“What do I play at the party?” Oasis’s Wonderwall takes a storm: Alex James’ honest playlist | Alex James

The first song I fell in love with
I remember standing up in third year and doing the routine to The Trail of the Lonesome Pine by Laurel and Hardy and the Avalon Boys. I really wanted it for Christmas – it came in second place in 1975 – and Father Christmas was able to put it in my stock.

First song I bought
I was on holiday on a canal boat with the Boy Scouts, and Dexys Midnight Runners’ Come on Eileen was playing all over the radio, so I rode my bike to buy it from Wilco on Bradpole Road in Bournemouth.

The song I play at karaoke
I went to Japan with two of my children earlier this year, on government action to promote British food and drink, and we got stuck into Bohemian Like You by the Dandy Warhols, which is so delightful and easy.

The song to which I inexplicably know all the words
It always surprises me that I still know the words to Christmas carols that I learned as a child. Gloria in Excelsis Deo is like seeing an old friend, and I can sing it without looking at the hymn sheet.

Best song to play at a party
Who knew? It turns out that Wonderwall by Oasis is having a ridiculous storm. People think it’s funny when I play it, but it’s a great song, so let’s have it.

The song I secretly love, but tell everyone I hate
I have no secrets or shame at all. I think Hot Dog and Green Door by Shakin Stevens is great. Plus, there aren’t many people who can stand up and sing a cappella with the audience at Wimbledon with the Living Doll like Cliff Richard.

The song I can no longer listen to
Was it Philip Glass who said: “If you keep listening to music, you’ll get bored of it, but if you… Save Listening to it, it’s good again.” I was kind of tired of “Hey Jude” by the Beatles, but now I love it again, like enduring pain in a marathon.

Best song for sex
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for a quickie. Later in the evening, I’ll slowly go through Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor.

The song that changed my life
I learned to play bass by imitating Peter Hook’s So Love Will Tear Us Apart from Joy Division. The guitar or piano needs someone to teach you a little. But with bass, you can copy some things and break through.

The song that wakes me up in the morning
I had a lot of bass lines to learn for Britpop Classical [his tour of 90s hits backed by a full orchestra]. The one that really occupied my mind was My Generation by the Who. I had to listen to it so much, I even woke up thinking about it.

The song that makes me cry
Another song I’ve been learning is Creep by Radiohead. The first time I did it with the orchestra, I noticed I was crying. My daughter has been singing it lately, which gives it extra resonance, but, hell, it’s amazing.

The song I would want played at my funeral
“Bach’s Air on a G String,” from the Hamlet cigar ads, where everything was fine and he was lighting a cigar. It gives me goosebumps, plus I love the comedy element.

Alex James Classic Britpop Tours of March 11.