In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, as Hanukkah ends and Christmas week begins, naturally it’s time for the annual holiday music extravaganza!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for December 20, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Santaland Diaries (excerpt 1)” – David Sedaris
• “Mi La Gozo” – Cheo Feliciano
• “Everybody Knows It’s Christmas” – Roland Gift
• “The Christmas Song” – Roberta Flack
• “Christmas Time Is Here” – Jill Jack
  
• “Santaland Diaries (excerpt 2)” – David Sedaris
• “I’ll Be Your Santa Baby” – Rufus Thomas
  
• “Happy Joyous Hanukkah” – The Klezmatics
  
• “Santaland Diaries (excerpt 3)” – David Sedaris
• “It’s Christmas” – Cory Henry
• “This Christmas I’m Coming Home” – Leon Bridges & Norah Jones
  
• “Mele Kalikimaka” – Jake Shimabukuro & Jimmy Buffet
  
• “At The Holiday Party” – St. Vincent
• “Happy Kwanza” – Teddy Pendergrass
  

• “Santaland Diaries (excerpt 4)” – David Sedaris
• “Someday At Christmas” – The Accidentals
• “No So Merry Christmas” – Michigander
• “No So Merry Christmas” – Raul Malo
• “Christmastime Is Here” – Spoon
• “8 Days” – Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
  
• “Driving Home For Christmas” – Kathy Kosins
• “Santaland Diaries (excerpt 5)” – David Sedaris
• “Who Took The Merry Out of Christmas” – Staples Singers
  
• “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” – Ella Fitzgerald
• “Mistletoe And Holly” – aron!
• “Hanukkah Blessings” – Barenaked Ladies
• “Santaland Diaries (excerpt 6)” – David Sedaris
• “What Are You Doing New year’s Eve?” – Herb Alpert

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

Looking back at 2025, Rob Reinhart from Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music and Acoustic Cafe reflects on the music that cut through the noise and brought moments of joy during a challenging year.

From the infectious energy of Jon Batiste’s “Big Money” — a delightful track from an album famously created in just 12 days — to “After I’m Dead” by Detroit rocker Ryan Allen, a sharp, compact song from one of three albums released by Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms in 2025, Rob’s picks celebrate humor, heart, and creativity at its most human.

Rob says, “Looking back at 2025, I wanted to see what captured my attention the most. The music that made me laugh held the biggest sway over me this year. It helped to brighten the mood in an otherwise very dark year. Smiles count, too! In that spirit, I offer the following samples of tracks that brightened my year.”

Check out Rob’s full Best of 2025 playlist below, and listen to In the Groove to hear the tracks that brought some much-needed light to the year.

• “BIG MONEY” – Jon Batiste
• “After I’m Dead” – Ryan Allen And His Extra Arms
• “Chicago” – Mavis Staples
• “Round and Round” – Alex Williams
• “No Champagne (6am)” – Cautious Clay
• “Divide and Conquer” – The Devil Makes Three
• “If Not For Love” – Durand Jones & The Indications, Durand Jones & Aaron Frazer
• “Killer Bee” – Jack Spivey
• “Yard Sale” – Priscilla Block
• “Uptown Downtown” – Jon Cleary
• “Sleeves Up” – Crys Matthews

Tune in Friday, Dec. 12 – Friday Dec. 19 on 101.9 WDET FM, stream anytime at wdet.org — and follow along online for daily Best Of playlists and reflections from our music hosts.

See the Best of 2025 playlists »

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, remembering the sweet voice of Raul Malo in 2 studio sessions from 2009 and 2010. He died this week at age 60.

Also, new music from the duo TOMORA, Daniel Caesar, and Mavis Staples. Then we take it back to December 1965 (which is still with us every day), a Parliament classic from December 1975 and more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for December 13, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Ring The Alarm” – TOMORA
• “Conqueror” – Aurora
• “Florescence” – Big Gigantic & Lady Blackbird
• “If I Told You” – Lady Blackbird
• “The Gingerbread Monster” – Emma Guzman
  
• “Think For Yourself” – The Beatles (“Rubber Soul,” Dec. 1965)
• “Get Off Of Me Cloud” – The Rolling Stones (“December’s Children,” Dec. 1965)
• “My Generation” – The Who (“My Generation,” Dec. 1965)
• “Linus & Lucy” – Vince Guaraldi Trio (“A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Dec. 1965)
• “Call On Me” – Daniel Caesar
• “Satisfied Mind” – Mavis Staples
  
