING POINT PLAYLIST 4/4/12

Starting Point began with a song from Soledad’s own playlist, “American Boy” by Estelle, featuring Kanye West. The Grammy award winning hit from 2008 was written by several people including Estelle, West and will.i.am.

Panelist Van Jones chose Bob Marley’s “So Much Trouble in the World Today.” The song comes from the Survival album, which is largely considered to be one of Marley’s most commanding political statements as a musician. Survival calls on listeners to rise up against oppression, specifically inSouth Africa. The controversial album went beyond the music; the CD jacket even included a diagram of a slave ship.

Will Cain lightened the mood with his first pick of the day, Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’.” The 1989 song is Petty’s most famous and well-known even amongst kids today, as it’s been a favorite cover song from the likes of the Jonas Brothers and Nick Carter.

Ron Brownstein chose Fiona Apple’s “Paper Bag.” The song is off her 1999 album When the Pawn… The full album title is actually a much longer poem, and Apple’s upcoming release is already drawing comparisons. On Monday, Apple posted on Facebook that her long awaited fourth album, The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do, will be out on June 19.

Senator John McCain joined us from Arizonabut still got one of his favorite songs on the playlist. Abba’s “Dancing Queen” is apparently popular amongst Republicans. The LA Times reported in May that at a speech inIowa, Newt Gingrich’s phone went off and played the 1970s dance hit to a very confused audience.

Van Jones’ next choice was Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.” 100 percent of the profits from this single, which reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, were donated to charity.

Christine Romans contributed the classic Billy Joel hit “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” The unusual style of the song made a big hit but also a big target for parodies. The Office’s eccentric Dwight Schrute revised the lyrics in season two and “The Wii Didn’t Start the Fire” spelled out the history of video games, among other.

The Rolling Stones’ “Beast of Burden” was on the playlist thanks to Will Cain. The 1978 song, from the album Some Girls, was covered by Bette Midler and the video featured Mick Jagger.

Played from Bruce Springsteen’s album that was dropped last month was “Rocky Ground.” Ron Brownstein’s pick is one of the more creative songs on the record, opening with the words “I’m a soldier” from a 1942 recording of a congregation inClarksdale, Miss.   

“America” by Prince was up next, chosen by Van Jones. An extended version of the song was almost 22 minutes long.

The Eli Young Band’s “Crazy Girl” was next from Will Cain. The band has seen a lot of success with this song; it received three nominations and “Song of the Year” at last weekend’sAcademy ofCountry Music awards. The guys made it big when a promoter suggested them to Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, and the band was soon the couple’s opening act.

Up next was neo soul musician Mayer Hawthorn’s song “The Walk” as chosen by Ron Brownstein. The singer-songwriter, originally fromMichigan, has been finding a lot of success since moving toL.A. in 2008. He’s performed with Amy Winehouse and Bruno Mars. He’s touring on his own now.

Dave Matthews closed the show with “Stay (Wasting Time)” from Christine Romans. The song reached #8 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.