11 listener-picked songs for a mood reset, from Bill Withers to Green Day
This preview is based on the episode notes, not the full audio. NPR’s Robin Hilton and Dora Levite follow up an earlier “starting over” episode with 11 listener-selected songs meant to reset a mood, a day, or even a life.
Based on the published show notes, this episode of *All Songs Considered* is a listener-driven playlist built around one idea: the songs people turn to when they need a reset. It’s a follow-up to the show’s earlier episode on songs for starting over, and this time Robin Hilton is joined by NPR’s Dora Levite. The appeal here seems to be the range. The playlist moves across eras and styles, from Quincy Jones’ “Dead End” and Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day” to Florence + the Machine’s “Shake It Out,” Cat Power’s “Nothin But Time,” Green Day’s “Still Breathing,” and Vienna Teng’s “Level Up.” That mix suggests an episode that could feel both familiar and surprising, especially if you like hearing how different listeners define emotional recovery through music. If you’re deciding whether to listen, this looks like a good pick for anyone who enjoys themed music curation more than artist interviews or deep music journalism. The notes point to a practical, emotional premise rather than a critical debate: songs for changing your headspace. And because the selections come from NPR listeners, there’s likely a communal, personal angle to the conversation. In short, expect a curated set of 11 tracks and discussion centered on resilience, uplift, release, and renewal—as indicated by the song list and episode framing in the notes.
About this episode
NPR listeners share the songs they reach for when they need to reset the mood, their day or even their life.<br/><br/>This is a followup to <a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/04/14/nx-s1-5784015/all-songs-considered-need-a-reset"target="_blank" >our April episode on songs for starting over</a>. NPR’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton.<br/><br/>A good review helps! Leave us one on<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-songs-considered/id79687345"target="_blank" > Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/10LYbliXlNZe1VStsTkcC0?si=bb536b16024d42d8"target="_blank" >Spotify</a>, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen!<br/><br/>Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: <a href="mailto:allsongs@npr.org"target="_blank" >allsongs@npr.org</a> <br/><br/>Featured artists and songs:<br/><br/>(00:00) Intro<br/><br/>(01:13) Quincy Jones: “Dead End”<br/><br/>(02:12) Bill Withers: “Lovely Day”<br/><br/>(04:51) Florence + the Machine: “Shake It Out”<br/><br/>(08:06) Jacob Collier: “Something Heavy”<br/><br/>(11:24) Des’ree: “You Gotta Be”<br/><br/>(16:32) Peter Gabriel: “Washing Of The Water”<br/><br/>(19:57) Cat Power: “Nothin But Time”<br/><br/>(23:02) John Denver: “Sweet Surrender”<br/><br/>(27:46) Isley Brothers: “Summer Breeze”<br/><br/>(31:22) Green Day: “Still Breathing”<br/><br/>(34:10) Vienna Teng: “Level Up”<br><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>