• “Poison In My Well” – Maggie Rose & Grace Potter
• “You Always Win” – Raul Malo (Acoustic Cafe performance, 2009)
  

• “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Ella Fitzgerald
  
• “Wonderful Christmastime” – The Accidentals
• “Who’s That” – Brother Wallace
• “What Good?” – Arkells
  
• “Giving Up” – Michigander
• “Give Up The Funk” – Parliament (“Mothership Connection,” Dec. 1975)
  
• “Screwdriver” – Prince (“Hit N Run Phase 2,” Dec. 2015)
• “Looking Out For #1” – B.T.O. (“Head On,” Dec. 1975)
• “Beck N Call” – waterbaby
• “In The Saddle” – Whitney
• “Ignorance Is Bliss” – Alice Merton
• “Living For Today” – Raul Malo (Acoustic Cafe performance, 2010)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, family bands and family members making music together! From The Jackson 5 to Dolly Parton, oklou to The Brothers Johnson, Detroit’s The Jones Girls and some fun family in-studio performances from Acoustic Cafe.

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for November 29, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “The Hard Way” – Jimmy Cliff
• “Many Rivers To Cross” – Delta Spirit (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Family” – Aloe Blacc
• “Family Affair” – Sly & The Family Stone
  
• “Let’s Celebrate” – The Jones Girls
  
• “Alien” – Chris & Trixie Whitley (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “You Can’t Fail Me Now” – Loudon & Lucy Wainwright Roche (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Evona Darling” – Linda & Teddy Thompson (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Family Time” – Ziggy Marley (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Upside” – Southern Avenue
• “Ode To My Family” – The Cranberries
• “Family & Friends” – The Isley Brothers
• “friends & family” – oklou
  

• “We Are Family” – Sister Sledge
• “Family Reserve” – Lyle Lovett
• “Smoky Mountain DNA” – Dolly Parton & Family
• “I’ll Be Good To You” – The Brothers Johnson
  
• “I Want You Back” – The Jackson 5
• “Back In Your Head” – Tegan & Sara (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Close The Door” – The Holmes Brothers (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Key To The Highway” – Phil & Dave Alvin (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Family Bible” – Willie Nelson & Family
• “Family Table” – Bill Withers
• “Family Ghost” – Jeff Tweedy
• “Nothing Compares To You” – The Family
  
• “Let’s Do It Again” – The Staple Singers
  

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, “Double Fantasy” by John Lennon and Yoko Ono turned 45 this week, plus a look at the upcoming Ann Arbor Folk Festival—happening Jan. 30-31!

Also, we’ll remember the late songwriter Todd Snider with some neat in-studio performances from Acoustic Cafe.

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for November 22, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Bitter Rivals” – Sleigh Bells
• “Piranhanana” – Shovels & Rope
• “By The End Of The Night” – Amber Mark
• “Heartbreaker” – Indigo De Souza
  
• “Wildfire Skies” – The City Lines
  
• “Talkin’ Seattle Blues” – Todd Snider
  
• “Dearborn” – Bahamas
  
• “Godspeed” – Mavis Staples
  
• “Celeste” – GoldFord
• “Witch Dance” – Florence & The Machine
• “Honeydew (No Light)” – Josh Ritter
  
• “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen (Night At The Opera turning 50)

• “Monument” – Greensky Bluegrass (A2FF, January 30)
• “Hold On Tight” – Amos Lee (A2FF, January 31)
• “Shake Shake” – Jon Muq (A2FF, January 31)
• “A Little Bit Of Everything” – Dawes (A2FF, January 31)
• “The Well” – The Crane Wives (A2FF, January 31)
• “My Generation, Pt. 2” – Todd Snider (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Black Myself” – Amythyst Kiah
• “I’m Losing You” – John Lennon & Yoko Ono (Double Fantasy is now 45 y/o)
• “Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)” – John Lennon
  
• “Everybody Knows” – The Legal Matters
  
• “Long Haired Country Boy” – Todd Snider (Acoustic Cafe performance)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, some great covers  and originals from Mavis Staples’ new album “Sad And Beautiful World.” Plus some other songs Mavis chose by the original artists!

Also, the Detroiter who started the iconic Bloodshot Records in Chicago, new Sampa The Great, Detroit’s Nick Behnan, the late Motown artist Ted Lucas and lots more.

