World Cafe Playlist for 04/16/2026

John Morrison joins host Raina Douris

When Rage Against the Machine released their album Evil Empire in 1996, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison says every musical clique at his school, from the punks to the hip hop kids, to the metalheads, all liked it. On the World Cafe, John talks about what made it so unifying, and why it still feels just as vital today as it did 30 years ago, for a new Culture Corner.

Listen to the session here.

Today’s Playlist

Bruce Hornsby & The Range “The Way It Is” The Way It Is

Rage Against The Machine “Revolver” Evil Empire

Rage Against The Machine “Down Radio” Evil Empire

Rage Against The Machine “Bulls On Parade” Evil Empire

Rage Against The Machine “Year of the Boomerang” Evil Empire

Metallica “Wherever I May Roam” Metallica

Alabama Shakes “Another Life” (Single)

Lucius “Old Tape” Lucius

Soul Asylum “Black Gold” Grave Dancers Union

Snail Mail “Dead End” Ricochet

Hop Along “Tibetan Pop Stars” Recorded Live for World Cafe

Andrew Sa “Lavender Cowboy” American Rough

Emmylou Harris “Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight” Quarter Moon In A Ten Cent Town

Joni Mitchell “Free Man In Paris” Court & Spark

Hour Two

The Jayhawks “Save It For A Rainy Day” Rainy Day Music

The Byrds “Wasn’t Born To Follow” The Notorius Byrd Brothers

MRCY “Better Days” (Single)

Bob Marley & The Wailers “Turn Your Lights Down Low” Exodus

Gigi Perez “Sailor Song” At the Beach, In Every Life

Friko “Seven Degrees” Something Worth Waiting For

Jonathan Wilson “Future Vision” Recorded Live for World Cafe

They Might Be Giants “Birdhouse In Your Soul” Recorded Live for World Cafe

Shelby Lynne “Thought It Would Be Easier” Recorded Live for World Cafe

Brennan Wedl and Waxahatchee “Six O’Clock News” (Single)

Kathleen Edwards “Say Goodbye, Tell No One” Billionaire

Joan Shelley “River Low” Recorded Live for World Cafe

The New Pornographers “Votive” The Former Site Of

Patti Smith “Ask The Angels” Radio Ethiopia

Tom Tom Club “Genius Of Love” Tom Tom Club

Bleachers “dirty wedding dress” everyone for ten minutes