saw the Police play in Knoxville when I was a teenager, and I always wondered what band played that cool song I heard coming out of the speakers as we walked to our seats.

But much like college-radio-student-disc-jockey roulette, sometimes there’s no way you’ll ever know the name of that particular song. I would inevitably find myself in my local record store badly singing half-remembered lyrics to the girl behind the counter, hoping she could piece together enough to help me fill in another clue on my treasure map, leading me to a new band.

I wanted to know, Did the guys in the Police pick that song? If so, do they like that band? What music do the people who make the music I love listen to?

So, in an effort to put into the world the things I would like to receive back, here is our current walk-in music playlist, and a little bit about why each song is there. I like to change this list out every few weeks or so, and will send along new updates as I do. I hope this will maybe turn you on to some music that you don’t know or bring you back to some music you already love in a new way.

Phoenix, “1901”  Jennifer turned me on to this song and this band. I like the way it sounds in the PA, and we keep threatening to cover this song. 

Will Hoge, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” Will opened for us on a few shows last year, and I think this song says it all. I share his belief that music can save us.

The Psychedelic Furs, “Pretty In Pink” One of their great successes. It even inspired a movie, so it’s worth blaring through speakers at a rock show.

Prince, “Alphabet Street” I’m a huge Prince fan, and I like the sound of the drums in this recording.

The Decemberists, “Calamity Song” I just bought this album recently and was excited about how much like R.E.M. it sounded, so I read the liner notes… and realized that Peter Buck from R.E.M. is actually playing on this song. Then I liked the album even more.

Bruce Springsteen, “Born in the U.S.A.” Like incense in a Japanese temple, so is Bruce’s voice rising out of giant speakers in an arena: preparing the room for what is coming.

INXS, “Need You Tonight” The pieces of this song work like a perfect machine. An apt set-up for the night.

Madness, “Our House” This CD got stolen from my dorm room when I was 16 and I never found out who took it. I loved this song.

The Police, “So Lonely” This has timed out to be the song I hear every night when I’m walking down the hallway to the stage. I remember learning every note and every drum fill as a teen. It taught me so much, and it sounds great loud.

The Cure, “Just Like Heaven” Jennifer and I got on a Cure listening spree in our headphones on the way back from London. This band is so incredibly good and this song is a great example.

Dierks Bentley (with the Punch Brothers, feat. Del McCoury), “Pride (In The Name Of Love)” What’s not to like here? Some of the best bluegrass musicians around, Dierks, and a U2 anthem. If you don’t own this album (Up on the Ridge), you should. 

Sara Bareilles, “Uncharted” Sara will be on tour with us in the second half of this year. She’s a great writer, singer, and player. This is one of my favorite cuts on her new album.

Want to hear clips of these songs or download the whole playlist for yourself? Visit Sugarland’s Ping page at iTunes here!

Photo Credit: Dana Tynan