The Playlist: Second Chances

When Jimmy Kimmel asked Gov. Rick Perry if he was considering another run for president, the latter responded, "America is a great place for second chances." So, we begin this week's playlist with "Second Chances" by Gregory Alan Isakov.

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:

Despite calls from some corners to drop out, statewide candidates like David Dewhurst and Dan Branch opted to keep their names on the ballot. Perhaps they were influenced by our second song selection: "Don't Drop Out" by Dolly Parton.

The Trib's Jay Root uncovered new details of a political fight over insurance claims that followed Hurricane Ike, so we added "After the Storm" by Mumford & Sons. Because the University of Texas System regents hired consultants this week to aid them in their search for a new chancellor, we also included U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For."

Much like Perry is known for doing in other states, representatives of cities like Chicago and Washington, D.C. came to Austin — Perry's backyard — for South by Southwest to try and poach businesses, inspiring the addition of "Comin' To Your City"  by Big & Rich. Meanwhile, a plan to save the lesser prairie chicken is stirring debate, and prompting us to add Glen Hansard's "Rare Bird" to the playlist.

Then we have Casey Abrams' "Dry Spell," because the ongoing drought in Central Texas is threatening hydropower. That's followed by Sonny & Cher's "Plastic Man," which was added because the attorney general is being asked to weigh in on plastic bag bans.

The number of early college high schools, which allow students to get a head start on college credits without paying tuition, has surged in Texas, so we have Josh Pyke's "Good Head Start." And because the director the LBJ Library and Museum managed to convince four U.S. presidents to come to Texas for an event in April, we close with Hayley Mills singing "Let's Get Together."

Enjoy!