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Song of the Day #4,004: ‘Medellin’ – Madonna feat. Maluma

You have to hand it to Madonna. She just released her 14th studio album in her 36th year of recording and every one of those records has sold at least a million copies worldwide. All but the last couple have sold more than five million. And all but her debut have been in the top three spots on Billboard’s albums chart (eight of them at #1).

It seems like we don’t hear from her much anymore, but her most dedicated fanbase has followed her religiously for nearly four decades. I know, because the guy who cuts my hair went on at great length about her new release the last time he had me in his chair.

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Song of the Day #4,003: ‘Dancing Queen’ – ABBA

My daughter Sophia turns 17 today, an age that doesn’t have the meaning of 16 or 18 but feels relatively momentous in its own right.

In fact, when I searched for songs about (or at least mentioning) being 17, I found a treasure trove. Something about the age appeals to songwriters… probably the idea of being fully immersed in teenagerdom but just on the brink of adulthood.

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Song of the Day #4,002: ‘I Know (Live)’ – Fiona Apple

Before the well-timed Josh Rouse concert, I had another plan for my 4,000th Song of the Day.

I’ve always said that I don’t have a favorite song, but there is one song I know for certain has to be on any list of my five or ten favorite songs, and that is Fiona Apple’s ‘I Know.’ This heartbreaking ballad is the final track on Apple’s 1999 album When the Pawn… and it’s a stunner.

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Song of the Day #4,001: ‘The Ocean Always Wins’ – She’s Spanish, I’m American

Yesterday’s post was running long, so I saved the second part of my Josh Rouse story for today.

Rouse has been married to a Spanish woman named Paz Suay since the mid-2000s. They raised two children while living in Spain for a decade, then relocated to Nashville a couple of years ago. Paz has appeared as a vocalist on several of Rouse’s albums and in 2007 the duo released an EP titled She’s Spanish, I’m American, on which today’s SOTD appears.

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Song of the Day #4,000: ‘Feeling No Pain (Live)’ – Josh Rouse

Milestone time! Today marks my 4,000th consecutive Song of the Day post, a streak I’ve kept alive for a week shy of 11 years now.

I wanted to post a special song for this occasion, and as luck would have it I had a very special musical experience a mere nine days ago that provided just the track.

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