Desert Island Discs
When you're stuck on a desert island with only eight records, one book and a luxury
Sir Michael Caine appeared on the 20 December 2009 edition of the BBC's long-running radio show, Desert Island Discs.
If you're not familiar with it, the set up is simple:
A guest is invited to choose eight discs, a book and a luxury to take with them as they’re cast away on a mythical desert island. They’re given the complete works of Shakespeare and the Bible. During the interview they explain their choices and discuss key moments in their lives, people and events that have influenced and inspired them and brought them to where they are today.
Records
The eight records he chose were:
- Viva La Vida, Coldplay
- One Day Like This, Elbow
- Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36: Variation IX (Nimrod), Edward Elgar
- No Ordinary Morning, Chicane
- Swollen, Bent
- Move Closer, Phyllis Nelson
- My Way, Frank Sinatra
- Happy Christmas (War Is Over), John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band
Of these eight, My Way was the one record he felt he couldn't live without. Three of the songs (Chicane, Elbow, Phyllis Nelson) already appeared on his 2007 chill out album, Cained.
Book
His book choice was (predictably, given both his political views and the fact that he named his first child after its lead female character):
- The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand
Luxury
His luxury was:
- A large bed with fifty per cent goose down and fifty per cent feather pillows
Other notables
You can listen to most of the digitised back catalogue of Desert Island Discs on the BBC website. Notable Caine contributors who have been featured include: