When it comes to British music icons, it’s fair to say Paul Heaton is up there with some of the best.
As well as having a successful solo career, he’s had various hits with groups such as The Housemartins and The Beautiful South. From “Caravan of Love” to “Happy Hour” – the list of hits to his name really are endless.
But the singer, now 62, has some favourite music picks of his own too. He recently came up in conversation on Reddit, after an American asked about how popular The Beautiful South were.
When it comes to Heaton’s music, it can be tough to select a favourite when there are so many good options. But, in a previous interview, he outlined his nine favourite tracks of all time.
For him, the task appeared to be quite easy, as a number of songs had a big impact on him. Here’s what made the final cut.
“Grandma, Grandpa” by Owen Gray
“Grandma, Grandpa” by Owen Gray is one song that made the list. Released way back in the ’60s it seemed to have a great impact on Heaton.
He said he loves the “ska beat” this sort of music offers. Not to mention, he thinks it’s a “really good” pop song.
“We Are Getting Careless with Our Love, Parts 1 & 2” by Reverend W. Leo Daniels
The musician admitted there was a time when he used to collect sermons. He’s still got some of them, as he really likes to listen to them.
This is why “We Are Getting Careless with Our Love, Parts 1 & 2” by Reverend W. Leo Daniels made his list of favourites. He really is a man full of surprises.
“Just Give Me A Chance” by Silas Hogan
Heaton admitted he used to pick up various records in charity shops, and one person he came across during this time was Silas Hogan. He said he’d play such albums back-to-back.
Around the same time, he was also starting to play the harmonica, and he tried to get one that fitted the key. The one he managed to bag, however, didn’t quite do the job.
“Another Like You” by Hayes Carll ft. Cary Ann Hearst
Heaton describes Hayes Carll as an “interesting character” who he believes to be rather popular. Though he’s bought a few of his tracks over the years, he particularly likes “Another Like You”.
He even admitted the song was played as it wedding. He’s very fond of it indeed.
“I Wanna Be by Your Side” by Syreeta with G.C. Cameron
Syreeta Wright, better known as Syreeta, was an American singer-songwriter. She was best known for her music during the early 1970s and into the early 1980s.
In some songs she worked with her ex-husband, Stevie Wonder, but one track is special to Heaton. When he first heard it, he admitted he thought “I know Syreeta.”
“Nightmares” by Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside
Heaton said he first bought “Nightmares” on CD back in 2010 or 2011, and he was “captivated” by Sallie’s voice. It was something he couldn’t stop listening to, for whatever reason.
He also admitted he thinks the album is good too, and he described Sallie as a good singer who makes good music.
“Lucky Sometimes” by Pokey LaFarge
Pokey LaFarge is an American musician and singer-songwriter. He released his first album back in 2006, but one track made an impression on Heaton.
Heaton admitted his wife thinks he sings like him, and he has posted about this on X in the past. He thinks “Lucky Sometimes” is a “joyous” song.
“Surround Sound” by JID. ft. 21 Savage & Baby Tate
“Surround Sound” is a song by American rapper JID, which also features British-American rapper 21 Savage and fellow American rapper Baby Tate. It was the lead single from JID’s third studio album, The Forever Story.
By late 2023, the track managed to build a viral resurgence on TikTok after a trend known as the “Ceiling Challenge” was created. Following this, over 57,000 videos were made using the song.
“You Will Always Have a Friend” by Louis Jordan
Heaton thinks Louis Jordan was a “humorous lyricist”. Specializing in the alto sax, the musician played all forms of the saxophone, in addition to the piano and clarinet.
As well as being a talented singer, he had great comedic flair and he fronted his own band for over two decades. He also performed with some of the biggest solo stars of all time such as Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.