My music podcast is called “Music for a While” — here’s the latest episode. Why’s it called that? The inspiration was a song by Purcell — one of the most famous in the entire literature. Its opening words are “Music for a while / Shall all your cares beguile.” I heard the song in a recital recently. And I begin my new episode with it.

The program goes on with Mendelssohn, Mozart, Liszt, and others — various composers, performers, and issues. And I end with some well-loved music from our popular culture.

In 2021, I wrote a piece with a straightforward title: “Great TV Theme Music.” The subheading went like this: “What makes a TV theme great? The music may be enjoyable on its own — but it should also sell the show.”

My piece began as follows:

Ricky Cobb, a sociology prof in the Chicago area, tweets under the handle “Super 70s Sports.” He is very clever and very popular. He comments on more than sports. A while back, he said, “When you’re discussing the greatest TV theme songs, I’m coming to that party with Fred G. Sanford.”

That struck me as an excellent choice. Quincy Jones wrote the theme to Sanford and Son, the immortal sitcom. He called his piece “The Streetbeater.” It is funky, groovy, and irresistible. It will put a spring in your step (as you beat the streets).

Quincy Jones passed away last weekend at age 91. He has been at the center of American music — certainly popular music — our whole lives. “The Streetbeater” may not be the most important thing he ever did. But it has given so much pleasure.

It captures an era, and a subculture, if you like, but it is also ever fresh.

Again, for that Music for a While, go here.