Published by ABC Australia
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.
Listen on Apple Podcasts12 min
This is one of the best bits from Take 5. One of the greatest songwriters of all time sat down with Zan Rowe to open his songbook and dive deep into the making of five of his greatest. Paul McCartney has provided the soundtrack to billions of lives. His legacy in song is unparalleled; starting with The Beatles, who changed the game forever, he rolled on with his own solo career while building a new band in Wings, and collaborating with everyone from Stevie Wonder to Johnny Cash and Dave Grohl. Listen to the full episode here : https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/paul-mccartney-take-5/9230996 SONG The Beatles - 'Blackbird'
7 min
This is one of the best bits from Take 5. Kacey Musgraves is a straight shooter, a woman of conviction. In person and in song, the bridge she creates with her fans is something else, and it’s made her one of the most loved artists around. For Kacey’s Take 5, Zan wanted to find out about the music that brought her to today, and to borrow a title from her own debut album, helped Kacey “follow her arrow”. Listen to the full episode here : https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/kacey-musgraves-take-5-with-zan-rowe/11122692
9 min
This is one of the best bits from Take 5. Founding member of Blink-182, Angels and Airwaves, and UFO enthusiast, Tom DeLonge hung out with Zan Rowe back in 2012, while in the country to play Soundwave Festival. You don't create a career like that without loving music, so Zan dived into the music that changed his life. Listen to the full episode here : https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/tom-delonge-take-5/9035742 SONGS The Cure - ‘Friday I’m In Love’ The Police - ‘Every Breath You Take’
11 min
This is one of the best bits from Take 5. In 2024 Emily Wurramara released her second album NARA and cemented herself as a powerful indigenous storyteller. The Warnindhilyagwa woman joined Zan Rowe to Take 5 on the same day her second album was released and the energy in the studio was pumping. It’s very much a record of renewal, and one of Double J's 50 Best Albums of that year. Listen back to Emily talking about her love of John Fogerty and Cat Power, during her Take 5 on songs of renewal. Listen to the full episode here : https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/emily-wurramara-take-5-songs-of-renewal/104257048 SONGS John Fogerty – ‘I Will Walk With You’ Cat Power – ‘Sea of Love’
40 min
Poh Ling Yeow has been part of our lives for two decades. As a TV chef, a gourmet stall owner, a celebrity in the jungle, and a cookbook author. Poh is a painter and has even popped up an actor, describing herself as having a greed for life experience. Poh is currently hosting and judging on the latest series of Masterchef, and this week she's Taking 5. Fall into the stories and songs that have shaped who Poh has become. Poh's song choices: The Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams - Without Us (Theme from Family Ties) Sade - Like a Tattoo A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation Jóhann Jóhannsson - A Sparrow Alighted Upon Our Shoulder 00:30 Introduction to Poh Ling Yeow 01:10 Poh's love of being a DJ 03:14 The Bee Gees - 'How Deep Is Your Love' 05:45 Growing up and being unsupervised 12:40 Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams - 'Without Us' 14:07 Wanting to be a popular American teen 21:10 Sade - 'Like a Tattoo' 24:13 Reconstructing how you see the world after religion 29:11 A Tribe Called Quest - 'Electric Relaxation' 31:03 The ending of a shared history 34:23 Masterchef as contestant and host 37:58 Jóhann Jóhannsson - 'A Sparrow Alighted Upon Our Shoulder' Show Notes Watch Poh on Masterchef: https://10.com.au/masterchef Watch Zan on Race Around the World: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/race-around-the-world
33 min
2026 marks 20 years since Hot Chip released The Warning. Their second album leapt from the quiet, reflective electro of their debut and catapulted us all onto the dancefloor. To mark the occasion, we share an episode from 2020 when Joe Goddard and Al Doyle dropped in to Take 5. Their theme? Jubilant songs. Their vibes? Pure joy. From classic to modern gold to deep cuts, settle in with some "heaters" as Hot Chip Take 5! Hot Chip's song choices: Prince – Starfish and Coffee Fever Ray – To The Moon and Back Teyana Taylor – Hurry {Feat. Kanye West} Double Exposure – Everyman (Has to Carry His Own Weight) Hot Chocolate – I Just Love What You’re Doing (Kon Edit) 00:06 Hot Chip introduction and anniversary of The Warning 01:08 Using sampels to create joy 04:10 Prince – 'Starfish and Coffee' 06:22 Innocence and joy in music 07:18 Fever Ray – 'To The Moon and Back' 09:27 20 years of Hot Chip 19:07 Teyana Taylor – 'Hurry {Feat. Kanye West}' 20:49 Freedom and joy 21:34 Double Exposure – 'Everyman (Has to Carry His Own Weight)' 23:53 Hot Chip on stage joy 29:45 Hot Chocolate – 'I Just Love What You’re Doing (Kon Edit)' 31:45 Next week's guest!
