BBC Radio Podcasts from Soul Music
I Can See Clearly Now
Stories of what Johnny Nash's 1972 hit means to people around the world.
Someone to Watch Over Me
The much-loved and much-recorded song by George Gershwin.
Sweet Thing
Exploring why Van Morrison's iconic song, from Astral Weeks, means so much to so many.
Songs My Mother Taught Me
Dvorak's best known song from his Gypsy Cycle composed for voice and piano in 1880
Fire and Rain
James Taylor's song of suicide, loneliness and addiction, which somehow remains hopeful.
Pata Pata
Stories of what Miriam Makeba's iconic song means to people from around the world.
Defying Gravity from Wicked
The power of the anthem from the hit musical.
I Will Always Love You
Written by Dolly Parton... sent stratospheric by Whitney Houston.
Fast Car
Stories of personal connection to Tracy Chapman's hit song.
I Say a Little Prayer for You
Stories about the Burt Bacharach classic
Ghost Town
Stories of what this iconic song by two-tone band The Specials means to different people.
I Only Have Eyes For You
The hypnotic beauty of a Tin Pan Alley song made famous by The Flamingos.
I Believe in Father Christmas
'The Christmas we get we deserve.' How Greg Lake's 1975 hit gives people hope and comfort.
Nessun Dorma
Stories of what this powerful Puccini aria means to people from around the world.
Killing Me Softly with His Song
Stories of what Killing Me Softly with His Song means to people around the world.
Into My Arms by Nick Cave
How people find comfort in Nick Cave's music.
Chervona Kalyna
Powerful stories linked to this beautiful and stirring Ukrainian folk song
Bruch's Violin Concerto
Stories of what Bruch's popular violin concerto means to people around the world.
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Stories of what Jacques Brel's song has meant to people around the world.
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.
A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten
A composition for voices and harp, written on a cargo ship on the Atlantic in 1942.
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
Song to the Siren
The different meanings Tim Buckley's ballad has for people.
Unfinished Sympathy
Personal stories inspired by Massive Attack's breakthrough single.
Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific
Personal memories of one of the most beloved songs written by Rodgers & Hammerstein
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
The story behind this uplifting anthem and the personal memories forever linked to it.
Take Me Home, Country Roads
From West Virginia to West Jamaica, stories of what the song means to people.
The Parting Glass
A folk song that has endured through centuries
We've Only Just Begun
The Carpenters' massive hit about hopes and dreams was originally a TV advert for a bank.
Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat
An '80s disco classic that tells a powerful story.
Sunshine on Leith
Why Sunshine on Leith is a love song to humanity
David Bowie - Life on Mars?
The enigmatic beauty of Bowie's classic song 'Life on Mars?'
Once In A Lifetime
Talking Heads' breakout hit from 1980 explored by people whose lives the song touched
I Wonder as I Wander
Personal stories from around the world inspired by the carol 'I Wonder as I Wander'.
Lean On Me by Bill Withers
An enduring classic which delivers a message of support and friendship.
I Will Survive
True stories of what the iconic disco anthem means to people around the world.
Harvest Moon
Neil Young's 1992 song about enduring love
Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte by Maurice Ravel
What makes Ravel's Pavane For A Dead Princess so evocative and emotional?
Feeling Good
The surprising history behind a track made famous by Nina Simone
Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay
Otis Redding's lonely lament, and why it matters to people aged from 20 to 80
Days
How the Kinks classic 'Days' has touched peoples lives.
Toto's Africa
Released in 1982, this soft-rock anthem has become an unlikely viral smash-hit.
Coventry Carol
The 'Coventry Carol' tells the story of the Slaughter of the Innocents
We Are Family
The smash disco hit about unity and family by Sister Sledge.
The Boxer - Simon & Garfunkel
The continuing impact of Simon & Garfunkel’s song The Boxer.
Farewell to Stromness
Personal stories about Farewell to Stromness, by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies.
Wind of Change
How Scorpions’ 1990s power ballad became an anthem for the fall of the Berlin Wall
Streets of London by Ralph McTell
Ralph McTell and others discuss Streets of London.
Back to Black
How Amy Winehouse's music has helped so many young people
Let the River Run
The story of how a classic 80’s movie song became an anthem for a new generation.
Smile
This classic tune was written by Charlie Chaplin for the film 'Modern Times'.
Schubert’s B-Flat Piano Sonata D960
Personal stories of Schubert’s last Piano Sonata.
Shine On You Crazy Diamond
Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd
River
Personal stories of Joni Mitchell's song 'River', from her 1971 album Blue.
True Colors
How Cyndi Lauper's 1980s ballad True Colors has inspired people around the world.
God Only Knows
How the Beach Boys classic God Only Knows touches souls wherever it is played.
Prelude a l'Apres Midi d'un Faune by Debussy
People share stories of how Debussy's beautiful prelude has affected their lives.
