Christine Grahame: 'Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis reminds me of being young and in my teens'

What was the first record you ever bought?

Be My Love by Mario Lanza. I was 10, and he was my first passion. He was an American with an Italian background which got me interested in hearing operatic voices. My taste in music is very eclectic. 

What record will always get you on the dance floor?

Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis Presley is one I love. That’s the one you can’t keep your feet still to. It reminds me of being young and in my teens. He was on the dangerous side of teenage pop music in those days – Elvis was the one that vibrated his hips, and we weren’t supposed to be looking at that. 

What is your karaoke song?

I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers. It’s a classic SNP tune. 

What songs do you want played at your funeral?

Follow Your Arrow by Kacey Musgraves is very funny and lighthearted. It’s about not bothering what people think about you and just doing what you think is for you. 

Louis Armstrong’s On The Sunny Side of the Street too. It’s all about being optimistic. 

What music is guaranteed to make you cry?

Offenbach’s ‘Barcarolle’ from The Tales of Hoffmann. I’ve just been listening to it and nearly burst into tears. It’s the female alto voices that I love in it. They’re absolutely stunning. 

What music do you always associate with your childhood?

Leave the Dishes in the Sink Ma by Spike Jones. My dad used to buy one 78 vinyl a week and put it in this huge record player the size of a sideboard. Leave the Dishes in the Sink Ma is sort of a honky-tonk jazz song, which we played at his funeral. The minister thought it was a bit tasteless, but the family loved it. It’s really funny – it’s all about having a party and not bothering about anything else. 

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

Baby Shark. I have to watch the video and sing along with my grandchildren. I know the actions as well – I always have to do the dance with them. 

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

Any Cliff Richard song. I went through a phase of Cliff Richard records and I’m embarrassed about that. He’s so saccharine and I just thought no, that’s an embarrassment. 

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

Trad jazz bands at the Edinburgh Festival with my brother. I go every year. On a Wednesday night when I lived near Joppa, at one of the hotels trad jazz bands would play. We used to walk down and would sit outside and listen. I also play jazz in the car. 

What song do you associate with your political wins?

Elected by Alice Cooper. It’s the tune on my phone. One day in the chamber when I had left my phone at the back to get water, I forgot the song was on and it started to play – it was getting louder and louder and everyone was turning to see where it was coming from. I probably should have pretended it was somebody else’s, but instead I rushed to the phone with a very red face to turn it off.