My Life in Songs: Steph McGovern’s Soundtrack to Everything

Steph McGovern’s musical tastes, as revealed in a recent interview with The Guardian, offer a surprisingly relatable glimpse into the life of the broadcast journalist. Beyond the news desk, McGovern’s sonic landscape is a mix of childhood nostalgia, guilty pleasures, and songs deeply intertwined with personal memories.

The journey begins with 1988, and Kylie Minogue’s “I Should Be So Lucky.” McGovern recalls watching Minogue on the Australian soap opera Neighbours as the catalyst for her first musical infatuation. “I love how you don’t need to know about her private life, you can still just love her,” she explained, highlighting a connection built purely on the music and performance. She recently attended a Minogue concert, describing the experience as “amazing.”

Moving into the early 1990s, McGovern’s first album purchase was New Kids on the Block’s Hangin’ Tough, acquired on cassette from Woolworths in Middlesbrough, accompanied by a selection of pick ‘n’ mix sweets – a quintessential childhood experience. She admits to favoring Donnie Wahlberg, identifying with the band’s “underdog” status.

Despite professing a dislike for singing, McGovern enjoys dancing, and her karaoke song of choice is B*Witched’s “C’est la Vie.” The song’s musical interlude provides an opportunity to showcase some Irish dancing moves, a playful admission of her willingness to embrace performance when the spotlight isn’t solely on her vocals.

A surprising revelation is McGovern’s ability to flawlessly recite the lyrics to Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise.” This skill was honed during a night shift at the BBC, where she engaged in an impromptu rap battle with a colleague, Katie Prescott. She was initially surprised by Prescott’s familiarity with the song, defying expectations based on her background.

When it comes to party anthems, McGovern champions Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” citing its ability to transcend generations and unite people on the dance floor. It’s a choice that speaks to a desire for universal appeal and shared enjoyment.

However, not all songs evoke positive memories. The Lighthouse Family’s “High” is a track McGovern can no longer listen to, due to an association with a childhood friend’s parents attempting to mask sounds coming from their bedroom. The song serves as an unintentional reminder of a private moment, rendering it unlistenable.

Parenting introduces a new layer of musical complexity, and McGovern confesses to a guilty pleasure: Baby Shark’s “The Floor Is Lava.” While acknowledging that it’s not a song an adult should typically enjoy, she finds joy in witnessing her five-year-old’s enthusiasm and participation. It’s a testament to the power of music to connect across generations, even when the song itself is… polarizing.

The influence of her father’s musical tastes is evident in McGovern’s connection to The Smiths and Morrissey. “Everyday Is Like Sunday” became a soundtrack to her driving lessons and early career at Black+Decker, symbolizing independence and a sense of celebration. Now, the song evokes poignant memories of her father.

Nerina Pallot’s “All Bets Are Off” holds a special significance as McGovern’s go-to song for heartbreak. She describes it as a cathartic release, a musical companion during times of emotional turmoil and loss. The song’s resonance stems from its ability to encapsulate the pain of past relationships.

Finally, McGovern’s choice for a song to be played at her funeral is “For Good” from the musical Wicked. The lyrics, which explore the impact of fleeting connections, resonate deeply with her belief that people enter our lives for a reason, even if their presence is temporary. The song’s message of gratitude and appreciation for the influence of others is profoundly moving.

McGovern’s debut thriller, Deadline, was released in hardback and is available in paperback from April 9, 2026.