Prince Charles reveals the song that gives him an 'irresistible urge' to dance

Prince Charles
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Prince Charles has opened up about his favourite songs in a new interview, revealing the one that gives him an “irresistible urge” to dance.

To mark today's National Thank You Day for NHS staff and key workers, the Prince of Wales sat down for a recorded conversation with hospital radio, titled: Music and Memories With HRH The Prince Of Wales.

From disco (Upside Down - Diana Ross) to American standards (They Can't Take That Away From Me—Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers) to a traditional South African celebration song (The Click Song - Miriam Makeba), the future king displays a wide range of musical interests.

But perhaps the most notable mention in the programme is the 1978 groover Givin' Up, Givin' In by Philadelphia band The Three Degrees—apparently, it’s a song that used to give him an “irresistible urge to get up and dance”, and was performed for him live at his 30th birthday.

Prince Charles dancing

Credit: Getty

The Three Degrees’ lead singer Sheila Ferguson responded well to this mark of royal approval, tweeting that it was "lovely" for the song to have made the Prince's list of favourites.

As well as memories of dancing, Prince Charles also revealed a particularly touching reason for adding Dick Powell’s 1935 track Lulu's Back In Town to the list—it makes him happy because it reminds him of his grandmother.

The programme is one of many events taking place to honour the people who kept the country going during the pandemic. Prince Charles spoke of his own appreciation of hospital radio staff and volunteers for keeping spirits high during a troubling period for many.

“During current times, when we have been dealing with the effect of this dreadful pandemic, the role of hospital radio has been even more important, and I know it has been of immeasurable value in connecting people, in providing comfort and companionship, and in raising people's spirits when that is needed,” he said.

The Prince of Wales has shared his musical tastes with the public on several occasions in the past—in 2018, he revealed his love for Leonard Cohen’s music in a programme on Radio 3, as well as telling Classic FM listeners about his favourite classical music in 2020.

The full list of Prince Charles’ favourite songs includes: 

  • Givin' Up, Givin' In—The Three Degrees
  • Don't Rain On My Parade—Barbra Streisand
  • La Vie En Rose—Edith Piaf
  • Upside Down—Diana Ross
  • The Voice—Eimear Quinn
  • The Click Song—Miriam Makeba
  • You're A Lady—Peter Skellern
  • La Mer—Charles Trenet
  • Bennachie—Old Blind Dogs
  • Lulu's Back In Town—Dick Powell
  • They Can't Take That Away From Me—Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
  • Tros Y Garreg/Crossing the Stone—Catrin Finch
  • Tydi a Roddaist—Bryn Terfel

The songs are now available to listen to on a playlist, head to Spotify to hear them all.

Caitlin Elliott
Junior News Editor

Caitlin is a Junior News Editor for Goodto.com, covering all things royal, celeb, lifestyle, food, and family. Having set her sights on becoming a magazine journalist when she was a child, Caitlin took on work experience stints at local papers and titles such as Cosmopolitan, Now, Reveal and Take a Break while studying for her Multimedia Journalism degree and has interviews with celebs, reality stars and the Archbishop of Canterbury under her belt (of course, she couldn't resist asking him about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry).