Browsing through the Guardian Music site recently, I saw their new, Spotify-enhanced (hello, sponsorship ‘cooperation’ deal, eh) project, Six Songs of Me. Quite a cool idea. But I thought their choice of questions left a little to be desired, and besides, only *six* songs? You can’t condense a lifetime’s worth of obsessive music listening to just *six* songs. Ok, I know they don’t want self-indulgent people prattling on forever (ahem) about their 100 favourite songs, but a few more would surely have been warranted. Anyway, I’ve made my own list to bore you with, with a couple of extras thrown in for good measure. But I almost killed myself trying to choose just a few – it’s like trying to choose between your children, impossible! Read on for all the gory details:

What was the first song album you ever bought?

A-Ha - ‘Take On Me’. On cassette, if I recall correctly. What can I say, Morten Harket was the bees’ knees back in 1985. Plus, that video was really cool.

What song always gets you dancing?

Errr…I don’t dance. But if I did, it would be Patrick Wolf‘s ‘The Magic Position’, or Robyn’s ‘Dancing On My Own’. Trust me, I’m dancing on the inside.

What song takes you back to your childhood?

Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers, ‘Islands In The Stream’ (!) – my dad had a worrying predilection for country music. Also, Elvis (lots of). My mum had much better taste, and liked Queen – I blame her for my penchant for glam rock, guyliner and tight pants. It must be genetic…

What is your perfect love song?

Arab Strap, ‘New Birds’. Who wants love and optimism when you can have betrayal, temptation and bittersweet regret? Aidan Moffat‘s grumpy Scottish brogue can still break my heart.

What song brings back memories for you, and of what?

Beirut’s ‘Postcards From Italy’. A pure dose of nostalgia perfectly suited for wistful, melancholy days. Reminds me of a trip I took in the middle of winter to Wroclaw, Poland - the contrast between the opulent remnants of the Prussian empire and the harsh signs of post-war hardships was extraordinary.

What song would you wave your lighter (or illuminated phone screen – the modern equivalent)/put your hands in the air to at a concert?

Hunters & Collectors, ‘Throw Your Arms Around Me‘. An Australian classic.

What song would you want played at your funeral?

The National, ‘Gospel’. Matt Berninger‘s tender, lustrous voice could raise the dead, such is its magical, mesmerising and altogether otherworldy power. Guaranteed to give me goosebumps (even on a spectral plane, I’m sure), even though I’ve listened to it a thousand times.

Time for the encore. One last song that makes you, you.

Placebo, ‘Every You, Every Me’ (acoustic version). Bringing together my love of glam, snaggly teeth, wailing and acoustic loveliness all in one small, pretty package. All hail Brian Molko!

You can see my Six Songs of Me playlist here.