Frank Turner's Ultimate Playlist

When Frank Turner was fronting the underground post-hardcore band Million Dead in 2005, few would have predicted that eight years later he would be a hugely respected folk singer, gearing up to play at the London O2 next year.

But that's exactly what has happened, following five albums and countless gigs, with his following growing with every release, attracted by his no-holds-barred punk lyrics, his DIY approach and his way with a melody.

We caught up with Frank to find out his Ultimate Playlist: songs that are important to him, that helped form his style and which tune he listens out for at a wedding. Spoiler: It's not the Macarena.

Listen to the whole playlist on Spotify

Frank's new single Oh Brother is out on November 4. His album Tape Deck Heart is out now. Frank tours the UK next year, check out www.frank-turner.com for more info

Favourite sad song

"To Live Is To Fly by Townes Van Zandt. This may actually be a perfect song, I'm kind of obsessed with it. All of Townes' stuff is ace but this song in particular gets me every time."

Favourite movie soundtrack song

"Tiny Dancer in Almost Famous. It's a boring choice but it's so very good when it kicks in."

Favourite song from your childhood

"Something by Flanders & Swann. My parents used to play their records on long car journeys and I'm still really in love with what they did. There's a perfection, a craft, to their songwriting which is unbeatable."

Favourite song that no-one else has heard of

"Tales Of The Deep, a song by long-defunct London band The Tailors. Adam, the singer, is a friend who taught me all about country music, and indeed, songwriting. They're a big influence on me but aren't exactly a household name."

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Favourite club anthem

"I don't really go to clubs much. I did once hear The Rat by The Walkmen in a club and it blew me away. But that's not really my scene."

Favourite song to hear at a wedding

"I played You're My Best Friend by Queen at my sister's wedding, she and her husband got together over a mutual love of that band. That was pretty cool."

Favourite one-hit wonder

"Um, I actually can't think of song along these lines that does much for me. Stealer's Wheel never did much after Stuck In The Middle With You, that's a great song."

Favourite lyric from a song

"It's impossible to pick just one, lyrics are my thing. But I guess almost anything by The Weakerthans will do me, they're basically my favourite band. "We're talented and bright, which means we're lonely and uptight"."

Favourite song currently in the top 40

"I'm pretty sure I haven't listened to a single one of those songs, so I'm going blind. I have a friend who likes Passenger, and I've been meaning to check them out, so let's say them."

Favourite song from your own music

"It's very difficult to pick just one, each of my songs has a special place in my heart, so to speak. I guess I'd pick I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous. I think that was one of the first songs I wrote that really worked out exactly the way I wanted it to."