My MySpace friend DJDaddums set an interesting challenge this morning. Apparently there is a new Radio 2 show, presented by the gorgeous Dermot O'Leary, called
Time Capsules coming to the airwaves, and it sounds like a trendier version of
Desert Island Discs. Guests are invited to submit ten songs, in the following strict categories: “Family Favourite”, “Teenage Kicks”, “Tearjerker (aka “our song")”, “Ultimate Time Capsule Song”, “Funeral Song”, and FIVE free choices.
So, rising to the challenge, here's mine...
Family Favourite - Given that my closest family member is my sister, I would have to feature this classic number we used to dance to at the "Bowie/Roxy" nights at "Lasers" club in Newport way back in the early 1980s. The Cure still make a regular re-appearance at every house party, and Hils and I still dance to it - albeit a bit more wheezily these days...
Teenage Kicks - Ah, this one is a given. My obsession with Blondie as a young closet queen is well-documented, and this song above all others was a personal obsession of mine when I was a teenager...
Tearjerker - A much more difficult one, this - for many of the songs I would class as "tearjerkers" (
Wild is the Wind,
Somewhere (A Place For Us)) stem from times way before I met Madam Acarti. However, this song (on the sand) is indeed one of "ours":
Free choice #1 - Now we're really into indulgence... First up, one of the best Disco songs ever recorded. RIP, Sylvester:
Free choice #2 - From one of the most influential gay pop stars of the late 20th century Mr Tom Robinson, here's a most beautifully crafted song that has had a lasting influence on my life...
Free choice #3 - Speaking of huge influences, here's my theme tune
Queen Bitch by the greatest of all artists, ever, Mr David Bowie:
Free choice #4 - I really don't need any excuse at all to include this work of genius by Neneh Cherry and Youssou N'Dour on the list!
Free choice #5 - Now here's a close-run contender for the "Family Favourite" entry, from one of my all-time favourite artists - an absolute classic. Just thinking of the first time I saw Marc singing
Tainted Love on
Top Of The Pops sends shivers down my spine...
Ultimate Time Capsule Song - Difficult, very difficult - there are so many of them! However, since
You Spin Me Round was one of the very earliest records that sums up my coming out, and the "Tunnel" club in Cardiff in 1984,here's the top memory-jerker in my collection. I can actually smell the poppers as we speak...
And, finally, the
Funeral Song - Now I was toying with the idea of
Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead!, or more seriously Pet Shop Boys'
Being Boring. But in the end, there is only one winner in this category - it is, after all, a cabaret, old chum!
Now it's over to you...
