Take 5

Double J

4.9 (737)
MUSIC INTERVIEWS
UPDATED FORTNIGHTLY

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.

2 DAYS AGO

Noel Gallagher's 'escape' songs

Oasis are undoubtedly the biggest band to rise out of Brit Pop. And it’s hard to describe how massive their return is. For years, the public fighting between the Gallagher brothers suggested they’d never come back. And one day, they did. Oasis have been playing all over the world to stadiums of screaming fans, young and old. And as they finally return to Australia, we’re celebrating by sharing a Take 5 for the ages from the archives. A couple of years ago Zan Rowe sat down with Noel Gallagher in his own studio, in Kings Cross, London. At this stage, the reformation tour was not on. He was recording and touring with his band the High Flying Birds, and had just released an album called Council Skies. Noel’s history is everywhere in his songs. And the songs he loves, too. You'll hear songs you're expecting, but it's the ones you're not that'll pack a real punch. And the stories? All time. Noel Gallagher's song choices: 1.Pink Floyd – 'Nobody Home'2.The Smiths – 'Asleep'3.Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass – 'This Guy's In Love With You'4.Air – 'All I Need'5.The Beatles – 'I Am The Walrus'00:00 Introduction and Oasis' Impact 00:57 Noel Gallagher's Studio and memorabilia from The Haçienda nightclub 02:11 SONG 1: Pink Floyd – 'Nobody Home' 07:35 Reflecting on life as a rock star & post-fame 09:45 SONG 2: The Smiths – 'Asleep' 14:55 Growing up in Manchester 17:02 SONG 3: Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass – 'This Guy's In Love With You' 17:11 A Memorable Encounter with Burt Bacharach 24:09 Remembering Burt Bacharach 25:38 SONG 4: Air – 'All I Need' 30:52 The Shift to Digital Music 31:30 Wild Times with Oasis 35:09 Transition to a Calmer Life 36:33 SONG 5: The Beatles – 'I Am The Walrus' 39:48 The Night That Changed Everything for Oasis 41:37 Reflecting on Oasis' Final Tour 42:55 The Joy of Songwriting 44:25 Closing Thoughts and Future Guests Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe Contains strong language. This episode was originally broadcast in 2023.

46 min
23 OCT

Mother and Son: Denise Scott and Matt Okine

Get ready to laugh, cry, and go head-to-head with two of Australia's most loved comedians. Denise Scott and Matt Okine are Mother and Son (the remix). And as the second series comes to a close on ABC TV and ABC iview, I roped them in to Take 5. A bit out of the ordinary, but oh boy, they embraced it. This is beautiful and hilarious Take 5, and you’re gonna walk away from it feeling all the richer. Denise Scott and Matt Okine's song choices: 1.Neil Young - 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart'2.Bruce Springsteen - 'Thunder Road'3.Jordie Lane - 'New Normal'4.Radiohead - 'Paranoid Android'5.Bag Raiders - 'Shooting Stars'00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:14 Denise Scott's Journey in Comedy 00:37 Mother and Son Reboot 00:55 Personal Stories and Reflections 01:25 Behind the Scenes of Mother and Son 03:16 The Origin of the Reboot Idea 05:29 Musical Memories and Mix Tapes 05:36 SONG 1: Neil Young - 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart' 09:12 Heartbreak and Humor 13:58 SONG 2: Bruce Springsteen - 'Thunder Road' 18:19 Family Dynamics and Aging 21:07 The Vulnerability of Performing 21:36 Denise's Son Jordie Lane and His Music 21:42 SONG 3: Jordie Lane - 'New Normal' 24:58 Scotty's New Standup Show Tickety Boo 27:18 SONG 4: Radiohead - 'Paranoid Android' 28:46 The death of Matt's mother 33:45 Judith Lucy and Denise's secret - The Power Weep 36:16 SONG 5: Bag Raiders - 'Shooting Stars' 39:28 Conclusion and Next Episode with Noel Gallagher Watch Mother and Son on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/mother-and-son

41 min
14 OCT

Paul Kelly's songs of 'place'

