‘I sang karaoke with Novak Djokovic – a surreal experience’: Jacob Collier’s honest playlist | Jacob Collier

The first song I fell in love with
Many songs shocked me as a child and were windows that opened up new worlds. But the first novel I really loved was Did I Hear You Say You Love Me, by Stevie Wonder, which I distinctly remember from when I was about two years old.

First song I bought
I bought Take 6’s single on iTunes when I was 13. It is a six-part a cappella, gospel, and jazz suite, and it absolutely blew my creative imagination away. “Never Sleeps” has an incredible harmonic journey.

The song I play at karaoke
This year I had the surreal experience of singing karaoke with Novak Djokovic, of all people. He wanted to sing Bon Jovi’s “Live on a Prayer,” but said he wouldn’t do it unless she woke up with him. So, we sang it in harmony: That was an unforgettable moment.

The song to which I inexplicably know all the words
There’s so much I know every word, every note, every chord, every sound. But the first time I was proud to learn all the lyrics was in Photoshop Handsome by Everything Everything, one of my favorite collections. The words are crazy, fast, random – they’re extraordinarily vivid. I learned it religiously, until I knew every word, and then I felt really, really smart.

Best song to play at a party
I was with Quincy Jones at a party after the Grammys in 2020 and Alicia Keys was DJing, which is crazy, she played Magalenha by Sergio Mendes, it’s like instant serotonin – this is a song for everyone, totally certified diva. It’s the first song I play in my music at my shows.

Best song for sex
If music is playing my mind will measure it and participate in it. Honestly, I’ve never listened to music in this scenario and would never dream of doing so. I’ve asked to turn off the music before, because I was too distracted. If I wasn’t a musician, I’d want something simple, like Tristan Perich, maybe Section 6 on his album Open Symmetry.

The song that makes me cry
Like Morning Dew, by Laura Mvula, it’s absolutely gorgeous, it has everything for me. I find myself moved to tears when I hear someone announce themselves in such a complete way. It’s very comfortable with its depth and darkness, though the song shines with beautiful harmonies. There is something joyful about it.

The song I want played at my funeral
At the end of every show, I always blast September Near Earth, Wind and Fire at the highest level as people leave. It’s the best song in the world and has a sense of complete positivity, community, friendship, physicality and remembrance. It is an extraordinary human experience, a sense of joy and celebration that we are lucky to be here at all. It reminds me why I’m alive, and I want to give that to people. The final ending to my big party on Earth!

Jacob Collier’s new album Light for the days Available now via Fontana/Interscope/Hajanga. Upcoming tour dates are available at jacobcollier.com