Ernesto Lechner, 57, cohost of NPR’s The Latin Alternative

“Take a Chance With Me” by Roxy Music (1982)

Then: In my 20s, I thought it was a little too slick.

Now: Something clicked. This song captures, to me, that finite, precious element of the human experience, of being alive. It makes me think, Enjoy the moment, because it’s so fleeting but it can be so beautiful.

Joan Osbourne, 63, singer-songwriter

“I Woke Up in Love This Morning” by the Partridge Family (1971)

Then: When I started to get serious about music, I became dismissive of it because it was this manufactured thing.

Now: These were amazing studio musicians playing on it. And it was written by amazing songwriters. I feel much less like I have to dismiss it as not pure enough.

Dion Summers, 51, vice president at SiriusXM

“Candy” by Cameo (1986)

Then: This was such a fun dance song, a feel-good song.

Now: So when you grow up and you find out what they’re really talking about [some say it’s about drugs], it makes you think back on the song differently. As an adult, I have to check myself and watch who I sing it in front of now. —Sean Piccoli