The first song I fell in love with
I remember standing up in year 3 and doing the routine to The Trail of the Lonesome Pine by Laurel and Hardy and the Avalon Boys. I really wanted it for Christmas – it went to No 2 in 1975 – and Father Christmas managed to get it in my stocking.
The first single I bought
I was on a canal boat holiday with the Scouts and Come on Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners was all over the radio, so I went down on my bike to buy it from Wilco in Bradpole Road in Bournemouth.
The song I do at karaoke
I went to Japan with two of my kids earlier this year, on a government thing promoting British food and drink, and we got stuck into Bohemian Like You by the Dandy Warhols, which is just so effortless and joyous.
The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
It always surprises me that I still know the lyrics to the Christmas carols I learned as a kid. Gloria in Excelsis Deo is like seeing an old friend, and I can sing it without looking at the hymn sheet.
The best song to play at a party
Who knew? Turns out, Wonderwall by Oasis goes down a fucking storm. People think it’s hilarious when I play it, but it’s a great song, so let’s have it.
The song I secretly like, but tell everybody I hate
I absolutely have no secrets or shame. I think Hot Dog and Green Door by Shakin’ Stevens are brilliant. Plus, there aren’t many people who can stand up and a cappella-rock the crowd at Wimbledon with Living Doll like Cliff Richard.
The song I can no longer listen to
Was it Philip Glass who said: “If you keep listening to music, you get bored of it, but if you keep listening to it, it gets good again.” I kind of wore out Hey Jude by the Beatles, but now I like it again, like pushing through the pain on a marathon.
The best song to have sex to
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for a quickie. For later in the evening, I’ll take it slow to Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor.
The song that changed my life
I learned to play the bass by copying Peter Hook, so Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division. The guitar or piano needs someone to teach you a little bit. But with bass, you can copy a few things, and hack it.
The song that gets me up in the morning
I’ve had a shit ton of basslines to learn for Britpop Classical [his tour of 90s hits backed by a full orchestra]. The one that’s really done my head in is My Generation by the Who. I’ve had to listen to it so much, I wake up thinking about it.
The song that makes me cry
Another song I’ve been learning is Creep by Radiohead. The first time I did it with the orchestra, I noticed I was crying. My daughter has been singing it recently, which gives it extra resonance, but, fucking hell, it’s a banger.
The song I’d like played at my funeral
Bach’s Air on a G String, from the Hamlet cigar ads, where everything went to shit and he’d light up a cigar. It gives me goosebumps, plus I like the comedy element.
Alex James’s Britpop Classical tours from 11 March.
