"Clarification is called for tonight," says Madmac on the email. He wants to know if we plan to include the "songs that merely state the word dance as an action" in tonight's theme.
After Monday's initials/acronyms/abbreviations debacle you can understand why he wants us to be clear about it. So, let's be strict. It's only songs referencing a style of dance that are included tonight. ( But then again bands with a type of dance in their name will also be considered.)
I am hoping that nothing too jiggy gets played tonight as I have to keep the sensibilities of our sensitive sports presenters in mind. I bumped into Pat Nevin today.He told me that as their studio backs on to ours then during the more upbeat songs his view through the window is of the back end of my producer 'shaking their tailfeather'. A wee bit distracting if you're trying to focus on the trials and tribulations of Falkirk FC.
Keep that in mind when you request a track tonight. Miss Babs, Pat Nevin and The Can Can is a dangerous combination!
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It may well be the most influential album ever released but it's Pet Sounds of a different kind that concerns us on tonight's Get It On. Ian Lyall has suggested songs about cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters and whatever else folk might keep in the house.
It's a punner's delight tonight and already Gaie from Greenock has come up with Mutt The Hoople and Bunny Raitt! It's only the start....'Tulips From Hamster Jam' has just been suggested and Jim in Humbie has asked to hear something by our own Fred MacCollie! Marty H thought that Jimmy Shand's Bluebell Polecat might make it to the show.
Best laugh so far has come when Joe on the M8 asked if we could play a song for his pet ferret. We've had Ferret Cross The Mersey, Bryan Ferret and Roxy Music and thanks to all who texted in suggesting Glen Daly singing "Ferrets a grand ol' team to play for..."
Imagine my surprise when a new blog layout appeared out of nowhere this afternoon. I think it looks good and lot more modern. There is a small problem. "The new blog has killed the comments" emailed Capt Raiumus." They do seem to have disappeared off the screen, but fear not as we do have a copy of them and any requests made for tonight's show still stands.
I have asked the blog detectives to look into the missing comments. If any member of the public has any clue as to the whereabouts of the missing comment s then we urge you to come forward with any information you might have.
UPDATE: The comments have returned safe and well! Hurrah!!
I'll be rounding off this week by revealing all your secrets and lies to the nation. All your calls for tonight's theme will be treated in the strictist confidence. After so many of your chose to share your first crushes last night then I have no doubt we're going to get some interesting emails tonight!
Looking forward to next week here are the themes we've got lined up. Email with your suggestions or why not leave a message on the blog....
Monday - On tonight's show you might hear ABC or SOS as intials is the theme. Bands and songs both count so get your suggestions in PDQ....
Tuesday - Iain Lyall suggests 'Pet Sounds' for the theme. We're not talking about the Beach Boys albums but songs about Pets. Love Me Love My Dog, Run Rabbit Run or maybe something by the rock band Budgie?
Wednesday - What's the one album you would grab if your house was on fire? It's got to be your all time essential album - the one you couldn't live without. Email getiton@bbc.co.uk and let us know...
Thursday - Tennessee waltz, Twist and Shout or Everybody salsa. Dance styles in song is the theme for tonight's Get It On...
Who was pinned up on your bedroom wall as a teenager? That's the simple question at the heart of tonight's show. While I may not have been on anyone's bedroom wall I did play my part in helping decorate the rooms of teenage girls across the nation. When I worked on Jackie magazine part of my job was to choose the pop stars who were going to fill the centre spread. Those were the days of Duran Duran and Kajagoogoo and the mere mention of a putting John Taylor was sure to send circulation through the roof. I've been amazed at the range of pins ups that have been suggested tonight. We've had everything from Toyah to Helen Shapiro. Duncan on the text also made an interesting confession: "Would you believe me if I said that I had a picture of Moira Anderson in full tartan regalia on my bedroom wall when I was a kid?"
My producer Barbara also spilled the beans on her teenage crushes. Not only does she still treasure her collection of Bay City Rollers fan magazines she used to while away the hours at school practising 'Barbara Osmond' as a signature! Sadly Donny never came calling...
As we've been banging on about how it's 'great on the M8' all week, I thought I would give the trains a wee plug. I took the train to Fort William at the weekend and I have to say that on the right day it gives the Orient Express and The Blue Train a run for it's money. OK, maybe comfort levels onboard aren't what you would call plush but it's what's happening outside that makes it worth paying for. Presenting a travel programme for ten years I took some pretty spectacular journeys but I had to put down my book on several occasions to marvel at how beautiful it all was. My trip north was to run in the , or as it turned out to run part of the Lochaber Marathon and limp-walk for the rest. My problem seems to be that while I have a fit age of 12 I have the knees of an 80 year old! I was never tempted to give up though - partly down to my determination not to be beaten and partly down to the encouragement along the way. Jelly babies, shouts of support and a pal feeding me orange juice and Pringles. What more could a marathon runner ask for. It might not have been my best marathon time but the scenery, weather and great support more than made up for it.
