In 2013-14 Michael Sheen presented two BBC Radio 2 shows about the music of the 1980s. A fascinating, funny and sweet four hours of Michael playing records, nerding out over the music, and talking about growing up in Port Talbot and the effect the music of the era had on him.
In the first show on 28 December 2013, Michael talks about the history of the New Romantic movement, and interviews guests Steve Strange, Gary Numan and Midge Ure, who performs two tracks live.
In the second show on 4 January 2014, Michael talks about the music of his teenage years, and interviews Adam Ant and Howard Jones, who also performs two tracks live.
Highlights include: buying his first albums, his auntie Joan trying to do his hair like David Bowie, the schoolboy rebellion that took place in his music class, the song he had his first slow dance to, young Michael going to London and seeing Lily Savage with Graham Norton and deciding he wanted to be a drag queen, more songs that make him tearful, and the boy who inspired his performance in The Government Inspector.
Music played
Show 1
Visage – Fade To Grey
Duran Duran – Planet Earth
Roxy Music – Out Of The Blue
David Bowie – Ashes to Ashes
Scott Walker – Shutout
Ultravox – Slow Motion
Gary Numan – Are Friends Electric?
Gary Numan – Love Hurt Bleed
Spandau Ballet – To Cut A Long Story Short
Ultravox – Vienna
Midge Ure – Hymn (The Power and the Glory) (performed live)
Midge Ure – Do They Know It’s Christmas (performed live)
Ultravox – Flow
Soft Cell – Tainted Love
John Foxx – Systems Of Romance
Japan – Quiet Life
Goldfrapp – Train
Adam and the Ants – Ant Music
Show 2
The Jam – Start!
The Specials – Ghost Town
Adam and the Ants – Kings Of The Wild Frontier
Adam Ant – Vince Taylor
Depeche Mode – Slow
Tears for Fears – Pale Shelter
John Lennon – Woman
Bronski Beat – Smalltown Boy
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – Joan Of Arc
U2 – The Unforgettable Fire
Howard Jones – Hide & Seek (performed live)
Howard Jones – (The) Human Touch (performed live)
The Cult – She Sells Sanctuary
Spear of Destiny – Never Take Me Alive
New Order – Blue Monday
This Mortal Coil – Song To The Siren
Echo & the Bunnymen – The Killing Moon
The Smiths – How Soon Is Now?