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for November 15, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Sad And Beautiful World” – Mavis Staples
• “God Speed” – Frank Ocean
• “Cold At Night” – Mountain Goats
• “Stay In Your Lane” – Courtney Barnett
  
• “The Line” – Nick Behnan
  
• “What A Racket” – Joe Jackson (as Max Champion)
  
• “Hit Single’” – Joe Jackson
  
• “Can’t Hold Us” – Sampa The Great
  
• “Hold On To The Light” – Jack Johnson & Hermanos Gutiérrez
• “Ain’t Nobody Making Me High” – Bartees Strange
• “Evelyn Wood” – The Hangabouts
• “Hater’s Anthem” – Infinity Song
• “I’ll Find A Way (To Carry It All) – Folk Bitch Trio
  
• “It’s So Easy (When You Know What You’re Doing)” – Ted Lucas
  

• “Chicago” – Mavis Staples
• “We Got To Have Peace” – Curtis Mayfield
• “Trixies, Pt. 1” – Squeeze
• “From The Cradle To The Grave” – Squeeze (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “The Last Day I Went Crazy” – Kate Hinote Trio
  
• “Ivy” – Old 97’s (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Castanets” – Alejandro Escovedo (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “To Be Young” – Ryan Adams (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Rock Bottom, Population 1” – Robbie Fulks (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “New Rochelle (1 AM)” – Cautious Clay
• “Change A Life” – St. Paul & The Broken Bones
  
• “Everybody Needs Love” – Mavis Staples
• “Satisfied Mind” – Jeff Buckley & Gary Lucas
  

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, some songs from, and covers of Neil Young as he approaches his 80th birthday next week!

Also, the great Mavis Staples with a new single, nighttime music from Cautious Clay, The Accidentals kick off the holiday season and more.

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for November 8, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Love Is A Rose” – Neil Young
• “Old Man” – N’dea Davenport (Acoustic Cafe recording, 1998)
• “Human Mind” – Mavis Staples
• “You Are Not Alone” – Mavis Staples
  
• “A Hazy Shade Of Winter” – The Accidentals
  
• “Dry The Rain” – The Beta Band
  
• “Stone Rollin’” – Raphael Saadiq
  
• “Lady” – D’Angelo
  
• “No Kings” – Jesse Welles
• “The World’s Gone Wrong” – Lucinda Williams ft. Brittney Spencer
• “shut up” – Royel Otis
• “Half Asleep” – Twin Shadow
• “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” – Maia Sharp
  

• “Broken Arrow” – Neil Young, live at Canterbury House, Ann Arbor, 1968
• “Harvest Moon” – Cassandra Wilson
• “Runnin'” – GoldFord
• “Fade To Blue (11 PM)” – Cautious Clay
• “Lover Killer” – My Brightest Diamond
• “Southern California Brings Me Down” – National Lampoon
  
• “Open Your Umbrellas” – Sloan
• “Tanana” – Portugal. The Man
  
• “Party Pack” – Trombone Shorty
  
• “Another Life” – Alabama Shakes
  
• “Pajarito” – Jose Gonzalez
• “Old Man” – Lizz Wright (Acoustic Cafe recording, 2005)
• “Keep On Rockin’ In The Free World” – Neil Young

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, a new month brings a new set of album anniversaries, including classics from The Miracles, Four Tops, L.L. Cool J and more.

Also, lots of new music from Brandi Carlile, Jalen Ngonda, Lucinda Williams with Brittney Spencer and Sloan!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for November 1, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “What Good” – Arkells
• “Call On Me” – Daniel Caesar
• “Keeper” – Courtney Marie Andrews
• “All About Me” – Jalen Ngonda
  
• “What It Is” – Will Sessions ft. Dames Brown
  
• “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” – LL Cool J (November 1985)
  
• “Something About You” – The Four Tops (November 1965)
• “You Sexy Thing” – Hot Chocolate (November 1985)
• “Unpopular Ideas” – The Mammals
  
• “k.i.s.s.” – keiyaA
• “The Bridge” – Mike Reid & Joe Henry (Acoustic Cafe preview)
• “Ain’t Nobody Making Me High” – Bartees Strange
  
• “Let It Bleed” – Rolling Stones (November 1995)

• “Unshielded Desire” – John Abercrombie, Dave Holland & Jack DeJohnette
  
• “Straight, No Chaser” – Bruce Hornsby, Christian McBride & Jack DeJohnette
• “If You Want Me” – The Womack Sisters
  
