Mr Blue Sky
An exploration of the impact of ELO's 1978 off-beam classic, Mr Blue Sky. Read more
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Series 21
An exploration of the impact of ELO's 1978 off-beam classic, Mr Blue Sky.
Nkosi Sikelel iAfrica
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's Albert Mazibuko remembers the song Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika
Mack the Knife
The Brecht/Weill song Mack the Knife written for The Threepenny Opera in 1928.
Nimrod
Composer and conductor Paul Spicer explores the impact of Edward Elgar's Nimrod.
Fairytale of New York
The stories behind 1988's 'Fairytale of New York' by the Pogues.
Series 8
Allegri's Miserere
An exploration of the impact of Allegri's 17th-century music.
The Look of Love
The story behind this enduring love song and the personal memories forever linked to it.
Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme, by Thomas Tallis
How the beauty and richness of an orchestral fantasia inspired a young boy.
You've Got a Friend
Carole King tells the story of her song You've Got a Friend, from her 1971 Tapestry album.
Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs
People describe how Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs have brought solace at key moments.
Series 17
Strange Fruit
Soul Music examines the harrowing stories behind the song made famous by Billie Holiday.
Gymnopédie No 1
Pascal Rogé leads us through a personal and musical journey of Erik Satie's Gymnopédies.
Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Frankie Valli and others share their memories of the classic song.
Brahms' German Requiem
How Brahms's work, a tribute to his mother, has touched and changed people's lives.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
The story of the melancholic song, first performed by Judy Garland in 1944.
Series 18
Rhapsody in Blue
Soul Music examines Gershwin's 'experiment in modern music', 90 years after its premiere.
Crazy
People of all ages reflect on their love of this simple song, made famous by Patsy Cline.
Something Inside So Strong
This Labi Siffre anthem has been taken up by many groups who suffer from discrimination.
Myfanwy
A range of people explain what the hauntingly beautiful Welsh song 'Myfanwy' means to them
Adagio in G minor
Albinoni's Adagio may be wrongly attributed but it still never fails to move us.
Feed the Birds
'Feed The Birds' was written for the film Mary Poppins by Richard and Robert Sherman.
Series 22
Bring Him Home
Contributors explain what 'Bring Him Home', from Les Miserables, means to them.
Sukiyaki (Ue o Muite Arukou)
Personal stories of the 1960s Japanese hit song Sukiyaki (Ue o Muite Arukou).
The Way You Look Tonight
The Way You Look Tonight was made popular by Fred Astaire in the 1936 film, Swing Time.
Mozart's Requiem
How Mozart's Requiem, written when he was dying, has touched and changed people's lives.
Feed the Birds was written for the film Mary Poppins by Richard and Robert Sherman.
Series 23
A Change Is Gonna Come, by Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke's A Change Is Gonna Come has become an anthem for civil rights in the USA.
Jerusalem
How the very English 'Jerusalem' came to be loved by people from different cultures.
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Stories of the timeless love song written by Ewan MacColl and made famous by Roberta Flack
The Star-Spangled Banner
Exploring America's national anthem, set to the tune of an English social men's club song.
Auld Lang Syne
Stories of love, loss and joy associated with Auld Lang Syne.
Series 24
Waterloo Sunset
The Kink's Waterloo Sunset, from1967, evokes poignant and life-changing memories
My Favourite Things
Jazz musician David Liebman shares his memories of the song My Favourite Things.
Siegfried Idyll
Wagner's celebration of paternal love, written as a birthday gift for his wife.
You Are My Sunshine
The country song turned children's favourite is told through people's experiences.
Who Knows Where the Time Goes?
Memories of the much-loved song Who Knows Where the Time Goes? written by Sandy Denny.
O Holy Night
How the carol O Holy Night touched the lives of the archbishop of York and Katie Melua.
Series 25
Redemption Song
How Bob Marley's Redemption Song has inspired generations around the world.
Ich Habe Genug
People from around the world describe how Bach's cantata changed their lives.
Boys Don't Cry
Soul Music explores The Cure's tribute to teenage angst.
