My Weekly Mixtape’s 100th episode celebration continues with Volume 2 of The Ultimate Mixtape — a three-part series built around one deceptively simple question:

If you could choose one song — any artist, any genre — to be sealed inside a time capsule for future listeners to discover years or decades from now… what would it be, and why?

For this project, I asked 65 past guests, friends of the show, and Patreon Mixtapers to give me their one essential pick. The result? A wildly diverse collection of songs spanning eras, genres, moods, and tempos.

But this isn’t just a list of answers. I’m treating these picks like a real cassette — carefully sequencing each track so the flow, pacing, and emotional arc actually matter.

Volume 2 features the next 20 selections, continuing the journey that began in Volume 1 and pushing the mixtape into new sonic territory. Whether you’re listening straight through or jumping in here for the first time, you’re right in the middle of something special.

Stick around for Volume 3 to hear how The Ultimate Mixtape comes together in full.

Guests appearing in Vol. 2 (in no particular order): Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon, ZZ Ward, Jesse Dayton, Jon Loree of Tantric & Smile Empty Soul, Jamie DiTringo of The Sees, Jim Santora, Author of The Underrated Rock Book, Sherry Thomas of The Aquarian Magazine, Leah Jones of The Struts Life, Alex Gomez of The Sleevie G. Show, Jay Sweet of Tunestiles Podcast, Doug Miller of Elite Sound Entertainment, Kevin Brown of The Tom Petty Project, Ben Cheknis of the Two Vague Podcast, Dan Dissinger & Manny Coelho from The Nostalgia Test, David Rosen of Piecing It Together, Trevor Dale of Album Divers, Maurice Bursztynski of Love That Album Podcast, friend of the show Amii Spear, and last (but certainly not least!) Patreon Mixtaper Chad Lamasa!

🎙️ Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform—and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review to help more music fans find the show! Then, scroll down to hear all of the songs discussed in this episode. 👇

David Bowie – Cat People (Putting Out Fire) (Ben Cheknis of the Two Vague Podcast)

The Struts – Could Have Been Me (Leah Jones of The Struts Life)

The Raveonettes – Gone Forever (David Rosen of Piecing It Together)

The Killers – Mr. Brightside (Manny From The Nostalgia Test)

INXS – Don’t Change (Jamie DiTringo of The Sees)

Rush – Subdivisions (Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon)

Steel Dragon – We All Die Young (Jay Sweet of Tunestiles)

Harvey Danger – Little Round Mirrors (Trevor Dale of Album Divers)

Oasis – Cast No Shadow (Dan From The Nostalgia Test)

Tom Petty – Crawling Back To You (Kevin Brown of The Tom Petty Project)

XTC – Wrapped In Grey (Maurice Bursztynski of Love That Album Podcast)

Phil Collins – Take Me Home (Friend of the Show Amii Spear)

Switchofoot – I Won’t Let You Go (Jon Loree of Tantric)

Chicago – If You Leave Me Now (Jim Santora, Author of “The Underrated Rock Book”)

Nina Simone – Be My Husband (ZZ Ward)

Thelma Houston – Don’t Leave Me This Way (Doug Miller of Elite Sound Entertainment)

Staple Singers – I’ll Take You There (Jesse Dayton)

Prince – Money Don’t Matter 2 Night (Sherry Thomas of The Aquarian Magazine)

Beastie Boys – Professor Booty (Patreon Mixtaper Chad Lamasa)

Linkin Park – In The End (Alex Gomez of The Sleevie G. Show)