PLAYLIST
“Crack the Case” Dawes
I saw this song live a year or two ago and ended up listening to live recordings on YouTube over and over for a month.
“Valerie” Steve Winwood
Steve Winwood was a big influence for the new record. He’s a perfect mix of musicality and great pop sensibilities.
“Space Cowboy” Kacey Musgraves
I loved the whole record! It felt like such a breath of fresh air and is so rich both sonically and musically.
“Old Friends” Ben Rector
This is a song I’m excited to sing on tour. The music video stars my old high school band and was filmed in my parent’s garage. Easily the most fun I’ve ever had shooting a video.
“All Night” Big Boi
I heard this song on an Apple commercial and thought two things: I love this, and this sounds an awful lot like something LunchMoney Lewis did. Both turned out to be true.
“Phyllis” Lettuce
I could listen to this drum groove for ten years straight and not get tired of it.
“Old Men Young Women” Lori McKenna
The songwriting is just so incredibly efficient, there’s not a wasted word, and her performance and the recording bring it to life in a way that you can feel the humor and the ache.
“Old School” Josie Dunne
This is everything I want from a pop song. So much character in her delivery, clever lyrics, efficient production.
“Christmas in L.A.” Vulfpeck
Musically, they’re masters on their instruments ... and brandwise everything they put out is so uniquely them and well done.
“Scenes From an Italian Restaurant” Billy Joel
Probably my favorite Billy Joel song, I listened to this on loop while working out recently (a strange choice for the gym, I know) and it’s just so good.
To celebrate the release of his new album, “Magic” (out now), and his U.S. headlining tour kicking off in September, singer/songwriter Ben Rector shares a playlist of favorites with USA TODAY.