The Friday Music Shuffle (22 May 2026)

Sunshine greetings from Bristol, England, and welcome to the Friday Music Shuffle.

Yes, it’s that time of the week where my music machine chooses ten random songs from my collection and I tell you what it’s chosen. And all I ask you to do is to click on the song title, listen and, if you can, sing along.

Please feel free to join in the ‘fun’. I hope you find something you like!

1. Paradise by Bruce Springsteen. Marvellous stuff by the Boss from his 2002 post 9/11 classic The Rising.
2. King Of The World by Steely Dan. Back to 1973 and this gem is from the Dan’s magnificent Countdown To Ecstasy and features a jolly tale about a post nuclear war survivor.
3. The Road Not Taken by Bruce Hornsby and the Range. Back to 1988 and a banger from Scenes From The Southside. So good, so underrated.
4. I’m Not Sayin’/Ribbon Of Darkness by Gordon Lightfoot. Live performance from Gord’s excellent 1969 long player Live At Massey Hall.
5. Rainbows Bent by The Association. The wonderful American sixties harmony band had a glorious 1972 return to form with Waterbeds In Trinidad.
6. Before The Throne Of The Invisible God by Corinne Bailey Rae. Speaking of returns to form, here’s Corinne with a joint from 2023’s outstanding Black Rainbows.
7. My Sweet Annette by Drive-By Truckers. Back to 2003, this comes from their legendary album Decoration Day and it’s every bit as good as they say it was. Essential.
8. Stride Rite by Animal Collective. From 2023’s Isn’t It Now? Panda Bear and co are on top form on this rich harmony classic, with oriental overtones.
9. Footstompin’ Music by Grand Funk Railroad. I may be the only person in the UK to own this single from the band’s 1971 album E Pluribus Funk. I remember virtually begging my mum to get it for me with my saved up pocket money. Still love it.
10. Hold The Line by Toto. Well, it’s a classic, isn’t it, from their eponymous solo album released in 1978.

I reckon that’s the best shuffle of all time. Today’s almost impossible to choose Desert Island Disc is … King Of The World by Steely Dan.

Have a good week till next week.