momentarily jolting. but in the long-term, unsuccessful

insert record-scratching sound here

I am the author, producer, and podcast creator/host Danyel Smith. SHINE BRIGHT HQ is where I freestyle about music and culture.

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The powers be have made songs an endangered species. But near me? There’s always something playing or about to play. Always some old line circling me, or some fresh notes pulling at my mind. Within my obsessions, there is always that one stretch or that one pause or that one ooomph that makes a song my song. I’m going to list a bunch of “my” songs (as the song goes) right here.

I’ve been working in the culture business a long time, so I’ve had to be disciplined about maintaining my emotional connection to songs. One of the ways I do this is the same way I’ve done it since I first gained control of the radio, then albums, cassettes, CDs, aux cord — I write down the parts of songs that thrill me. Then I mesmerize myself by listening to those moments on repeat. I can, and have, sent myself into ecstatic trances doing this. I used to date someone who so resented the joy I found in sound that he would