27 min
This month, Gotye's breakthrough album Like Drawing Blood, turns 20. It was the record that took him from bedroom producer to Hottest 100 favourite, showcasing his incredible talent at sewing sounds. The man behind Gotye, Wally De Backer, has been keeping a low profile for a while. But back in 2007, after a huge year following this album's release, he joined Zan Rowe to Take 5. This is one of the very first episodes of Take 5, and the first time it's ever appeared on the podcast. So jump in the time machine and travel back to this mid 2000's moment. It was before Gotye released his worldwide smash "Somebody That I Used to Know", Homebake Festival still existed, MySpace was king, and Wally was at a precipice; head spinning from a wild year but with no idea of what was ahead. His theme? His top 5 moments of the last 12 months. His songs, all Australian. Gotye's song choices: Josh Pyke - Fill You In Karnivool - Shutterspeed Faux Pas - For The Trees Emily Ulman - Upping The Ante The Presets - Are You The One? 00:17 Gotye introduction and 20th Anniversary of 'Like Drawing Blood' 02:30 The songs that soundtracked Gotye's 2006 breakthrough 02:58 Josh Pyke -'Fill You In' 04:55 Gotye and his love of heavy and progressive music 06:08 Karnivool 'Shutterspeed' 07:52 Bringing Gotye's songs to live with a band 11:59 Drummers who sing 14:28 Faux Pas - 'For The Trees' 17:24 Buying your first iPod 18:39 Emily Ulman - 'Upping The Ante' 20:30 What Gotye was about to embark on in 2007 24:15 The Presets - 'Are You The One?' 26:13 Next weeks guests!
18 min
This week marks the 20th anniversary of Tool's huge album 10,000 Days. Back in 2013, Tool were in the country playing massive shows when drummer Danny Carey and bass player Justin Chancellor came into the triple j studios to Take 5 with Zan Rowe. As we mark the anniversary of Tool's chart topping album, let's time travel back to a Take 5 classic.The theme? Unexpected finds in their music library. The outcome? Unexpected joy from one of music's heaviest bands. It's Tool time! Tool's song choices: Deftones - Digital Bath Trans Am - Space Dock Sophia - If A Change Is Gonna Come Meshuggah - The Demon's Name Is Surveillance TV On The Radio - Halfway Home 00:08 Tool anniversary introduction 01:03 Deftones, Chi and ages. 01:35 Deftones - 'Digital Bath' 03:10 Organic technology and Trans Am 04:11 Trans Am - 'Space Dock' 04:28 Downtime for Tool 06:57 Sophia - 'If A Change Is Gonna Come' 08:43 Inspiration in other heavy bands 10:14 Meshuggah - 'The Demon's Name Is Surveillance' 11:40 Surprising music choices for Tool and Neil Diamond 14:45 TV On The Radio -'Halfway Home' 16:52 Next weeks guest!
39 min
In the fifteen years since Emma Louise wowed us with her debut single 'Jungle', she’s shown all sides of herself, singing her story with vulnerability and reflection. Last year, Emma released the collaborative album Dumb with producer Flume. But it’s been 8 years since her last solo album, the daring and romantic Lilac Everything. This week, she returns with Sunshine for Happiness, an album that was actually recorded in 2019. Emma Louise joined Zan to talk more about the changes in her life between recording and release and to share her song selections in the theme of 'Before and After'. Emma Louise's song choices: Paul Simon – Still Crazy After All These Years Nick Drake – Pink Moon Bruno Mars – Versace on the Floor Dijon – The Dress Alice Coltrane – Govinda Jai Jai 00:51 Introduction to Emma Louise 05:27 The theme of Before and After 10:15 Paul Simon - 'Still Crazy After All These Years' 11:30 Mexico holiday and Nick Drake 14:35 Nick Drake - 'Pink Moon' 15:45 New album and longlining for things 21:55 How a pricey ride home led to discovering Bruno Mars 25:26 Bruno Mars - 'Versace on the Floor' 27:02 Sneak peak of Djion 29:33 Djion - 'The Dress' 30:45 Suffering, redemption and recognising the good times 37:15 Alice Coltrane – 'Govinda Jai Jai' 38:20 Wrap-up and next weeks guest Show notes: If you need someone to talk to, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Edited by Craig Schuftan.
