Peter Aspden on 'A Whiter Shade of Pale', the melancholy 1967 Procol Harum song whose melody was 'sparked by Bach' and which set off a legal battle that went all the way to the House of Lords. Credits: ANM, AP Music, DLG Digital, Demon Music Group  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

David Cheal explores how Lou Reed got prostitution, transvestism, oral sex and drugs past the BBC commisariat with a group of white English 'coloured girls'. Credits: RCA/Legacy, Spectralite, Sony BMG Music Entertainment  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This year’s carol was specially commissioned by the FT with the help of Nicola Clase, Sweden’s ambassador to the UK. Jane Owen talks to Clase about the piece, which was composed by Johan Hugosson and features lyrics adapted from medieval Scandinavian rune poems. It is sung by the choir of Stockholms Musikgymnasium conducted by Bengt Ollen.  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

"Lady Marmalade" began life as a sleazy soul anthem by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan before being funked up by Labelle, given an R&B twist by Sheila E and overlaid with cheesy rap for the film "Moulin Rouge". Ian McCann charts its evolution. Credit: Epic, 20th Century Records, Fania, Warner Bros., Polydor Associated Labels  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This song has its roots in an ancient refugee crisis and the more recent struggle for racial equality. Over the years, it's been adopted by Fats Waller, The Four Lads and the rapper M.I.A. Written by Helen Brown and read by Anna Metcalfe. Credit: Hit Wonder, Document Records, Diamond Coast, Sinetone AMR and XL Recordings.  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ben Lerner is one of the most highly praised and unconventional writers of his generation. The 37-year-old recently met John Sunyer, a commissioning editor on FT Weekend, to talk about why he's 'doomed to write more novels'. Here, he reads one of his favourite poems.  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bobbie Gentry's understated ballad was reworked by jazz musicians, the 'rebel-country' movement and Motown - and even parodied by Bob Dylan. Ian McCann traces its history  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Originally sung by slaves, the spiritual became a jazz and blues hit in the 1960s, with a cover by the British blues-rock musician Graham Bond. Credits: Repertoire Records, Isis, Edition Ahorn, UMC  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Buddy Holly's 1958 London performance of the song inspired the young Mick Jagger to form his own band. Credits: Universal, Not Now Music  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Amy Walker on how a saccharine love song was transformed by Otis Redding into a provocative and impassioned soul classic. Credits: Baierle Records, Cool Note, 104pro Media, Daxa production, Digital Remasterings, ABKCO Music & Records Inc., Rhino Atlantic, Universal Island Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, LLC/Shawn Carter  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What makes a good Christmas song? Should it be cheesy or serious? And why do millennials love them? 

FT pop writers discuss festive classics old and new - from carols to Mariah Carey, Greg Lake to Phil Spector, Sufjan Stevens to Run-DMC. Plus, which 2017's best Christmas song: Gwen Stefani's 'You Make it Feel Like Christmas' or Sia's 'Santa's Coming for Us'?

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From the unstoppable rise of hip-hop to the 'millennial whoop', what does today's new music sound like? And how has social media changed the relationship between artists and fans?

Harriet Fitch Little, India Ross and Griselda Murray Brown discuss Drake, Cardi B and DJ Khaled - in particular 'Wild Thoughts' ft. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller from 2017, which leans heavily on the melody and mood of Santana's 1999 hit 'Maria Maria', the coming-of-age soundtrack for the oldest cohort of millennials. 

Warning: this podcast contains a live 'millennial whoop'.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Thousands affected as many flights cancelled and airports closed because of coronavirus pandemic

Governments are fighting to keep the coronavirus pandemic at bay and their economies afloat