• “Chicken Wings” – Samm Henshaw
• “Back To The Land” – JR JR
• “Hey Lover” – LL Cool J ft. Boyz II Men (November 1995)
• “Good Day” – Tally Hall (November 2005)
• “Give Me One Reason” – Tracy Chapman (November 1995)
• “Witch Dance” – Florence & The Machine
• “Heathcliff” – Snocaps (Katie & Allison Crutchfield)
• “The World’s Gone Wrong” – Lucinda Williams ft. Brittney Spencer
  
• “Night In” – Brittney Spencer
• “shut up” – Royel Otis
• “Going To A Go-Go” – Smokey & The Miracles (November 1965)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, Brandi Carlile returns to self, and Cautious Clay returns with late night songs.

Also, tons of re-issues from Smashing Pumpkins, Elton John, Ringo Starr and more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for October 25, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “5th Floor (10 PM)” – Cautious Clay
• “Dracula” – Tame Impala
• “Dearborn” – Bahamas
• “Misled” – Kool & The Gang
  
• “The Day is Long” – The Whiskey Charmers
  
• “Bullet With Butterfly Wings” – Smashing Pumpkins
  
• “Tonight, Tonight” – Leslie Odum Jr.
• “Norwegian Wood” – Jacob Collier
  
• “Nothing More Lonely” – St. Paul & The Broken Bones
  
• “Church And State” – Brandi Carlile
• “Run It Back” – Madison McFerrin
• “Let’s Do It Again” – The Staple Singers
• “Tell Me When The Whistle Blows” – Elton John

• “Rubberband Man” – Mumford & Sons + Hozier
  
• “The Rubberband Man” – The Detroit Spinners
• “Way Out, Way Down” – Peter Litvin
• “Dans Un Moment D’errance” – The Midnight Hour
• “Thieves In The Temple” – Herbie Hancock
• “Thieves In The Temple” – Prince
• “Fatal Optimist” – Madi Diaz
• “Early 1970” – Ringo Starr
• “Snookeroo” – Ringo Starr
• “By the End Of The Night” – Amber Mark
• “Cruisin'” – D’Angelo

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, a fond farewell to D’Angelo, with cool Detroit connections.

Also, brand new St. Paul, Courtney Barnett, Oklou ft. FKA Twigs, Amber Mark, and lots more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for October 18, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “viscus” – Oklou ft. FKA Twigs
• “Tie You Down” – HAIM ft. Bon Iver
• “Get Back Again” – The Tragically Hip
• “Stay In Your Lane” – Courtney Barnett
  
• “Pleasure Zone” – Laura Rain & The Caesars
  
• “Lady” – D’Angelo
• “Be Here” – Raphael Saadiq ft. D’Angelo
• “Over” – Robert Glasper ft. Yebba
  
• “Close To Home” – Flock Of Dimes
• “Big Money” – Jon Batiste
• “So Far To Go” – J Dilla ft. Common, D’Angelo
  

• “Stars Above” – St. Paul & The Broken Bones
  
• “Doing Now” – Hannah Jagadu
• “6th Ward” – Trombone Shorty
• “You Won’t Dig My Grave” – Josh Ritter
• “Ain’t Hurtin’ Nobody” – John Prine (Acoustic Cafe performance, 1995)
  
• “Feel Like Making Love” – D’Angelo
• “Sugah Daddy” – D’Angelo
• “I’ll Stay” – RH Factor ft. D’Angelo
• “The Highway Knows” – Molly Tuttle
• “Let Me Love You” – Amber Mark
• “She’s Always In My Hair” – D’Angelo

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, lots of interesting new pairings from Robert Plant to Robert Glasper, Oklou to Donny Hathaway…

Also, brand new Detroit music from Peter Litvin, Don Was, and lots more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for October 11, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Up” – Danger Mouse, Black Thought, Rag n’ Bone Man
• “Aquamarine” – Danger Mouse, Black Thought, Michael Kiwanuka
• “Everybody’s Song” – Robert Plant and Suzi Dian
• “Rock & Roll” – Langhorne Slim
  
• “Highway Tune” – Greta Van Fleet
• “Hold On To You” – Belle Canyon
• “Midnight Rider” – Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
• “I Just Don’t Want You” – The Womack Sisters
  
• “This Is My Country” – Don Was (Pan Detroit Ensemble)
  
• “Disarray” – Lianne La Havas
  
• “Break The Jaw” – Madison Cunningham
  
• “Where Is The Love” – Donny Hathaway, Roberta Flack
• “Leave The Door Open” – Silk Sonic (happy 40th birthday Bruno Mars!)
  

