Sir Michael is widely regarded for his generous charity work across a variety of causes and sectors, including his support of The Booker Prize and university scholarships for low income students.
His personally meaningfully playlist includes songs from artists including The Funk Brothers and Amy Winehouse, each take him back to an important time in his life. Listen to Michael’s full selection of tracks below.
Get the Party Started by Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey grew up in Tiger Bay, which was the former name of docklands area of Cardiff, the city where I grew up. This song has an irrepressible and infectious zest that, oddly, is often used to start the studio bike classes I attend in San Francisco.
Bird on a Wire by Leonard Cohen
This Canadian poet-cum-musician was the soundtrack of my teenage years. I bought all of his albums and it was wonderful to watch his resurgence late in life.
Reach Out I’ll Be There by The Funk Brothers
I was lucky enough, on my 50th birthday, to have The Funk Brothers as guests. They were the versatile studio musicians who were the unsung heroes heard on dozens of Motown hits.
Beethoven’s Piano Sonata #2 in Major Opus 2 performed by Alfred Brendel
After our eldest son was born, I fell into the habit of listening to this recording when I made my first coffee of the day.
You Know I’m No Good by Amy Winehouse
There’s something so wistful about Amy Winehouse’s short life and it always reminds me when I encounter extremely creative people who conduct their lives on a different wavelength, that their talents need to be nurtured in special ways.
Some Other Time performed by Frederica von Stade
There’s something so wistful about Amy Winehouse’s short life and it always reminds me when I encounter extremely creative people who conduct their lives on a different wavelength, that their talents need to be nurtured in special ways.
Create a playlist for yourself or a loved one living with dementia. Try our playlist maker for ideas on songs to include.
