Singer-songwriter David Gray has shared his most personal playlist, revealing the songs that have shaped his life, from childhood memories to funeral wishes. The 'Babylon' hitmaker, who releases new album 'Nightjar' this week, opened up about his musical loves in a candid interview.
Gray's first musical love was Madness's 'Night Boat to Cairo', which he saw on Top of the Pops aged 11. His first single purchase was 'I Don't Like Mondays' by the Boomtown Rats, bought from a shop in Haverfordwest. He also confessed to knowing all the lyrics to the 'Grease' soundtrack, including obscure tracks like 'There Are Worse Things I Could Do'.
For karaoke, Gray favours a duet: 'Islands in the Stream' by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, which he sang with his wife one Christmas. When it comes to sex, he prefers something short and snappy, such as The Smiths' 'Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want', which lasts just two minutes.
Gray's father features heavily in his memories. He can no longer listen to 'Moon River' after his dad sang it the day before he died. A cassette of Pavarotti and Bob Dylan, played on a drive to the Alps, introduced him to 'It Ain't Me Babe', a song he likens to Picasso's art. 'I Believe in You' by Talk Talk makes him cry, while Nina Simone's 'Suzanne' gets him up in the morning.
For his funeral, Gray wants a mix of joy and sorrow: 'One Step Beyond' by Madness to get people dancing, followed by Orlando Gibbons' 'Drop, Drop, Slow Tears' to bring tears. His album 'Nightjar' is out now, and he tours the UK and Ireland from 10 June.