Paul Kelly is a national treasure, who's written the soundtrack to our lives. Road trips, first loves, heartbreak, our very sense of identity; he’s explored it all over more than 40 years and 30 albums. But who are the songwriters that tickle him? And what place do they take him to? That was the theme I gave PK, when I invited him to Take 5. And you’re about to dig into an extraordinary conversation, about place, time, family, and the mystery of song. Paul Kelly's song choices: 1.Kinks – 'Waterloo Sunset'2.The Go-Betweens – 'Cattle And Cane'3.Joni Mitchell – 'River'4.Queen Latifah – 'Just Another Day…'5.Archie Roach – 'Charcoal Lane'00:00 Introduction to Paul Kelly's Musical Journey 01:40 Paul Kelly's Influences and Visual Songwriting 02:59 SONG 1: Kinks – 'Waterloo Sunset' 07:13 Paul Kelly's Early Life and Musical Education 10:26 Discovering Jazz and the Trumpet 13:45 SONG 2: The Go-Betweens – 'Cattle And Cane' 16:33 Songwriting Process and Inspirations 21:59 SONG 3: Joni Mitchell – 'River' 25:35 The Magic of Christmas Songs 29:28 The Song's Characters and Their Stories 31:12 Writing the Sequel: Unexpected Turns 32:32 Exploring the Mystery of Songwriting 35:21 SONG 4: Queen Latifah – 'Just Another Day…' 35:31 Contrasts in Music: Queen Latifah's 'Just Another Day' 37:12 Hip Hop and Folk Music: Unexpected Parallels 43:38 The Art of Songwriting: From Poems to Albums 47:42 SONG 5: Archie Roach – 'Charcoal Lane' 53:08 Final Reflections and Future Directions Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

58 min
7 OCT

Jarvis Cocker from Pulp

Jarvis Cocker has had a dream run. As founding member and lead singer of Pulp, he hit the highest of the highs during Brit Pop in the 90s, before embarking on a solo career that was just as celebrated. A few years ago he published a different kind of memoir called Good Pop, Bad Pop, which visually catalogued his stuff and told his story through its memories. And within that was revealed the Pulp Masterplan, a manifesto by young Jarvis of what a band would look, sound, and be like. Much of it came true. You’re about to spend time with one of the most charismatic frontmen I’ve met. But offstage, Jarvis Cocker is somewhat shy, reserved, and more than a little self-deprecating. It took me by surprise when we sat down in an old theatre in London’s Shepherd’s Bush. The Jarvis I’d grown up with, was different to the one facing me in Bush Hall. Settle in for a beautiful, funny, and poetic conversation about life, love and and endless obsession with song. Jarvis Cocker's song choices: 1.The Cryin’ Shames – ‘Please Stay’2.B52s – ‘Dance This Mess Around’3.Scott Walker – ‘It’s Raining Today’ 4.Judy Dench ‘Send In The Clowns’ / Boys Town Gang ‘Can't Take My Eyes Off You’ Jarvis Cocker Mash-Up [unreleased]5.Bob Dylan – ‘Isis’00:00 Introduction and Memorable Moments 00:18 Jarvis Cocker's Career and Memoir 01:04 The Charismatic and Shy Jarvis 02:02 Music as an Escape 03:51 The Take 5 Theme of Love 07:12 SONG 1: The Cryin’ Shames – ‘Please Stay’ 10:51 Childhood and Early Influences like The Beatles 15:28 Sheffield and Moving to London 18:16 SONG 2: B52s – ‘Dance This Mess Around’ 22:32 The Pulp Master Plan 29:41 The Reality of Fame 31:03 The Impact of Fame 32:13 SONG 3: Scott Walker – ‘It’s Raining Today’ 37:50 Pulp's Reunion and New Beginnings 41:25 SONG 4: Judy Dench ‘Send In The Clowns’ / Boys Town Gang ‘Can't Take My Eyes Off You’ Jarvis Cocker Mash-Up [unreleased] 42:00 A Unique Wedding Story 44:37 Reflections on Love and Relationships 46:58 Pulp's 2025 album More 48:29 Glastonbury Performance: Then and Now 54:06 The Magic of Live Performances 55:54 SONG 5: Bob Dylan – ‘Isis’ 58:29 Final Thoughts and Farewell Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

