Starting Point playlist for Wednesday, April 25, 2012

STARTING POINT PLAYLIST FOR 4/25/12

The morning began with Run DMC’s “Mary, Mary” thanks to – you guessed it – Rep. Mary Bono Mack. The late eighties rap/rock hit was actually a cover of a cover. The Monkees released their version of the song in 1967, a year after it was featured on the Butterfield Blues Band album.

Christine Romans sat in for Soledad today and her first pick was “Jumpin' Jack Flash” by the Rolling Stones, who made two more appearances on this morning’s playlist. Christine also chose the Stones’ song “Start Me Up,” and panelist Ron Brownstein played “Gimme Shelter.”

Also on Ron’s playlist was “Celebrity Skin” by Hole. The alternative band, fronted by Courtney Love, reunited in New York just a couple of weeks ago for a screening of the drummer’s documentary. The band members asked the audience if any ladies in the house wanted to join them for a song, because – as Love’s reputation implies – she might not show up. “You never know – we never know.” But then she appeared, strapping on a guitar and performing two songs.

Sticking with eighties hits, you also heard George Michael’s “Faith.” It was one of his biggest hits, reaching the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1987.

Will Cain’s pick for today was “Suspicious Minds” by Dwight Yoakam. The song was originally released by Elvis in 1969 and is #91 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Zoraida Sambolin shook things up with Shakira’s “Addicted to You.” It is the fifth single off the Sale el Sol (The Sun Comes Out) album, which was nominated for three Latin Grammy Awards and won for Best Female Pop Vocal Album.

“Mr. Wendal” by Arrested Development was John Fugelsang’s music choice for today. This month, the hip hop group is marking the 20^th anniversary of their album “3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of...” by releasing a video for the song “Living” and holding a contest where fans must count the number of times the words “life,” “living,” “live” and “alive” appear. With that number they can submit an essay about life for the chance to win a trip to Atlanta and a cameo in Arrested Development’s next video.

Billy Joel released a cover of “When You Wish Upon a Star” in 1991 and that was T. Boone Pickens’ playlist song. When he recorded the song, Joel had recently worked with Disney on the animated film “Olive & Company,” voicing the carefree character of Dodger, a dog who befriends an orange kitten.

The rest of the playlist was dedicated to SP guest Blair Underwood, who is currently on Broadway in “A Streetcar Named Desire.” From his playlist, we heard “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind & Fire; “Dance Again” by Jennifer Lopez and Pit Bull; and “Wobble” by V.I.C.