Richard Ashcroft chooses his Tracks Of My Years
Influential songwriter Richard Ashcroft takes us on his 10-song journey in this week's Tracks of My Years. Plus more archive treats in Vernon's vault.
Influential songwriter and indie icon Richard Ashcroft takes us on his 10-song journey in this weeks Tracks of My Years.
Thought of as one of the most accomplished and influential songwriters around, over the course of a career spanning three decades, Richard is also a two-time Ivor Novello Award winner for Songwriter of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to British Music.
The Verve released four studio albums: 'A Storm in Heaven', 'A Northern Soul', 'Urban Hymns' and 'Forth'. 'Urban Hymns' brought us tracks such as ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’, ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’, ‘Lucky Man’, and ‘Sonnet’, and became one of the biggest selling albums in UK history. In 2008, the album 'Forth' peaked at number one on the UK Albums chart.
Richard's solo career continued that acclaim, with his debut number one ‘Alone With Everybody’ and all five subsequent studio albums landing in the top five. His new album, 'Lovin' You', is out in October.
After performing in the Radio 2 Piano Room earlier this year, he was also a special guest on the Oasis tour - the biggest stadium tour of the year. After his recent spate of sellout gigs, he has announced more live UK dates for 2026.
Plus the mid-morning music quiz Ten To The Top, a trip in to the ѿý Archive with Vernon's Vault, and the Record and Album Of The Week.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say "Ask ѿý Sounds to play Vernon Kay."
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Music Played
- 
    
            The B‐52s
Love Shack
- Now 1990 - The Millennium Series.
 - Now.
 - 3.
 
 - 
    
            Arthur Conley
Sweet Soul Music
- Shades Of Soul (Various Artists).
 - Global Television.
 
 - 
    
            Olivia Dean
Man I Need
- (CD Single).
 - Capitol.
 
 - 
    
            Katy Perry
Teenage Dream
- (CD Single).
 - Virgin.
 - 6.
 
 - 
    
            Texas
Inner Smile
- (CD Single).
 - Mercury.
 
 - 
    
            The Four Seasons
Walk Like A Man
- Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - Ve.
 - Polygram Tv.
 - 6.
 
 - 
    
            Huey Lewis and the News
The Power Of Love
- Huey Lewis & The News - Fore!.
 - Chrysalis.
 
 - 
    
            Keith Urban
Polaroid
- The Speed Of Now Pt. 1.
 - Capitol Nashville.
 
 - 
    
            Jessie J
Believe In Magic
- (CD Single).
 - DAP.
 
 - 
    
            The Isley Brothers
Behind A Painted Smile
- Isley Brothers - Greatest Motown Hits.
 - Motown.
 
 - 
    
            Miley Cyrus
Secrets (feat. Lindsey Buckingham & Mick Fleetwood)
- Something Beautiful (Deluxe Edition).
 - Columbia.
 
 - 
    
            Dire Straits
Sultans Of Swing
- (Single).
 - Vertigo.
 - 5.
 
 - 
    
            Bon Jovi
Red, White & Jersey
- Forever - The Legendary Edition.
 - Island.
 
 - 
    
            Prince & The Revolution
Raspberry Beret
- 4Ever.
 - Warner Bros.
 
 - 
    
            The Clash
Should I Stay Or Should I Go
- Now 19 (Various Artists).
 - Now.
 
 - 
    
            CMAT
When A Good Man Cries
- Euro-Country.
 - AWAL.
 
 - 
    
            Alexander O’Neal
Criticize
- Hits Album 7 (Various Artists).
 - Hits.
 - 9.
 
 - 
    
            Sabrina Carpenter
House Tour
- Man’s Best Friend.
 - Island Records.
 - 11.
 
 - 
    
            Oasis
Half The World Away
- Definitely Maybe - B-Sides & Extra Tracks.
 - Big Brother Records.
 - 016.
 
 - 
    
            Lewis Capaldi
Something In The Heavens
- (CD Single).
 - Vertigo.
 
 - 
    
            Carpenters
Superstar
- The Carpenters - Yesterday Once More.
 - A&M.
 
 - 
    
            Carpenters
This Masquerade
- The Carpenters - Yesterday Once More.
 - A&M.
 
 - 
    
            John Lennon & Yoko Ono
(Just Like) Starting Over
- Parlophone.
 
 - 
    
            sombr
12 to 12
- I Barely Know Her.
 - Warner Records.
 
 
Broadcast
- Mon 22 Sep 2025 09:30ѿý Radio 2
 
            