The Playlist: Dallas

The country's attention was focused on one of Texas' major cities  Thursday for the opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Our weekly news-inspired playlist marks the occasion by starting with Joe Ely's "Dallas."

The easiest way to enjoy the playlist is to download Spotify for free. But if you don't feel like doing that, it's still possible to follow along. Here are the rest of this week's selections:

President Obama delivered a speech in West honoring those who died in a fertilizer plant explosion last week, most of whom were first responders. We follow suit with M. Ward's "Requiem."

After some confusion, the Texas House voted to let the Lottery Commission continue its existence — so we added Harry Nilsson's "The Lottery Song." The Texas Senate's passage of a surprisingly strong payday lending reform bill precipitated the selection of "Lender" by Austin's own Fastball.

Though state Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, says he's not giving up on his campus carry bill, it looks increasingly likely that universities will still be able to channel Snoop Lion in telling people, "No Guns Allowed." Meanwhile, the Senate Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday considered a key alteration to the Texas Railroad Commission, inspiring the choice of Kenny Chesney's "I'd Love to Change Your Name."

Big Country's "Republican Party Reptile" is included as  a nod to Jay Root's story about oil company lobbyists with oversight of the effort to save a threatened lizard. "Food Glorious Food," from the musical Oliver!, was added as an homage to Chris Hooks' story about a bill that could could result in many low-income children receiving free breakfasts through their schools. And Audrey White's piece about the state of Galveston's recovery half a decade after Hurricane Ike made us think of "5 Years Time," by Noah and The Whale.

We close, in light of Gov. Rick Perry's warning that a special session might be called if legislators don't adequately address his priority issues, with "Don't Make Me Do It" by Huey Lewis and The News.

Enjoy the playlist: