In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, Rock & Roll Hall Of Famers — including The White Stripes, Outkast and Joe Cocker — album releases from the month of May in the past, new Detroit rock from Nick Behnan and Ryan Allen, in-studio songs from Mike Peters (The Alarm) and Jill Sobule, both of whom left us this week at age 66; 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 May 3, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Icky Thump” – The White Stripes (R&R HOF inductee 2025)
  
• “Oh, Atlanta” – Bad Company (R&R HOF inductee 2025)
• “Stream Of Consciousness” – Yukimi w/Lianne La Havas
• “Mr. Nelson” – Prince w/Lianne La Havas
• “Brain Lift” – Nick Behnan
• “It’s Not Unusual” – Tom Jones (released May 1965)
  
• “Busting Up A Starbucks” – Mike Doughty (released May 2005)
• “All I Do Is Think Of You” – The Jackson 5 (released May 1975)
• “The Day The Politicians Died” – Magnetic Fields
• “My Stupid Boyfriend” – Magnetic Fields
• “Chain Of Fools” – Joe Cocker (R&R HOF inductee 2025)
• “Ms Jackson” – Outkast (R&R HOF inductee 2025)
• “Heroes” – Jill Sobule (1/16/59 – 5/1/25)
• “I Kissed A Girl” – Jill Sobule (1/16/59 – 5/1/25)

• “Texas Hold ‘Em” – Beyonce (Cowboy Carter Tour started this week)
• “High Note” – Mavis Staples (coming to Concert Of Colors in July)
• “Wait” – Paul Thorn
• “Ain’t No rest For The Wicked” – Cage the Elephant
• “After I’m Dead” – Ryan Allen
• “The Man’s Too Strong” – Dire Straits (released May 1985)
• “Light Years” – Jamiraquia (released May 1995)
• “Catch the Wind” – Donovan (released May 1965)
• “Rusty Cage” – Soundgarden (R&R HOF inductee 2025)
• “Time After Time” – Cyndi Lauper (R&R HOF inductee 2025)
• “Strength” – Mike Peters (2/25/59 – 4/28/25)
• “Sold Me Down The River” – The Alarm, Mike Peters (2/25/59 – 4/28/25)

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.