Dave Mustaine

The Megadeth frontman on the tracks that inspire him both personally and his music.

Rob Rinder

The barrister turned broadcaster reveals the music that is most important to him.

Actor and musician Minnie Driver's breakout film roles include Circle of Friends, Grosse Pointe Blank and the hugely successful 1997 movie, Good Will Hunting, for which she was Oscar nominated. You may have recently seen her in the movies Cinderella or Chevalier - and on TV in the US sitcom Speechless or in Rose Matafeo’s Starstruck here on the BBC.Minnie’s side-hustles are equally successful, she’s a podcaster, essayist and memoirist with her ‘tell most memoir’ Managing Expectations; which is a collection of essays about her life.She lives in California and is a passionate surfer and a doting mother to her teenage son Henry We asked mellifluous Minnie to share her Inheritance Tracks with us...Inherited: Save Your Love for Me by Nancy Wilson and Cannonball AdderleyPassing on: Have You Ever Seen The Rain? by Creedence Clearwater RevivalProducers: Ben Mitchell and Catherine Powell

Actor and musician Minnie Driver's breakout film roles include Circle of Friends, Grosse Pointe Blank and the hugely successful 1997 movie, Good Will Hunting, for which she was Oscar nominated. You may have recently seen her in the movies Cinderella or Chevalier - and on TV in the US sitcom Speechless or in Rose Matafeo’s Starstruck here on the BBC. Minnie’s side-hustles are equally successful, she’s a podcaster, essayist and memoirist with her ‘tell most memoir’ Managing Expectations; which is a collection of essays about her life. She lives in California and is a passionate surfer and a doting mother to her teenage son Henry We asked mellifluous Minnie to share her Inheritance Tracks with us... Inherited: Save Your Love for Me by Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley Passing on: Have You Ever Seen The Rain? by Creedence Clearwater Revival Producers: Ben Mitchell and Catherine Powell

Minnie Driver

Annie MacManus, known professionally as Annie Mac, is the DJ turned author whose new book ‘The Mess We're In’ is a story about how music can break you down and build you back up again. Annie presented shows on BBC Radio 1 for seventeen years and, as well as writing, performs at music festivals all over the world and at some of the biggest clubs.Inherited: A Rainy Night in Soho by The PoguesPass On: No one knows me like the piano by SamphaProducer: Ben Mitchell

Annie MacManus, known professionally as Annie Mac, is the DJ turned author whose new book ‘The Mess We're In’ is a story about how music can break you down and build you back up again. Annie presented shows on BBC Radio 1 for seventeen years and, as well as writing, performs at music festivals all over the world and at some of the biggest clubs. Inherited: A Rainy Night in Soho by The Pogues Pass On: No one knows me like the piano by Sampha Producer: Ben Mitchell

Annie Macmanus

After the indie rock band, The Audience, disbanded in the late 90’s, their lead singer began her solo career.   Sophie Ellis-Bextor had early solo hits like Murder on the Dancefloor and Groovejet (If This Ain't Love).   Sophie has now released her seventh studio album, Hana.  BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live asked Sophie to share her Inheritance Tracks with us.  Inherited:  Comfortably Numb by Pink FloydPassing on: Harmony Hall by Vampire Weekend. Producers: Lowri Rhiannon Morgan and Leni Hatcher.

After the indie rock band, The Audience, disbanded in the late 90’s, their lead singer began her solo career. Sophie Ellis-Bextor had early solo hits like Murder on the Dancefloor and Groovejet (If This Ain't Love). Sophie has now released her seventh studio album, Hana. BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live asked Sophie to share her Inheritance Tracks with us. Inherited: Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd Passing on: Harmony Hall by Vampire Weekend. Producers: Lowri Rhiannon Morgan and Leni Hatcher.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Actor, writer and stand-up comedian Guz Khan was born in Birmingham and raised in Coventry.   The former humanities teacher quit his job to pursue a career in comedy after his social media videos gained a following.  He went on to create the hit BBC television series Man Like Mobeen, and the fourth series is currently streaming via the BBC iPlayer.Inherited: Tumhein Dillagi Bhool Jani Paray Gi by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan  Passing on: Do For Love by Tupac Shakur Producer: Ben Mitchell and Melanie Pearson

