Timothy Muffitt’s pop music faves

Timothy Muffitt is in his 11th season as music director and conductor of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, but he’s been a Led Zeppelin fan for a lot longer than that.

Muffitt plays an important role in shaping the cultural landscape of Baton Rouge, but as a lifelong music fan—his first record was a Haydn Trumpet Concerto, a gift he still owns from his sister—he is open to the full spectrum of music.

“The different styles of music do take us to different places as the listener, but to borrow an old quote from one of America’s greatest composers, Duke Ellington, ‘there are only two kinds of music, good music and the other kind.’”

The Beatles: “Profound”?

Led Zeppelin: “Soulful”?

Doobie Brothers: “Centered”?

Yes: “Powerful”?

Michael Jackson: “Rhythm”

When asked about contemporary pop music that tickles his eardrum, he offers, “Melody is coming back as an important feature. Take ‘Replay’ by Iyaz, for example. That tune is infectious and I love the guys with the ‘hey’ in the background! Jamie Foxx’s ‘Speak French’ [is] decidedly racy, but super cool. Also, how about ‘Fireflies’ by Owl City? C’mon! That’s just beautiful in every way.”

“‘White Corolla’ by Casiotone for the Painfully Alone … absolutely spectacular, especially set to animation by Julia Pott. It’s on YouTube, check it out. It will be the best two minutes of your day.”