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5 Ways to Discover New Music As An Adult.

Henley to Hook

September 2024 Connections Mix Tape

The Henley to Hook: September 2024 Connections Mix Tape can be found on Spotify. Listen in-blog below for a more rich experience, or on Spotify for uninterrupted music. Please note below each song is a link to song lyrics for accessibility. Check out more details on how to best enjoy mix tapes.


Good day! I’m DJ Ponyboy on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado. Welcome to today’s September 2024 Connections Mix Tape.

I have an exciting journey in store for you today encompassing rock, country, and folk genres, with artists as varied as country legend Reba McEntire and Indiana rock band the Ataris.

Our first song today is from one of the world’s best-selling music artists. Ranked number 75 on Rolling Stone’s 2004 list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”, here is American rock band the Eagles with “Take It to the Limit” on KMTJ-DB, Denver.

Take It to the Limit Lyrics

What a great track! The Eagles with “Take It to the Limit”. The lead singer on that track, and one of the co-writers, was Don Henley.

Another song he co-wrote, and this time performed as a solo act, was 1984’s “The Boys of Summer”, co-written with Mike Campbell, lead guitarist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Formed in 1996, American rock band the Ataris hails from Anderson, Indiana.

Off their highest-charting album, 2003’s So Long, Astoria, enjoy my favourite version of the song – the Ataris’ cover of Don Henley’s “The Boys of Summer”.

The Boys of Summer Lyrics

Coming up next, an MTJ two-song block of music. If there are any club DJ’s listening, I have always wanted to hear a mash-up of our next two songs. I have dabbled with DJ-ing and have made a passable mess of it before, but I think someone with skills could really do it justice. The BPM’s aren’t too far off, and neither are the keys; make me proud!

Here is Don Henley with “All She Wants to Do is Dance”, followed by Genesis with “I Can’t Dance” on KMTJ-DB – Denver, Colorado.

All She Wants to Do is Dance Lyrics
I Can’t Dance Lyrics

1991’s “I Can’t Dance” by English rock band Genesis. Before that, Don Henley with 1985’s “All She Wants to Do is Dance”.

I’m DJ Ponyboy connecting songs with you today. Thank you so much for joining me for this special time. I hope you’re having as much fun as I am.

Speaking of connections, in 2007, country music legend Reba McEntire released the album Duets, featuring duets with a bunch of artists, including Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, Rascal Flatts, and Don Henley.

Enjoy Reba McEntire and Don Henley’s duet of “Break Each Other’s Hearts” on KMTJ-DB, Denver.

Break Each Other’s Hearts Again Lyrics

One of the fun things about songs passed down via oral tradition is the vast number of subtle variations you find in the many different recordings and notated lyrics/music.

For example, our next track is titled “Five Hundred Miles Away from Home”, and is unique in that nearly all other versions use Arabic numerals to title the track instead of spelling out the number in words.

Additionally, five hundred isn’t even a consistent measure, with different versions of the same song referencing four hundred, nine hundred, and even ten thousand.

While traditionally the narrator of the song is a man, Reba changes the pronouns to fit herself into the story, which I wholeheartedly support.

Reba kicks off another MTJ two-song block of music with her rendition of the traditional folk tune, “Five Hundred Miles Away from Home” on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver.

Five Hundred Miles Away from Home Lyrics
Worried Man Blues Lyrics

Van Morrison with his interpretation of “Worried Man Blues”. Like Reba’s song before, there are near-infinite variations; versions vary on the number of coaches on the train, the links on the chain(s), and the years on the sentence.

I have always loved that song, but feel it is not inclusive, nor accurate, as many folks who are not men could easily “sing worried songs”. I feel someone needs to record a version called “Worried Mind Blues” with the lyrics, “It takes a worried mind to sing a worried song”.

A small slice of the variation I discussed is included in this week’s bonus playlist, available to patrons subscribed at our Patreon tiers of Beat Backer and above, starting at only $17 per month.

You’ll find included several different versions of each of the traditional songs we heard today, originals of the covers we heard today, and more. Not to mention there are bonus playlists for many of our other mix tapes!

Join the Mix Tape Journey Patreon to help support the channel and receive cool benefits to boot!

With five different giving tiers, beginning at just $3 per month, you can support Mix Tape Journey on nearly any budget. Follow the link at the bottom of any of our site pages to become a patron today!

One artist who recorded (and oftentimes popularized) versions of folk tunes was Ohioan Bobby Bare.

Here is a song (not a traditional one) he covered in 1974; just in time for spooky season, Bobby Bare and “Marie Laveau” on KMTJ-DB, Denver.

Marie Laveau Lyrics

I’m gonna need some of you folks to start working on that. We need more Marie Laveau’s. Some of these men gots to go!

Speaking of … spooky season is upon us! I have mix tapes brewing for October celebrating the Halloween season, with the first, Happy Spoopy Season (if you don’t know what spoopy means, make sure to tune in!) dropping on October 13th. There will be a special spooky discount code as well!

But first, September is World Alzheimer’s Month. Check out last Sunday’s mix tape – the first of three on this theme – and keep your eyes peeled for the next two.

Click on the banner at the top of any page on the Mix Tape Journey website to sign up for my free weekly newsletter, allowing you to stay on top of mix tape goings-on and learn a little more about me – DJ Ponyboy. Follow the Mix Tape Journey page and Mix Tape Journeyers group on Facebook to connect with me and fellow fans.

Our last song was co-written by acclaimed author, poet, and musician Shel Silverstein, as is our next.

From the soundtrack to the 1971 film Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? starring Dustin Hoffman, enjoy Dr. Hook with their track “Last Mornin’” on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.

Last Mornin’ Lyrics

I’m DJ Ponyboy. If you are struggling with thoughts of unaliving yourself, or another mental health crisis, please seek help. In the United States you can dial 988 to be connected 24/7 with someone you can talk to. I hope you have resources available in whatever part of the world you live. If not, pick up the phone and call someone. Most people want to help; give them an opportunity.

Please don’t leave us; you’ve got so much to give.

Our last song in the crazy journey from Don Henley to Shel Silverstein via Genesis, Reba McEntire, traditional folk music, Van Morrison, Bobby Bare, and Dr. Hook, is literal gallows humour.

Here is Johnny Cash with his 1965 cover of Shel Silverstein’s 1962 song “25 Minutes to Go”.

25 Minutes to Go Lyrics

I’m DJ Ponyboy. Thank you so much for joining me on this musical journey through time and space. You are a wonderful, magical, lovely, golden person and I’m honoured you decided to spend your time with me.

You have been listening to KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado. I’ve been DJ Ponyboy. Until next time, stay gold.


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