Political Spin: Liam McArthur MSP

The deputy presiding officer and Lib Dem MSP talks about his love for Faithless.

What was the first record that you ever bought?
The first record I remember buying was Under the Moon of Love by Showaddywaddy in 1976. I was nine and drove my big sister, Samantha, demented by playing it incessantly on her record player.

What record will always get you on the dance floor?
It doesn’t take much, but She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult has been doing it for years. As the weird guitar intro gives way to a tsunami of noise, it’s impossible not to start throwing yourself around the dancefloor.

What is your karaoke song?
I generally have a self-denying ordinance when it comes to karaoke – for public health reasons – but have been known to throttle a version of King of the Road on occasion.

What song was the first dance at your wedding and why?
It was a generic waltz tune, although at the Registry Office earlier in the day, Drifting Away and Flowerstand Man by Faithless was on the soundtrack just before Tamsin walked down the aisle. It was the golden age of mixtapes and Faithless seemed a decent shout for a registry wedding.

What songs do you want played at your funeral?
Salva Mea by Faithless might not be a bad idea, but assuming it’s too late for salvation, just sticking my iPod on shuffle has an appealing devil-may-care thrill to it.

What music is guaranteed to make you cry?
I can’t think of any music that makes me cry – unless it’s a recording of me singing King of the Road at a Christmas karaoke.

What music would you always associate with your childhood?
Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon stick in the mind. I’m not sure how often my parents actually played them around the house, but when I was older I ‘borrowed’ both albums on a permanent basis.

What record do you absolutely hate but can’t get out of your head?
Anything by Black Lace – and now you’ve triggered me.

What record would you be embarrassed to owning up to having in your collection?
Is it possible to do any better than Showaddywaddy?

What was the last band you went to see and who with?
I went to the Werchter Music Festival in Belgium with Tamsin, my son Tom, and a few Brussels-based friends where Arctic Monkeys were headlining along with Nick Cave, David Byrne, Noel Gallagher, George Ezra, Kaleo and Post Malone.