Of all the pop songs released in the era this series has been looking at, there are few which command the depth of love and affection as Cyndi Lauper's 'Time After Time'. It brings with it, for many listeners, a powerful weight of nostalgic associations and memories, which is one reason it’s the perfect choice for accompanying the mesmerising dance sequence at the end of the 1997 film, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, but is there something about the song itself - something which goes beyond the particular personal feelings we might associate with it - which prompts reflection on this integral, yet elusive, aspect of being alive: the role memory plays in shaping our understanding of the passing of time?

The original recording of 'Time After Time' can be heard here. If you're enjoying the series, please leave a review on Apple podcasts; thank you.

With very special thanks to Paul Wierdak, the producer of this episode.

Why do we work? The answer might seem obvious; as teenagers the world over have long been told, the world does not owe you a living, but predictions by economists that technological advances would inevitably lead to shorter working hours have not been borne out. We work more than ever, and experience more stress and dissatisfaction with our lives as a result. As Dolly Parton's famous song about the working life, '9 to 5', puts it: 'it's enough to drive you crazy, if you let it'. It was released at a moment when work was changing rapidly: agriculture and manufacturing jobs were collapsing, the number of women in work had risen dramatically, and the power of organised labour was permanently diminished. Parton, a sharper and more subtle songwriter than almost any of her contemporary critics could credit, was able to write a song in the midst of these historic changes which speaks to anyone who's ever watched a clock, longing for the working day to end: 'working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living'.

All the songs discussed in this episode, including the original recording of '9 to 5' can be heard here. If you've enjoyed it, please leave a review on Apple podcasts; thank you.

With very special thanks to Paul Wierdak, the producer of this episode.

‘When I was little, I really wanted to be a psychiatrist. That's what I always said at school. I had this idea of helping people, I suppose, but I found the idea of people's inner psychology fascinating, particularly in my teens.’ This is Kate Bush, talking about what she wanted to do before becoming a musician. In this episode I explore whether the trace of ideas from contemporary psychology can be found in the songs she would go on to write and what light it might shine on the meaning of one of her most famous, 'Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)', in particular her given explanation of its inspiration: 'I was trying to say that, really, a man and a woman can't understand each other because we are a man and a woman'.

All the songs discussed in this episode, including the original recording of 'Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)' can be heard here. If you've enjoyed it, please leave a review on Apple podcasts; thank you.

With very special thanks to Paul Wierdak, the producer of this episode.