Take 5

Double J

4.9 (752)
MUSIC INTERVIEWS
UPDATED MONTHLY

The Take 5 is a music podcast where the people you love, share five songs they love. Each guest has a different theme, and the memories attached to their most beloved songs flip them to fan mode, often giving a rare insight into their creative heart. Hosted by Zan Rowe.

7 HRS AGO

Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Liberation

Sophie Ellis-Bextor knows how to fill a dancefloor. Across 8 albums, and a double indemnity hit in "Murder on the Dancefloor", she's made a name for herself as a pop-disco queen. When she’s not on stage or in a recording studio, Sophie is throwing a kitchen disco, hosting her Spinning Plates podcast, and publishing books. Sophie’s latest album Perimenopop takes stock of where she is today. The lessons learned, the way love evolves, and the place she finds herself. It's through-line is liberation, so I asked her to choose her favourite songs of freedom. Sophie Ellis-Bextor's song choices: Sylvester — 'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)'Madonna — 'Express Yourself'George Michael — 'Freedom 90'Sigrid — 'Mine Right Now'Prince & the Revolution — 'Let's Go Crazy'00:34 Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Musical Journey 02:15 Making new music 25 years after debut 04:55 Disco escapism and the queer community support 09:23 Sylvester – 'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)' 06:23 Indie rock beginnings and Groovejet 15:40 Obsession with Madonna and pleasure 13:39 Madonna – 'Express Yourself' 19:08 Is it better for women in pop music now? 22:37 Loving completely and opening for George Michael 26:32 George Michael – 'Freedom! '90' 27:18 Writing new album and mid life 29:09 Sigrid – 'Mine Right Now' 29:50 Going through Murder on the Dancefloor resurgence 34:06 The drama of Prince 35:25 Prince & the Revolution – 'Let's Go Crazy' 38:11 Conclusion, Susan Rogers Prince story + next week's guest! Show Notes Check out the Take 5 episode with Prince's sound engineer Susan Rogers!

41 min
4 MAR

Take 5 returns with a bumper new season

From bucket list guests to Australian rock royalty and a disco queen, find out who Zan will be Taking 5 with in 2026.

3 min
4 FEB

A little update for Take 5

Zan lets you know what's in store for 2026...

2 min
19 JAN

Best of Take 5: Aaron Chen

It's been a stratospheric rise for comedian, Aaron Chen. Getting his start in stand-up, he won a heap of fans starring in Fisk, and his charming stint on Taskmaster. But at the top of his game, he left Australia to start again in New York City. For his Take 5, Aaron shared one song from a pivotal time in his comedy career. Arcade Fire – 'Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels)'This is one of the Best Bits from Take 5. You can hear the full episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/aaron-chen-take-5/105781008 Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

12 min
12 JAN

Best of Take 5: Dannii Minogue

If you grew up in Australia in the 1980s then you probably grew up with Young Talent Time. It was a springboard for so much talent, and one of its biggest stars was Dannii Minogue. For her Take 5, Dannii shared the one song she loves the most from her sister Kylie Minogue's epic catalogue. Robbie Williams & Kylie Minogue – ‘Kids’This is one of the Best Bits from Take 5. You can hear the full episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/dannii-minogue-take-5-catalyst-songs/104419298 Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

10 min
5 JAN

Best of Take 5: Jack Antonoff

What do Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey and Kendrick Lamar have in common? Jack Antonoff. The decorated producer has made a name for himself shaping some of the biggest albums in the world. For his Take 5, Jack Antonoff shared how he brings an artist's vision to life. Waterboys – The Whole Of The MoonThis is one of the Best Bits from Take 5. You can hear the full episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/jack-antonoff-take-5-turning-points/103591368

10 min
29/12/2025

Best of Take 5: CMAT

Irish artist CMAT has got it all: the voice, the songwriting talent, the charm. Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, (aka CMAT), has been shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize and counts Elton John as a fan. Her Euro-Country songs capture heartbreak with a healthy dose of humour, which is why she gravitated towards country music in the first place. Gary Stewart – 'She’s Actin' Single (I’m Drinkin' Doubles)'This is one of the Best Bits from Take 5. You can hear the full episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/cmat-take-5-suckerpunch-songs/104404882

11 min
22/12/2025

Best Of Take 5: Darren Hayes

Savage Garden frontman Darren Hayes has lived quite the life. Hitting Number 1 around the world in 1997 with their debut album, he recently shared what was going on behind the scenes at that time, in his beautiful and devastating memoir, Unlovable. When he joined Zan Rowe to Take 5 back in 2024, he shared a whole new side of one of Australia's biggest stars. Peter Gabriel - 'Love To Be Loved'This is one of the Best Bits from Take 5. You can hear the full episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/darren-hayes-take-5-love-songs/104604586

11 min

See All (456)

Zan Rowe

Host

4.9

out of 5

752 Ratings

Just keeps getting better and better

08/10/2025

P_Andoman

Some really great interviews. Zan gives the guests plenty of space to talk - it feels like the show is just going from strength to strength.
Kevin Heaven

23/09/2025

jomaxi2512

I don’t know how you held it together Zan! What a beautiful man! Big fan of you both and loved the music your yarn took us on. Thank you 🙏
Love Take 5

03/05/2025

Cossie10

In the lead up to election day … had a great time listening to Antony Green . He’s so good at his job & obviously a dedicated music fan too . Mel Buttle’s Take 5 was so entertaining . Two great episodes 👌
Great interviews

03/11/2024

Diddoms69

Zan has a really lovely and warm interviewing style that helps artists to open up and share some great insights. Love this show. The Neil Finn episode was fantastic.

The Take 5 is a music podcast where the people you love, share five songs they love. Each guest has a different theme, and the memories attached to their most beloved songs flip them to fan mode, often giving a rare insight into their creative heart. Hosted by Zan Rowe.