• “Collect Yourself” – Sloan
• “Fascination In The Dark” – Vance Joy
• “Lonestar” – Charley Crockett
• “Sand Into Stone” – Tuneyards
• “Not Over You” – Peter Litvin
  
• “Just For Pleasure” – Young Gun Silver Fox
• “We Are One” – Maze
• “You Need A Hero” – Pages
• “Yard Sale” – Priscilla Block
• “Pour The Wine” – Sons Of The East (next week at The Majestic)
• “Candle Of Life” – The Moody Blues (RIP John Lodge)
• “I’m Just A Singer In A Rock 7 Roll Band” – The Moody Blues (RIP John Lodge)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, a new month means a new look back in history with October releases from 1965-2005.

Also, brand new Detroit music from Peter Litvin, Masha Marjieh and Joe Jaber, plus TuneYards, Trombone Shorty’s deep dive into Second Line music, John Batiste (coming to The Fox on October 24) and tons more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for October 4, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Siren” – Tune Yards
• “Man On A Mission” – The Black Keys
• “Circle Of The Seasons” – Moonrisers (Acoustic Cafe preview)
• “Secret Island” – Jon Muq
  
• “Okay Alright” – Peter Litvin
  
• “Slave To The Rhythm” – Grace Jones (October 1985)
• “Mr DJ (5 For The DJ)” – Aretha Franklin (October 1975)
• “Don’t Look Back in Anger” – Oasis (October 1995)
• “Here We Go Again” – Sloan
  
• “Heartbreak” – IVY
• “Parting Gift” – Fiona Apple (October 2005)
• “Science Fiction/Double Feature” – Richard O’Brien, 50th Anniversary of Rocky Horror Picture Show
  

• “Street Music” – Trombone Shorty
  
• “Children Of The Baked Potato” – Thundercat
• “Get Down” – Masha Marjieh
• “Pinnacle” – Jon Batiste
• “I Found Home When I Found You” – Joe Jaber
  
• “If I Were You” – k.d. lang (October 1995)
• “All The Things She Said” – Simple Minds (October 1985)
• “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” – Paul Simon (October 1975)
• “Mack The Knife” – Rufus Wainright
• “I Believe In You” – Count Basie & Frank Sinatra
• “Better Broken” – Sarah McLachlan
• “Tonight Tonight” – Smashing Pumpkins (October 1995)
• “You Send Me” – Sam Cooke (October 1965)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, as a HUGE “thank you” to all who supported us during the fundraiser, we’re getting back to “normal” this week with SONGS… In fact, 2 hours of Songs About Songs (and songwriting)! From Aretha to Weezer, EWF to Shaboozey and lots more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for September 27, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Sing A Song” – Earth Wind & Fire
• “Rap Song” – Black Eyed Peas
• “Wrote A Song For Everyone” – John Fogerty
• “I Wrote This Song For You” – Willie Nelson
  
• “A Song” – Apropos
  
• “Life Is A Song Worth Singing” – Teddy Pendergrass
• “Sing A Simple Song” – Sly & The Family Stone
  
• “Sing My Song” – Langhorne Slim
  
• “Border Song” – Aretha Franklin
  
• “Radio Song” – Esperanza Spalding
  
• “Radio Song” – R.E.M.
• “Radio Songs” – Jack Spivey
• “Redemption Song” – Bob Marley & The Wailers
  
• “Love Song” – Lesley Duncan
  

• “A Great Idea For A Song” – Artichoke
• “Same Old Song” – The Lumineers
• “It’s The Same Old Song” – The Four Tops
• “Crappy Love Song” – Theo Katzman
• “Silly Love Songs” – Wings
  
• “Love You Like A Love Song” – Selena Gomez
• “Love Song For No One” – John Mayer
• “No More Love Songs” – Bette Smith
• “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey
• “Prison Song” – Graham Nash
• “A Song For You” – Merry Clayton
• “Look What They Done To My Song” – Ray Charles
• “All My Favorite Songs” – Weezer
• “I’ll Write A Song For You” – Earth Wind & Fire

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, some cool September albums released from 1965-1995. Also, new tunes from Spoon, Trombone Shorty, David Byrne, Fall Out Boy and much more.