Your driving anthems are coming in thick and fast tonight which is more than can be said for the M8 which has been described by The RAC as the UK's least efficient motorway. ( Average speed of 53mph)
Still, we think it's worth celebrating and all this week Radio Scotland will be bringing you the stories behind Scotland's best known thoroughfare. There's a brand new Adventures on the M8 website with some interesting video clips and photo slideshows.
If you are planning to be driving on the M8 tonight then why not post a comment and let me know where you will be during the show.
I know lots of folk listen to the show as they crawl home at a snail's pace, so don't be shy about sharing your experiences. My commute to work is a 15 minute cycle so it's hard not to feel smug when I hear tales of bumper to bumper traffic going on for miles. Still, when it's freezing cold and bucketing down, I suspect those of you sitting in cosy cars listening to music have the last laugh.
Do let me know what your driving anthem is. What's the song that keeps you sane behind the wheel? So far we've had Freebird, Cars and Girls and Willie Nelson's On The Road Again. I like Bob in Annan's suggestion though:
"Quite obviously the best thing to do with the M8 is Orange Juice's suggestion - RIP IT UP (and start again)"
Here we go then with this week's theme list. Last week was a bumper week - especially on Thursday night. Really sorry that I didn't have time to go into the full top 20s that people submitted. Sometimes it's hard enough to cram in 21 songs a night without all the other stuff to do. Rest assured though that every e-mail, blog posting call or text is read and hopefully acknowledged in some way.
Let's see what you come up with this week then...
Monday:
As part of our season of programmes about the M8, tonight's theme is driving anthems. What are the songs that get you through the daily commute and help the journey go faster. If you're driving on the M8 during the show then post a comment below. Let me know what song you'd like and where you'll be driving at what time. It would also be great to get some suggestions in from our listeners who live in the communities off the M8. C'mon Baillieston, Bathgate and Bellshill - let's hear from you...
Tuesday:
All By Self, SSSingle Girl, On My Own - solo songs is the theme tonight. Let's have your suggestions for the best single singles!
Wednesday:
Whether it was Debbie Harry or David Cassidy we want you to tell us about the pop star who was pinned up on your bedroom wall. After last week's confessions of love for Clare Grogan we've decided that first crushes should be the theme for tonight....
Thursday:
Secrets and Lies is the theme tonight. That could be anything from Would I Lie To You or The Spy Who Loved Me. Given the nature of the theme, all your suggestions will be treated in the strictest confidence!
I don't mind admitting we're in a bit of a mess about tonight's show. On paper it sounded easy "It's the GIO top 20 countdown! We'll start with something like 20 Flight Rock and end up with something One love. What comes in between? That's up to you. Let's have your suggestions of the numbers with numbers..."So far, so good. The problem is that we have had loads of brilliant songs suggested. On a normal night that would be fine and we could just slot them in whenever but tonight there can only be one song about 18, one about 17 etc etc.
There are piles of paper all over the floor as we try and make sense of it all. It's a bit like when you go to the supermarket and buy lots of lovely things then get them home and realise that you have no idea how to put them all together to make something for the tea. With about half and hour till we are on air, the only thing that's fixed is the opening song. Following that, let the shambles begin....ach, the chart was never like this in Tony Blackburn's day....
Saying all that please feel free to join the party by texting or calling during the show.
My amazing boss has to be applauded for a super human effort! Has Jeff made it through his senior producers meeting without reaching for the doughnuts? Has Barbara made it all the way up the stairs to the fourth floor without stopping for a gossip on the landing?
Both admirable in their own way but I am in fact referring to who is the guy who is in charge of all radio at the ´óÏó´«Ã½. Given everything that's gone on at Radio 2 recently you might think that he's faced his fair share of challenges and might be tempted to relax by putting his feet up and having a wee lie down in a darkened room.
However he's obviously feeling on top of the world as he's just run the . I know from personal experience how much it takes to run a marathon, but this is 26 miles at -37C! Not only that...he came 4th!!!!
Now, I was pretty sure I could outrun any of our senior managers on a jog up to the canteen but now I'm beginning to wonder if that's still the case. I've got the Lochaber marathon coming up on Sunday and unlike the boss's marathon I'm pretty sure that mandatory frostbite checks will not be needed. Mind you, it's Scotland. It's April. Anything's possible.
A Sam Cooke soundalike, a song about a bus station in Glasgow and a surprisingly good cover of Bette Midler doing Shakin' Stevens have all been suggested for tonight's 'anything goes' theme. As it's Easter Monday, Norrie has posted below to suggest that we do Mott The Hoople's Roll Away The Stone. Very good. Wonder if we'll get any other Easter appropriate tracks? Jive Bunny perhaps? Maybe not...
As it's the Easter weekend I thought I'd get next week's themes list up nice and early. I hope there's something here for everyone. I imagaine that Thursday's top 20 countdown will provide the week's challenge. For instance how many great songs have been written about the number 13? We might need to get a bit creative!
