Behind the Frequency: Music, radio, creativity, and life on the other side of the speakers. The Songs That Stay With Us — DJ Jedi's Favorites, Volume 2
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Have you ever heard a song you haven't listened to in years, and suddenly you're somewhere else entirely?
Maybe you're back in your younger days, hanging out with friends. Maybe you're driving down a road you haven't traveled in decades. Maybe you remember exactly what you were doing the first time you heard that particular song.
Or maybe it has nothing to do with memories at all. Maybe it's just a fantastic piece of music that makes you turn up the volume every single time.
That's one of the things I love most about music. It doesn't always need an explanation. Sometimes a song just connects with something inside you, and that's enough.
And that brings me to tonight's edition of Off the Beaten Track.
We're diving into DJ Jedi's Favorites — Volume 2, and if you know anything about my musical tastes, you already know this isn't going to be a journey down one particular musical highway.
Oh, no. We're taking the scenic route, making unexpected turns, and occasionally ignoring the musical GPS altogether.
Because that's how I like it!
A Playlist Without Boundaries
One thing I've never understood is why people feel they have to limit themselves to one type of music.
I love rock and roll. I love funk. I love alternative music, new wave, blues, soul, and just about anything else that catches my ear.
And I don't particularly care what decade it came from, either.
A great song is a great song.
Tonight's playlist reflects that philosophy beautifully.
We've got Queen bringing the groove with "Dragon Attack," Talking Heads delivering their wonderfully quirky energy with "Girlfriend Is Better," and Prince reminding everybody just how wonderfully fearless he could be with "Controversy."
Then there's David Bowie, INXS, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Tears for Fears, and Depeche Mode.
And that's just part of the journey.
I love the way these artists approached their music. They weren't necessarily interested in fitting into neat little boxes. They experimented. They took chances. They created sounds that were distinctly their own.
That's the kind of creativity I admire.
And it's certainly the kind of creativity that belongs on Off the Beaten Track.
Sometimes a Cover Becomes Something Entirely New
One of the things I'm especially excited about tonight is the collection of cover songs I've woven into the show.
I have a real appreciation for artists who can take an established song, respect what made it special in the first place, and then bring something new to it.
Take the Red Hot Chili Peppers doing Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground."
What a transformation!
The original is already a phenomenal piece of music, but the Chili Peppers bring their own unmistakable energy to it. It's funky, aggressive, and completely alive.
And then there's Foo Fighters covering Pink Floyd's "Have a Cigar."
Two very different musical personalities meeting in one song. That's the sort of thing that fascinates me.
Another interesting pairing is Dolly Parton and Mötley Crüe with "Home Sweet Home."
Now there's a combination that might make somebody do a double take!
But that's part of the fun. Music doesn't have to obey our expectations.
We've also got Lady Gaga interpreting Elton John's beautiful "Your Song," and Heart's extraordinary live performance of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" at the Kennedy Center Honors.
That Heart performance is one of those moments where the music, the musicians, and the emotion all come together in a way that gives me goosebumps.
It's more than just performing a song. It's taking something familiar and reminding us why it mattered in the first place.
And I absolutely love that.
The Guitars, the Grooves, and Everything in Between
Of course, I couldn't put together a favorites show without some serious guitar work.
Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Couldn't Stand the Weather" is in there, along with Led Zeppelin's "In the Evening," Van Halen's "Hear About It Later," and Ozzy Osbourne's "You Can't Kill Rock and Roll."
There's something about a great guitarist who knows exactly when to let loose and when to pull back.
It isn't always about playing the most notes or being the loudest person in the room. Sometimes it's about finding that one sound, that one phrase, or that one moment that makes the entire song come alive.
And speaking of musical craftsmanship, we've got Steely Dan's "Kid Charlemagne."
I could listen to that song repeatedly and still discover something new in the arrangement.
Then we wander into Electric Light Orchestra, Fleetwood Mac, and The Cult.
"The Chain" and "Love Removal Machine" might not immediately strike everybody as natural neighbors on a playlist, but that's the beauty of how I approach these shows.
If I love the music and it belongs in the journey, it earns its place.
Simple as that.
Why I Keep Making These Shows
I've been thinking about this quite a bit lately.
There are so many ways to listen to music these days. Streaming services, endless playlists, algorithms that learn what you like and then try to give you more of the same.
And there's certainly a place for all of that.
But I think something gets lost when we only listen to what we're already comfortable with.
Some of my favorite musical discoveries have happened completely by accident.
A song comes on that I wasn't expecting. An artist surprises me. A familiar tune sounds different because I'm hearing it in a new context.
Suddenly, I'm paying attention.
That's what I want Off the Beaten Track to be.
Not simply two hours of songs played one after another, but a musical experience where you're never entirely sure what's coming next.
I want you to hear something that makes you smile.
I want you to hear something that brings back a memory.
And every once in a while, I want you to hear something that makes you stop whatever you're doing and say, "Wow. I haven't heard THAT in forever!"
Those are the moments that make putting these shows together so rewarding.
A Little Piece of Me in Every Playlist
When I put together one of my favorites shows, I'm sharing more than a collection of songs.
I'm sharing a little of my personality.
My musical curiosity. My appreciation for artists who do things differently. My love of a great groove, a powerful guitar riff, an unforgettable voice, or a beautifully written lyric.
And perhaps most importantly, I'm sharing the joy that music brings me.
Music has a remarkable ability to connect people who might otherwise have very little in common.
We don't have to agree on everything. We don't have to come from the same generation, background, or walk of life.
Sometimes all it takes is hearing a song we both love.
And suddenly, we've found some common ground.
I think the world could use a little more of that.
Join Me Tonight!
So tonight, I'm inviting you to join me for another trip through my musical universe.
Off the Beaten Track: Tuesday Edition
🎶 DJ Jedi's Favorites — Volume 2
📅 Tuesday, October 27, 2026
🕕 6 PM Eastern
📻 Jedi Council Radio
And remember, Jedi Council Radio doesn't shut down when the show ends!
We're broadcasting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no commercial interruptions.
Just great music from across genres and generations.
Whether you're joining me for tonight's show, listening while you work, hanging out at home, or just looking for something a little different, there's always music playing.
And if there's a song that holds a special place in your heart, I'd love to hear about it. What makes it special to you? Is it a memory, a particular musician, a lyric, or simply the way it makes you feel?
Those are the kinds of conversations I love having.
Because at the end of the day, music isn't just something I play.
It's something I love sharing.
And I'm glad you're along for the ride.
Until next time, keep listening, keep discovering, and never be afraid to wander a little off the beaten track.
May the Music Be with You!
— DJ Jedi 🎧💜
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