The soundtrack to King Charles’ life features music from Kylie Minogue

Monarchs! They’re just like us!

King Charles the III has revealed that he isn’t impervious to a generational earworm like Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.” He recently announced a playlist that represents the soundtrack of his life in a collaboration with Apple Music entitled the King’s Room Music Show.

Three things to know:

  1. The playlist was announced on Friday in honor of Commonwealth Day celebrations, which commence next week. This holiday is designed to celebrate and honor the unity of the more than 50 independent countries within the Commonwealth.
  2. The playlist was recorded in the king’s office at Buckingham Palace. It aims to highlight King Charles’ connection with music from throughout the Commonwealth, spanning from the 1930s to present day. The playlist features a diverse range of artists across various genres, including Bob Marley, Grace Jones, Minogue, and RAYE. It will be available for streaming starting Monday, March 10, just in time for the holiday.
  3. According to the press release from Apple, the series will narrate Charles’ life through song, and underscores the significance of music to him: “It has that remarkable ability to bring happy memories flooding back from the deepest recesses of our memory, to comfort us in times of sadness, and to take us to distant places. But perhaps, above all, it can lift our spirits to such a degree, and all the more so when it brings us together in celebration. In other words, it brings us joy.”

Want more? The Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast suggests and dissects the buzziest new movies, TV, music, books, videogames and more, five days a week.


Apple’s statement did not specify what inspired the partnership with King Charles, 76, but this is not their first collaboration with a member of the royal family. In 2021, Prince William recorded an episode of the Apple Fitness+ podcast, “Time to Walk.”

Rachel Newman, Apple Music’s global head of content and editorial, stated, “Human curation has always been a key pillar of our unique editorial approach.”

The King’s Music Room will be available on Apple Music starting Monday at 6 a.m.

More from NPR:

  • Want more musical inspiration? Check out NPR’s best songs of 2024.
  • And to get a bit deeper, listen to the It’s Been a Minute podcast, where host Brittany Luse goes beyond the obvious takes. Because culture doesn’t happen by accident.

 

In hearings, McMahon faces questions about the shrinking federal role in schools and colleges

In separate hearings on Capitol Hill this week, the Education Secretary answered questions about a range of issues, from student loans to mental health programs.

Judge blocks deportation of Boulder attacker’s family

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the government to immediately halt deportation proceedings against the wife and five children of a man charged in the firebombing attack in Boulder, Colorado, responding to what the judge called an urgent situation to ensure the protection of the family's constitutional rights.

The Trump administration is working on a plan for time limits on rental aid

A housing agency rule would also allow work requirements. Supporters say a time limit would help spread limited funds to more people, but critics warn it would leave some homeless.

President Trump is attending the musical ‘Les Mis’ – why is this a big deal?

Since Trump abruptly ousted Kennedy Center leadership and became its board chair, artists have canceled shows and subscription sales are down.

A new satellite TV channel allows Alexei Navalny’s videos to reach Russian audiences

The Russia's Future channel, launched by Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya and Reporters Without Borders, began broadcasting Wednesday, on what would have been the late Russian activist's 49th birthday.

Darfur: bearing the brunt of over two years of civil war in Sudan

An attack on what would have been the first aid delivery to the beseiged city of El Fasher in over a year has dealt a major blow in the Darfur region. The assault comes as humanitarian groups warn that collapsing healthcare, unrelenting violence, and a paralyzed aid effort are pushing civilians to breaking point.

More Front Page Coverage