Actor, writer and stand-up comedian Guz Khan was born in Birmingham and raised in Coventry. The former humanities teacher quit his job to pursue a career in comedy after his social media videos gained a following. He went on to create the hit BBC television series Man Like Mobeen, and the fourth series is currently streaming via the BBC iPlayer. Inherited: Tumhein Dillagi Bhool Jani Paray Gi by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Passing on: Do For Love by Tupac Shakur Producer: Ben Mitchell and Melanie Pearson

Guz Khan

Tanya Moodie

On her Instagram profile, actor Tanya Moodie describes herself as Buddhist, actor, Willow’s mum, Mini Bull terrier mum.  Born in Canada to Jamaican parents Tanya came to England at the age of 17 and got a place at RADA. She’s since worked with the RSC and The National Theatre and on TV is known for her award-winning work on the BBC series Motherland and for the RTE show The Clinic Inherited: Duppy Gunman by Ernie SmithPassing on: Freeman in Paris by Joni MitchellProducer: Ben Mitchell

On her Instagram profile, actor Tanya Moodie describes herself as Buddhist, actor, Willow’s mum, Mini Bull terrier mum. Born in Canada to Jamaican parents Tanya came to England at the age of 17 and got a place at RADA. She’s since worked with the RSC and The National Theatre and on TV is known for her award-winning work on the BBC series Motherland and for the RTE show The Clinic Inherited: Duppy Gunman by Ernie Smith Passing on: Freeman in Paris by Joni Mitchell Producer: Ben Mitchell

Ben Bailey Smith

Ben Bailey

You might know Ben Bailey Smith better as Doc Brown, an actor, comedian, rapper and screen writer. Ben was born to a Jamaican mother and English father in Willesden, north west London, his older sister is the celebrated writer Zadie Smith. He started rapping when he was 15, competing in Rap Battles in the early 2000’s, and became a successful stand up comedian. His acting talents have appeared in huge tv series like Channel 4’s Inbetweeners and Derek, to BBC’s Doctor Who, The Split and Damilola, Our Loved Boy to name but a handful. Often his comedy, music and acting talents overlap; he’s very good at all of these things so why wouldn’t he often combine them. In his podcast Shrink the Box, Ben and psychotherapist Sasha Bates analyse fictional tv characters like Omar from the Wire and Ross from Friends, trying to figure out why they are as they are.Inherited: Looks is Deceiving by The Gladiators Passing on: Doo Wop (That Thing) by Lauryn HillProducer: Ben Mitchell

You might know Ben Bailey Smith better as Doc Brown, an actor, comedian, rapper and screen writer. Ben was born to a Jamaican mother and English father in Willesden, north west London, his older sister is the celebrated writer Zadie Smith. He started rapping when he was 15, competing in Rap Battles in the early 2000’s, and became a successful stand up comedian. His acting talents have appeared in huge tv series like Channel 4’s Inbetweeners and Derek, to BBC’s Doctor Who, The Split and Damilola, Our Loved Boy to name but a handful. Often his comedy, music and acting talents overlap; he’s very good at all of these things so why wouldn’t he often combine them. In his podcast Shrink the Box, Ben and psychotherapist Sasha Bates analyse fictional tv characters like Omar from the Wire and Ross from Friends, trying to figure out why they are as they are. Inherited: Looks is Deceiving by The Gladiators Passing on: Doo Wop (That Thing) by Lauryn Hill Producer: Ben Mitchell

Gaz Coombes

The frontman of one of the biggest music acts of the 90’s, Supergrass, Gaz was born in Oxford to a food scientist father and an English teaching mother.  The family moved to San Francisco for a few of Gaz’s formative years, before returning to Oxford and at 13, he met 15-year-old Danny Goffey on the school playing field and that was the beginning of musical history.Supergrass released six studio albums in their 17 years and famously turned down an offer from Stephen Spielberg for the band to do a Monkees style TV series.The band broke up in 2010 and although they reformed, and played Glastonbury last year, Gaz has been making critically acclaimed solo records and has just released his fourth album Turn the Car Around.Inherited: My Father’s Name Is Dad by FirePassing on: Land by Patti SmithProducer: Ben Mitchell

