The first song I fell in love with
When I was five or six, my mom got me the VHS of The Little Mermaid, and I would watch it over and over again. I was obsessed with the moment Ariel sings Part of Your World. There was something about wanting more, wanting a different life – even as a kid, I felt that.
The first single I bought
I remember going to a record store in Times Square, New York and my aunt buying me What a Girl Wants by Christina Aguilera on cassette tape and it was really exciting. Then the first CD that I bought myself was Just Dance by Lady Gaga which felt like a real moment of independence.
The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
Ready Or Not by Fugees. I love doing all of Lauryn’s parts, although I don’t remember learning it, I just know it.
The song I do at karaoke
At Last by Etta James, because it’s so iconic, you can really go for it. Or, depending on my mood,No Scrubs by TLC, because everyone starts singing and it goes off.
The best song to play at a party
New Religion by me. I mean, I have to say it! It’s made for that energy.
The song that gets me up in the morning
Honestly? It’s the sound of my dog, Bear, barking. She’ll sit in the studio for hours, she comes on tour with me, and even when everything’s insanely loud, she just sleeps through it. But in the morning? No chance.
The song that changed my life
As a songwriter, I’m sceptical about sample-based songs. When Insomnia by Faithless got cleared for New Religion, I was shocked. I even had brunch with Sister Bliss and asked if she could send the files, and she said: “My lovely, they’re on tape.” There’s something about the way music was recorded back then that gives it a warmth you can’t fake.
The song I could no longer listen to
Trampoline by Shaed because it was one “our” songs with my ex. Even though I love it to death, I just can’t go back there.
The song I secretly like but tell everybody I hate
Growing up, you couldn’t play songs like Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi – that’s what our parents would listen to. But now I think that’s bullshit – it’s the perfect song to play at full volume.
The song that makes me cry
Songs hit you differently depending on where you are in your life. Right now, Easy on Me by Adele really gets me. There’s something so raw about it – it just opens you up.
Bebe Rexha’s album Dirty Blonde is out on 12 June.