As the world celebrates David Attenborough turning 100, we’re looking beyond the iconic voice of nature documentaries and uncovering something many people don’t know: Sir David Attenborough is a lifelong music lover and collector of world sounds.

From Balinese gamelan and classical masterpieces to birdsong and rainforest recordings, music has played a huge role in shaping the legendary broadcaster’s travels and storytelling.

So, in honour of David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, here are five songs and sounds that inspired one of Britain’s greatest explorers - plus a recommended YouTube listen for each one.

1. Balinese Gamelan Music

Long before Planet Earth, Attenborough was travelling through Southeast Asia discovering traditional music and recording local performances.

He became fascinated by Balinese gamelan - the hypnotic layered percussion music of Indonesia - describing its rhythms and textures as unlike anything he had ever heard.

It’s easy to see how these immersive sounds influenced the atmosphere and emotion found in his later wildlife documentaries.

Recommended YouTube Listen

“Gamelan Gong Kebyar of Peliatan”

Why it matters

This was Attenborough discovering that sound can transport you somewhere completely different - just like travel itself.

2. Mozart - String Quintet in G Minor

During his appearance on Desert Island Discs, Attenborough selected Mozart’s String Quintet in G Minor as one of the recordings he treasured most.

Elegant, emotional and timeless, the piece reflects the same sense of wonder and beauty that defines his documentaries.

Recommended YouTube Listen

Mozart - String Quintet No. 4 in G Minor, K.516

Why it matters

Even for a man who travelled the globe, sometimes the greatest journeys happen through music.

3. Duke Ellington

Attenborough’s musical tastes weren’t limited to classical music.

According to Songlines, he also championed jazz legends like Duke Ellington during his broadcasting career, helping introduce wider audiences to different musical cultures and styles.

Recommended YouTube Listen

Duke Ellington - Take The ‘A’ Train

Why it matters

His curiosity wasn’t just about wildlife - it extended to people, culture and creativity too.

4. Igor Stravinsky

Bold, dramatic and adventurous, Stravinsky’s music perfectly mirrors the excitement of exploration.

Attenborough has often been drawn to music that pushes boundaries and creates atmosphere - something fans of his documentaries will instantly recognise.

Recommended YouTube Listen

Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring

Why it matters

The same sense of tension and discovery found in nature storytelling also exists in great music.

5. The Sounds of Nature

Perhaps Sir David Attenborough’s greatest musical love is the natural world itself.

Birdsong. Whale calls. Rainforests at dawn. The crackle of ice. The pulse of insects at night.

Across decades of broadcasting - and especially in projects like Secret World of Sound - Attenborough has shown audiences that nature already has its own extraordinary soundtrack.

Recommended YouTube Listen

BBC Earth - Nature Soundscapes & Birdsong

Why it matters

Few people have taught us to listen to the planet as carefully as David Attenborough.

Celebrating David Attenborough at 100

At 100 years old, David Attenborough’s legacy goes far beyond television.

He inspired generations to travel more thoughtfully, appreciate different cultures and listen more closely to the world around them.

And perhaps that’s why his connection to music feels so fitting - because both music and travel have the power to open our eyes to something bigger.

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