Political Spin: Bob Doris

What was the first record you ever bought? 

It must have been in 1985, I’m pretty sure it was Born in the USA. That kickstarted my love for all things Bruce Springsteen, which is something that has stayed with me to this day. I used to borrow records from the local library as a kid, so that gave me access to all of his back catalogue.

What record will always get you on the dance floor? 

I suppose it depends on when I used to go on the dance floor. In the early 1990s it would have been Candi Staton, You Got The Love. I used to adore that song. And later in the nineties it would have been anything indie pop – You’re Gorgeous by Babybird or Girls & Boys by Blur. These days I’m just happy to go dancing.

What is your karaoke song? 

I usually just try to avoid karaoke, but I think I’ve murdered King of the Road, The Proclaimers’ version. Or my fall back is a few very cliched Bruce Springsteen songs.

What songs do you want played at your funeral? 

Hopefully one that’s not written for a long time yet. Probably something like Caledonia.

What songs/music is guaranteed to make you cry? 

I don’t think any song is guaranteed to make me cry. But I do remember going to the cinema to see Good Morning Vietnam and on that soundtrack is Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World played over images of the Vietnam War. I remember that did make me cry and is a moment that stuck with me.

What music would you always associate with your childhood? 

My first memories of music, I suppose, would be folk like Adam & The Ants, Shakin’ Stevens, Madness, groups like that. So, songs like, Stand and Deliver, Green Door, This Ole House – school disco stuff.

What song was the first dance at your wedding?

Greatest Day by Take That which was not necessarily my pick, but my wife was really keen on it. My choice was I Wanna Marry You by Springsteen.

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

I used to hate Jump Around by House of Pain. All my friends back in the day used to love that record and I couldn’t stand it. Another would be, In the Morning by The Coral because I made the mistake of making that my alarm in the morning, which I thought was a clever thing to do but actually gave me an aversion to hearing the song.

What record would you be embarrassed to owning up to having in your collection? 

I would own up to anything, but I do remember being teased for having Will Young’s debut album. After he won Pop Idol, he released his first album, From Now On, and I loved it. I remember being teased relentlessly for that, but I don’t care. 

What was the last band you went to see and who with? 

I went to see Bruce Springsteen last year at Hyde Park with a friend. That was my seventh time seeing Springsteen and it’s still not enough, so I’m seeing him again this year.