31 min
35 years ago, we met a band called Smashing Pumpkins. Rising in the wave of American grunge, the Chicago band were led by the iconic voice of Billy Corgan and would rise and rise like all their contemporaries, over the coming years. If you know anything about music history, you know the story of the Pumpkins is a tumultuous one. But Billy has continued through it all. Back in 2012, Billy was in Australia to play Splendour in the Grass with the latest incarnation of Smashing Pumpkins. With a new album under their belt, he was in a buoyant mood and up for an epic conversation when he joined Zan to Take 5 Billy is always good chat, but if you've ever wondered about the music that made him, this conversation is a dream. So settle in, don your flanny, and discover the songs that make Billy Corgan feel good. Billy Corgan's song choices: Yes - And You and I UFO - Love to Love Neil Young - Ambulance Blues David Bowie - Space Oddity Lou Reed - Berlin 00:23 Introduction to Billy Corgan 01:43 Creating music during difficult times 04:25 1972 and guitar supergroup Yes 05:50 Yes - 'And You and I' 07:38 When Billy discovered music 11:43 British Hard Rock inspirations 13:08 UFO - 'Love to Love' 14:30 Moving away from mainstream needs 15:23 Neil Young - 'Ambulance Blues' 16:40 Sad music making you feel better 18:50 The definitive anthem of alienation 19:24 David Bowie - 'Space Oddity' 20:40 Technology and disconnection 28:10 Lou Reed - 'Berlin' 29:47 Next weeks guest
49 min
Alexei Toliopoulos is a lifelong cinephile. Known for his excellent podcasts including The Last Video Store, he’s a writer, comedian, filmmaker and loves talking about the movies that made us who we are today. The way he speaks about cinema invites everyone into the conversation. But what are the songs that soundtrack his life? And why? Dig into a joyful convo that will have you curating a playlist of songs and movies, for your weekend. Alexei Toliopoulos' song choices: Stewart Copeland - Don’t Box Me In George Dalaras - Mi Mou Thimonis Matia Mou Mikis Theodorakis - Theme from Serpico Buena Vista Social Club - Dos Gardenias Grace Jones - La Vie En Rose 00:26 Alexei Toliopoulos introduction 01:38 When did Alexei fall in love with movies? 05:29 Francis Ford Coppola deep cuts 13:54 Stewart Copeland - 'Don’t Box Me In' 15:40 Coming of Age and George Dalaras 21:40 George Dalaras - 'Mi Mou Thimonis Matia Mou' 24:05 Mikis and the hero of Greek music 30:02 Mikis Theodorakis - 'Theme from Serpico' 31:15 Seeing the world through cinema 36:41 Buena Vista Social Club - 'Dos Gardenias' 37:36 How cinema helped Alexei with communication 45:20 Grace Jones - 'La Vie En Rose' 47:32 Show notes and next weeks guest! Check out Alexei's podcast and live show details, via his Instagram .
53 min
Thirty years ago the world met Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. Their debut album Revival introduced us to two incredible storytellers, singers and guitarists, and in the three decades since they’ve swept us away in song. It's long been on my bucket list to have them Take 5, and finally here it is. When thinking on a theme, I landed on time. Time, and their ruminations on time, have always swirled in their songs. They love old-time music, and take their time in getting your own songs right. How they responded to the theme, is one for the ages. Settle in for a deep, insightful, and intoxicating conversation with two of music's best. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings' song choices: Robert Johnson - Love in Vain The Stanley Brothers - Rank Strangers Townes Van Zandt - Pancho and Lefty (Live at the Old Quarter) The Carter Family & Johnny Cash - Will the Circle Be Unbroken John Prine - Angel From Montgomery 00:55 Gillian Welch and David Rawlings introduction 01:52 Three decades since the release of 'Revival' 08:44 Choosing Robert Johnson 12:32 Robert Johnson - 'Love in Vain' 13:22 O Brother Where Art Thou 18:07 Working with The Stanley Brothers 17:59 The Stanley Brothers - 'Rank Strangers' 26:13 Raw versions of songs 28:10 Townes Van Zandt - 'Pancho and Lefty (Live at the Old Quarter)' 32:35 Recording things as live 34:32 The Carter Family & Johnny Cash - 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken' 40:37 Gillian and David finding their harmony 44:33 Hope for something better 48:48 John Prine - 'Angel From Montgomery' 51:33 Show notes and next weeks guest!
