Ian Murray MP: Political Spin

What was the first record that you ever bought?

Keith Harris and Orville, Orville’s Song, I think I may have been about five.

What record will always get you on the dance floor?

I’m a six-pint dancer, but I will participate if necessary. It’s D:Ream, Things Can Only Get Better, for obvious reasons. It always gets you up.

What is your karaoke song?

There are two. A Little Respect by Erasure and Angels by Robbie Williams. 

What song would be your first dance at your wedding and why?

I’m not sure I should give that away, given it may be soon, but we always spoke about an uplifting track like Frankie Vallie’s The Night.

What songs do you want played at your funeral?

I haven’t really thought about this. Something like Amazing Grace with a lone piper. I just think it is very poignant. The bagpipes being so much a part of Scottish culture, the song being thoughtful and meaningful, and the lone piper playing anything is a really nice moment for reflection.

What songs or music is guaranteed to make you cry?

There’s nothing in particular, but I started the Mini-Tattoos’ at the Ross Bandstand back in 2003 to allow for a wider audience to experience it. The first one that we did involved 60 pipers on the stage. They all played Highland Cathedral in unison and it was the most remarkable wall of noise I have ever heard. My trousers were shaking with the vibrations. Anyone who was behind that stage will never forget it.

The other time that I had a huge lump in my throat was when we hosted the 20th anniversary of the fall of apartheid in South Africa from the same venue. The South African High Commissioner was a lively and lovely lady. She made a rousing speech and, totally off script, burst into the South African national anthem. It was a hugely emotional moment. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

And one final one: Joan Baez singing Tim Hardin’s Reason to Believe. It just has a huge number of personal connections. 

What music would you always associate with your childhood?

In the 80s it was Bananarama, Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, Rick Astley, Madness, Pet Shop Boys, Tears for Fears, The Smiths. My dad was addicted to Blondie, so I always heard that too.

Then in the 90s, there are too many to mention, it was just a great decade of music.

What record do you absolutely hate but can’t get out of your head?

Baby Shark and also Peek-a-Boo, the latter of which is played at my daughter’s dance class every week. It’s too catchy but dreadful.