Melody Maker on Swindon 105.5

14/01/2026

Thanks for joining me on this evening’s show and to contributors Leo and Nick for their input.
I’ll be back next Tuesday at 10pm with more crackin’ tunes - meanwhile check out the catch-up option on the station website or MixCloud - the Richard Hawley birthday segment was a particular joy to present - hope you enjoyed it

Track listing for this week, with the railway-based Linked Songs Challenge tracks shown *

HOUR 1
Bryan Adams - Run to You
Rufus, Chaka Khan - Ain’t nobody (live)
Chumbawamba - Tubthumping
Danger Line - Photograph Collection*
Supertramp - Rudy*
LP Giobbi, DJ Tennis, Joseph Ashworth - All in a Dream
Sofia Camara - Girls like You
David Bowie - China Girl
Anna of the North - Waiting for love
A-ha - Under the Makeup
Badly Drawn Boy - You were right
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds - We’re gonna get there in the end

HOUR 2
America - You can do Magic
Coldplay - Magic
OSKA - Honeymoon Phase
Steve Winwood - Slowdown Sundown
Richard Hawley - Remorse Code
Richard Hawley - Midnight Train
Richard Hawley - Coles Corner
Taylor Swift - Father Figure
The Blue Nile - Tomorrow Morning
Elton John, Chris Rea - If you were me
Justin Hayward, John Lodge - Nights, Winters, Years

Chow for now - some more info on this week’s new artist is here for you

11/01/2026

Join me on this week’s show for a little more Bowie reflection and a terrific triple in hour two celebrating a 59th birthday. And I’ve a really distinctive Linked Songs Challenge for you 🙂

Tuesday at 10pm for a couple of hours

Ask your smartspeaker to play Swindon 105.5 or get online - and I’m still on the radio - use DAB in Swindon & Marlborough

Birthday/celebratory messages if you love this man’s music to [email protected] - by 5pm Monday please as I will be pre-recording this week’s programme

10/01/2026

Today we’re marking 10 years without this genius of an artist. Get yourself a shout out on next Tuesday’s show if you can beat my score !

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cxt5i3tiW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Take the quiz now!

09/01/2026

LINK TO THIS WEEK’S SHOW BELOW

As promised

Features on David Bowie, Chris Rea, and Sir Rod

The 175th Melody Maker

Mike James

06/01/2026

Pleasure to have you listening this evening - as much as my pleasure to bring you show 175 #.

Here’s the track listing which shows the Linked Songs Challenge tracks thus *

HOUR 1
David Bowie - Ashes to Ashes
Chris Rea - The Road to Hell pt2
Chris Rea - Sweet Summer Day
Chris Rea - Bows & Bangles
Elton John - Your Song
The Weeknd - Scared to Live*
Heart - These Dreams*
Metronomy - Love Factory
Tom Waits - Old Shoes (& Picture Postcards)
Marissa Burwell - Say it again
Bruce Springsteen - Sundown
Pet Shop Boys, Olly Alexander - Dreamland
David Bowie - The Man who Sold the World

HOUR 2
Crystal Gayle - Don’t it make my brown eyes blue
BATTS, Sharon von Etten - Blue
Joan - This won’t last forever
Yuno Fall - What if this ain’t over
Bear’s Den - Laurel Wreath
Rod Stewart - I don’t want to talk about it
Rod Stewart - Downtown Train
Rod Stewart - Tonight’s the night
Ezra Collective, Olivia Dean - No one’s watching me
Olivia Dean - So easy to fall in love
Jake Isaac - Black or White
The Floaters - Float on
The National - Dreaming
Atlantic Starr - Always

Catch up at the station website or MixCloud

I will share the show on this FB page in the next few days - please share it and encourage your friends to follow the show

Much good stuff to come in 2026 so diary me in 10-midnight Tuesdays

And if you would like to choose three tracks and come on the show, let me know

Happy New Year - here’s info on the new artist this week

Marissa Burwell makes music that is part back-seat-of-the-minivan crooner, part blow-out-the-speakers indie-rock. Born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, Burwell blends her warm vocals with layered and mature songwriting. Positive reception […]

06/01/2026

A show for everyone to kick off the New Year
Welcome to another fabulous year of tuneful sounds - we celebrate those who have left us, alongside hearing from today’s artists

You will always find track listings and other relevant programme information on the show’s page - I’d really appreciate you heading over there and giving the show a “follow” - thank you…..

