The first song I remember hearing
One of my most vivid first memories is my mum and dad dancing around the kitchen to I’ve Got a Woman by Ray Charles, which cemented my love of golden-era Black American music.
The first single I bought
Bye Bye Baby by the Bay City Rollers. I was about eight, so my mum would have bought it for me from the Liverpool Woolworths. They had big racks full of 7in singles, so that’s where you bought your records from, along with your pick’n’mix.
The song that is my karaoke go-to
Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson is less overblown and more stripped back than the Elvis version, so it’s easier to sing. And Nelson sings it from the heart. I’ve felt that emotion a few times; he just captures it spectacularly well.
The song I know all the lyrics to
There’s too many. I’ve got a peculiarly good memory for words. If someone forgets a line on Red Dwarf, everyone looks at me because I know all their lines, too. I can remember my O-level history notes: “Bismarck’s main aim after 1871 was to preserve the status quo whilst he concentrated on the internal affairs of the German state.” How useful is that to me?
The best song to play at a party
My DJ sets are full of party starters such as I Like It Like That by Tito Nieves and I Wish by Stevie Wonder.
The song I stream the most
At the moment, it’s Break My Heart Again by Finneas. I know it’s sad, but I’m peculiarly drawn to that song. It gives me earworms. It’s a song you can’t get out of your head.
The song that I secretly like, but tell everyone I hate
I’ve taken a great stance against Abba throughout my life. The same goes for George Michael and Take That. But A Million Love Songs by Take That? That’s a tune, man.
The song I can no longer listen to
My brother Dean died a while back and his favourite song was Mind Blowing Decisions by Heatwave. I used to play it when we were getting ready to go out. So I always feel a bit of a twinge when I hear it now.
The song I want played at my funeral
When my dad was cremated, we played Hot Hot Hot by Arrow, which was quite funny. I think my wife and kids will probably choose what to play. But there will be so many tears, you won’t be able to hear the music. There will be too much eulogising.
Craig Charles’s show is broadcast weekdays, 1pm, BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds.
