Paula takes the challenge
Scott followed up the previous day’s search for listeners who knew every word of a song.
Paula agreed to perform the radio version of the Sugarhill Gang’s Rapper’s Delight from memory.
She continued through the long sequence without hesitation and convinced Scott that the claim was genuine.
The programme awarded her the title Dame Paula.
Listeners immediately volunteered songs including Savage Garden’s Affirmation and Los Lobos’ La Bamba, although Scott remained interested only in people who could deliver the entire record rather than selected sections.
The Birthday Game: Jane
Jane from West Sussex turned 70 and stepped outside her greenhouse to play.
She grew tomatoes, courgettes, chillies and aubergines.
Jane liked soul, Motown and almost anything apart from heavy metal.
Her first spin was Ricky Martin’s Livin’ la Vida Loca, number one in 1999. Jane rejected it.
The second was the Specials’ Ghost Town, number one in 1981.
Jane accepted it because the reggae influence suited her tastes.
The original car from the music video was preserved at the Coventry Music Museum.
Everything needs more sax
Scott replayed Freak Power and became convinced the record contained a saxophone section he had forgotten.
Listeners corrected him that the sound was closer to trombone, prompting mock outrage from brass players.
Scott argued that the saxophone had defined many 1980s records before becoming less common and asked which songs would improve with an added solo.
He cited Billy Ocean, Huey Lewis, Sade and Duran Duran.
Max from the band Deco called after the group had already added saxophone to a Sam Fender cover.
Although Max did not play the instrument himself, his sister Lucy performed the parts he wrote.
They nominated Careless Whisper, Smooth Operator and Rio among the finest examples of the 1980s saxophone break.
Handover
Scott handed over to Sara Cox after replaying Dame Paula’s performance and promising another full-song challenge the following afternoon.
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