This season on his XM Radio Show “Basketball and Beyond”, Coach K is sharing his interest in music with his listeners and discussing some of his favorite songs. Take a look below at the Hall of Famer’s playlist and some of his comments for each song.
NOW AND FOREVER (Carol King)
This song reminds me of my former players, and the 1992-1993 team, in particular. I truly feel like those players are a part of Duke Basketball, now and forever.
BARCELONA (Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballe)
This song makes me think about my experience as an assistant with the 1992 Olympic “Dream Team” in Barcelona. It is amazing to me how a particular piece of music can completely capture the feeling of a moment.
AIN’T TOO PROUD TO BEG (The Temptations)
I can remember listening to this song while shooting baskets in a schoolyard growing up in inner-city Chicago. This is the song that first inspired my love of Motown music.
OOH BABY BABY (Smokey Robinson)
This is probably what I would call my “favorite song.” And certainly Smokey is my favorite artist. Listening to Motown music with my fellow cadets is one of the primary things that got me through the tough times attending West Point.
LA LA MEANS I LOVE YOU (Delfonics)
I love the purity and innocence of this song and its message reminds me of my wife of 39 years, Mickie.
THE WANDERER (Dion)
This song was a favorite of my best friend growing up, Moe, and the rest of our group of friends: the Columbos. I can always picture Moe performing his famous “sit-down dancing” to this one.
STAYIN’ ALIVE (The BeeGees)
This song will always bring back memories of our 2001 National Championship team. When our bus driver, Jimmy, would play the BeeGees over the bus speakers, the players would always try to get me to dance. I told them that I would only dance if we won the whole thing. We did, and I did!
MUSIC OF THE NIGHT (From Phantom of the Opera)
Believe it or not, I love musicals and particularly love seeing them in the theatre. I admire the passion of the actors and it amazes me the way they are able to perform so emotionally night after night. This one from Phantom of the Opera is a personal favorite.
BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME (Celine Dion)
I danced to this song with my daughter, Debbie, at her wedding. We have always counted on one another and made each other better. I think this song really captures that.
UNFORGETTABLE (Nat King Cole/Natalie Cole)
This was the one my daughter, Lindy, and I danced to at her wedding. I love that the song is also performed by a father and daughter.
IT’S YOUR SONG (Garth Brooks)
My daughter, Jamie, and I danced to this one. I love the line, “If there ever was somebody who made me believe in me, it was you.”
LISTEN (Beyonce — From Dreamgirls)
I have become a huge fan of Beyonce and of the movie, Dreamgirls. I am so impressed by the performances in that movie including this one by Beyonce.
THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR (Dionne Warwick)
Each year, we put together a video of highlights of the season and of the graduating seniors. My wife and daughters try to choose a song that really captures who that team and those individuals were. This one, which we used for the senior class of 1994, is one of my favorites. True friendship is an amazing thing.
EMILY (Michael W. Smith)
My mom’s name was Emily. This song reminds me of her. In fact, it has become the theme song for the Emily Krzyzewski Family Life Center — a community center that our family has helped build in downtown Durham, NC.
LEGENDS OF THE FALL THEME (Legends of the Fall Soundtrack)
I love the movie, Legends of the Fall, as well as its soundtrack. I think it is incredible how instrumental music can often be just as powerful as music with lyrics.
