‘Joni Mitchell's Blue revolutionised the way I saw music': Emeli Sandé's honest playlist

The Guardian

31-03-2025

The first song I fell in love with
Samson by Regina Spektor, when I was 16 and falling in love for the first time. I got introduced to her music when I was working in Virgin Megastore in Aberdeen. Then I met someone in a club.
The first single I bought
All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey, from Asda. My dad had played me the Music Box album from when I was about seven, so I loved Mariah. I saw it in the bargain section for £1.99 and thought: 'Let's get it.'
The song I do at karaoke
I heard … Baby One More Time by Britney Spears when I was 12 and thought: 'Gosh, this is amazing.' It was my introduction to pop music. I loved her dancing and her style. At karaoke, I think everyone expects me to do some big ballad but I'd rather just have fun.
The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
I was part of a youth music theatre group and we sang Seasons of Love from the musical Rent, that starts with: 'Five hundred twenty-five thousand, six-hundred minutes / Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear'. For some reason I can still remember every lyric, 25 years later.
The best song to play at a party
Doo Wop (That Thing) by Lauryn Hill. It's hard to be in a bad mood when the hip-hop drums come in on the harmonies.
The song that makes me cry
A Song for You by Donny Hathaway, I guess for knowing how his life ended and the sadness he was in, but also the intimacy. I love the line: 'I've acted out my life in stages with 10,000 people watching / But we're alone now and I'm singing this song to you.' There's something about that fragile intimacy that gets me every time.
The song I can no longer listen to
My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion. I was obsessed with Titanic as a kid. We sang it at school concerts, we played it at record club in the choir. I rinsed it, so it needs a couple more years' rest.
The song that gets me up in the morning
Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder. I love the energy.
The song I secretly like, but I tell everyone I hate
My friends and I were obsessed with Grease. Every time I hear Greased Lightnin', I pretend it's a bit annoying, but the whole Grease soundtrack is one of my earliest passions.
The song that changed my life
I was taking the night train from Glasgow to London in my early 20s and my manager said: 'You should really listen to Joni Mitchell.' Blue revolutionised the way I saw music because I'd really only listened to pop and R&B. It was the first time I realised there are no rules, you can do what you want; it's about the story you're telling.
The song I'd like played in my funeral
My Love Is Your Love by Whitney Houston.
Emeli Sandé's latest single Roots is out now on Venus Records.