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for September 6, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Guess I’m Fallin’ In Love” – Spoon
• “Soak Up The Sun” – Sheryl Crow w/Surf Mesa
• “The Power” – Curtis Harding
• “What Is The Reason For It” – David Byrne w/Hayley Williams
  
• “Say Yes” – Apropos
  
• “Respect” – Otis Redding (released September 1965)
• “Part Time Lover” – Stevie Wonder (released September 1985)
• “Lakeside Park” – Rush (released September 1975)
• “Asshole” – The Lumineers
• “Believe” – Kashus Culpepper
• “Another Life” – Alabama Shakes
• “FLA” – Kathleen Edwards
• “Ben Franklin’s Song” – The Decemberists
  

• “Meeting Across The River” – Bruce Springsteen
• “Born In The U.S.A. (Electric Nebraska)” – Bruce Springsteen
• “Rock The Boat” – Trombone Shorty
• “Rock The Boat” – Aaliyah
• “Wild And Clear And Blue” – I’m With Her (Acoustic Cafe preview)
  
• “I Hate U” – Prince (released September 1995)
• “Oh Sheila” – Ready For The World (released September 1985)
• “Tracks Of My Tears” – Linda Ronstadt (released September 1975)
• “Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
• “Start Today” – Fall Out Boy
• “Horses Through A Rainstorm” – Graham Nash
• “Live Life” – Terry Reid (RIP, 8/4/25)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, we’re honoring Jazz Fest by revisiting an Acoustic Cafe interview from 2024 with festival performer Keyon Harrold and his Detroiter filled band!

Also, lots more jazz from Robert Glasper, Trombone Shorty, Brad Mehldau, plus some other music of interest this final week of Summer ’25!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for August 30, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Don’t Lie” – Keyon Harrold (at Big Sky Studio, Ann Arbor, March 2024)
• “Beautiful Day” – Keyon Harrold (at Big Sky Studio, Ann Arbor, March 2024)
• “The End Of Our Road” – Gladys Knight & The Pips
• “Dandelions” – Whitney
  
• “Petrichor” – Jon Batiste
  
• “Same Old Song” – The Lumineers (coming to Comerica Park, 9/13)
  
• “Between The Bars” – Brad Mehldau
  
• “Love On Your Side” – Adam Plomaritas
  
• “Listen To The Music” – The Isley Brothers
  

• “The Intellectual” – Keyon Harrold (at Big Sky Studio, Ann Arbor, March 2024)
• “Foreverland” – Keyon Harrold (at Big Sky Studio, Ann Arbor, March 2024)
• “Travelin’ Band” – John Fogerty
• “I Just Want To Celebrate” – Marshall Crenshaw
• “Rm 112” – Robert Glasper (flipped by Karriem Riggins)
  
• “Optimistic” – August Greene
• “Thirteen” – Brad Mehldau
• “The Stuff” – Rachael & Vilray
  
• “Earth” – Stratos (w/Santino Jones)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

This Detroit Jazz Festival weekend, Rob Reinhart brings something special to Essential Music. On Friday, August 30, Rob will re-air his interview and live performance with trumpeter Keyon Harrold, recorded earlier this year on his nationally syndicated show Acoustic Café.

Keyon Harrold, performing at this year’s Detroit Jazz Festival, joined Rob back in May to talk about his latest album, “Foreverland”. During that session, Harrold performed selections from the record and shared insights into his creative process, life on the road, and the stories behind the music.

You can hear the full interview and performance on Essential Music during the festival weekend. But if you’d like a preview, check it out now on Acoustic Café.

Don’t miss this chance to hear one of today’s most powerful trumpeters as Detroit comes alive with the sounds of jazz.

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, some cool music from and around the 50th anniversary of Springsteen’s “Born To Run” album. It turns 50 on Monday, August 25.

Also, Chance the Rapper with Jazmine Sullivan, The City Lines with new Motor City Music, Jack White punches back hard and more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for August 23, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Finest Worksong” – R.E.M.
  
