The Playlist: State of Shock

Democrats spent much of the week expressing outrage over Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott's decision with Ted Nugent, so we kick off our latest Texas news-inspired playlist with Nugent's own "State of Shock."

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 this week's other selections:

The University of Texas System is looking for a new chancellor, and sources told the Tribune that Gov. Rick Perry has signaled his desire for Health and Human Services Commissioner Kyle Janek to take the post, so our second song is "You're The One That I Want," by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

Dan Patrick, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, was accused of employing undocumented workers at a sports bar he owned decades ago, so we also added "Mariano," Robert Earl Keen's classic song about an undocumented worker. Our next pick is "Refugee" by Tom Petty and The Heartbrakers,which was chosen because Amarillo officials are worried that the refugee population is straining the city’s resources. 

Then we have Fleetwood Mac's "Red Rover," as a nod to famed Republican consultant Karl Rove, who according to the Trib's Aman Batheja, has become fodder for both Democrats and Republicans in this year's Texas elections. A new Harris County Jail program is helping pregnant inmates and young mothers transition back into society, so we included Lissie's "Mother."

Julián Aguilar wrote that, despite the governor's recent comments supporting the decriminalization of marijuana, Texans shouldn't expect laws to change anytime soon. So, we put "Marijuana" by the Reverend Horton Heat on the playlist.

Next up is "Earthquake Shake" by The Skunks, which was included because candidates' reluctance to acknowledge a link between oil and gas drilling and a recent spate of earthquakes in North Texas has shaken up the race for Railroad Commission. Then we have Shawn Camp singing Guy Clark's "Homeless" as a nod to the toll the unusually cold winter has taken on the state's homeless population.

At the end of the week, Abbott said he wants to "move beyond" the controversy surrounding his affiliation with Nugent, so we close with Jet's "Move On."

Enjoy!