Mary Lucia: Hey guys, it's Looch, with my friend Derrick. And you remember a couple weeks ago, we asked you to compile 10 essential songs. And we didn't do it to just torture people... that might have been part of it, but it's clear that that is almost an impossible task. People really pulled their hair out about this, like "I can't possibly do this." And I started thinking about it, maybe the reason it's hard for people is because they think they're going to be judged because these lists are going to be public. Because if you were just sitting at home, making your own 10 song list that you weren't going to show anybody but the cat, you might not care. But the fact that maybe there's a sense of being judged, or...

Derrick Stevens: It could be that, or it could also be not wanting to commit, or miss the opportunity to grab one of your favorite songs and say, "this is on the list." Because once you submit your list, then you might be like "Ohh, I forgot so-and-so." And that might be why it's a little hard for people.

Mary Lucia: And the whole thing is obviously that we're compiling these for the 893 Essential Songs countdown during our Member Drive which starts next Thursday at 9 a.m., and yeah, I totally get that everyone has a different criteria, because I think some people were thinking, "well I don't want to just pick old songs that are nostalgic to me, there's great music that came out five years ago." When you put your list together, what was your biggest struggle?

Derrick Stevens: My biggest struggle was probably genre. I grew up in the hip hop era, so a lot of my songs -- at one point -- was like, Oh, Run DMC, Eric B and Rakim, Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash, you know. But then I had to say "OK, let me look at different genres of music and just pick two songs from each genre." So that's what I did that helped me get my list.

Mary Lucia: OK, and then my other question, just simply before we leave, is do people still make mixes for friends?

Derrick Stevens: Sure.

Mary Lucia: OK, so if you were going to make me a 10 song mix, that would make me a better person, just name a couple songs that you would have on that mix.

Derrick Stevens: David Bowie from multiple albums.

Mary Lucia: Good answer!

Derrick Stevens: What can I say? I know you're a big David Bowie fan.

Mary Lucia: But you would be putting your essential songs that you think would make me a better person to hear.

Derrick Stevens: Well, then I'd definitely throw some Run DMC on there, I'd throw in some Aretha Franklin, I'd throw in some Al Green, I'd throw in some Bill Withers. Does that make you happy?

Mary Lucia: That makes me thoroughly happy. I might even get pregnant from that list, but so anyway, we're looking forward to hearing what you guys chose as your essential songs, and my guess is that it's going to be all over the map. We don't even know what's on the list.

Derrick Stevens: Yeah we can't wait to listen.

Mary Lucia: It's going to be great, so thanks for the agony. It'll all be worth it.

893 Essential Songs countdown starts at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 10 and goes until 8 p.m. on May 17. The countdown runs from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Make a mix for Mary Lucia

Mary asked Derrick for a few songs to "make her a better person." What would you put on a mix for Mary? Put your songs in the comments section.