The Playlist: Showdown

With the first debate of the Texas governor's race held Friday night in the Rio Grande Valley, we begin this week's playlist based on Texas political and policy news with "Showdown" by Electric Light Orchestra.

The easiest way to enjoy the playlist is to download Spotify, which is a free program. But even without it, you can still follow along. Here are the other selections for the week:

Our second song is a reference to a decision by the University of Texas System board to not allow lawmakers to sit in on an investigation they've commissioned of their flagship university. It's "Don't Need Y'all" by Iggy Azalea. Next up is Julie London's "Come On By," which was the message Gov. Rick Perry sent to Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto in an invitation to visit the Texas side of their shared border.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott released his first attack ad against Democratic rival Wendy Davis. The spot is titled "FBI," as is the Ian Hunter song that's next on the playlist. It is followed by another instrumental number, Keith Jarrett's "Toll Road," which was added because Texas played host to the toll road industry's annual conference this week.

At least 10 Texas school districts are receiving military gear through a federal program, so we have And One's "Military Fashion Show." After repeatedly shunning federal education initiatives, the state changed gears and agreed to participate in an Obama administration early learning program, so we have Will Smith's "Switch." 

A state judge decided not to bar the Texas Racing Commission from installing historical racing machines, so we also have "Racing Like A Pro" by The National. As a nod to our story about a woman in El Paso who beat the odds and won an asylum claim, we have Phil Collins' "Against All Odds."

And finally, because this weekend is The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, we close with "The Big Event" by Pat Travers.

Enjoy!