A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum
Why has Procol Harum's surreal track remained enduringly popular for over 50 years?
Songs of the Civil Rights Movement
Actor Clarke Peters tells the stories of the songs behind the civil rights movement.
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
A specially curated mixtape of Cerys's favourite stories from the 25 series of Soul Music
Kraftwerk: Computer World
How Kraftwerk's classic album Computer World has changed people's lives.
Boys Don't Cry
Soul Music explores The Cure's tribute to teenage angst.
Ich Habe Genug
People from around the world describe how Bach's cantata changed their lives.
Redemption Song
How Bob Marley's Redemption Song has inspired generations around the world.
O Holy Night
How the carol O Holy Night touched the lives of the archbishop of York and Katie Melua.
Who Knows Where the Time Goes?
Memories of the much-loved song Who Knows Where the Time Goes? written by Sandy Denny.
You Are My Sunshine
The country song turned children's favourite is told through people's experiences.
Siegfried Idyll
Wagner's celebration of paternal love, written as a birthday gift for his wife.
My Favourite Things
Jazz musician David Liebman shares his memories of the song My Favourite Things.
Waterloo Sunset
The Kink's Waterloo Sunset, from1967, evokes poignant and life-changing memories
The Star-Spangled Banner
Exploring America's national anthem, set to the tune of an English social men's club song.
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Stories of the timeless love song written by Ewan MacColl and made famous by Roberta Flack
Jerusalem
How the very English 'Jerusalem' came to be loved by people from different cultures.
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.
Feed the Birds
'Feed The Birds' was written for the film Mary Poppins by Richard and Robert Sherman.
Mozart's Requiem
How Mozart's Requiem, written when he was dying, has touched and changed people's lives.
The Way You Look Tonight
The Way You Look Tonight was made popular by Fred Astaire in the 1936 film, Swing Time.
Sukiyaki (Ue o Muite Arukou)
Personal stories of the 1960s Japanese hit song Sukiyaki (Ue o Muite Arukou).
Bring Him Home
Contributors explain what 'Bring Him Home', from Les Miserables, means to them.
Fairytale of New York
The stories behind 1988's 'Fairytale of New York' by the Pogues.
Nimrod
Composer and conductor Paul Spicer explores the impact of Edward Elgar's Nimrod.
Mack the Knife
The Brecht/Weill song Mack the Knife written for The Threepenny Opera in 1928.
Nkosi Sikelel iAfrica
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's Albert Mazibuko remembers the song Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika
Mr Blue Sky
An exploration of the impact of ELO's 1978 off-beam classic, Mr Blue Sky.
The Lord Is My Shepherd
Howard Goodall and Selina Scott explore the lasting impact of the hymn based on Psalm 23.
Scarborough Fair
Soul Music explores the mystery and emotional ties of folk song Scarborough Fair.
First Cut Is the Deepest
The story behind the Cat Stevens song, and the memories people associate with it.
Bach Cello Suite No 1 in G Major
Leading cellists explain the power of Bach's Cello Suite No 1 in G Major.
Hallelujah
How an obscure track on a Leonard Cohen album became a global anthem.
La Boheme
Opera director John Copley CBE reflects on his lifelong relationship with La Boheme.
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
Exploring the lasting emotional impact of The Smiths' 1986 anthem of hope, loss and love.
Gracias a la Vida
The Latin American anthem to life is explored through personal stories.
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 60s hit.
A Shropshire Lad
Exploring the emotional impact of George Butterworth's rhapsody inspired by the Great War.
Adagio in G minor
Albinoni's Adagio may be wrongly attributed but it still never fails to move us.
Myfanwy
A range of people explain what the hauntingly beautiful Welsh song 'Myfanwy' means to them
Something Inside So Strong
This Labi Siffre anthem has been taken up by many groups who suffer from discrimination.
Crazy
People of all ages reflect on their love of this simple song, made famous by Patsy Cline.
Rhapsody in Blue
Soul Music examines Gershwin's 'experiment in modern music', 90 years after its premiere.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
The story of the melancholic song, first performed by Judy Garland in 1944.
Brahms' German Requiem
How Brahms's work, a tribute to his mother, has touched and changed people's lives.
Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Frankie Valli and others share their memories of the classic song.
Gymnopédie No 1
Pascal Rogé leads us through a personal and musical journey of Erik Satie's Gymnopédies.
Strange Fruit
Soul Music examines the harrowing stories behind the song made famous by Billie Holiday.
Elgar's Dream of Gerontius
How Elgar's poignant choral work has touched and changed people's lives.
Don't Leave Me This Way
Exploration of the disco anthem of yearning, pain and loss.
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
Exploring the hymn that inspires campaigners, charity workers and reformed alcoholics.
Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar
How Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez for classical guitar touches people's lives.
