At KUNM, it’s our honor to connect our community through music that brings joy and reflects the hearts of our community. This Fall Fund Drive, September 6–12, we’re inviting you to help us create something special: the KUNM– Songs That Bring Joy Playlist.
Here’s how it works:
- Send us a song that brings you joy
- Include your name, where you’re listening from, and a few words about what the song — and KUNM — mean to you
- Email your submission to DJ@KUNM.org
We’ll add your pick to the community Joy Playlist, and we may even announce your name on air when we play your song. To get things started, KUNM staff and DJs have shared some of their own joyful favorites — and now we can’t wait to hear yours. The deadline to submit is September 12th.
Why Your Support Matters
This project isn’t just about music — it’s about survival. On December 31st, KUNM’s blanket music licensing agreement will expire. Without a new agreement in place, we could lose the ability to share the music you love on the air and online.
To keep music alive on KUNM, we must replace the $548,000 congress pulled earlier this year. Every gift you make is a direct investment in preserving music for New Mexico and beyond.
How You Can Help
- Share your joy by submitting a song to the playlist
- Share this page and playlist with your community
- Support your station by clicking the red “Give Now” button at the top of this page and making a contribution today.
Together, we can fill the airwaves with joy, protect KUNM’s music licensing, and ensure that community-powered radio continues to thrive.
Your song. Your story. Your station.
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Your Submissions
“The song is a fantastically cheesy fusion of late 1970’s disco and pop that always makes me feel like there’s hope for one more round, one more try, one more opportunity to overcome a challenge.”
– Mason Connery, ABQ
“It brings me joy because I just like the way it sounds and it makes me feel more alert, kind of how I feel about Bryce's voice during KUNM's Morning Edition.”
–Julia Goldberg, Santa Fe
“There's nothing more joyful than the Mountain Goats live!”
–Sarah R., ABQ
I happened to hear it first years ago while browsing CDs in an independent music store - To me, it captures the joy and transformative power of the creative process. That record store is long gone, but I still get to discover music “by chance.” Now, it’s KUNM that surprises me with songs I didn’t know I needed—just like that day in the store.
–Tristan, ABQ
“This will always get me up and dancing!”
–Norina, ABQ
I am so grateful for KUNM ! I love listening to this song and cruising Central.
–Jalila, ABQ
–Ben Roe
Just a joyful song! I love listening to it. I feel all summery and happy when I do.
–Megan, ABQ
I listen to this song over and over snowboarding at Taos Ski Valley, just floating away on those dreamy chords. “But I don’t feel afraid, as long as I gaze at Waterloo Sunset I am in paradise.” It’s a great reminder to look at the beauty all around you when things are crazy and fear seems easy. I love KUNM because it reveals more of the heart of my community to appreciate.
–Jessica, ABQ
The song reminds me of my beautiful daughter who brings me so much JOY! And KUNM is a great station with the best people ever serving their community!
–Sherry B., Dallas, TX
I’m a latecomer to Digable Planets, but the second I heard this song I had to find out more about them. They’re just so great at expressing Black joy and making you want to dance.
–Megan, ABQ
David Bowie's 1972 live performance of Starman on Top of the Pops was a landmark pop culture moment in Britain. In the video, you can see how Bowie's flirty pointing and smiling at viewers, followed by his scandalous near-cuddle of guitarist Mick Ronson, surely must have caused a stir.
As for the actual song, the soaring delight and optimism of the music transcends the decades. Bowie was a great borrower, and perhaps it's no accident that the octave interval in "Star-maaan" matches the one in "Some-wheeere" Over the Rainbow. Both songs invite us to dream, hope, and imagine.
–Mark, ABQ
–Leah, Soccoro
I love listening to this but it was the video that really sold me - this sassy young girl, who is very nerdy but also completely self-possessed dancing to this song and being her wonderful self.
–Megan, ABQ
–Scott M, ABQ
This is Sly Stone’s enduring song for me and with his passing, I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. It’s still so relevant and we need more upbeat messages like this.
–Megan, ABQ