Sanchez Song Of The Day

  • Empty Saddles · Burl Ives (1961)

    This song takes me back to a hike on Mt. Whitney with my friend Jordan. We were tackling the tough trail, with the air getting thinner, but the music kept us going. We didn’t quite make the top but we had a blast fighting our way up the mountain and listening to albums by Sons…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • Cheap Seats · Alabama (1993)

    Alabama’s “Cheap Seats” feels like summer, and these past few days in San Diego reminds us that it’s coming soon. This song’s about the folks who show up to the game no matter what, sitting way up in the stands where the view isn’t perfect but the heart is all there. I’ve been listening to…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • On The Sunny Side Of The Street · Aloysio De Oliveira (1957)

    I came across Aloysio de Oliveira’s name a few years ago while watching the old Disney film Saludos Amigos with my kids. It’s a 1942 movie that mixes animation with live-action footage from Latin America, and it was Disney’s first real push into the region. One of the musical moments, “Aquarela do Brazil“, caught my…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • Help Me · Joni Mitchell (1974)

    The past few nights, I have been painting my kitchen. I’m not the fastest painter, but it has been peaceful in its own way. To keep me company, I decided to put on Court and Spark by Joni Mitchell. I have always been a big fan of Joni Mitchell’s music. There is something about the…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • the 1 · Taylor Swift (2020)

    You might not expect to see a Taylor Swift song on this blog, but this is what’s been on my stereo for the past week or so. I’ve slowly become a fan over the years, especially after folklore came out in 2020. I’m a big believer in giving credit where it’s due, and regardless of…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • Who Believes In Angels? · Elton John & Brandi Carlile (2025)

    I just got this record in the mail the other day, Who Believes in Angels? by Elton John and Brandi Carlile. I don’t have every song in my bones yet but this one already feels like it’ll be with me for the rest of my life. It feels like classic Elton: those signature chord changes,…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • Favorite Person · Ben Rector (2025)

    If you’re looking for a short song that’ll make you smile, check out “Favorite Person” by Ben Rector. It’s a sweet, feel-good tune about how great it is to spend time with someone you love. This is one of those songs that can lift your mood on a rough day or add a little extra…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • Chim Chim Cher-ee · Esperanza Spalding (2011)

    We just got back from a trip to Disneyland and California Adventure, and I’m still feeling the magic and the 23,886 steps I took. From Star Wars land to the popcorn on Main Street, everything felt like stepping into a storybook. Once we got home, the boys and I started listening to some jazzed up…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • Are We in Trouble Now · Mark Knopfler (1996)

    I found “Are We In Trouble Now” by accident, the way you sometimes stumble into the best songs. It started when I listened to a ’90s country recommendation by Mark Chesnutt. While reading up on the track, I saw that the legendary Hargus “Pig” Robbins played piano on it. That caught my attention. I started…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • The Boys Are Back In Town · Thin Lizzy (1976)

    There are some songs that feel like they’ve just always existed, so ingrained in rock history that you don’t even stop to wonder where they came from. The Boys Are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy is one of those songs. That twin guitar riff, the storytelling lyrics, the swagger—it all feels so quintessentially rock…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • Meet De Boys On The Battlefront · The Wild Tchoupitoulas (1976)

    There’s a unique magic in New Orleans music, a blend of rhythm, culture, spirit, storytelling, and exceptional musicianship that captivates the listener while making it impossible not to tap their toes. Meet De Boys on the Battlefront by The Wild Tchoupitoulas is a perfect example of this. Released in 1976 on the group’s only album,…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • Ticket To Ride · Carpenters (1969)

    I love finding interesting and unique Beatles covers. A friend played me this the other day on a long drive, and it completely blew me away. Karen Carpenter had one of the most beautiful voices of her time, and she really shows it off in today’s song. The Carpenters’ version of “Ticket to Ride” is…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright · Simon & Garfunkel (1970)

    “So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright” is a bittersweet song by Simon & Garfunkel from their 1970 album Bridge Over Troubled Water. Art Garfunkel, a fan of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, studied in architecture at Columbia University before switching to art history—partly as a backup plan in case his music career didn’t work out. He…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • She Used To Be Mine · Sara Bareilles & Rufus Wainwright (2024)

    The other day at work, a friend shared this song with me, and it’s been a long time since I’ve heard something so beautifully written and performed. This performance features Sara Bareilles, a singer, songwriter, actress, and pianist. She sings alongside Rufus Wainwright, a Canadian/American singer, songwriter, and composer. This is from a 2024 concert,…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • Wichita Lineman · Glen Campbell (1968)

    One of my favorite songwriters of all time is the great Jimmy Webb. He wrote numerous iconic songs, including By the Time I Get to Phoenix, MacArthur Park, Up, Up and Away, and Wichita Lineman. Webb collaborated with many artists throughout his long career, but he spent a great deal of time working with the…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • In The Stone · Earth, Wind & Fire (1979)

    Here’s a fun track that will hopefully get you up and dancing! In the Stone is a standout song from Earth, Wind & Fire’s 1979 album I Am, and it’s been on repeat for me all week. This song is the perfect mix of funk, R&B, and jazz, with a big, bold sound. From the…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • Light My Fire · José Feliciano (1968)

    I’ve listened to Feliciano! by José Feliciano so many times, and I absolutely love it. Released in 1968, this album was a breakthrough for Feliciano, blending Latin, pop, and folk influences in a way that felt fresh and exciting. His soulful, acoustic reimagining of The Doors’ Light My Fire became a huge hit, earning him…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • On The Street Where You Live · Mel Tormé (1960)

    Here’s a fantastic tune originally from the classic 1956 musical My Fair Lady with music by Frederick Loewe and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner. This is a cover by the great Mel Tormé, with arrangements by Marty Paich. Tormé was one of the greatest jazz vocalists to ever grace this planet. He also played drums,…

    michaelraymondsanchez

  • Moonlight In Vermont · Cal Tjader (1956)

    Years ago, I was primarily a piano bar player, performing almost every night at fancy restaurants in San Diego. I took requests across nearly every genre, but I’ve always had a deep love for old jazz tunes—this one in particular has stayed with me for a long time. I played it often, whenever the mood…

    michaelraymondsanchez