Tidjane Thiam lends voice to call for private sector to join debt moratorium 

Do you find yourself stumped by questions about how much to put towards your mortgage payment versus your investments? It may be time for a midlife financial MOT. Presenter James Pickford talks to FT reporter Lucy Warwick-Ching about why advisers are targeting people in their forties and fifties. Next, we speak to a woman who cleared credit card debt to the tune of £16,000. And finally, we discuss what's behind Britain's growing tax gap. 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Facebook plans to shake up the finance world with a new digital currency called Libra - we hear about its pros and cons. Next up, we discover what Moll Flanders, the literary anti-heroine, can tell us about modern day bank fraud. And finally we find out how smaller shareholders can stand up for their rights. 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If ever there was a word that needed to be retired it's 'retirement'. The kind of images this word conjures up is sunny beaches and no longer having to set an alarm clock, or a stressful feeling about how much longer you will need to work to afford such a lifestyle. This week author Don Ezra talks to FT Money editor Claer Barrett about how best to get to and enjoy what used to be called retirement. Next up, if you're heading off on holiday soon then listen to our top tips on how to get the best deal on your holiday money. 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As fears of a 'No Deal Brexit' rise, the pound and share prices of UK domestic stocks have tumbled. Some might see this as a buying opportunity - yet others fear there's further to fall. Termed 'The BoJo trade' by investment pundits, Claer Barrett, FT Money editor asks - which side of this trade are you on? Next up on the show - why are some investors moving into defensive stocks? And finally, we hear from our Rich People's columnist, James Max, about the cost of private medical insurance. 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Presenter Claer Barrett and guests explore how under 40s are using the Lifetime Isa to save for a property, or invest for the future. What strategies are younger investors taking? Plus the new rules on automatic compensation when broadband goes down, and the six ways pensions scammers are most likely to try and con you - would you fall for it? 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What's the best bank account for students? Who will give you an interest-free overdraft? And how can you get hold of a student railcard? Lucy Warwick-Ching, FT Money digital editor talks to three experts about how to make the most of your money as a student. Plus we hear how your credit rating as a student can affect your ability to get finance long after you've finished studying. And finally Guy Anker of Moneysavingexpert.com tells us why you shouldn't automatically pay off your student loan if you can afford it. 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's FT Money show we discuss investment trusts and the different ways investors can use them in their portfolios. Presenter Emma Agyemang, FT Money reporter, talks to Jason Hollands, managing director at Tilney Group and Moira O'Neill of interactive investor about how listeners can invest alongside the wealthiest families. Plus, the dividend heroes - which offer the most consistent income and are they still a good option for investors? And finally, Merryn Somerset Webb tells listeners why she thinks investment trusts have a better chance of lasting a lifetime compared to other assets.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The general election and your finances - with a week to go, what changes could the major parties bring in? Presenter Claer Barrett talks to Rachael Griffin, a tax expert at Quilter, about the pledges. Next up on the show if you're self employed, have you got a pension? A third of self-employed women say they are saving nothing into a pension. Blogger Emma Maslin, better known as the Money Whisperer, has lots to say on this topic. And finally - they might say it's vulgar to talk about money, but James Max, our Rich People's Problems columnist is here to explain why he loves cash.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

2019 has been a bumper year for bad investments - the unravelling of Neil Woodford's investment empire has left many nursing heavy losses, others have lost money in mini bonds or have money trapped in property funds. Presenter Claer Barrett talks to experts about what people should do if their investments haven't worked. Plus, as we enter the season of goodwill we tell listeners how to talk to their family about money.  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Student debt in the US is crippling millions of Americans. Last year the amount students owed came to a total of $1.6tn - that's 8 per cent of the country's national income. This week we hear from one of the 45m students paying back debts to the government. FT Money Show presenter Lucy Warwick-Ching talks to FT reporter Alice Kantor about why university is so expensive in the US compared to the UK and whether there is anything that can be done about it.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

World leaders call for an urgent debt moratorium and unprecedented health and economic aid packages

Experience with other outbreaks could compensate for poor healthcare infrastructure

President urged to secure rescue deal as economy ‘on verge of collapse’

These governments desperately need financial breathing space to fight the pandemic

Middle-income countries plead for assistance as investors face pressure to negotiate

Century-old agriculture lender is latest state group in need of government support

A self-effacing intellectual who rose to the very centre of power

Continent has limited confirmed virus fatalities but experts warn it is too early to draw conclusions

Secret burials, overflowing hospitals and dead MPs, as president takes refuge in home village

Use of community health workers to identify cases draws heavily on experience battling tuberculosis and HIV

Many travails exist beyond being judged by your sex

Put as much effort into being a good employer at home as at work

Artisans provide antidote to today’s frenzied lifestyle

Adding a sporting dimension to your career can be therapeutic

‘The wines are delightfully ripe but they also have an admirable spine of acidity and tannin’

‘These long-lived wines need time in bottle to soften and become truly appealing; the best examples can continue to improve for decades’

It was only when champagne producer Louis Roederer arrived in the early 1980s that this hippy hideout was put on the international wine map

‘To qualify as a Vin Méthode Nature, a wine has to be made from hand-picked organic grapes’

Since people are no longer paying restaurant margins, some reason they can spend a bit more at home

The agencies don’t plot presidential coups — but few heroes emerge in David Rohde’s study ‘In Deep’

Vice-president makes suggestion even as number of deaths across the country spikes

Data give snapshot of shifting battlegrounds ahead of November’s presidential election

White House group will shift to ‘safety and opening up our country again’

Democratic candidate wrestles with new realities as he tries to close cash gap with Trump

Can Jessica Anthony’s parody nail the challenge of satirising US political life?