ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Influential songwriter and indie icon Richard Ashcroft chooses his next two songs 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 ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Archive with Vernon's Vault, and the Record and Album Of The Week.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say "Ask ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Sounds to play Vernon Kay."