“I once said there was no way I could still be playing baggy pants at 30”: Suggs’ honest playlist | Madness

The first song I fell in love with
Judy is a teen from Cockney Rebel. I saw Steve Harley on Top of the Pops and I liked his look with mascara and bowler hat, like Alex from A Clockwork Orange. One day, my colleagues and I decided to cycle to Salisbury Plain. I had a transistor radio strapped to the handlebars and Judy Ten showed up. Unfortunately, the batteries ran out when we arrived at Swiss Cottage [in north London] …and my legs ran out at the same time!

First song I bought
The Wall Street Shuffle by 10cc, from Woolworths in Camden Town. Later, we used to pinch records, but I paid my dues for a while.

The song I play at karaoke
I usually visit (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin. It’s a big song, man. But I’m never ashamed. When I do karaoke, it’s usually like, “Dad, get the hell down.”

Best song to play at a party
For dancing, Teardrops from Womack & Womack. It’s so simple, so classy. The wildest party you’ve ever thrown? We once had an end-of-tour party in Australia. All I can remember is our saxophonist chasing Duffy’s backing singers around a huge polystyrene volcano in his underwear.

The song I can no longer listen to
Someone showed me an interview they did with Smash Hits. And I said, “There’s no way I’m going to keep playing baggy pants when I’m an old man at 30.” These words still ring in my ears at the age of sixty-four. But since the band has been around for so long, I enjoy it more now.

The song I secretly love, but tell everyone I hate
The white flag of Dido. The lyric is, like, “I’m not going to let this shit sink me,” which is very poignant when you have a double and Chelsea lose.

Best song for sex
I’ve heard that there are rock stars who listen to their own records. I find that annoying. Can you imagine appearing on House of Fun? For me, the most romantic song is Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.” This is very sensual, shall we say, without getting too sexy.

The song that changed my life
I heard Al Capone from Prince Buster in the pool hall on Tottenham Court Road and loved the energy, humor and spirit. Then I played the B-side, which was a step further. It was a pretty historic No. 45, where: Madness did One Step Beyond as our second single.

The song that makes me cry
“Cry Me a River” by Julie London. Funny enough, when I moved into my first house in Camden, I didn’t have any furniture except a jukebox – and the only record on it was Cry Me a River. You’ve thrown a housewarming party and are starting to piss everyone off. Someone eventually unplugged the music box.

The song I want played at my funeral
Is this all there is? By Peggy Lee. I find that encouraging, because we all struggle with these things in life. Will my funeral be happy or sad? Depends on who you talk to. Some people will be happy. The couple will be sad. But I want a fun relationship.

New greatest hits collection from Madness Successful review It will be released on November 21.