Midlothian Council leader Kelly Parry: The last gig I went to was my wedding

The leader of Midlothian Council shares her chosen tracklist with Holyrood for Political Spin

What was the first record you ever bought?
If we’re going back to actual records, my mum bought me a Disney soundtrack album when I was about five and I was absolutely obsessed with it. I’d play it constantly and I’m still a big Disney fan. I’ve got a five-year-old, so I’ve got the perfect excuse for it. I’m going to ask my mum if she still has that album. 

So, what was the first music you bought yourself?
It was a Now, That’s What I Call Music... tape, probably Now... 15 or something. We’re probably now on Now... 145 or something. 

Aside from Disney, what music do you associate with your childhood?
I’ve got a very musical family. My mum used to sit and play the guitar and sing old Scottish songs to me. My papa played the accordion and my nana was really good on the keyboard and all sorts of other instruments. I do play a little, but my sister is amazing on the guitar. 

What’s your go-to karaoke song?
I do try and avoid karaoke, so I don’t have a go-to song, but probably the last song I ever sang at a karaoke was All Saints’ Never Ever at an SNP conference event, which I’m quite embarrassed about, quite frankly. I hope nobody remembers it.

What song will always get you on the dancefloor?
The unofficial anthem of the Tartan Army, Bits’n’Pieces. It’s a really crazy song but I love it. I got married a few weeks ago [to SNP MP Owen Thompson] and at the end of the night the band played Loch Lomond and we had proper ceilidh-style dancing – it was brilliant.

What was the first dance at your wedding?
Ellie Goulding, How Long Will I Love You? The words are really lovely and they were just perfectly fitting. It’s a lovely song – it was making me emotional. We got married at Melville Castle, just along the road from us, and it looked like it was going to rain but the clouds went away and the sun came out.

Tell us about the music you hate.
My daughter is slightly obsessed with a song called Gummy Bear. It brings so much joy to her but I hate it. Baby Shark has to go in that box as well – so irritating! I’ve got a 20-year-old as well, and when he was younger he was obsessed with the Crazy Frog song.

What music are you embarrassed to have in your collection?
None – I’m proud of all my musical taste but my husband is probably quite embarrassed at some of it. It’s fair to say he’s confused by my past love of Take That, which I find ironic because he listens to this type of music called pirate metal. It’s literally heavy metal done in pirate voices. I’m not in the appreciation society, I’ll stick to my Take That.

What was the last gig you went to?
My wedding. Our entertainment was a local band from Midlothian called Milestone and they’re brilliant, I’d pay to see them every time. Aside from that, Amy Macdonald was the last person I saw live, at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh. I went with my sister – we’re big, big fans.

What music do you want for your funeral?
I’ve got a bit of a wicked sense of humour so Survivor by Destiny’s Child, that would be quite a funny one. Or Highway to Hell, Wanted Dead or Alive, something like that.

Do you have a song to get you going when you’re campaigning?
I don’t, but last year we started using TikTok in campaigning and you have to use songs in your videos – it was really popular.