It’s true to say that I was joined on the show by Mario Rosenstock of Today FM’s Gift Grub fame recently. But it feels more honest to add that I was also joined by the likes of Brian Cowen, Daniel O’Donnell and Michael D Higgins too -- because Mario seems to be able to summon them all up as if by magic.
A remarkable mimic, Mario -- brought up in Waterford -- is also a keen music fan, and he had a ton of songs ready to play. Shortening the list was no easy job, but some songs -- such as The Who’s ‘Who Are You?’ -- felt particularly important to spin. “That was the theme tune to my TV show on RTE for a while,” Mario said. “It was emblematic of me turning up as different characters all the time. But the other reason is that I just like The Who. I think their sound is surprisingly modern, given that it’s so old. I love their unpredictability, their madness, and the fact that something so old can sound so fresh.”
It was a pleasure to have Mario on the show -- and good timing, too, because his new stage show is just about to kick off. He will be touring his show In Your Face around the country from April. “I come out once every two years,” Mario said. “It’s my favourite thing to do. I love the radio and TV, but my favourite thing is live -- you can never hear people laughing on the radio.”
To listen back to the show, click the play button on the top right and let us know what you think by tweeting @nadineoregan or @songsinthekey.


Mario Rosenstock's Playlist
1. The Who 'Who are You?'
2. Gilbert O'Sullivan 'Alone Again (Naturally)'
3. Morrissey 'Everyday is like Sunday'
4. Al Green 'Let's Stay Together'
5. Donna Summer 'I Feel Love'
6. Aine Cahill 'Black Dahlia'
7. Abba 'Dancing Queen'
8. AC/DC 'You Shook Me All Night Long'
9. The Cure 'Lullaby'
10. Dolly Parton 'Jolene'
11. Hall and Oates 'Out of Touch'
12 Nirvana 'Come As you Are'
13. The Beatles 'Across the Universe'
14. Kate Bush 'Wuthering Heights'
15. Karen Carpenter 'Close to You'
16. Dusty Springfield 'The Look of Love'
17. Smokey Robinson 'The Tracks of My Tears'
18. U2 'Where the Streets Have No Name'