The frontman of one of the biggest music acts of the 90’s, Supergrass, Gaz was born in Oxford to a food scientist father and an English teaching mother. The family moved to San Francisco for a few of Gaz’s formative years, before returning to Oxford and at 13, he met 15-year-old Danny Goffey on the school playing field and that was the beginning of musical history. Supergrass released six studio albums in their 17 years and famously turned down an offer from Stephen Spielberg for the band to do a Monkees style TV series. The band broke up in 2010 and although they reformed, and played Glastonbury last year, Gaz has been making critically acclaimed solo records and has just released his fourth album Turn the Car Around. Inherited: My Father’s Name Is Dad by Fire Passing on: Land by Patti Smith Producer: Ben Mitchell

Sadiq Khan

Sadiq Khan was born in 1970 in Tooting, south London. He became a solicitor in the early 90’s specializing in Human rights issues, and an MP in 2005. He was first elected as London Mayor in 2016, becoming the third mayor of the city and its first Muslim mayor. In his new book 'Breathe: Tackling the Climate Emergency' he describes his reaction to being diagnosed with adult-onset asthma.He reveals the music that was the soundtrack to the mad house he grew up in - and the inspirational song that politicised him.Inherited: Our House by Madness Passing on: Pride (In the Name of Love) by U2Producer: Ben Mitchell

Sadiq Khan was born in 1970 in Tooting, south London. He became a solicitor in the early 90’s specializing in Human rights issues, and an MP in 2005. He was first elected as London Mayor in 2016, becoming the third mayor of the city and its first Muslim mayor. In his new book 'Breathe: Tackling the Climate Emergency' he describes his reaction to being diagnosed with adult-onset asthma. He reveals the music that was the soundtrack to the mad house he grew up in - and the inspirational song that politicised him. Inherited: Our House by Madness Passing on: Pride (In the Name of Love) by U2 Producer: Ben Mitchell

Celebrating the music that special guests cherish and would like to bestow to future generations.

Alex George

Alex George was an A &amp; E doctor in London when he entered the nation’s consciousness by appearing on the fourth series of Love Island. Although he initially returned to work on the ward, the media clamour for his talent eventually lured him away. Using his medical expertise, he hosted a podcast, made appearances on many of the nation’s favourite TV shows and then, in 2020, his youngest brother took his own life. Alex then launched a campaign requesting the UK Government prioritise mental health amongst children and adolescents and he’s been focusing on Youth Mental Health ever since, writing two books and using his huge social media following to affect change.  He describes how he remembers his mother singing and dancing to Elton John, and reveals how the power of listening Ben Howard helped him through grief.Inherited: Your Song by Elton JohnPassing on: Keep Your Head Up by Ben HowardProducers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

Alex George was an A &amp; E doctor in London when he entered the nation’s consciousness by appearing on the fourth series of Love Island. Although he initially returned to work on the ward, the media clamour for his talent eventually lured him away. Using his medical expertise, he hosted a podcast, made appearances on many of the nation’s favourite TV shows and then, in 2020, his youngest brother took his own life. Alex then launched a campaign requesting the UK Government prioritise mental health amongst children and adolescents and he’s been focusing on Youth Mental Health ever since, writing two books and using his huge social media following to affect change. He describes how he remembers his mother singing and dancing to Elton John, and reveals how the power of listening Ben Howard helped him through grief. Inherited: Your Song by Elton John Passing on: Keep Your Head Up by Ben Howard Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

Dr Alex George

Mathew Baynton

Mathew Baynton is an actor, writer, comedian and musician – who shot to fame as part of the troop who brought us the historical and hysterical sketch show Horrible Histories on CBBC. Since then, along with his fellow co-stars, he has gone on to create, write and star in the critically acclaimed BBC series – Ghosts.  He describes how he finds inspiration in both the light and shade of Leonard Cohen's songs, and takes great solace in Big Thief's lyrics when thinking of his children.MusicInherited - Everybody Knows by Leonard CohenPass on - Change by Big ThiefProducer: Ben Mitchell

Mathew Baynton is an actor, writer, comedian and musician – who shot to fame as part of the troop who brought us the historical and hysterical sketch show Horrible Histories on CBBC. Since then, along with his fellow co-stars, he has gone on to create, write and star in the critically acclaimed BBC series – Ghosts. He describes how he finds inspiration in both the light and shade of Leonard Cohen's songs, and takes great solace in Big Thief's lyrics when thinking of his children. Music Inherited - Everybody Knows by Leonard Cohen Pass on - Change by Big Thief Producer: Ben Mitchell