1h 3m
30 SEPT

Take 5 with Lorde

At the age of 16, Lorde went #1 across the world. She was catapulted from the suburbs of Auckland to the Grammy's stage, winning Song of the Year. 12 years and four albums later, she's continued to defy expectations as a pop artist and is one of the most gifted songwriters of our time. This is an episode of Take 5 that was filmed for the TV series, but this podcast is an extended edit - capturing even more stories, insight, and sounds. It's an incredible conversation with one of the most thoughtful people I've met. Lorde has been going through a massive period of change. A chrysalis, taking new form. So I worked up a Take 5 theme to draw that out. And from Lucinda Williams to Westerman to something very close to home, hearing her speak about the craft of song is a rare treat. Lorde's song choices: Lucinda Williams – 'Fruits of My Labor'Bronski Beat – 'Smalltown Boy'Nina Simone – 'Suzanne'Westerman – 'Confirmation'Charli xcx & Lorde – 'Girl, so confusing featuring lorde'00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:49 Lorde's Early Influences and First Song Choice 02:03 SONG 1: Lucinda Williams – 'Fruits of My Labor' 02:33 Lucinda Williams' Impact on Lorde 09:30 Lorde's Childhood and Musical Beginnings 12:56 The Mystery of Songwriting 14:02 SONG 2: Bronski Beat – 'Smalltown Boy' 18:55 Writing songs about life experiences 21:05 Reflecting on the huge success of 'Royals', The Love Club EP and being world famous at 16 24:10 Reflecting on Teenage Years and Womanhood 28:22 Lorde's Relationship with Her Parents 30:18 SONG 3: Nina Simone – 'Suzanne' 30:27 Nina Simone's Transformative Cover of 'Suzanne' 31:16 Leonard Cohen's Inspiration and Poetic Imagery 32:12 Nina Simone's Unique Interpretation 35:39 Exploring Gender and Identity in Music 36:36 Relationship break-up and personal transformation 39:47 SONG 4: Westerman – 'Confirmation' 42:01 The Creative Process Behind 'Virgin' 44:55 Physical reactions to music 46:15 SONG 5: Charli xcx & Lorde – 'Girl, so confusing featuring lorde' 46:44 Charli xcx releasing 'Girl, so confusing' about Lorde 48:04 Lorde's verse and working it out in the remix 49:08 Articulating the complexity of female friendships 54:02 Lorde reflecting on her friendship with Charli xcx 55:22 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

1 hr
23 SEPT

Kevin Bacon Takes 5 with songs of joy

You’re about to learn a whole lot more about Kevin Bacon. The prolific actor has been on our screens for more than 40 years. It was his breakthrough part as Ren in Footloose that got him attention, but he was just getting started. Acclaimed roles in Apollo 13, A Few Good Men, The River Wild, and Mystic River would follow. In fact his filmography and range is so broad he literally had a game made up about him – Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon – where you could connect any Hollywood actor to him in six or less steps, he’s worked with that many stars. But bubbling away in the background, Kevin has always loved music. He played and wrote songs as a kid, joined his brother’s band and formed The Bacon Brothers in ’95, and shares his love of songs on the regular, across his social media. It was this thread I wanted to pull at, when I asked him to Take 5. But what emerged was a greater sense of the man himself. Deeply empathetic, very grounded, and with his heart in all the right places. Kevin Bacon's song choices: Earth, Wind & Fire – 'Happy Feelin'Spin Doctors – 'Little Miss Can't Be Wrong'John Prine & Iris DeMent – 'In Spite of Ourselves'Frank Ocean – 'Thinkin Bout You'Brandi Carlile – 'The Joke'00:00 Introduction to Kevin Bacon's Musical Journey 01:00 Kevin Bacon's Love for Music 02:19 Kevin Bacon's Acting and Music Synergy 04:11 SONG 1: Earth, Wind & Fire – 'Happy Feelin' 05:59 The Influence of Philadelphia's Music Scene 09:59 Kevin Bacon's Acting Aspirations and Early Career 14:38 SONG 2: Spin Doctors – 'Little Miss Can't Be Wrong' 18:02 The Bacon Brothers and Overcoming Stage Fright 22:53 SONG 3: John Prine & Iris DeMent – 'In Spite of Ourselves' 23:28 Marriage to Kyra Sedgwick and singing together 30:32 SONG 4: Frank Ocean – 'Thinkin Bout You' 35:21 Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon and Philanthropy 39:51 SONG 5: Brandi Carlile – 'The Joke' 44:28 Kevin Bacon's Musical Journey 45:57 Upcoming Episodes and Podcast Details 46:29 Double J Radio Highlights Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

