If you were stranded on a desert island, what music would you want to have with you?

The BBC radio show Desert Island Discs has been asking that question for more than 70 years. It’s a great show, and I had a blast taping a segment that aired on Sunday.

Doing the show got me thinking about music and the role it has played in my life. When I was a kid I spent more time reading books than listening to music, but my childhood friend Paul Allen introduced me to some pretty amazing stuff. He was really into Jimi Hendrix and I remember him playing Are You Experienced? for me. (Whatever “experienced” meant, I wasn’t.)

Music also played a special role in Melinda’s and my wedding. She is a big Willie Nelson fan, and I surprised her by hiring him to play after our rehearsal dinner. I’ll never forget dancing with her as he played “Blue Skies”—it was magical.

These days I don’t play music at work, but I often listen when I’m driving somewhere, especially if any of our kids are in the car. Our younger daughter is really into Ed Sheeran—“Sing” is on heavy rotation right now. I have gotten to know Bono well and always enjoy whatever U2 does. And Paul of course is still a huge music fan. His Experience Music Project is definitely worth checking out if you’re in Seattle.

If you’re curious about the other records I picked, you can download the podcast of the segment I was on.