Douglas Stuart’s debut novel Shuggie Bain won him The Booker Prize in 2020. It centres around an alcoholic single mother and her gay son navigating life on a Glasgow estate and it reflects Douglas’ own troubled upbringing. After near homelessness he earned a place at The Royal College of Art…and went on to land in the epicentre of New York fashion, working for huge brands.In this edition of the podcast Douglas discusses how the music of Nick Drake helped spark romance between him and his now husband, and why Bobby Hebb's "Sunny" keeps the spirit of his late brother alive.MusicInherited -  Pink Moon by Nick Drake Pass on - Sunny by Bobby HebbProducers: Ben Mitchell and Catherine Powell

Douglas Stuart’s debut novel Shuggie Bain won him The Booker Prize in 2020. It centres around an alcoholic single mother and her gay son navigating life on a Glasgow estate and it reflects Douglas’ own troubled upbringing. After near homelessness he earned a place at The Royal College of Art…and went on to land in the epicentre of New York fashion, working for huge brands. In this edition of the podcast Douglas discusses how the music of Nick Drake helped spark romance between him and his now husband, and why Bobby Hebb's "Sunny" keeps the spirit of his late brother alive. Music Inherited - Pink Moon by Nick Drake Pass on - Sunny by Bobby Hebb Producers: Ben Mitchell and Catherine Powell

Douglas Stuart

Alex Jones, is a broadcaster possibly best known and host of The One Show on BBC One.But her new show Reunion Hotel sees her give people a unique chance to reunite with one person from your past in one-of-a-kind hotel.In this edition of the podcast Alex reunites with the sound of Elton John playing on vinyl in the woodchip walls of her childhood home, and remembers the joy of the birth of her son thanks to Jason Mraz.Music:Inherited: Tiny Dancer by Elton JohnPass on: I'm Yours by Jason MrazProducers: Ben Mitchell and Lowri Rhiannon Morgan

Alex Jones, is a broadcaster possibly best known and host of The One Show on BBC One. But her new show Reunion Hotel sees her give people a unique chance to reunite with one person from your past in one-of-a-kind hotel. In this edition of the podcast Alex reunites with the sound of Elton John playing on vinyl in the woodchip walls of her childhood home, and remembers the joy of the birth of her son thanks to Jason Mraz. Music: Inherited: Tiny Dancer by Elton John Pass on: I'm Yours by Jason Mraz Producers: Ben Mitchell and Lowri Rhiannon Morgan

Alex Jones

Tony Robinson

Sir Tony Robinson is a multi-hyphenate; an actor, comedian, broadcaster and author whose career has, so far, spanned 50 years.He’s probably best-known for playing turnip-brained Baldrick (who always had 'a cunning plan) in the iconic TV show Blackadder, and his twenty-year stint fronting Channel 4’s Time Team, a series inspired by own his passion for digging deep into the past, to understand the present.His new podcast series “Cunningcast”, which sees him take the long view on the big stories of the day, is available now.Music:Inherited: The Man I Love by Billie HolidayPass on: Short People by Randy NewmanProducers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

Sir Tony Robinson is a multi-hyphenate; an actor, comedian, broadcaster and author whose career has, so far, spanned 50 years. He’s probably best-known for playing turnip-brained Baldrick (who always had 'a cunning plan) in the iconic TV show Blackadder, and his twenty-year stint fronting Channel 4’s Time Team, a series inspired by own his passion for digging deep into the past, to understand the present. His new podcast series “Cunningcast”, which sees him take the long view on the big stories of the day, is available now. Music: Inherited: The Man I Love by Billie Holiday Pass on: Short People by Randy Newman Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

Rufus Wainwright

In this edition of Inheritance Tracks Rufus Wainwright reveals the stories behind the music that continues to inspire him; from the highlands of Scotland to a powerful song gifted to his peers and contemporary gay men.Rufus will be performing at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival on April 29th.Music:Inherited: Wild Mountain Thyme - Judy CollinsPass on: Heading for Home by Peggy Seeger

In this edition of Inheritance Tracks Rufus Wainwright reveals the stories behind the music that continues to inspire him; from the highlands of Scotland to a powerful song gifted to his peers and contemporary gay men. Rufus will be performing at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival on April 29th. Music: Inherited: Wild Mountain Thyme - Judy Collins Pass on: Heading for Home by Peggy Seeger

