King Charles reveals who’s on his playlist
Commonwealth Day in the United Kingdom is on Monday and to celebrate, King Charles III has teamed up with Apple Music for a show that gives us all insight into his relationship with music.
“Throughout my life music has meant a great deal to me,” he explained. “I know that is also the case for so many others. But 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 take us to distant places. But perhaps above all, it can lift our spirits to such a degree. All the more so when it brings us together in celebration. In other words, it brings us joy.”
From his desk at Buckingham Palace, the British monarch revealed his favorite artists and songs, which are tied to the Commonwealth.
The episode begins with the King’s Guard playing “Could You Be Loved” by Bob Marley & the Wailers at the palace, which then leads into the original song by the iconic artist.
Charles then recounted how he met Marley and praised his “marvelous, infectious energy” and appreciated his “deep sincerity and his profound concern for his community.”
Kylie Minogue’s version of the “Loco-Motion,” made the list, which he also touted for having “infectious energy” and admitted the song made it hard for him to “sit still.”
“There is such an irresistibly joyous feeling to that song,” he said.
He praised the “incomparable” Beyoncé for her collaborative work on his King’s Trust and chose her 2003 hit “Crazy in Love.”
“I wanted to include an iconic musical moment from the many events, which have supported my trust work for young people over all these years,” he gushed about the singer.
He also congratulated her on winning album of the year at the 2025 Grammys.
Grace Jones’s “La Vie En Rose,” had him question: “Is it possible to improve on such a classic song?” He explained that his wife, Queen Camilla, knows Jones and that he saw her perform recently at the St. James’s Palace.
Diana Ross’s “Upside Down,” is one of Charles’s “particular favorites”
“When I was much younger, it was absolutely impossible not to get up and dance when it was played. I wonder if I can still just manage it?” he said of the disco track.
He noted singer Raye’s song “Love Me Again,” and called her a “great ambassador for British music.”
Charles honored the Commonwealth country of Canada by featuring Michael Bublé’s song “Haven’t Met You Yet.”
Other songs and artists on the list included:
“My Boy Lollipop” from Millie Small, Al Bowlly’s “The Very Thought of You,” Daddy Lumba’s “Mpempem Do Me,” Davido’s song “Kante” featuring Face, “The Click Song” by Miriam Makeba, “My Country Man” from Jools Holland & Ruby Turner, “Indian Summer” from Anoushka Shankar, “Anta Permana” from Siti Nurhaliza, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa’s “E Te Iwi E (Call To The People)” and Arrow’s “Hot, Hot, Hot.”
Charles’s show, “The King’s Music Room” is exclusively on Apple Music. It also includes a playlist so you can listen to His Majesty’s favorites wherever you are.