Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

13. Laura BraniganSelf Control

That was one of the 50 albums my mum played all the time when I was a little kid – that is just so deep in my subconscious that I can’t even describe what it is I feel when I hear her singing. I remember coming back from college and playing some Laura Branigan for Chris Keating or some friend and them just thinking it was second rate Donna Summer, which it probably is. But I’m like, "Don’t you hear the emotion in her voice – it sounds like she’s crying!" That was the kind of over the top but still sincere genuine passion I wanted to get on ‘Hold You Tight’ from the musical. All the reviews of the musical are very critical of this one song, which is probably one of my favourite songs, because it actually sounds like it could be from a musical. It’s very Broadway and not very indie rock at all, and I kind of wish we’d been a little less conservative in just going for it. ‘Self control’ is a timeless theme. Keep it under control in the day and let loose at night.

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