News
Shipbuilding
The Robert Wyatt song from 1982, written by Elvis Costello and Clive Langer. Read more
now playing
Series 15
The Robert Wyatt song from 1982, written by Elvis Costello and Clive Langer.
Series 16
Lili Marlene
The impact of wartime favourite 'Lili Marlene', made famous by Marlene Dietrich.
Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar
How Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez for classical guitar touches people's lives.
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
Exploring the hymn that inspires campaigners, charity workers and reformed alcoholics.
Don't Leave Me This Way
Exploration of the disco anthem of yearning, pain and loss.
Elgar's Dream of Gerontius
How Elgar's poignant choral work has touched and changed people's lives.
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 19
A Shropshire Lad
Exploring the emotional impact of George Butterworth's rhapsody inspired by the Great War.
Plaisir d'Amour/Can't Help Falling in Love With You
Marianne Faithfull recalls the French love song that went on to inspire Elvis's hit.
Gracias a la Vida
The Latin American anthem to life is explored through personal stories.
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
Exploring the lasting emotional impact of The Smiths' 1986 anthem of hope, loss and love.
La Boheme
Opera director John Copley CBE reflects on his lifelong relationship with La Boheme.
Series 20
Hallelujah
How an obscure track on a Leonard Cohen album became a global anthem.
Bach Cello Suite No 1 in G Major
Leading cellists explain the power of Bach's Cello Suite No 1 in G Major.
First Cut Is the Deepest
The story behind the Cat Stevens song, and the memories people associate with it.
Scarborough Fair
The mystery and emotional ties of the folk song Scarborough Fair.
The Lord Is My Shepherd
Howard Goodall and Selina Scott explore the lasting impact of the hymn based on Psalm 23.
Series 2
In the Mood
Alyn Shipton and trombonist Paul Tanner reflect on the impact of the jitterbug super hit.
The Lark Ascending
Tasmin Little, Iona Brown and Allan Stephenson reflect on Vaughan Williams's work.
Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
Anna Blundy, Robert Offord and Colin Murray Parkes reflect on Cole Porter's song.
Zadok
Simon Halsey reflects on the impact of Handel's Zadok the Priest.
Over the Rainbow
Reflections on the impact of The Wizard of Oz's 'Over the Rainbow'.
