Peter Kay's Car Share playlist by the numbers

Peter Kay’s Car Share isn’t a musical, but it’s half way there. In every episode, John (played by Kay) and Kayleigh (Sian Gibson) commute to work, listening to Forever FM, playing “timeless hits, now and forever”.

Its playlist (62 songs over the six episodes of the first series, which Radio Times has analysed) was meticulously chosen by writers and old friends Kay and Gibson, who met 23 years ago at the University of Salford where they both studied drama.

“We did spend a lot of time selecting the music,” says Kay, “probably more than writing!” “It was the most enjoyable part. We spent ages going through the music and reminiscing,” explains Gibson. “We both have the same taste.”

“No we don’t!” Kay interjects. “We do mostly,” smiles Gibson. It seems life imitates art.

John and Kayleigh’s bickering about music defines their relationship, from their favourite albums (Rumours by Fleetwood Mac for John, Now 48 for Kayleigh) to the songs they want at their funeral (Kayleigh wants someone “to read the words to S Club 7’s Reach”, whereas John wants “Kenny G or a bit of Enya”).

Similarly, Kay and Gibson are not going to be swapping iPods any time soon. “She always says if I was any more middle of the road I’d get knocked down,” Kay jokes.

Carefully curated soundtracks aren’t rare on television these days, but one of the differences between Car Share and, say, Peaky Blinders is its love of “guilty pleasures” or… well, rubbish. From MMMbop by Hanson to Blue and B*Witched, you’re not going to be buying this on vinyl.

Most of Forever FM’s output is pop from the late 1980s, but this nostalgia is the driving force behind one of TV’s great will they/ won’t they couples – or “the modern-day Terry and June” as Kay refers to them.

John and Kayleigh talk almost entirely in musical references, from her “Carol Decker” hairdo to his encyclopaedic knowledge of Enya. The pair sing along to the songs on Forever, and it feels natural when we dive into their imaginations to watch them star in their own music videos.

The last series saw Kayleigh dress up as Anastasia and Cindy Lauper although, “Rush Hour by Jane Wiedlin would be my favourite, as we were in the video together,” says Kay.

Episode 1

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), Beyoncé, 2008

Martika’s Kitchen, Martika, 1991

Call Me, Spagna, 1987

I Love to Love, Tina Charles, 1993

When We Are Together, Texas, 1999

Losing My Religion, REM, 1991

C’est La Vie, B*Witched, 1998