Everywhere you look these days in entertainment circles, you see the word “help.” The movie — and the book. But I’m thinking music.

Of course, they’re only a surprise the first time you hear them. After that, though, it can be fun to see how cleverly the composer handles the set-up.

Now, after a pop music career that produced 38 Billboard hits, the adopted Minnesotan has decided to dial life back a notch or two. Check out a few of my favorites of his forgotten hits.

On our first pilgrimage to the shrine at Cooperstown, we saw lots of Minnesota connections to the national pastime, and it’s amazing how emotionally powerful those inanimate objects can be.

Before theater folks honor Broadway’s best, let’s sample some of musical theater’s unforgettable standout numbers.

Many duets will seem quite humdrum by comparison, after you check out these musical threesomes from films and the Broadway stage.

His famous — or infamous — name still lives on. We can remember the controversial “Father of Hypnosis” with some mesmerizing songs.

All of those magical moments got me thinking about some of the movie world’s memorable scenes featuring coaches, carriages and similar conveyances. So, come along for the ride.

Anybody need a nap? So, how about some songs about sleep — and, for equal time, sleeplessness — to set the mood?

Every year, there are fewer and fewer Donalds born in the United States. So, before there are none of us left, I wanted to salute a sampling of Dons who have made their mark in society and pop culture.

Last week’s rebroadcast of PBS’ Joan Baez profile got me thinking about her as one of four female folk troubadours who came to prominence in — and helped shape the music of — the 1960s.

Shhhh! Don’t tell anybody, but this week I’m featuring songs about secrets. And, of course, that means there will be some cheatin’ songs, too.

What is it about moonlight that puts people in a dancing mood? Check out these photos and songs for a clue.

As America’s space shuttle program dwindles down to its final two missions, we offer a numerical music countdown with a wide array of songs and singers.

It seems the right month to take a look at the King of the Jungle and his meeker meteorological mate in history and pop culture, so let’s get roaring.

Without trying to take anything away from the winning Academy Award songs, I wanted to take a look at 10 years when I thought an equally fine song was passed over.

With the hype already ramping up by the hour, I didn’t want to get left too far behind. So, here’s the first of my two Oscar lists leading up to the Big Night on Feb. 27.

For Valentine’s Day, how about an array of love songs ranging from the admittedly schmaltzy to several Great American Songbook classics, many of them overlooked or forgotten?

Bob Dylan said it well on dealing with aging: “I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.” So did a bunch of others, including George Burns.