Staff Picks: February 2026
Our Sheet Music Direct team plays, strums and sings just as much as you do! We're a team of musicians who love music of various styles and, when we're not busy with all things Sheet Music Direct, play at home, church, and gigs. Each month, we're sharing some of the favorite songs we're currently playing and why we think you'll love them too. In celebration of Black History Month, we're highlighting some of our favorite titles by black artists this month. Check them out below or head over to our Staff Picks page which we update regularly with the latest picks.
Find something you love? Let us know in the comments, or share it with the rest of the Sheet Music Direct community over on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Jacklyn's Pick
Hero, Mariah Carey
For this month's staff pick, I chose "Hero" by Mariah Carey in honor of Black History Month. The first time I ever heard this song was during 9/11, when it was playing everywhere, and it stuck with me in a way very few songs ever have. I was young, but I remember how heavy everything felt, and that song somehow brought a sense of comfort and steadiness in the middle of it. Ever since then, I've always had a soft spot for it. Even now, whenever I hear it, it reminds me that sometimes strength doesn't look dramatic. Sometimes it is just getting through something difficult one day at a time.
Jill's Pick
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, Charles Mingus
Mingus Ah Um holds a special place in my heart as the first jazz record I fell in love with - my high school band director handed me a copy when I joined our jazz band, and my sonic universe changed forever. "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," Mingus' beautiful tribute to saxophonist Lester Young, is a testament to how dissonance enriches our music & lives, creating something beautiful from discomfort.
Annie's Pick
Rise Up, Andra Day
"Rise Up" by Andra Day is such a powerful and inspirational ballad carrying a message of hope and perseverance when times are hard. Faithful to the recording, which uses just simple piano accompaniment, this Vocal Pro + Piano/Guitar arrangement is perfect for featuring the vocalist's performance.
Sam's Pick
Waterfalls, TLC
Now over 30 years old (amazingly), there's something about "Waterfalls" that always takes me back to my youth when I hear it. I love everything from the horns in the intro to the water-droplet synth notes, and its chorus, with those trademark TLC harmonies, is one of the best sing-along choruses of the 90s for me.
Mysha's Pick
Hey Ya!, OutKast
"Hey Ya!" is a song that was constantly on music channels like MTV when I was growing up, and one that I still love any time I hear it. What's also really great about this song is how differently it hits once you really listen to the lyrics, which you wouldn't expect from such an upbeat song!
Becca's Pick
Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me), The Temptations
I've seen The Temptations in concert a handful of times, and this is one of my favorites. This song was released in 1971, and is considered one of the signature songs by the group. This song was the last single that Eddie Kendricks recorded with the group before parting ways with The Temptations.
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