"I Want You Back" is the best pop record ever made — a song too good to be true.
My American Dream Sounds Like Black Star
For Teju Cole, "Respiration," a song about New York City, is the best words in the best order.
Ann Powers says her infatuation with The Boss grew into adult respect for the strivers in his songs.
Salamishah Tillet explains why Simone's pursuit of a life without fear still gives us all — musicians and fans alike — something to learn from.
In her interpretation of his songs we hear the way we all maneuver through more than one culture.
Robin D.G. Kelley, Blades' 1984 song "Buscando America" echoes his mother's experience of coming to this country, and exposes the painful struggle that is the cost of fulfilling the American dream.