• “Daria” – Toro y Moi
  
• “Everybody Scream” – Florence & The Machine
• “‘Running Boy” – Mon Rovia (at The Ark 11/19)
• “That’s How I Feel'” – Jack White
• “Born To Run” – Bruce Springsteen
  
• “Thunder Road” – Matt Nathanson
  
• “So Young And In Love” – Bruce Springsteen
• “Moody” – Royel Otis
• “Sushi & Coca Cola” – St. Paul & The Broken Bones
• “Found A Friend” – Southern Avenue (at The Leon Loft, Ann Arbor)
• “Gethsemane” – Ian Gillan (turned 80 this week)
  

• “Lisztomania” – Phoenix
  
• “Old Me, New Wig” – Molly Tuttle (9/11 at Masonic)
• “Speed Of Love” – Chance The Rapper w/Jazmine Sullivan
• “People” – Patrick Adams
• “Do It All” – The City Lines
• “Janey Needs A Shooter” – Bruce Springsteen
• “Jeannie Needs A Shooter” – Warren Zevon
  
• “You Were Wrong” – Roomful Of Blues
• “Walking The Dog” – Rufus Thomas
• “Watch Me Go” – Lord Huron
• “She’s The One” – Bruce Springsteen

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, what’s the point of the Dream Cruise without cruising music? We’ll provide.

Also, a lovely new duet from Detroit’s Lilly Macphee with Mike Leslie, new music from IVY, Durand Jones & The Indications, Chance the Rapper with Jazmine Sullivan and more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for August 16, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “If She Could See Me Now” – Lorde
  
• “Lucky Stars” – HAIM
  
• “Flower Moon” – Durand Jones & The Indications
• “‘Heartbreak” – IVY
• “Someone I Knew” – Lilly Macphee & Mike Leslie
• “White Mustang” – Lana Del Ray
• “My Mustang Ford” – Chuck Berry
  
• “Mustang Sally” – Wilson Pickett
• “Mustang Sally & GTO” – John Lee Hooker
  
• “Peaceful Place” – Leon Bridges
• “Lonestar” – Charley Crockett
  
• “Southern Man” – Kashus Culpepper w/Marcus King
  
• “Save Your Tears” – Jade Bird
• “Immigration Man” – The Roamers
• “Immigration Man” – David Crosby & Graham Nash
  

• “Express Yourself” – N.W.A.
• “Foreign Bird” – Folk Bitch Trio
• “Always On My Mind” – Chrissie Hynde
• “Boots Of Chinese Plastic” – The Pretenders
  
• “Muddy Shores'” – Moonrisers
  
• “Sunday Driver” – The Raconteurs
  
• “Baby Driver” – Simon & Garfunkel
  
• “One Piece At A Time” – Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Three
• “Motor City” – The Satintones
• “Being A Woman” – Lake Street Dive
• “I Want You Back” – Lake Street Dive
• “All My Ex’s Live In Texas” – George Strait
• “Motor City Steel” – The Dandy Warhols

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, some anniversary re-issues from Common, John Prine and Natalie Cole.

Also, new music from Disclosure with Anderson Paak, Detroit’s Thornetta Davis, Kate Hinote Trio, Jack Spivey and more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for August 9, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “GO!” – Common (20th anniversary re-issue of “Be”)
  
• “Hey, Ah, Nothin'” – John Prine (30th anniversary re-issue of “Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings”)
• “I Gotta Sang The Blues” – Thornetta Davis (cover of Living Blues magazine!)
• “‘Heartthrob” – Indigo De Souza
• “Closer” – Tegan & Sara
• “luther” – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
• “luther” – Iron & Wine & Ben Bridwell
  
• “If This World Were Mine” – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
  
• “Fletchers” – Craig Finn
• “Kissing Other People” – kissing other ppl
  
• “Forever Never Lasts” – Rachael & Vilray
  
• “Time After Time” – Benny Sings
• “But Not For Me” – Amos Lee
  

• “Pink Cadillac” – Natalie Cole Common (75 birthday anniversary re-issue of “Everlasting”)
• “Fire” – The Pointer Sisters
• “Witness” – The Wood Brothers
• “I Can See The Devil” – S.G. Goodman
  
• “Over & Over'” – Jack Spivey
  
• “Upside” – Southern Avenue
• “Philosophy” – Ben Folds Five (debut released 30 years ago this week)
• “NO CAP” – Disclosure w/Anderson Paak
• “It’s My Toy” – Kate Hinote Trio
• “Ordinary Creature” – Of Monsters & Men
• “El Molestoso” – Eddie Palmieri
• “Revolt El Libertad Logico – Eddie Palmieri

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org