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[title]Everyone’s got a London song. You know, the one that makes you strut down the street, that you scream out at the club. The tune that conjures up vivid images of the city, that gets you looking back on good times, the one song that made you (and continues to make you) fall in love with the city.
And that’s true for famous Londoners, too. So we went around some of London’s most famous and reputable names to ask them which song makes them fall in love with the city. Here’s what they turned out with.
Sadiq Khan, mayor
‘You’ve Got the Love’ by Florence + The Machine
‘Every time I hear Florence + The Machine’s take on ‘You’ve Got the Love’ I think about the return of our fantastic New Year’s Eve fireworks to the banks of the Thames and how millions from across the world watched London send a message of love, hope and unity to the globe.’
Idris Elba, actor, director, DJ
‘The Helicopter Tune’ by Big Blue
‘Any old-school drum ’n’ bass – what they used to call jungle – makes me think about London. Deep Blue’s “Helicopter” or anything by M-Beat or Shy FX. I lived in New York for a while and drum ’n’ bass wasn’t big there so whenever I heard it, it would remind me of home so much. I used to go to Sunday Roast [at Turnmills] in the ’90s and that was a London thing. And when you’re working out, drum ’n’ bass is the best.’
Claire Spencer, CEO of the Barbican Centre
‘Waterloo Sunset’ by The Kinks
‘I started my working life in London opposite St Thomas’s Hospital, commuting in to Waterloo. I then worked abroad for many years and the lyrics to this song always tugged at my heart, eventually bringing me back to the city. The “dirty old river”, the dizziness of the busy-ness, the sense that even if you are on your own, you are never alone. It’s very special.’
James Acaster, comedian
‘Slim Slow Slider’ by Van Morrison
‘For the very basic reason that I used to live in Ladbroke Grove and lived there when I first heard “Astral Weeks”. It made me look at the streets around my flat differently, imagining Van Morrison walking round back in the day and seeing people he knew milling about. It felt nice, even though he’s a grumpy old git.’
Sophie Duker, comedian
‘London Mine’ by Joy Crookes
‘I’m a romantic at heart and this song is giving young diaspora baby, hungry for life and love in the capital. From pengest munches to snatches of Spanish chat-up lines, it’s joyful and affirming to hear a love song that so tenderly reps your ends.’
James Cochran, chef
‘Anticipate’ by Skream
‘A no-brainer. It has to be “Anticipate” by Skream. After uni, I moved to Camberwell with my lads from home and those years hold so many favourite memories, particularly our mental summer parties. “Anticipate” was regularly played at these, and it reminds me so much of being young and free – working day and night to make it, but still living my absolute best life.’
Clint Dyer, deputy artistic director, National Theatre
‘Inner City Life’ by Goldie
‘This song and those days in the ’90s at Bass Clef where Metalheadz reigned supreme, spoke to me of London’s multi-cultured, genre-making, underground melting pot at its best.’
Diane Abbott, MP
‘Baker Street’ by Gerry Rafferty
‘I think it’s a very evocative and lyrical song. Before I became a Hackney MP I had a lot of links with that part of London. I was born at St Mary’s Hospital, Harrow Road. I lived in and around Maida Vale and I was also a councillor for Harrow Road ward, Paddington, from 1982 to 1986.’
Giovann Attard, chef
‘Set Fire to the Rain’ by Adele
‘I moved to London in 2011. As much as I was excited to come here, I was also sad that I was away from home, family and friends. I remember listening to loads of music on the bus on my way to work, and one song in particular that I was listening to repeatedly was “Set Fire to the Rain” by Adele. Just that paradox phrase stuck in my head. The song is about freeing yourself and that’s what every new experience and change is all about, which really resonated with me at the time.’
Amazonica, DJ
‘London Calling’ by The Clash
‘My go-to song about London. When I’ve been on tour in America, I would often have this playing as I came on stage and it would not only define the riotous mood I was about to bring to the stage but I felt its energy was how I felt London felt. Especially as I was a young goth punk running around the city going to clubs and gigs. Recently I played this when I opened up for my mates The Libertines at Wembley Arena and to have everyone shout “I LIVE BY THE RIIIVEEERRR” was glorious. I love you, London, and what you’ve done for music, you.’