Kraftwerk: Computer World
How Kraftwerk's classic album Computer World has changed people's lives.
Cerys Matthews' Soul Music Mixtape - Part Three
A specially curated mixtape of Cerys's favourite stories from the 25 series of Soul Music
Cerys Matthews' Soul Music Mixtape - Part Two
A specially curated mixtape of Cerys's favourite stories from across the 25 series.
Cerys Matthews' Soul Music Mixtape - Part One
Series 26
Songs of the Civil Rights Movement
Actor Clarke Peters tells the stories of the songs behind the civil rights movement.
A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum
Why has Procol Harum's surreal track remained enduringly popular for over 50 years?
Prelude a l'Apres Midi d'un Faune by Debussy
People share stories of how Debussy's beautiful prelude has affected their lives.
God Only Knows
How the Beach Boys classic God Only Knows touches souls wherever it is played.
True Colors
How Cyndi Lauper's 1980s ballad True Colors has inspired people around the world.
Series 27
River
Personal stories of Joni Mitchell's song River, from her 1971 album Blue.
Shine On You Crazy Diamond
Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd
Schubert’s B-Flat Piano Sonata D960
Personal stories of Schubert’s last Piano Sonata
Smile
This classic tune was written by Charlie Chaplin for the film Modern Times.
Let the River Run
The story of how a classic 80’s movie song became an anthem for a new generation.
Series 28
Back to Black
How Amy Winehouse's music has helped so many young people.
Streets of London by Ralph McTell
50 years after it was first recorded, Ralph McTell and others discuss Streets of London.
Wind of Change
How Scorpions’ 1990s power ballad became an anthem for the fall of the Berlin Wall
Farewell to Stromness
Personal stories about Farewell to Stromness, by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies.
Series 29
The Boxer - Simon & Garfunkel
The Boxer - Simon & Garfunkel.
We Are Family
The smash disco hit about unity and family by Sister Sledge
Coventry Carol
The 'Coventry Carol' tells the story of the Slaughter of the Innocents
Toto's Africa
Released in 1982, this soft-rock anthem has become an unlikely viral smash-hit.
Days
How the Kinks classic 'Days' has touched peoples lives
Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay
Otis Redding's lonely lament and why it matters to people aged from 20 to 80
Series 30
Feeling Good
The surprising history behind a track made famous by Nina Simone
Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte by Maurice Ravel
What makes Ravel's Pavane For A Dead Princess so evocative and emotional?
I Will Survive
True stories of what the iconic disco anthem means to people around the world.
Harvest Moon
Neil Young's ode to enduring love.
Lean On Me by Bill Withers
An enduring classic which delivers a message of support and friendship.
Sunshine on Leith
Why Sunshine on Leith is a love song to humanity
I Wonder as I Wander
Personal stories from around the world inspired by the carol 'I Wonder as I Wander'.
Once In A Lifetime
Talking Heads' breakout hit from 1980 is explored by people whose lives the song touched.
Life on Mars?
The enigmatic beauty of Bowie's classic song.
Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat
An '80s disco classic that tells a powerful story.
We've Only Just Begun
The Carpenters' massive hit about hopes and dreams was originally a TV advert for a bank.
The Parting Glass
A folk song that has endured through centuries
Take Me Home, Country Roads
From West Virginia to West Jamaica, stories of what the song means to people.
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
The 1967 hit for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell followed by Diana Ross in 1970.
Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific
Personal memories of one of the most beloved songs written by Rodgers & Hammerstein
Unfinished Sympathy
Personal stories inspired by Massive Attack's breakthrough single.
Song To The Siren
The different meanings Tim Buckley's ballad has for people
U2 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
More gospel than rock this 1987 hit has inspired change and created strong memories
A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten
Memories of Benjamin Britten's Christmas work for harp and voices.
Purple Rain
Stories of Prince's epic ballad, from the first jam in 1983 to the global hit it is today.
Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton
Candi Staton helps to celebrate this uplifting 1970s disco classic.
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Stories of what Jacques Brel's song has meant to people around the world.
Bruch's Violin Concerto
Stories of what Bruch's popular violin concerto means to people around the world.