In this interview, Tim Burgess reflects on the songs that have left an indelible mark on his life—from early punk discoveries to timeless classics that still resonate today. He recounts memories of youthful musical adventures, the records that remind him of home, and the tracks that inspire him to dance, cry, or dream.
INTERVIEWER: You’ve mentioned before that you saved up pocket money to buy a specific record when you were young. Can you tell us about that experience?
Tim Burgess: Absolutely. We would go on family holidays to Prestatyn in Wales, and my dad would give me some pocket money for the trip. I was always quite frugal with it because I knew there was this one record I really wanted. It cost six quid, and it was in a record shop in Northwich, where I grew up. So, for the whole two weeks, I just lived off the pocket money my parents gave me, without spending any of it, because I had my eye on this record. The moment we got back, I jumped on my bike and rode straight to the shop to buy it. I was about 11 years old, and to this day, it’s still my favorite record by the Sex Pistols. It means more to me than any of the others.
INTERVIEWER: That sounds like a defining moment. Were there any other significant musical discoveries around that time?
Tim Burgess: Definitely. When I was 13, I was in secondary school, and this kid came up to me and said, “Sex Pistols, The Clash—they’re not important anymore. This is who you should be listening to…” Then he handed me Reality Asylum by Crass, an anarcho-punk band. I took it home and played it on my record player, and my mum and dad were completely horrified. Not long after that, I went to a small gig in Winsford, about four miles away, where Crass were playing at a scout hut. It was such a surreal experience. After the gig, I walked up to the band while they were packing up, and Joy De Vivre and probably Gee Vaucher were there, drinking soup. They offered me some. They were giving away all their banners and other stuff, just creating this sense of community. It was an experience of wonder, and the walk home was easy, despite everything.
INTERVIEWER: What record reminds you most of home?
Tim Burgess: That would be Power, Corruption & Lies by New Order. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. I didn’t have many records when I was a kid, but this one was a real treasure. I’d play side one, flip it over, play side two, and then do it all over again. I did that for about six months straight. Even now, it’s the longest time I’ve ever had a record on my player without anything else in between.
INTERVIEWER: Is there a song you wish you had written?
Tim Burgess: There are a few, but if I had to choose, I’d say Atmosphere by Joy Division. Or maybe Mother Nature by MGMT, which is a newer track that I really love. I don’t often wish I’d written other songs because I get the chance to create my own music, but these are just beautiful songs that I admire deeply.
INTERVIEWER: Do you have a go-to song for karaoke?
Tim Burgess: I do! It’s White Lines (Don’t Don’t Do It) by Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel. It’s such a great song to dance to, and I have a bit of affection for the subject matter too. Plus, it’s a good way to practice my rhyming and hip-hop technique. It’s slow enough for me to keep up with. I’ve tried doing How High by The Charlatans, but I think I need something smoother these days.
INTERVIEWER: What’s a song that’s been stuck in your head recently?
Tim Burgess: Everyday by Weyes Blood. It’s such a catchy track from her 2019 album Titanic Rising. I love the line, “True love is making a comeback.” It’s just fantastic. The new video for it is like watching Friday the 13th—the juxtaposition of that eerie video with such a pretty song makes it unforgettable.
INTERVIEWER: Is there a song that always makes you emotional?
Tim Burgess: Anything by Françoise Hardy. There’s something incredible about her voice that goes beyond language. A lot of her songs are in French, which I don’t fully understand, but the mood and chord arrangements can really melt you. Any of her songs can break me, honestly.
INTERVIEWER: And what about a song that always gets you dancing?
Tim Burgess: Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners. I can play a really serious DJ set, but as soon as I drop that track, everyone loses it. It’s beyond cool—it’s an incredible song, incredibly played. The first time I heard it, I was at a rugby club in Northwich, and everyone was dancing as if it was already a number-one hit. Recently, I did a set with Helen O’Hara from Dexys at The Laugharne Weekend festival, and it was amazing to play alongside someone who’s a huge part of that sound. It’s funny—it actually goes really well after Blue Monday by New Order, believe it or not.
This conversation highlights Tim Burgess’s deep and varied connection to music. From childhood discoveries to the songs that still resonate today, each track tells a story, revealing the experiences that have shaped his life and career.