The Jojo 50: A Jonathan Richman Starter Pack 

In my new unofficial, self-appointed role as an evangelist for Jonathan Richman (and to give me a set to listen to when I’m away from my turntable or otherwise unable to flip records), I hand-crafted a handy 50-song playlist (in roughly chronological recording order) to help others get started appreciating his oeuvre. I hope you enjoy.

Here’s the set list, organized by album:

Modern Lovers

Road Runner (Once, Twice, Thrice)

Pablo Picasso

Beserkley Chartbusters

The New Teller

Government Center

Modern Lovers Live

Ice Cream Man

The Morning of Our Lives

Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers

Rockin’ Shopping Center

New England

Rock ‘N’ Roll with the Modern Lovers

Fly Into the Mystery

Roller Coaster By the Sea

Egyptian Reggae

Angels Watching Over Me

Back In Your Life

Abdul and Cleopatra

Affection

Back In Your Life

I’m Nature’s Mosquito

My Love Is a Flower (Just Beginning to Bloom)

Jonathan Sings!

This Kind of Music

Somebody to Hold Me

Give Paris One More Chance

When I’m Walking

Rockin’ and Romance

The Beach

My Jeans

Vincent Van Gogh

I’m Just Beginning to Live

Now Is Better Than Before

It’s Time For

Double Chocolate Malted

The Desert

Corner Store

Modern Lovers 88

Dancin Late at Night

When Harpo Played His Harp

New Kind of Neighborhood

I Love Hot Nights

Jonathan Richman

Action Packed

Everyday Clothes

Having a Party with Jonathan Richman

The Girl Stands Up to Me Now

She Doesn’t Laugh at My Jokes

They’re Not Trying on the Dance Floor

Monologue About Bermuda

I, Jonathan

Parties in the U.S.A

That Summer Feeling

Velvet Underground

Twilight in Boston

I’m So Confused

I’m So Confused

Kinks Tribute

Stop Your Sobbing

There’s Something About Mary

There’s Something About Mary

True Love Is Not Nice

Let Her Go Into the Darkness

Ishkode! Ishkode!

Ishkode! Ishkode!

Wait! Wait!

Songs about Boston

As a bonus, here’s a playlist of Jonathan Richman’s songs specifically about Boston (let me know if you are aware of any qualifying songs I might be missing):

New England

Government Center

The Fenway

As We Walk to Fenway Park in Boston Town

Winter Afternoon by B.U. in Boston

Fly Into the Mystery

Road Runner

Twilight in Boston

Songs for Children?

Now contemplating a playlist of songs some might consider specifically aimed at children …