I grew up listening to the marching band version of “Hang on Sloopy,” came to love The McCoys’ version, and was charmed by the cover version by GOLDEN that leads off this mix. It’s plaintive and warm and full of love.

There’s more twang on this than most of my mixes. Back in the 90s, Uncle Tupelo was my Nirvana, but I’ve been bored by most of the alt-country acts since then, including Wilco. Maybe “Tumblin’ down” is nostalgia for me, but I love the pace and the ride up and down the scales, like life. And Miranda Lee Richards’s vocals are terrific.