Soundtrack Of My Life: ‘Back to Black’ director Sam Taylor-Johnson

In partnership with STUDIOCANAL

The first song I remember hearing

Elvis Presley – ‘Crying In The Chapel’

“I grew up with a family of Elvis fanatics. I think my aunt was president of the Elvis fan club of London or something. And there were stacks of Elvis records at my nan’s house, where we’d all get together, and she’d play them all day long.”

The first album I owned

David Bowie – ‘Hunky Dory’

“There were rumours he was gonna move into the little village where we lived in Sussex, Crowborough. I remember everyone hyperventilating for a month. My mum and I even cycled to see the house that he was gonna buy, but he never did…”

The first gig I went to

The Jam at Brighton Dome, 1982

“I was about 14 and it was one of those moments where you get addicted to being in a live audience. It was really gripping and I felt like I was under the spell of something.”

The song that reminds me of home

Sister Nancy – ‘Bam Bam’

“Somerset is home. I’ve got four girls and this is the one song that unites everyone. I put it on and then everyone sort of migrates into the kitchen and we have a good dance-off.”

The song I wish I’d written

Frank Ocean – ‘Ivy’

“Just because I’d feel so clever [having written it]. His lyrics are so beautiful and elegant. He’s one of the best lyricists, I think.”

The song I can’t get out of my head right now

Amy Winehouse – ‘Tears Dry On Their Own’

“I’ve been making Back to Black for two years now – and I’ve known that this song is quite important to the movie… It’s deeply penetrated in my mind. Maybe one day it will leave, maybe it won’t.”

The song that makes me want to dance

Rufus & Chaka Khan – ‘Ain’t Nobody’

“It was when I was making Back to Black and getting up at three o’clock in the morning to get to set. It’s like a double espresso – and then in the evening it’s a double espresso martini.”

The song that makes me want to cry

Diana Ross – ‘Remember Me’

“It was played at my friend [the fashion designer] Lee [Alexander] McQueen’s funeral. It just destroyed me because the words were so pertinent. Every time it comes on… even now I’m getting choked up just talking about it. He was a good friend.”

The song I do at karaoke

The Pogues – ‘Fairytale Of New York’ (feat. Kirsty MacColl)

“My friend asked me to do it at a charity event once… with Shane MacGowan! It was at the Café De Paris in 2009. It was amazing and awful at the same time because I knew the song back to front but as soon as I got up there, I went blank – every single word was gone.”

The song I want played at my funeral

Nick Cave – ‘Song For Amy’

“He wrote this for Back to Black and it’s one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. I watched him sit at the piano and just sort of conjure up this incredible song, which is now at the end of the film. He sings it with such raw purity. It’s so incredibly moving.”

‘Back to Black’ is in cinemas from April 12 – get tickets here

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