46 min
Are you ready for some incredible stories? Take 5 always gifts us with some cracking yarns, but this week’s episode takes the cake. In fact, I’ve had more responses to Ed Le Brocq’s Take 5 than any other, in ages. Ed used to be Eddie Ayers, a legendary ABC Classic FM broadcaster who has shared his life of adventure with us over the past two decades. Ed is a cellist, viola, and violin player, and has gifted his talents to others; teaching school kids in Afghanistan, and playing for Uyghurs in the remote deserts of China. We’ll get to those stories soon… but this might give you a sense of why I asked Ed to Take 5. Across four books, Ed has shared his stories of travel and self-discovery with us, and music has always been at his centre. From Joni Mitchell to shredding violas to Ry Cooder, this is an extraordinary conversation about the power of love, self-belief, adventure and of course, music. Ed Le Brocq's song choices: Joni Mitchell – A Case of You Maria Theresia von Paradis – Sicilienne Elton John – Your Song Paul Hindemith - Viola Sonata, Op. 25, No. 1: IV. Rasendes Zeitmass Ry Cooder and V. M. Bhatt – Isa Lei 00:33 Ed Le Brocq introduction 01:52 Having a restless spirit 04:55 Memories of the seventies and Joni Mitchell 07:21 Joni Mitchell - 'A Case of You' 07:55 Ed's love of the Cello 14:30 Travelling the world with music 17:59 Maria Theresia von Paradis – 'Sicilienne' 18:50 Interpreting music in your way 20:20 Listening to music as a musician 28:10 Elton John - 'Your Song' 29:10 Music as the universal language 32:30 Classic music with an edge 35:42 Paul Hindemith - 'Viola Sonata, Op. 25, No. 1: IV. Rasendes Zeitmass' 36:45 Classic FM audience and shredding 42:30 Depression and "the cover of grey silt" 44:08 Ry Cooder and V. M. Bhatt – 'Isa Lei' 44:06 Show notes and next weeks guests! Show notes: If you need someone to talk to, call Lifeline on 13 11 14
49 min
Where do you begin with Tim Rogers? For more than 30 years he has been the soundtrack to our lives. As frontman for You Am I, an acclaimed solo artist and keen collaborator, an actor, author and once even a Double J broadcaster. He's made a living in more ways than one, and his approach to living has shifted over the years. A long time coming, I invited Tim to Take 5 and explore this idea of a living; what makes a good life, and what it means to be alive. And he didn't disappoint. Tim Rogers' song choices: Magic Dirt – Ice Jake Thackray – The Bull Joni Mitchell – Just Like This Train NRBQ – I Want You Bad Martha Wainwright & Linda Thompson – Or Nothing At All 00:39 Tim Rogers introduction 01:30 Memories of watching Magic Dirt on Rage 04:21 Magic Dirt — 'Ice' 07:45 Making a living as an artist & mowing lawns 10:31 Jake Thackray explainer 15:00 Jake Thackray— 'The Bull’ 21:41 Tim’s later in life love of Joni Mitchell 26:07 Joni Mitchell — 'Just Like This Train' 32:08 Rewriting and revisiting your own songs 33:55 NRBQ explainer & Tim’s obsession 36:27 NRBQ — 'I Want You Bad' 39:05 You Am I ‘Hourly Daily’ anniversary and going pop 46:30 Linda Thompson explainer & inspiring songwriting 53:41 Martha Wainwright & Linda Thompson — 'Or Nothing At All' 55:20 Conclusion + next week's guest! Show Notes To see Tim perform live, check out his tour dates here: https://tim-rogers.com.au/
51 min
Comedian Lizzy Hoo has been everywhere the past few years. When she’s not doing stand up, she’s popping up on Have You Been Paying Attention?, and hosting her own podcast The Lizzy Hoo Show. Lizzy has made travel shows, and is even the voice of an airline. She's one of those people who says YES to life. She also has also got a razor sharp wit, and more than a few adventurous tales which is why I invited her to Take 5. I didn't realise it'd become a beautiful lesson in how to live. Lizzy Hoo's song choices: Arctic Monkeys — 'Dancing Shoes' Journey — 'Don’t Stop Believin’ The Lemons — 'Monad' Snoop Dogg — 'Who Am I (What’s My Name)?' Camille — 'Ta Douleur' 00:34 Lizzy Hoo introduction and Take 5 prep 02:40 Music's role in Lizzy's life 04:53 North America adventures in a $500 car 09:23 Arctic Monkeys — 'Dancing Shoes' 10:45 The Hoo's as a family 13:30 Karaoke in Japan ski towns 16:40 Journey — 'Don’t Stop Believin’ 18:13 Music and comedy in Lizzys world 19:50 Moving to Mongolia 26:30 The Lemons — 'Monad' 29:13 Lizzy's many careers & falling into comedy 37:48 Snoop Dogg — 'Who Am I (What’s My Name)?' 39:50 Lizzy's life update and having broad shoulders 43:06 Turning travel into career 48:10 Camille — 'Ta Douleur' 49:50 Conclusion + next week's guest! Show Notes To see Lizzy perform live on her national tour, check out her dates here: https://www.lizzyhoo.com/
41 min
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!
1 min
Zan lets you know what's in store for 2026...
11 min
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
9 min
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