England and Arsenal captain Leah Williamson has opened up about her musical tastes, revealing a playlist that spans from childhood favourites to football anthems and guilty pleasures. In an interview, the defender shared the songs that have shaped her life, from the first track she fell in love with to the one she wants played at her funeral.
Early Musical Influences
Williamson's first musical love was a cassette player with fuzzy foam headphones and just two cassettes: Hero by Enrique Iglesias and How Do I Live by LeAnn Rimes. 'I would play them over and over,' she said. Her first single download was Michaela Strachan by Scouting for Girls, intrigued by the song's subject despite not knowing who Strachan was at the time.
Karaoke and Party Favourites
For karaoke, Williamson's initiation at Arsenal was Stand By Me by Ben E King. Nowadays, she would choose a Justin Bieber number, perhaps One Less Lonely Girl. She knows every lyric to every song on the Bridget Jones soundtrack, thanks to her mother playing it constantly in the car. At parties, she prefers older music, citing Never Too Much by Luther Vandross as a favourite for multi-generational gatherings.
Football Anthems and Changing Room Hits
The song Williamson can no longer listen to is Where Are Ü Now by Jack Ü featuring Justin Bieber, which was played so much in the Arsenal changing room that she has to turn it off immediately. Her favourite football song is Three Lions by Baddiel & Skinner & Lightning Seeds, because of the 2022 Euros. 'Being able to sing “It’s coming home” was an amazing feeling,' she said. She also gets goosebumps from The Angel (North London Forever) by Louis Dunford.
Secret Songs and Life-Changing Gigs
Williamson secretly likes Return to Sender by Elvis Presley, which she played on headphones during trips to football practice. A life-changing musical experience came when her grandmother took her to see Norah Jones. 'When she sang Come Away With Me, I thought: “This is what music is about,”' Williamson recalled, noting the older crowd and lack of phones.
Morning Wake-Up and Emotional Moments
To get up in the morning, Williamson listens to Inner Smile by Texas, and Billie (Loving Arms) by Fred Again. The song that makes her cry is Dancing on My Own by Robyn. 'Years ago, I cried in the middle of a New Year Eve party when it came on. Even though it’s a great tune, I think it just still got a bit much for me. I was 16, I rang my mum and said: “Can you come pick me up?”'
Funeral Song Choice
For her funeral, Williamson wants people to have a good time, not cry. So she would choose Believe by Cher or I’ll Be Around by the Spinners.