So see you Tuesday at 10pm - FM, DAB Swindon & Marlborough, Internet, Apps, Smartspeakers

These artists are two among the many

05/01/2026

A show for everyone to kick off the New Year.
Welcome to another fabulous year of tuneful sounds - we celebrate those who have left us, alongside hearing from today’s artists

You will always find track listings and other relevant programme information here on the show’s page - I’d really appreciate you giving the show a “follow” - thank you…..

So see you Tuesday at 10pm - FM, DAB Swindon & Marlborough, Internet, Apps, Smartspeakers

These artists are two among the many

03/01/2026

Hi all

I’m considering ringing a few changes to show format for 2026. Give me some feedback on this one, please

A listener 3-track selection

Pre-record conversation with me to go out on the week of your birthday

Or if you prefer, come on live

Relevant hour re your song choices

PLEASE RESPOND BELOW OR DM if you’re interested in doing this with me

Thank you 🙏

30/12/2025

2025 really was a good year - in spite of my doubts when planning the show. I commend this listen - and perhaps Hour 2 shades it for me - some beautiful melodies….

Your track listing is here- Happy New Year everyone. Make it a kind one….

HOUR 1
Sam Fender, Olivia Dean - Rein me in
David Guetta, Bebe Rexha - Beautiful People
Pulp - Tina
The Beaches - Did I say too much
Kingfishr - 21
Chicane - Watching over me (Breathless mix)
Deacon Blue - Turn up your Radio!
Stereophonics - Feels like you don’t know me
The Divine Comedy - Rainy Sunday Afternoon
Kula Shaker - Broke as Folk
Jonas Brothers - Love me to Heaven
Chappell Roan - The Subway
Bruce Springsteen - Chimes of Freedom (live, Manchester May 2025)

HOUR 2
James Smith - Dancing with you (Baby)
GIVEON - Rather be
Mychelle - You don’t care about me
Thee Sacred Souls - We don’t have to be alone
Olivia Dean - Man I need
Jimmy Scott Free, Kim English - Turn back time
The McCharmlys - Break my Heart
Coldplay - Sunshine on Leith
The Divine Comedy - The man who turned into a Chair
Joy Crookes, Kano - Mathematics
Protoje - Feel it
d4vd, Hyunjin - Always Love
Nyah Grace - Back of the Cab
Mariah Carey, Shenseea, Kehlani - Sugar Sweet
Velvet Dreamer, Tim Gelo - Lost in thoughts
My Morning Jacket - Time Wasted

See you on the other side

29/12/2025

This coming Tuesday at 10pm - the “best of 2025” - purely subjective of course but I know you will enjoy it !
Every track from last year’s releases (and non-releases😳)
Come and join me

25/12/2025

This
10-midnight
Chilled only
No catch-up

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A884afJQz/?mibextid=wwXIfr

When you're all christmassed out, Mike James has the perfect relaxing end to your day.
Bringing you chilled out tunes from 10pm till midnight on Christmas day.

24/12/2025

Have a great Christmas, everyone🧑‍🎄🎄🎉🍾Here’s the track listing for the 23/12 show - Linked Songs Challenge songs marked *
Head to MixCloud or the station website to catch up or listen again

HOUR 1
Alex M.O.R.P.H., Ana Criado - Sunset Boulevard
David Guetta, Bebe Rexha - I’m good (blue)
Switch Disco, Ella Henderson, Robert Miles -REACT
Spacey Jane, BENEE - Lots of Nothing
DJ Aristocrat, Gosha - Get inside
E.L.O. - Showdown*
The Move - Flowers in the Rain*
Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed
Hozier, Mavis Staples - Nina cried Power
Samara Cyn, Sherwyn - Pop n Olive
Sonique - It feels good
Nelly, Kelly Rowland - Dilemma
Chris Rea - Smile
Chris Rea - Fool (if you think it’s over)
The Divine Comedy - All the Pretty Lights

HOUR 2
Chris Montez - The more I see you
The Style Council - You’re the best thing
Lisa Stansfield - Never ever gonna give you up
Avalon - Come and fill my heart
Supertramp - Hide in your Shell
Michael Buble - Home
Michael Buble - Haven’t met you yet
Michael Buble - Whete or When
Marisha Wallace - Tomorrow
Michael Crawford , LSO - I dreamed a dream
Rita Coolidge - We’re all alone
Elton John - Blue Eyes
Art Garfunkel - I only have eyes for you

I’m back next week, Tuesday 10pm - with Melody Maker best of 2025 - all tracks from what was another terrific year for music.
I will miss this fine man💔