Paul Kelly is a national treasure, who's written the soundtrack to our lives. Road trips, first loves, heartbreak, our very sense of identity; he’s explored it all over more than 40 years and 30 albums. 

But who are the songwriters that tickle him? And what place do they take him to? That was the theme I gave PK, when I invited him to Take 5. And you’re about to dig  into an extraordinary conversation, about place, time, family, and the mystery of song.

Paul Kelly's song choices:

1. 1.Kinks – 'Waterloo Sunset'
2. 2.The Go-Betweens – 'Cattle And Cane'
3. 3.Joni Mitchell – 'River'
4. 4.Queen Latifah – 'Just Another Day…'
5. 5.Archie Roach – 'Charcoal Lane'

00:00 Introduction to Paul Kelly's Musical Journey

01:40 Paul Kelly's Influences and Visual Songwriting

02:59 SONG 1: Kinks – 'Waterloo Sunset'

07:13 Paul Kelly's Early Life and Musical Education

10:26 Discovering Jazz and the Trumpet

13:45 SONG 2: The Go-Betweens – 'Cattle And Cane'

16:33 Songwriting Process and Inspirations

21:59 SONG 3: Joni Mitchell – 'River'

25:35 The Magic of Christmas Songs

29:28 The Song's Characters and Their Stories

31:12 Writing the Sequel: Unexpected Turns

32:32 Exploring the Mystery of Songwriting

35:21 SONG 4: Queen Latifah – 'Just Another Day…'

35:31 Contrasts in Music: Queen Latifah's 'Just Another Day'

37:12 Hip Hop and Folk Music: Unexpected Parallels

43:38 The Art of Songwriting: From Poems to Albums

47:42 SONG 5: Archie Roach – 'Charcoal Lane'

53:08 Final Reflections and Future Directions

Watch Take 5 on ABC iview:

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe