KEVIN McCORRY, HOST: I’m Kevin McCorry and this is ‘Jukebox Journey.’
[MUSIC MONTAGE: “Why Don’t We Do It in the Road” by The Beatles, “5:15” by The Who, “Forget You” by Cee-lo Green, “Why Don’t You Get a Job” by The Offspring]
KM: We’re unstuck in time, jumping through decades and genres, meditating on a theme.
This week: An ode to curiosity.
It starts in you young. You want answers, so you learn to ask questions.
[MUSIC MONTAGE: “Who Could It Be Now” by Men at Work, “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” by Tina Turner, “When Can I See You?” by Babyface, “Where Do the Children Play?” by Cat Stevens, (They Long to be) Close to You” by The Carpenters, “How’s It Gonna Be?” by Third Eye Blind]
KM: Men at Work from 1981, Tina Turner from ‘84, Babyface from 1993, Cat Stevens, and the Carpenters from 1970, and Third Eye Blind from 1997.
[MUSIC SWELL]
The five Ws and a H — these are the building blocks of empirical knowledge, scientific discovery and the quest for shared truth.
[MUSIC: “How Deep is the Ocean?” by Billie Holiday]
KM: From 1954, Billie Holiday’s take on the 1930s Irving Berlin classic.
As you get a little older, the questions get a little tougher, as do the answers.
[MUSIC MONTAGE: “Why Does It Always Rain On Me” by Travis, “Who Will Save Your Soul” by Jewel]
KM: Travis from 1999, and Jewel from 1995.
You awaken into early adulthood, and just as you get better at putting the pieces together, the world seems to keep getting more complicated.
[MUSIC: “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes]
KM: 4 Non Blondes, number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August of 1993.
So you keep asking questions, gathering perspectives, trying to anchor to facts. And you start to feel you have a hold on something. But therein can lie the rub. As you settle into a groove, the answers you’ve gathered start to define you.
[MUSIC MONTAGE: “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley, “Where is my mind?” by The Pixes]
KM: Gnarls Barkley, number 2 in July of ‘06, and The Pixes from 1988.
But the search for truth always requires reevaluation. Is it possible new information could deepen or alter your understanding? The answer is always yes.
[MUSIC: “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John]
KM: From 1973, Elton John
[MUSIC SWELL]
Call it the “will to doubt.” The point is not to be jaded or paralyzed by information, but humbly open to going where questions lead.
[MUSIC: “How will I know?” by Whitney Houston]
KM: From 1985, Whitney Houston.
[MUSIC SWELL]
KM: So here’s to the scientists and engineers, to the detectives and philosophers, to the artists and journalists and all who seek truth and discovery in good faith — without fear or favor.
Never hesitate to shine your light. Never lose your curiosity. The north star is always clarity. Never obfuscation.
Here’s to those who know the most exciting words can be: ‘I don’t know. Let’s try to find out.’
[MUSIC: “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2]
KM: Number 1 in August of 1987, U2.
I’m Kevin McCorry and this has been a Jukebox Journey on WHYY.
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