A student once confided that he could tell what anyone was like just from looking at that person’s music collection. So I opened up iTunes on my office computer. “Well? What does mine say about me?”

He was quiet as he scrolled through nearly 1,300 songs. Finally, he stepped away from the desk and shrugged. ”Professor, I can’t tell the first thing about you. This is the most bizarre iTunes playlist I have ever seen.”

I don’t know about reading personalities through music collections, but I thought it might be interesting to choose five random songs from my iTunes and list them here for readers. My tastes are eclectic. Students and friends are always introducing me to new artists and songs. Out of respect for hard-working musicians, I always pay for the songs I download.

Perhaps you’ll discover a new artist, or perhaps you’ll take up this challenge on your own website and introduce me to five random songs from your collection. If you do, please post the link in the Comments section. Happy listening!

#58 – James Brown, “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)”

#929 – John Prine, “Souvenirs”

#642 – Fat Boys, “Wipeout” (featuring the Beach Boys)

#276 – Marshall Crenshaw, “I’m Sorry (But So Is Brenda Lee)”

#866 – Natalie Merchant, “Jealousy”

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