Desert Island Disks

In the past few months I have become obsessed with BBC 4's Desert Island Disks. Growing up I remember it being on the radio during long car journeys, but I was never really interested. I didn't know any of the 'castaways', and I'd much rather listen to Busted on my portable CD player.

Now I am slightly older and wiser (I hope...) and I have fallen in love with BBC Radio 4, especially Desert Island Disks. I love the anecdotal interview style, and I think so much is said about a person by the tracks they chose. My favourite interview so far has to be Matt Smith (go have a listen, he's delightful).

Whilst listening to countless episodes I have often pondered - what would my 8 tracks be? It's a daunting task. How can you possible choose 8 tracks from a lifetime of music?

I have swapped and changed so many of these tracks over the past months, but, I think I have settled on my choice.

So - here are my Desert Island Disks.

Jack Johnson - Banana Pancakes

The Jack Johnson album Inbetween Dreams is my all time favourite album, so it felt natural to have one of the songs on this list. We had a Jack Johnson song at out wedding but Banana Pancakes has a special place in my heart. This song takes me to so many places: skiing in Switzerland, countless summer holidays and hungover days at Oliver's whilst the jam on their guitars. It's one of my happy songs - and always will be.

Cast of Rent - Seasons of Love

Musical Theatre is a huge part of my life, and pretty much saved me at uni. This song is the epitome of Musical Theatre. It's joyful, it's heartbreaking. It has gorgeous harmonies and that all important show stopper moment. It will forever remind me of my beloved theatre pals - and I need a song to belt out on the island!

Elvis Presley - Return To Sender

Aah, this song. Not one of Elvis' most famous, but my favourite for sure. This has been mine and my Grandma's song for as long as I can remember, and was probably the first Elvis song I ever heard. My Grandmas is an Elvis superfan, so it's no surprise her love of Elvis rubbed off on me.

Lemon Jelly - Staunton Lick

I love songs that take you places, and this instrumental track takes me to winding car journeys through the Lake District. It's a song to pop on and daydream to. Again, a hard choice as I adore all of Lemon Jelly's work, but this song in particular is super special to me, and is always the first Lemon Jelly song I introduce to people.

Toploader - Dancing In The Moonlight

This is my favourite song of all time to dance to. As soon as the first second plays I am up having a boogie. There's a video of a girl crying in the club, then this song comes on and she screams, her mood instantly changing. That video just sums up this song perfectly. I have said several times that I want this song at my funeral... and I mean it...

The King Blues - What If Punk Rock Never Happened?

This song is mostly spoken word and always makes me feel so inspired. It contains my favourite lyrics ever that have become my personal mantra; 'Let your dreams be your pilot, your imagination your fuel'. Whenever I'm stuck in a rut, this song pulls me through.

Amy Winehouse - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

There won't be a voice like Amy's again. For those quiet moments, I always run back to her and especially this cover. From the iconic intro, to the beautiful and heartbreaking delivery of the lyrics - for me this song is perfection.

Frank Ocean - Strawberry Swing

Another cover but a stunner. The whole of Franks Nostalgia Ultra mixtape reminds me of my first year of uni and falling in love with Ollie. If it wasn't for Ollie I wouldn't have ever listened to this song. The lyrics ' The sky could be grey, I don't mind, Without you it's a waste of time' make me feel so warm and fuzzy. Along with Amy, Frank is one of my favourite vocalists and he had to make the list. It's funny having a Coldplay cover on my last as I have always said that I can't stand them. That point aside, there was no chance my list would be complete without this track.

So, those are my 8 tracks. What these songs say about me I'm unsure, but you can make your own judgements.

On Desert Island Disks you can chose one book to take with you along with the Bible and the complete works of Shakespeare. I would take Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, a book I will never tire of.

The luxury item I would take would be my beloved Mummy Bear. She's a very old, tatty bear who has been to every country I have ever travelled to. I simply can't go anywhere new without her.

Now that you know my Desert Island Disks, I'm off on my raft...

Till next time,

Stay Golden x