Songs In The Key Of Life With Nadine O'regan

Liz Nugent might have made her name through publishing hit crime novels -- including Unravelling Oliver and Lying in Wait -- but the Irish author also knows her music. A former stage manager with Riverdance, Nugent's new book Skin Deep is actually inspired by a song -- Neil Hannon's 'A Lady of a Certain Age'. "I heard it on the radio probably ten years ago," Liz said on the show. "He's such a splendid storyteller. There's a mood of this sad and older female character lost on the Riviera and I thought, I'd love to write a book based on this song. I waited around for him to write it, and because he didn't, I did."   Listen back to all of Liz's choices by clicking the play button on the top right of the screen and let us know what you think by tweeting @nadineoregan or @songsinthekey.      Liz Nugent's Playlist    1. The Divine Comedy 'A Lady of a Certain Age'  2. Aretha Franklin 'You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman'  3. Skunkanansie 'Weak' 4. Spandau Ballet 'True' 

Tim Wheeler's taste in music makes sense. The lead singer of Downpatrick chart-topping band Ash favours buzzy riffs, crunchy guitars and a soaring sense of melody -- sounds that remind you of Ash themselves, in fact. "I think I would have liked for us to have been a slightly heavier Teenage Fanclub," Tim said, on the show. "I saw them opening for Nirvana in Belfast in 1992."   Ash are back with a brand new seventh studio album, Islands, and they play Belfast at the end of the month. Listen back to Tim's turn at the helm by clicking the play button on the top right of the screen and let us know what you think by tweeting @nadineoregan or @songsinthekey.        Tim Wheeler's playlist     1. Ash 'Confessions in the Pool'  2. Stooges 'I Wanna Be Your Dog'  3. Smokey Robinson and the Miracles 'The Tracks of My Tears'  4. Teenage Fanclub 'The Concept 5. Nirvana 'Sliver'  6. Ash 'Shining Light'  7. Neil Young 'Old Man'  8. Levy 'Rotten Love' 

Diarmuid Gavin may be best known as a celebrity gardener and TV presenter, but the Rathfarnham man has a secret: he's also a serious fan of rock 'n' roll.  In his time, Gavin has presented on Top of the Pops, hung out with Primal Scream, and created gardens inspired by the likes of the video for Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean'. "I wanted to make gardens, but not twee gardens," Diarmuid said of his early beginnings. "I wanted to take contemporary influences, and I had seen MTV and Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean', so, in my second show at Chelsea Flower Show, I illuminated the paving stones." Naturally, Billie Jean had to feature on the show -- and Diarmuid threw in another few soul-pop choices as well, including Earth, Wind & Fire and Aretha Franklin. But there had to be guitar music too -- and Nirvana arrived with 'Smells like Teen Spirit'. "Everything had become so nice," Diarmuid said of the song. "This was visceral." To listen back, click the play button at the top right of the screen and let u

There are few Irish authors busier than Clonakilty writer Louise O'Neill.    In addition to publishing not one, but two new novels this year, she has also just seen an adaptation of her novel Asking for It hit the stage in the Everyman theatre in Cork city. Happily, Louise still found the time to pop into studio and play us some of her favourite tunes, and it turns out she has brilliantly varied taste in music, ranging from pop through to soul, hip-hop and even trad.    What was her first album? "Jagged Little Pill was the first album that I bought with my own money," she said. "Often as women we're not encouraged or given space to express anger. There was such power in her anger."   Louise went on to pick many more tracks by female artists, including Beyonce, little sister Solange and a classic from Pat Benatar.    Listen back to the show by clicking the 'play' button on the top right of the screen. 

Songs in the Key of Life usually involves guests picking their favourite songs to play on the show -- alongside songs that are important to them for various reasons. But when Roddy Doyle arrived into studio, the Irish author explained that he wanted to make his show a tribute to his childhood friend.   "A friend of mine, Ronnie, died recently," Roddy explained. "We grew up together and shared a lot of music through our lives, so I thought I'd hone in on songs that would have been played at the gigs -- songs that we would have shared together, in the '80s, '90s and more recently."   What unfolded over the next hour was a glorious array of tunes -- including music from artists such as R.E.M., Lou Reed and Bruce Springsteen. "To hear Bruce Springsteen for the first time 40 years ago was explosive," Roddy said. Then there was the wisdom imparted by Bob Dylan. "Bob Dylan said when he came to New York, 'I'll have to disorientate myself.' Every artist should have that carved to their foreheads backwards so

It’s true to say that I was joined on the show by Mario Rosenstock of Today FM’s Gift Grub fame recently. But it feels more honest to add that I was also joined by the likes of Brian Cowen, Daniel O’Donnell and Michael D Higgins too -- because Mario seems to be able to summon them all up as if by magic. A remarkable mimic, Mario -- brought up in Waterford -- is also a keen music fan, and he had a ton of songs ready to play. Shortening the list was no easy job, but some songs -- such as The Who’s ‘Who Are You?’ -- felt particularly important to spin. “That was the theme tune to my TV show on RTE for a while,” Mario said. “It was emblematic of me turning up as different characters all the time. But the other reason is that I just like The Who. I think their sound is surprisingly modern, given that it’s so old. I love their unpredictability, their madness, and the fact that something so old can sound so fresh.” It was a pleasure to have Mario on t