Radio Recap – 24 November 2024

“You have very quickly, and very cleverly, become the show.” Mark Wogan talking about LOVE SONGS in his interview with Michael Ball. November 2024

It’s true. It’s taken months, but Michael has made the show over into his image while still maintaining his focus on his callers and listeners. People tune in to hear Michael, to be inspired by his humor, his insight and his compassion. I said from the beginning that Michael’s personality was too magnanimous to be contained, no matter what the format of a show is. Michael embraced LOVE SONGS when he was given the helm, but he brought to the show his personal touch, his preferences, his love of spontaneity with his callers – and his signature giggle. I’m sure the broadcast will continue to evolve as Michael continues to settle in.

“Hello, my lovelies. How’s your week been? Bit of a rollercoaster?” And Michael opens with Ronan Keating’s ‘Life Is A Rollercoaster.’ Afterwards: “Listen, are you feeling festive yet? I’ve got to be honest with you. I thought it all started too early. But now we’re sort of here, to the end of November, I’m getting it, I’m feeling it, I’m getting the buzz, and I hope you are as well. But we’re not going to be playing Christmas music yet. Absolutely not. You can rest safe. We’re going to play love songs.”

Michael speaks with Janet on the Love Line, who’s celebrating her golden anniversary with her husband Ian. Their story is wonderful, a true love story, taking place during the war, culminating in 50 years together. A beautiful conversation, Michael obviously adores this lovely woman. Michael plays The Three Degrees “When Will I See You Again?” for them. Afterwards he adds, “I blooming love that song. And I love them. They were the height of glamour on TOP OF THE POPS when we used to watch it back in the day. Here’s a little fact about that song. Did you know that every single line it it is a question. Yeah! I know! Look at the lyrics. I’m absolutely right.” Michael continues to teach us about music, something I absolutely love about his radio shows. Speaking of music it’s a good selection today. Job well done, Ste Softley, Billy Draper and Michael, of course.

Back on the Love Line, Michael talks to Julia who is celebrating her mother Eileen’s 90th birthday. A nurse of 40 years, when Eileen retired she trained to be a relationship therapist. Michael calls Eileen, who thinks someone’s playing a game with her when he tells her it’s Michael Ball. “Really? … THE Michael Ball?” Michael assures her it’s him, but she again says, “The famous Michael Ball?” Michael replies with a twinkle, “Some would say infamous.” And Michael and Julia both wish her a very happy birthday.

Michael speaks with John on the Love Line who is celebrating his 71st wedding anniversary with Sheila, setting a new record for LOVE SONGS. Michael is astounded. “Seventy one years! What’s your secret?” John responds, “Respect. Looking after each other. And loving each other.” Michael agrees, “Loving each other is the most important thing.” But the wedding wasn’t smooth sailing. The night before the ceremony, John’s house was broken into. All the money was stolen. Also the ring – Sheila’s mother’s wedding ring which he was going to put on her finger that day, a huge loss. Michael commiserates. “All my life I used to wear my grandmother’s wedding ring, and I had it stolen. And you know, it’s not worth a lot, except to me, and Sheila must have felt exactly the same.” John ended up having to use a ring given to Sheila some years ago by an ice cream man, which Michael finds hilarious – and we finally hear that famous giggle! John reads a sweet poem to his Sheila, inspiring Michael to say, “You’re a romantic man, John.”

Love Letters. Michael speaks with Helen who’s written a love letter to her partner Rob. After the COVID lockdown, Helen says, “For some crazy reason I agreed to do a zip wire. She ended up loving it, despite the nasty weather. As she was getting unhooked, she met Rob and “that was it.” Amazing. Michael calls Rob, whose response is hilarious. “Well, hello, Michael Ball. What a surprise.” Michael says, “You sound very cool about it,” and Rob quickly answers, “Well, I was expecting another call, but you’re even better.” Rob admits that he and Helen listen to LOVE SONGS every Sunday morning. Helen reads her lovely witty letter, which makes Rob quite emotional. “Here’s the thing,” Michael says, “You have each other, and together you can weather any storm.”

The Last Dance is for Sarah, who’s marrying Tom today. Despite being older with children and even grandchildren, they know they have their whole lives still ahead of them. Sarah’s sentiment: Sometimes all your dreams can come true. “If this show proves anything,” Michael says, “it’s exactly that. That dreams can come true.”

Michael knows how to entertain his listeners. He’s given us a relaxing, laid-back broadcast today full of his own special touches. There is no better way to start off a Sunday – and a new week – than to listen to Michael Ball’s kind heart and spontaneous wit. I’ll say it again: We are SO lucky!

Song Track List. Ronan Keating ‘Life Is A Rollercoaster’; Texas ‘Say What You Want’; Lady Blackbird ‘Like A Woman’; The Three Degrees ‘When Will I See You Again’; Spice Girls ‘Too Much’; Toni Braxton ‘Un-Break My Heart’; Teddy Swims ‘Lose Control’; Keane ‘Somewhere Only We Know’; Jackie Wilson ‘Your Love Keeps Lifting Me’; Take That ‘Back For Good’; Whitney Houston ‘Love Is’; Michael Buble ‘Everything’; The Corrs ‘Runaway’; Celine Dion ‘Think Twice’; Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars ‘Die With A Smile’; Ben E. King ‘Stand By Me’; Alison Moyet ‘Is This Love?’; Gabrielle ‘When A Woman’; Atomic Kitten ‘Whole Again’

Song of the Week: Eric Carmen’s ‘Hungry Eyes.’