In a recent interview with NME, Greg Davies, the famous comedian and Taskmaster presenter, took a stroll down memory lane and shared the soundtrack to his life. This article uncovers everything, right from his earliest music memories to his karaoke choices, and even the song he wishes to have played at his funeral. Brace yourselves for some excellent revelations and a few eyebrow-raising surprises.
A Fond Memory of the First Song
Greg’s first memory of a song traces back to Roger Whittaker’s ‘Google Eye’. It seems to have left quite an impression on him, as he laughingly claimed, “It’s either the first song I recall or the first single I owned. I can still belt out its lyrics.”
The Song That He First Fell in Love With
It was ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’ by Ian Dury and The Blockheads that first caught young Greg’s fancy. “This song felt like it was made just for me, away from the general audience,” he said, further recounting the controversy it stirred at his home due to explicit lyrics.
First Album Owned
The first album that Davies owned was ‘Complete Madness’ by Madness, a band that deeply influenced his style. He confessed, “I wore a pork pie hat and piano key tie influenced by them to a disco. I’ve held onto that album and the record player I used to play it endlessly on.”
First Gig
Greg’s first gig experience was a Public Image Ltd concert in the 1980s. He fondly reminisced about John Lydon’s firm stand against being spit at during the performance, commenting, “Why should anyone be spat at during their work?”
The Song That Feels Like Home
The song ‘Wichita Lineman’ by Glen Campbell transports Greg back to his childhood home. Greg and his father often sang it during car journeys, leading to a heartwarming memory of them singing together during Glen Campbell’s farewell tour.
The Song He Wishes He’d Penned
The song that Greg wishes he’d written is Morrissey’s ‘Suedehead’. He feels that the lyrics eloquently conveyed his emotions during a tumultuous teenage relationship.
Karaoke Pick?
Despite his aversion to karaoke, Davies indulged in a fantasy where he moved the audience to tears with his rendition of Barbra Streisand’s ‘Woman In Love’.
An Earworm from Dr. Dre
‘The Next Episode’ by Dr. Dre is a tune that Greg confessed gets stuck in his head easily. He humorously pointed out the incongruity of him, a man in his fifties, singing Dr. Dre.
The Overplayed Favourite
His penchant for replaying his favourite songs led to the downfall of ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ by The Cult. Despite it being his favourite for years, Greg admitted, “I’ve played it so much that I can barely listen to it now.”
The Ultimate Dance Track
‘No Diggity’ by Blackstreet featuring Dr. Dre is the song that gets Greg’s feet moving. Despite many contenders from his indie youth, this one reigns supreme.
His Funeral Song
Originally, Greg’s choice for his funeral song was ‘What A Waster’ by The Libertines due to its humorous undertones. However, after a heartfelt conversation with his mother, he decided on ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ by Frank Sinatra, the same song played at his father’s funeral. Greg believed it would serve as a beautiful moment of levity, remembering his father’s love for the song.