Hey Jukebox: The year I was born

This music by Leonard Bernstein opens the ground-breaking film, 'On the Waterfront', which starred Marlon Brando as a disillusioned longshoreman from New Jersey. It speaks to many themes and places from my upbringing. It also presages the later music of West Side Story which I loved (and learned) before ever seeing the show or film.

I Wanna Hold Your Hand, The Beatles. My dad’s fave, you see.

I’m delighted to say that James Brown’s ‘Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag’ is precisely my age – that’s my pick on behalf of 1965!

My dad would drive our once a year from Scotland to holiday at our aunt’s house in England, in our old Hilman Imp. We were lucky enough to have a cassette player in the car, but only owned three cassettes: The Seekers, The Carpenters and Cliff Richard … I would sing along to all the songs quite happily and find I am still word perfect to most of them!

When I first heard this, it totally flipped my idea of what popular music could be like - experimental but infectiously rhythmic and atmospheric.

Listening to this song evokes a sense of Anemoia - the phenomenon of nostalgia and yearning for a time you never knew. I was born in 1971 yet never knew it. A fabulous disco version also appeared on the soundtrack for the movie Studio 54, an era I yearn to have been a part of yet also never knew.

Many of the songs from the film 'The Harder They Come' soundtrack album I got to know in the early 80’s on the Trojan record’s 20 reggae classics compilation and other re-issues when I was getting into the artists who’d influenced Madness / The specials and other 2-Tone artists / UB40. Etc…

I’d like to request Thirteen by Big Star – not at all well known but one of my favourite songs EVER. I come back to it time and time again. I just love its beautiful simplicity. A romantic at heart, it’s a beautiful song about the joys of adolescence and the innocent headiness of first love that reminds me of times long past. It’s easy to learn and brilliant to sing along to.

Canadian hero who used his music to educate people.

The reason I chose it is because when I was growing up it was one of my favourite films (and still have a soft spot for it now!) John Williams' soundtrack for E.T. is so atmospheric and think this piece in particular is instantly recognisable. It's difficult to explain but I love the feeling and atmosphere it creates, and the build-up in the music which leads to an iconic moment in the film (E.T. and Elliot flying on the bike silhouetted across the moon). It also just takes me back to my childhood and nice memories of watching the film.

This track (and album) were released in 1982, the year of my birth. I love Prince - for his music, style and overall attitude. I also turned 18 in the year 2000 and clearly remember the run up to the millennium and the excitement and hype what was going to happen, which 1999 so memorably captures: They say 2000, zero, zer, party over. Ooops, out of time So tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999.

Cyndi Lauper is just a powerhouse of great songs, there were a few released the same year, but this is my favourite. It’s beautiful and sad and romantic at the same time. And it reminds me of Strictly Ballroom – a film I must’ve watched 50 times with my family!

There are so many amazing songs released in 1984 (seriously, take a look at a 1984 list - it's iconic song after iconic song!). But recently over Christmas I ended up repeatedly listening to Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "The Power of Love". It's a song that needs no real explanation. It's just about how amazing and important love is in all its forms. It's dramatic and emotional, which I love. Holly Johnson's own quote about it is also rather beautiful: "I always felt like 'The Power of Love' was the record that would save me in this life. There is a biblical aspect to its spirituality and passion; the fact that love is the only thing that matters in the end.

I chose this song because it reminds me of listening to music in my parents' car as a child, singing along to it. I actually hadn't realised that it was released in my birth year, so it was nice to find that out!

The year I was born is 1990 and I chose this song because it cheers most people up and it’s one of my mum’s favourites, I remember her playing it at our living room ‘discos’ when me and my sister were growing up.

Tribe are one of my favourite hip-hop groups and I’ve chosen this song as I love the sample of Lou Reed’s ‘Walk on the Wild Side’, as well as the call and response chorus that everyone knows.

My song choice is MC Hammer, U Can't Touch This because it has one of the most iconic videos, dance moves and samples ever, in my humble opinion. And those MC Hammer trousers.

I've loved Disney my whole life and this movie has one of the best Disney soundtracks of them all. Plus, when I was a baby everyone said I was as adorable as baby Simba.

This song totally encapsulates a New Zealand summer road trip, instantly transporting me back to a familiar and nostalgic scene every time I hear it. I still have absolutely no clue what the lyrics mean, but that doesn’t matter one bit! It still manages to sum up the go with the flow mindset and everyday absurdities that I miss most from NZ.

'Ashitaka and San' from the film Princess Mononoke, composed by Joe Hisaishi, 1997. I chose it because Princess Mononoke is one of my favourite films, and its music is a beautiful reflection of its themes of protecting nature and caring for each other. Listening to this soundtrack always makes me feel closer to nature and like I’m reliving the story all over again.

It’s moody, atmospheric, reminds me of being an emotional teenager and I like it.

As I wasn’t quite old enough to enjoy music, I had to have a quick google of tracks from this year – as soon as I saw Bittersweet Symphony it was an easy decision. What a great song loved across generations and enjoyed as much then as it is now.

I have been rinsing this album recently and just noticed it came out the year I was born. Every time I listen to The Velvet Rope something different stands out to me, and this time it’s Empty!

Released only five days before his tragic death, any fan of 90's rap/hip hop or a music fan in general will at least recognise the instrumental and famous hook. This song always takes me back to my early teen years when I first fell in love with 'old school' hip hop. I remember the intense jealousy I felt towards everyone who was lucky enough to hear a legend like Biggie live!

It was difficult to pick a single track from her seminal solo debut, but I have always loved this song and the relatable way she explores fun but real recollections of childhood through the lyrics. The funky bassline and ‘Clavinet’ keyboard are upbeat, at times juxtaposed against recollections of less positive experiences, and reminiscent of Stevie Wonder’s ‘I Wish’, which she references and interestingly is also a reflection on growing up. A nostalgic homage to the spaces, people and music that shaped her and the joys of youthful innocence.

My mum loves the ‘Rise’ album and used to play this song all the time when I was younger, so it has a lot of nostalgia attached to it. It’s a really lovely, gently uplifting song that always makes my mood a bit brighter.

I chose this song because I feel likeit's the song of 2001, and the debut single of one of the best songwriters of all time. I love how simply it starts, and then builds in different harmony lines as the song goes on to create such an intense final chorus. It's one of those songs you can listen to on repeat without getting bored; it featured on my study playlist at school and university, as well as the playlist I listen to now while I'm doing work!