My Music: Kiki Dee

Kiki Dee: Singing Bob Marley in the bath

Kiki Dee's career began in her native Bradford in the early 1960s where she sang with local dance bands before her 1964 recording debut.

She was the first European signing to the Motown label and is still best-known for two huge hits with Elton John: 1976's Don't Go Breaking My Heart and 1993's True Love.

She is now working in a duo with her current musical partner, guitarist and songwriter Carmelo Luggeri.

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What was the most recent album you bought?

Groove Armada's Vertigo - and Anastacia's Not That Kind.

Where do you most like listening to music - and why?

In my car - there I'm a captive audience.

What songs do you sing in the bath?

I sing harmonies along with Bob Marley - I love his backing singers.

Are there any songs you can't listen to because they remind you of something you'd rather forget?

Bridge Over Troubled Water - a beautiful song, but I'm reminded of singing it in caberet in the 60s in Australia, and coming on after the stripper.

What song always makes you cry?

Beth Nielson Chapman's Sand And Water, from her album of the same name.

What were the first single and album you ever bought?

Sweet Nothings by Brenda Lee and the album, well I think it was Cliff or Elvis - I can't quite remember.

Which is your favourite song? And your least favourite song?

I Say A Little Prayer I love - and I hate Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree (poor tree).

Which song by another artist do you wish you had written?

Calling All Angels, by Jane Siberry.

Do you prefer CDs or vinyl?

I mostly go for CDs - it depends on the music, though.

Roughly how many records are there in your collection?

It's in the hundreds, not the thousands.

What's the best record you've ever bought on impulse?

Graceland, by Paul Simon.

Which song from the past 12 months is most likely to gain classic status?

Babylon, by David Gray.

Which artists do you currently most admire ?

Emmylou Harris, this week.

If you organised your dream music festival, who would have as headline act - and any supporting acts?

In my dream festival Bob Marley would be joined by Joni Mitchell, Santana, Emmylou Harris, Coldplay - and Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri, and loads more.