Lili Marlene
The impact of wartime favourite 'Lili Marlene', made famous by Marlene Dietrich.
Shipbuilding
The Robert Wyatt song from 1982, written by Elvis Costello and Clive Langer.
Pergolesi's Stabat Mater
The Stabat Mater hymn imagines the sufferings of the Virgin Mary at the foot of the cross.
She Moved Through The Fair
Sinéad O'Connor & others talk about the haunting beauty of this ancient song. From 2013.
Beethoven's Fifth Symphony
More than just 'da da da dum', how Beethoven's famous symphony touched people's lives.
Peggy Lee's Is That All There Is?
The impact of the song written by Leiber and Stoller, inspired by the writer Thomas Mann.
Bach's St Matthew Passion
An exploration of how Bach's St Matthew Passion touches and changes people's lives.
Brothers in Arms
The enduring appeal of the Dire Straits classic is explored by those touched by the piece.
The Skye Boat Song
Exploring how this song from the 1870s continues to touch people's lives across the world.
Beethoven's Violin Concerto
An exploration of how Beethoven's Violin Concerto has touched and changed people's lives.
Dvorak's New World Symphony
Anti-apartheid campaigner Albie Sachs on the Largo from Dvorak's New World Symphony.
The Hallelujah Chorus
Exploration of the emotional impact of The Hallelujah chorus from Handel's 1742 oratorio.
Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien
An exploration of the emotional impact of the song made famous by French singer Edith Piaf
Rachmaninov, 2nd Piano Concerto
Exploration of how Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto touches and changes people's lives.
Gresford, the Miners' Hymn
Exploration of the haunting melancholy of Gresford, the Miners' Hymn, by Robert Saint.
Baker Street
A celebration of Gerry Rafferty's popular solo hit, Baker Street.
Let's Face the Music and Dance
Exploring the emotional impact of the classic Irving Berlin song.
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
Exploring the hymn which sets John Greenleaf Whittier's poem to music by Hubert Parry.
Spiegel im Spiegel
Exploring the impact of Arvo Pärt's Spiegel im Spiegel on listeners' lives.
Wichita Lineman
People reflect on the emotional impact of the country-pop crossover track.
Mendelssohn's Octet
Exploring the impact that Mendelssohn's Octet has had on different people's lives.
Mahler's Adagietto
Music lovers describe the part that Mahler's Adagietto has played in their lives.
Schubert's Winterreise
Music lovers describe the part that Schubert's Winterreise has played in their lives.
The Impossible Dream
Lesley Garrett and yachtsman Geoff Holt on the inspiring song, The Impossible Dream.
Simple Gifts
Music lovers describe the important place the tune Simple Gifts has had in their lives.
Mozart's Clarinet Quintet
Music lovers describe the impact that Mozart's Clarinet Quintet has had on their lives.
The Emperor
Examining the power of Beethoven's fifth piano concerto, The Emperor.
How Great Thou Art
Examining the power of the hymn How Great Thou Art.
Faure Requiem
David Willcocks and others reflect on the inspirational impact of Fauré's Requiem.
Ma Vlast
Ma Vlast by Bedrich Smetana has become an integral part of Czech culture.
Send in the Clowns
Stephen Sondheim's song was written late in rehearsals for the actress Glynis Johns.
Bach's Goldberg Variations
People describe the place that Bach's Goldberg Variations have in their lives.
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Exploring what an American spiritual song means to different people
Dido's Lament
Exploring what Henry Purcell's aria means to different people.
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
An exploration of the personal and professional impact of the concerto written in 1844.
Praise My Soul
The story of Henry Francis Lyte's hymn that never fails to move a congregation.
Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs
People describe how Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs have brought solace at key moments.
You've Got a Friend
Carole King tells the story of her song You've Got a Friend, from her 1971 Tapestry album.
Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme, by Thomas Tallis
How the beauty and richness of an orchestral fantasia inspired a young boy.
The Look of Love
The story behind this enduring love song and the personal memories forever linked to it.
Allegri's Miserere
An exploration of the impact of Allegri's 17th-century music.
What a Wonderful World
In 1967, amidst protests and war, Louis Armstrong recorded 'What A Wonderful World'
Chopin's Ballade No 1 in G Minor
How lives were shaped by Chopin's technically demanding, emotionally turbulent music.
So What
The impact of Miles Davis' 'So What' from his record 'Kind of Blue'.
Swan Lake
The story behind Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and the impact it has had on audiences.
Spem in Alium
Thomas Tallis's work is one of the most spectacular pieces of choral music ever written.
Tainted Love
The Motown song that became a 70s Northern Soul scene favourite, and a huge 80s pop hit.
Finlandia
Sibelius's work was adopted as Finland's symbol of its fight for independence from Russia.
New York, New York
Composer John Kander on the difficulties of writing the famous song, New York, New York.