Sophie Raworth

As well as being a consummate journalist, newsreader and broadcaster, Sophie does ‘beyond the limits’ running…the Marathon des Sables for example…for pleasure?!  In this edition of Inheritance Tracks she reveals the very personal stories behind the music that continues to inspire her and evoke such fond and beautiful memories; from her Grandfather's peerless piano performances to the raucously fun jazz nights with the Raworth house band.Music:Inherited: Franz Schubert - ImpromptuPass on: Frank Sinatra - Fly me to the moonProducers:Ben Mitchell and Ribika MoktanProducers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

As well as being a consummate journalist, newsreader and broadcaster, Sophie does ‘beyond the limits’ running…the Marathon des Sables for example…for pleasure?! In this edition of Inheritance Tracks she reveals the very personal stories behind the music that continues to inspire her and evoke such fond and beautiful memories; from her Grandfather's peerless piano performances to the raucously fun jazz nights with the Raworth house band. Music: Inherited: Franz Schubert - Impromptu Pass on: Frank Sinatra - Fly me to the moon Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

For Elizabeth Day, nothing succeeds like failure as her award-winning podcast How To Fail With Elizabeth Day proves - and getting in the way of defeat once again is her new book Friendaholic: Confessions of a Friendship Addict.In this edition of Inheritance Tracks she reveals how a warm down track in a spin class helped her through a tough time in her life and how the story behind one Abba classic struck a chord during her childhood growing up in Northern Ireland through The Troubles.Music:ABBA - FernandoAndra Day - Rise UpProducers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

For Elizabeth Day, nothing succeeds like failure as her award-winning podcast How To Fail With Elizabeth Day proves - and getting in the way of defeat once again is her new book Friendaholic: Confessions of a Friendship Addict. In this edition of Inheritance Tracks she reveals how a warm down track in a spin class helped her through a tough time in her life and how the story behind one Abba classic struck a chord during her childhood growing up in Northern Ireland through The Troubles. Music: ABBA - Fernando Andra Day - Rise Up Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

Elizabeth Day

Matthew Modine

Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto and On My Feelings  by Ruby Modine

Anneka Rice

Joan Baez performing There but for fortune, Nina Simone: Feeling Good

Love it! But it’s unavailable way too often. Don’t know if this is a BBC problem or a US one.

Inheritance Tracks

It hasn’t worked the last three weeks. Been dying to hear the Eric Idle episode but “unavailable” keeps coming up.

Love it but....

Adrian Dunbar

Hear My Song Violetta, performed by Josef Locke and A Hard Day’s Night by The Beatles.

Al Murray

Come Together by The Beatles and Follow You Follow Me by Genesis.

Nick Lowe

Fatback Louisiana USA by Tennessee Ernie Ford and Harlan County by Jim Ford.

Kiki Dee

The singer Kiki Dee shares her Inheritance Tracks: Some of Your Lovin sung by Dusty Springfield and Calling All Angels performed by Jane Siberry.

George RR Martin

George RR Martin  chooses The Wayward Wind by Gogi Grant and Ripple by The Grateful Dead.

Jonathan Van Ness

You Gotta Be by Des'ree and Big Dream by Jazmine Sullivan.

The singer Seal chose Smile by Nat King Cole and God Give Me Strength by Elvis Costello &amp; Burt Bacharach.

Seal

Jeff Goldblum

'Misty’ by Erroll Garner and ‘We’ll Meet Again’ by Vera Lynn

Bruce Dickinson

Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden chooses Child in Time by Deep Purple and Fire by The Crazy World of Arthur Brown.

Suzi Quatro

Singer and broadcaster Suzi Quatro chooses 'God Bless The Child' by Billie Holliday and 'Try A Little Tenderness' by Otis Reading.

Stephen Poliakoff

Chooses The Forsyte Saga theme by Eric Coates and Willow by Joan Armatrading

Mavis Staples

Singer and activist Mavis Staples chooses 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken' by The Staple Singers and 'What's Going On by Marvin Gaye.

Scott Thomas

These Boots Are Made for Walkin’, by Nancy Sinatra; and The Planets - Mars, by Holst.

Dame Kristin Scott Thomas

The best podcast episodes on romantic relationships. Episodes talk about the 5 love languages, intimacy, and the taboo topics of sexual desires and infidelity. This topic is a deep dive into the science and complexities that face us in our relationships with others. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Relationships & Love

What is this?
1 quote, 3 ideas & 1 question from a carefully curated podcast episode.
Every Monday & Wednesday.

Want a 3rd insight and episode every week? Email me at curation@owltail.com.