The popular radio programme has evolved gradually over the years, and has a simple format.
Each week a guest is invited onto the programme to select eight records they would take to a desert island.
The man behind the tropical idyll was Roy Plomley, who presented the show until 1988. The idea is said to have come to him after his coal fire went out in his digs in Hertfordshire in 1941.
Sue Lawley is the current presenter, and politicians vie with celebrities and great thinkers to appear on the programme.
Which disc would you take to a desert island?
This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.
Your reaction
Here's my eight::
1. Diana Ross - 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough'
2. David Bowie - 'Starman'
3. Dusty Springfield - 'Son of a Preacher Man'
4. Four Tops - 'Reach Out I'll Be There'
5. Frank Sinatra - 'My Way'
6. Shirley Bassey - 'This Is My Life'
7. Madonna - 'Vogue'
8. Beatles - 'Yesterday'
Colin,
UK
I'd take the 8 longest songs ever written.
Martin,
England
Any record by Diana Krall - that woman's voice is so suited to whiling away the hours on a desert island.
Kevin Jones,
UK
It would have to be either Mountains of the Moon by The Shadows, or else their version of Crockett's Theme from Miami Vice.
David Hazel,
UK
Fog on the Tyne featuring Gazza.
Paradoxically it might keep you sane!!
Steve,
UK
"You" by the band Gong. The album with something of everything!
Jim,
USA
My disc would have to be Graceland by Paul Simon. Every track is well written and performed. It just chills me out every time I listen to it. It is my perfect vacation CD.
Emma,
USA
It would have to be Parachutes by Coldplay. It gives me peace when I listen to it.
Lily Flores,
USA
Why don't people choose some serious music instead of boring, moronic and repetitive pop records? Has the standard of taste completely disappeared? My pick: Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra - Chicago SO, conducted by Fritz Reiner (1955).
Lee Churchman,
Canada
Disco II by the Pet Shop Boys. It's the only record I've ever danced to by myself - and I would need to do that on a deserted island.
Steven Roelofs,
Chicago, IL, USA
Chuck Berry - Johnny B Goode.
Shaun,
UK
Any eight you want to provide, as long as all eight of them are sung by Ella Fitzgerald.
Rucker,
USA
Tough call. Either The Velvet Underground and Nico by the Velvet Underground, or Rain Dogs by Tom Waits. Blonde on Blonde by Dylan or The wild, the Innocent and the E-street Shuffle by Springsteen wouldn't be off-putting either.
Mark van der Born,
The Netherlands
These are my eight. Special songs that mean so much to me, evoke many happy memories and put me in a peaceful, tranquil and sublime mood. And they bring a big smile to my face too!
1 Eternal Flame - The Bangles
2 Tropical Loveland - ABBA
3 The Sign and/or Life Is A Flower - Ace of Base
4 This Girl's In Love With You - Dionne Warwick
5 The Power Of Goodbye - Madonna
6 Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx
7 Michelle - The Beatles
8 Could I Have This Kiss Forever - Whitney Houston and Enrique Iglesias.
Tabitha Munzara,
Zimbabwe
In no specific order
1 Hey Jude - The Beatles
2 Hey Joe - Hendrix
3 Layla - Clapton
4 Little Wing - Stevie Ray Vaughan
5 All Right Now - Free
6 Riders on the Storm - The Doors
7 Roxanne - The Police
8 When the Levee Breaks - Led Zeppelin
Michael,
Canada
The Who - Live At Leeds.
Ash Newell,
Texas, ex-pat Brit
I will be very happy to have a classical piece of music which lasts for about 59 minutes so that I can spend 59 minutes enjoying the music, 1 minute arranging to replay it repeatedly and still knowing that time has gone by hour by hour. Thank God I have not chosen the One Minute Waltz.
Teo Eng Leong,
Singapore
Easy. Only one possible choice - Baba O'Reilly by The Who
Brian,
England
The second Peter Gabriel album, known in the US as "Security."
Jennifer Ethington,
USA
There can be only one choice for top record to take to the desert island. It has to be the Theme from Boss Cat.
Christopher,
UK
When asked which of the eight you would choose, if one only was allowed, it would have to be "Every time we say Goodbye" sung by Ella Fitzgerald.
Godfrey Osborn,
England
Only 8 songs!!!
1. Mr Jones - Counting Crows
2. In my Life - Beatles
3. Watching the Wheels - John Lennon
4. Motorcycle Drive by - Third eye Blind
5. What I go t- Sublime
6. Otherside - Red Hot Chilli Peppers
7. Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton
8. If 6 was 9 - Jimi Hendrix
Ads,
UK
It would have to be Shiny Happy People by REM - this song never fails to cheer me up!
Karen,
Wales
Has to be Bohemian Rhapsody for me.
Shaun,
Teignmouth UK
Hmmm, eight tracks, tricky... but here they are..
1. Todd Rundgren - 'I saw the light'
2. Manic St Preachers - 'Faster'
3. The Hives - 'Hate to say I told you so!'
4. The Who - 'Won't get fooled again'
5. Mansun - 'Legacy'
6. Bluetones - 'Are you blue or blind?'
7. Focus - 'Sylvia'
8. Pickettywitch - 'Same old feeling'
And for my one item I would choose...rolling tobacco.
Tony,
UK
Hey Jude from the best group in the world ever. It is just a brilliant song and evokes so many happy emotions
Joanna Preston-Wyse,
UK