Joanna Newsom: "Sawdust & Diamonds"
"This is one of the most incredible songs," says guitarist Scott McMicken of the track off 2006's Ys. "It addresses a relationship's complexities with grace. As a songwriter, I try to do the same thing."

The Jive Bombers: "Bad Boy" [Listen]
Lillian Armstrong (Louis' second wife) wrote this tune -- formerly titled "Brown Boy" -- which the Jive Bombers covered in 1949. "It's a soul/doo-wop/pop song," says bassist Toby Leaman. "The singer, Clarence Palmer, sounds [oddly enough] like Louis Armstrong."

Gene Austin: "Did You Ever See a Dream Walking"
Organist Zach Miller became obsessed with the country crooner's 1933 song after hearing it in The Green Mile. "It's just the guitar, piano and Austin singing," says Miller. "I think it's the simplicity that attracted me to it."

King Crimson: In the Court of the Crimson King
"I can listen to this album from start to finish," drummer Juston Stens says of the British prog pioneers' 1969 debut. "I just got an iPod, and I keep flipping back to it."