Tony Mortimer, the man behind East 17's biggest hits, has shared his honest playlist, revealing the songs that have shaped his life. From the first single he bought to the tune he wants at his funeral, Mortimer opens up about music's emotional impact.
The First Single I Bought
"Shut Up" by Madness, from a record shop on Hoe Street in Walthamstow, London. It gave me a kind of independence in the world when I could choose what I wanted. And as a nine-year-old, you could find 10p down the back of the sofa and get a Madness badge at the market to stick on your coat.
The Song I Do at Karaoke
I've only done karaoke once, really loud and absolutely inebriated on sake in Japan. I'd had a few and thought: "This isn't really doing much", then it hit me like a hammer. That was a messy night. If I had to do karaoke now, I'd do East 17's "House of Love", because at least I'd remember the words.
The Best Song to Play at a Party
C&C Music Factory's "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" is like an electric shock. And when I'm DJing, CeCe Peniston's "Finally" always gets the crowd going. I've cleared the dancefloor, too. I got a bit selfish once and played Shannon's "Let the Music Play" – and everyone went to the bar.
The Song I Can No Longer Listen To
My late brother used to sit in his bedroom and play Dire Straits' "Romeo and Juliet" on guitar. It's a lovely song, but it just brings me down now.
The Song I Secretly Like, But Tell Everyone I Hate
"Patience" by Take That. I thought it was a great comeback song. Our "rivalry" was always tongue-in-cheek. We secretly liked each other. The rivalry was more between our fans.
The Song That Changed My Life
I'd have to say "Deep". I know it's mine, but it smashed so many doors open. Without that song, there wouldn't have been a band. That's how much importance I put on it.
The Song That Gets Me Up in the Morning
There's a lovely remix of Bob Marley's "Sun Is Shining" by Funkstar De Luxe that just brings the sunshine. I'm not a jump-out-of-bed person. But lately I've been going on the exercise bike in the mornings to lose some weight.
The Song That Makes Me Cry
Adele's "Someone Like You" – as soon as I heard that, I just found it so emotive. It's the tone of her voice. She sounds so sincere. You can tell it comes from a place that's really honest to her.
The Song I'd Like Played at My Funeral
It's so easy to make people cry. But it'd be my last chance to put a smile on their faces. So I'd have Monty Python's "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life". I've heard it before at funerals and you just feel like the person is still there. I think I'll put that in my will. But when I'm dead, people could play anything they want. They could play "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead"…
Tony Mortimer DJs at Bush Hall, London, 28 May and Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, 29 May as special guest to D:Ream.