Monday:
It's themeless tonight so if there's a song you haven't heard in ages then get in touch and Get It On. I also want to use this show as a excuse to catch up on some of the tracks I haven't got round to playing on recent shows. If there's anything you can think of then give us a shout on Monday night...
Tuesday:
Its spring and the flowers are out so tonight's Get It On has a floral theme. Lilly Allen or Heather Small? You decide...
Wednesday:
David of Lewis reminisced on the e-mail about the groups fronted by women that he enjoyed in his youth. The Platters, the Seekers and The Applejacks were on his list, so who'll be on yours? Girls out front is the theme...
Thursday:
Bob in Annan is already raring to go with a big list for tonight's show. It's the GIO top 20 countdown! We'll start with something like 20 Flight Rock and end up with something One love. What comes in between? That's up to you. Let's have your suggestions of the numbers with numbers...
"Business is the new rock 'n' roll and I'm Elvis Presley" so says Apprentice contestant Phillip Taylor, a 29 year old estate agent. It's a good quote but sadly not as memorable as his fellow contestant James who told Suralan that when he wakes up in the morning: "I can taste success in my spit!" Lovely. As you'll see from this clip, saliva wasn't the only bodily fluid he was in danger of spilling on the boardroom carpet on last week's show.
On tonight's show we will find out if Phillip is right and that business will line up alongside cookery, stand up comedy and interior design as the things claiming to be the new rock n roll.
The theme was suggested by Richard Cairns who has come up with some great suggestions including the very topical Lost Prophets ( profits!). Brilliant. Call or text in with your suggestions or why not leave a message on the blog.
I've been looking at The Apprentice website all afternoon (It's research boss!!) and I have to say I am mighty jealous.
Take a look at the 'predictor' which is a fab online game that let's you predict who will get kicked off at the end of the show. You get 1000 points to play with which you then gamble on who you think will be fired.
Be good to get one of those on the blog and you could gamble points on which songs will make it to the final cut. Who's going to have a wee flutter on Jethro Tull then?
I think I've been retouched! I just caught sight of this picture on the homepage and realised that it's a bit more....er....flattering! Look at the softness around the eyes. Take my word for it the real life version is a lot more lined and haggard - especially on a Monday. One of my former producers now works in the online department so I can only guess that she has tried to give mother nature a wee helping hand. (Love you Karen!)
Good job I'm not being interviewed by my ´óÏó´«Ã½ colleague, Claire Balding as I have a feeling that my 'laughter lines' would feature in her line of questioning.
It's hard to believe her stunning Grand National . " At least you can afford to go and get them done now" she said of the winner's teeth! Bad enough if she'd said it about the horse, but shockingly it was addressed to the jockey! Actually Britain seems to be such a nation of animal lovers I suspect that had she said it about the horse then there would have been more complaints.
I'm hoping I don't have to play some 'trance' on Monday night's 'dreams theme', however on GIO anything is possible. Last week we managed Connie Francis, The Subways and the theme from Benny Hill. Let's try and make it another diverse week of listening. Email your suggestions or why not leave a comment on the blog...
Monday:
All you have to do is dream if you want to take part in tonight's show. Dreamy ditties and the odd nightmare all welcome for tonight's dream show...
Tuesday:
Geoff in Edinburgh suggests 'stirring songs' as a theme for tonight. What are the uplifting anthems that raise you up? Do you get roused by Runrig or does Beautiful Day make yours? Get in touch and get them on....
Wed:
All you Apprentice fans will have plenty of suggestions for tonight. It's songs about business and it's been suggested by Richard Cairns. Whether it's 'Grocer Jack' or 'Money, Money,Money' we're looking forward to hearing your suggestions...
Thursday:
What Do You Wanna Make Those Eyes At Me For and Why Does It Always Rain On Me? We'll attempt to answer all your questions on tonight's Get It On....
Multiple ships of fools ( a flotilla even) being suggested for tonight's fools and jokers themes. So far we've had The Explorers, The Doors, World Party and Erasure. We've also had a handful of Fools Golds including Thin Lizzy, and The Stone Roses.
I thought I'd been caught out several times today until I saw on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Website and realised that Jordan really is going to run the London Marathon and Miss Universe really did spend five days visiting Guantanamo Bay!
I think the most interesting song that's come in so far has been Norman Wisdom's Don't Laugh At Me (Cause I'm A Fool) which was suggested by Norman ( a different one!). I watched a clip of him singing it earlier.
I'd never seen him do 'sad' before. Seek it out if you get the chance. I think it was in the film Trouble In Store. I'm writing this during the news so I don't know whether we'll get much support to play it. I hope we do. Jim in Erskine emailed to say:
"I know it well and it's absolutely stonking. I've seen him acting in 'straight' parts on stage and he always had as much pathos as any actor - I guess it's true what they say that comedy is the hardest of all forms to get right and requires great skill and empathy with the audience."
If tonight is a show that celebrates jokers as well as playing songs about them then a song from Norman might just do the trick...
