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King of Country Bob Harris tells Chris about the return pop-up DAB station, Radio 2 Country and we celebrate Groundhog Day with wise writer Paul Hannam and his new book The Wisdom of Groundhog Day. Plus, Paul Kerensa has a spring in his step with his positive Pause for Thought.

2 hours, 59 minutes

Last on

Tue 2 Feb 2016 06:30
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 2

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  • A four-day celebration of Country music featuring live performances and all the big names

Clips

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Music Played

  • Lynyrd Skynyrd

    Sweet Â鶹ԼÅÄ Alabama

    • The All Time Greatest Rock Songs ....
    • Columbia.

  • Paul Carrack

    Keep On Lovin' You

    • Soul Shadows.
    • Carrack-UK.
    • 001.

  • George Baker Selection

    Little Green Bag

    • The Best Of Cult Fiction (Various).
    • Virgin.

  • Kylie Minogue

    Spinning Around

    • Now 46 (Various Artists).
    • Now.

  • Noah and the Whale

    Tonight's The Kind Of Night

    • (CD Single).
    • Mercury.
    • 1.

  • The Banana Splits

    The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana)

    • Television's Greatest Hits Vol. 5: In Living Color (Various Artists).
    • TVT Records.

  • Kate Bush

    Hounds Of Love

    • Remastered Part I.
    • Fish People.

  • Coldplay

    Hymn For The Weekend (feat. µþ±ð²â´Ç²Ô³¦Ã©)

    • A Head Full Of Dreams.
    • Parlophone.

  • The Specials

    Too Much Too Young

    • The Connoisseur Collection: 30 Years Of Number Ones Vol.9.
    • Connoisseur.
    • 6.

  • Bad Manners

    Lip Up Fatty

    • The Best Reggae Album In The World....
    • Virgin.

  • The Lovin’ Spoonful

    Pow

  • Lissie

    Don't You Give Up On Me

    • (CD Single).
    • Cooking Vinyl.

  • Gnarls Barkley

    Crazy

    • (CD Single).
    • Warner Bros.

  • Yes

    Owner Of A Lonely Heart

    • Top Gear 2 - Various Artists.
    • Columbia.

  • The Killers

    Human

    • Day & Age.
    • Mercury.
    • 1.

  • Arctic Monkeys

    Snap Out Of It

    • (CD Single).
    • Domino.
    • 001.

  • Dean Martin & Helen O’Connell

    How D'Ya Like Your Eggs In The Morning?

    • Cool Couples (Various Artists).
    • Sanctuary.

  • Gilbert O’Sullivan

    No Way

    • (CD Single).
    • Union Square Music.
    • 001.

  • Thomas Rhett

    Crash And Burn

    • Tangled Up.
    • The Valory Music Co.
    • 1.

  • Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

    AKA... What A Life!

  • Glen Campbell

    Rhinestone Cowboy

    • Ultimate Country (Various Artists).
    • Telstar.

  • The Charlie Daniels Band

    The Devil Went Down To Georgia

    • Ultimate Country (Various Artists).
    • Telstar.

  • Sonny & Cher

    I Got You Babe

    • Duets - 36 Of The World's Greatest Ev.
    • Telstar.

  • Elle King

    Ex's And Oh's

    • Love Stuff.
    • RCA.
    • 2.

  • Faces

    Ooh La La

    • Driving Rock Ballads (Various Artists).
    • Virgin.

  • U2

    Pride (In The Name Of Love)

    • U2 - The Best Of 1980-1990.
    • Island.
    • 1.

  • Duran Duran

    The Reflex

    • Now 1984 (Various Artists).
    • Now.
    • 6.

  • Birdy

    Keeping Your Head Up

    • (CD Single).
    • Atlantic.
    • 001.

  • Ray Parker Jr.

    Ghostbusters

    • Young at Heart (Various Artists).
    • Reader's Digest.

  • Badfinger

    Come & Get It

    • Magic Christian Music By Badfinger.
    • Apple.

Pause For Thought

Pause For Thought

From comedian & Writer Paul Kerensa:

In October I was here pausing-and-thinking on Back To The Future Day – when Marty McFly travelled to 2015. Now here’s another great filmiversary: February 2nd – it’s Groundhog Day! For the full set, hopefully see you on Star Wars Day, May the 4th (be with you).

Ìý

If you’ve not seen Groundhog Day, Bill Murray plays disgruntled weatherman Phil Connors, destined to repeat February 2nd over and over again, 'till he can get it right. He responds to his timeloop with disbelief, then despair that every day repeats... then crazy hedonism as he wonders if he’s God... before acceptance, embracing his lot, using his time for others. After cake-gorging sessions and piano lessons, high-speed chases and punching insurance men in faces, he turns away from his nihilistic, life-ending worldview. He realises he’s not God – God’s God. Bettering himself, he looks out for the falling boy, the dying homeless man, the couple who just need a bit of help. He pursues excellence, his only motive joyful compassion.

Ìý

Some days, like Phil Connors in the film, life seems on repeat. Maybe that’s my fault, but maybe it’s not my situation, but how I deal with that that shapes me, as Phil Connors found. If I resist change, I make the same mistakes, and I’m stuck.

Ìý

Some days we don’t want to become tomorrows: like Saturday, Sir Terry’s last day with us. Could Sunday not have waited a while longer? Ah now there’s a man whose motive was joyful compassion.

Ìý

In the film Groundhog Day and in US folklore, this groundhog emerges every February 2nd; if he sees his shadow, there’s more winter to come. Maybe to wake up and focus only on my own shadow – the regrets and failures behind me – I destine myself to more days of winter.

Ìý

But good news – we’re exactly halfway between mid-winter and mid-spring, so today is a brighter day. For the church too, today’s a day of light, Candlemas Day. Technically the last of forty days of Christmas, the infant Jesus was publicly introduced at Jerusalem’s Temple, a day older on his journey to bring light and hope.

Ìý

So today I’m determined to ignore my shadow, my past failings. I’m looking forward, to spring. Because we’re not in a movie: tomorrow is, hopefully, a brand new day.

Ìý

Broadcast

  • Tue 2 Feb 2016 06:30
    Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 2

Farewell Chris Evans: The best bits from his last shows at Radio 2

After eight years of hosting the Breakfast Show, Chris Evans leaves Radio 2.

500 Words

Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 2's story-writing competition for kids.