Simon Mayo reveals the music that made him 🎶

Simon Mayo is the Drivetime presenter on Greatest Hits Radio playing the music that defined his career every weekday 4pm-7pm. You can also listen to Simon on The Album Show every Sunday at 1pm, where he celebrates the biggest albums of the 70s, 80s and 90s.

On Drivetime, Simon is joined by Matt Williams on sports duties, Nigel Barden cooking up his Kitchen Greatest Hits, and Producer Suzi keeping an eye on them all!

When can I listen to Simon Mayo on Greatest Hits Radio?

You can find Simon Mayo on Greatest Hits Radio from Monday to Friday from 4pm, as well as from 1pm every Sunday.

Simon has had an amazing broadcasting career and is passionate about music, so we thought we'd get to know him better and ask about his favourite tunes...

What songs did Simon Mayo listen to growing up?

We asked Simon what songs were played in his house when he was growing up and he told us: "My parents weren’t very Rock and Roll. My main musical memories are my dad playing Gilbert and Sullivan and Flanders and Swan (British comedy duo).

"My sister was 18 months older than me and she played records by The Monkees like ‘I’m A Believer’, Kenny Rogers ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town’, Cliff Richard and Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony.

"My cousin introduced me to Paul Simon and that’s been the one constant from when I was very young to where I am now. I still think Paul Simon is a genius."

What was the first single Simon Mayo bought?

He revealed that he bought 'Congratulations’ by Cliff Richard, explaining: "I was nine or ten, it was the Eurovision Song Contest song. I think Cliff’s great, I think he’s had a few albums which I’d very happily put on now. 'I'm Nearly Famous', that was fantastic. I really rate Cliff."

What’s the most embarrassing record Simon owns?

As he hosts The Album Show, it was only fitting we check in about Simon's own record collection. He told us: "I don’t buy into that whole embarrassing guilty pleasure thing at all. If you really like a record, you really like a record.

"I have two John Denver albums and I’m very proud of them. Some people would consider them embarrassing or guilty pleasures but I don’t believe there are such things. I’m out and proud!"

What is Simon's most played album?

Simon told us: "Paul Simon is my favourite artist of all time, and 'Graceland' is his finest work ever."

He also described Bob Marley and The Wailer's 'Exodus' as: "The greatest reggae album of all time."

What is the most amazing live performance he has seen?

While at Greatest Hits Radio Live, we asked Simon this and he said: "I think the best show that I've seen in the last few years has been David Byrne from Talking Heads when he did a show over at the O2 in London. They've turned it now into a movie. It was so brilliant, he had done things with a live concert I hadn't seen anyone do before.

"The stage was completely empty. All the musicians carried their own music, their own instruments. If there were any PAs they were behind the curtains. The choreography was astonishing. They were all wearing the same clothes, they were all barefoot. And it just was great, so I'd say David Byrne on his last tour."

Which song changed Simon Mayo's life?

"There is a song I like very much and would put in my all-time list of favourites which is called ‘The Last Resort’ by the Eagles," Simon revealed.

"It’s the last track on ‘Hotel California’. I always thought it was one of the Eagles greatest songs.

"I interviewed Don Hendley and Glen Fry separately and Glen Fry called it Don Hendley’s masterpiece. When I told Don Hendley, he said ‘He’s never told me that.’ I got a ticket when Don Hendley did a concert in Hyde Park a few summers ago and watched him perform it. It’s an extraordinary song."

What was the first song Simon danced to with someone else?

Thinking back, Simon said: "I have no idea. All the slow dances at the parties I was going to at the time seemed to be either 10CC ‘I’m Not In Love’ or Chicago ‘If You Leave Me Now’.

"I do remember thinking all the people slow dancing to ‘I’m Not In Love’ they were dancing to a song that is basically saying I’m not in love with you, your picture’s on the wall because it hides a nasty stain and that’s why it’s hanging there.

"So it would have probably been one of those two songs. There was a girl called Janice Brewer at my school who I always thought was great but it was certainly never with her!"

What song reminds Simon of his first holiday abroad?

Reflecting on his childhood, Simon explained: "We had a family holiday to Provence in the south of France and it was fiendishly hot. I had a cassette of Neil Diamond ‘Hot August Night’ which was a remarkably old music taste for a sixteen-year-old to have, but whenever I hear that it always reminds me of the fierce temperature and smell of pine trees."

What songs and fashion remind Simon of his last year at school?

According to Simon, it's 'Sound and Vision’ by David Bowie. He commented: "I remember it being on the radio a lot. I was probably a few years behind the times but I was probably wearing narrow trousers, skinny ties, hoping to look a bit like Paul Weller."

What were Simon's top three jukebox choices in the pub?

Simon shared: "I have my own jukebox now, which is a great joy. But I would say The Dead Kennedys ‘Holiday in Cambodia’. I remember putting that on much to the disgust of everyone else. The Jam ‘News of The World’ or ‘In The City’ and because I’ve always loved old rock and roll stuff, ‘Chantilly Lace’ by the Big Bopper."

Speaking about what he chose to drink at the time, he added: "Anything that was put in front of you. I think it was a pint of King and Barnes ale, which was the local brewery."

Are there any songs that make Simon emotional?

Opening up, Simon said: "Music can have an interesting reaction on you. It’s like a physical thing. It doesn’t have any connotations but ‘Finlandia’ by the composer Sibelius is one of the great pieces of classical music.

"There is a particular chord sequence, which I find really powerful and very emotional for reasons I cannot explain. But in terms of triggering an emotional response, it’s ‘Finlander’ as a piece of music."

Does Simon Mayo have a favourite karaoke song?

“I’ve never done karaoke," Simon admitted, before saying: "There are some songs I know all the words to like ‘Down in the Tube Station at Midnight’ by The Jam. I could sing that for you but I’m afraid in terms of karaoke songs I’m a disappointment."

Does Simon Mayo sing in the shower?

We wanted to find out whether Simon sings in the shower and what his go-to song is, and he replied: "Yes! 'Come Back My Love’ by Darts. There’s this ‘woah-oh-oh’ in the opening and the reverb you get out of the shower works very well."

WATCH: Get to know Simon Mayo

How can I listen to Simon Mayo's Greatest Hits Radio shows?

Simon is on Drivetime every weekday from 4pm-7pm! You can also listen to Simon on The Album Show every Sunday at 1pm.

You can listen to Greatest Hits Radio on your good old traditional radio - we're on FM and DAB in lots of places. You can also download the free Rayo app for iPhone or Android, listen on our website or ask your Smart Speaker to “play Greatest Hits Radio”. Find out more about how to listen to Greatest Hits Radio.

Who are the Greatest Hits Radio presenters?

Take a look through our brilliant presenter line-up.

Now read:

Simon Mayo returns to Drivetime with Greatest Hits Radio

Get to know Simon Mayo!

Everything you need to know about The Album Show with Simon Mayo

How to listen to Greatest Hits Radio:

Listen to Greatest Hits Radio on the free Rayo app, online or on your DAB digital radio. You can also listen on your smart speaker by saying “Play Greatest Hits Radio”.

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