47 min
16 SEPT

Take 5 with comedian and TV star Aaron Chen

You’re about to see a side to Aaron Chen you’ve never seen before. You might know him as George in Fisk, or Guy Montgomery’s sidekick on Spelling Bee. Maybe you cheered his win on Taskmaster Australia season 3. He’s also an acclaimed stand-up comic. But when I sat down with Aaron in his new home in New York City, I got a totally different sense of what makes him tick. This podcast is a companion to the TV episode you can see now on ABC iview. But here, you’re getting a whole lot more. More stories, silliness, and backstory to Aaron Chen. I really loved this conversation, mainly cos I had no idea what to expect. And what I walked away with was a rich portrait of a really beautiful human with his heart in the right place. Aaron Chen's song choices: Arcade Fire – 'Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels)'Matt Berry – 'Take My Hand'Vampire Weekend – 'Jerusalem, New York, Berlin'Faye Wong – 'Dreams (夢中人)'Kacey Musgraves – 'Deeper Well'00:00 Introduction to Aaron Chen 01:26 Aaron's Move to New York 02:49 Comedy and Music 03:57 SONG 1: Arcade Fire – 'Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels)' 04:38 Growing Up in Suburban Sydney 12:06 Early Comedy Days 15:29 SONG 2: Matt Berry – 'Take My Hand' 16:05 First TV Show Experience 20:43 Friendship with Sam Campbell 25:16 SONG 3: Vampire Weekend – 'Jerusalem, New York, Berlin' 25:38 Journey to America 27:49 Auditioning for Fisk 29:44 Meeting Kitty Flanagan 30:29 Finding My Comedy Voice 34:29 Faith and Grounding 37:09 SONG 4: Faye Wong – 'Dreams (夢中人)' 41:50 Marriage and Moving to New York 44:27 American TV and Movie Roles 48:30 SONG 5: Kacey Musgraves – 'Deeper Well' 48:36 Final Reflections and Future Plans Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

56 min
9 SEPT

Melanie C's songs she 'feels in her bones'

As one-fifth of the Spice Girls, she's one of the most famous people on the planet. But you wouldn’t know it. The Liverpudlian's down to earth beginnings define who Mel C is today. Take 5 is back on your screens for a fourth season on ABC iview, and we kicked off the series with Sporty Spice. In a beautiful HIFI bar in east London, we unpacked her remarkable story… of a kid who daydreamed about the pop stars she’d one day become friends with. This is the story of the Spice Girls you haven’t heard, where against all odds they did it their way. It’s also the story of Melanie’s path to a solo career, and her full circle return to the rave culture she grew up in. Settle in for a fireside chat with an absolute legend, in this extended uncut edition of Melanie C's Take 5. Melanie C's song choices: Stevie Wonder — 'Sir Duke'Wham! — 'Everything She Wants'TLC — 'Waterfalls'Orbital — 'Chime'The Beatles — 'Eleanor Rigby'00:00 Introduction to Mel C and the Spice Girls 00:24 Mel C's Musical Beginnings 00:36 Take Five Podcast and Mel C's Story 01:35 The Power of Music in Mel C's Life 02:50 Mel C's First Musical Influences 03:38 SONG 1: Stevie Wonder — 'Sir Duke' 05:43 Meeting Stevie Wonder 09:22 Growing Up in Liverpool 11:07 The Birth of Sporty Spice 15:37 The Spice Girls' Early Days 19:28 Living Together and Early Struggles 20:55 Breaking into the Music Industry 23:55 SONG 2: Wham! — 'Everything She Wants' 30:38 Childhood Memories and First Friendships 32:17 SONG 3: TLC — 'Waterfalls' 35:59 Going Solo and Collaborations 41:12 SONG 4: Orbital — 'Chime' 42:23 Rave Culture and DJing 51:33 SONG 5: The Beatles — 'Eleanor Rigby' 54:44 The Beatles and Liverpool's Influence 55:48 Reflecting on Spice Mania 58:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

1h 1m

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Zan Rowe

Host

4.9

out of 5

737 Ratings

Just keeps getting better and better

8 Oct

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 Sept

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

3 May

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.