Rob Da Bank's Ultimate Playlist

Rob Da Bank is one of the UK's most-loved and well-respected DJs.

Not content with introducing the nation to new music and lost classics alike on his BBC Radio 1 show, he also runs the hugely-respected indie label Sunday Best, which spawned the mighty Bestival - regularly voted the nation's favourite knees-up in a field.

We caught up with him to find out his Ultimate Playlist - check out below for a brilliant mix of new, classic and the indescribable genius of The Timelords.

Listen to the whole playlist on Spotify

If you want more from Rob da Bank, watch him share his stories, tips and ideas at the recent innocent inspires evening all about creativity

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Favourite Sad Song

The Postal Service – Such Great Heights. My grandpa was in his late eighties but still tuned into my early morning radio show The Blue Room on Radio 1 and he especially loved this record that came out in 2003. Sadly he died shortly after, but I played it at his funeral which is a pretty cool send-off for a 90-year-old.

Favourite movie soundtrack song

On a reflective day it'd be Vangelis's Love Theme from Bladerunner but on a happy day it'd be South American Getaway by Burt Bacharach from Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid. The way it's cut into the movie, the humour, movement and balance is exceptional.

Favourite song from your childhood

The Beatles - Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds. My Dad had a few vinyl records which I'd stick on when he went out and I couldn't stop listening to Sgt Peppers...it's just such a magical escape from reality which affects me as much now as when I was a skinny 7-year-old with a bowl cut.

Favourite song that no-one else has heard of

I'm not crazy about a lot of classical music but there's some thing about French composer Michel Legrand’s music that makes it acceptable to my ears. The Windmills Of Your Mind from 1968 is my all-time fave.

Favourite club anthem

Rhythim Is Rhythim – Strings of Life. A techno classic from 1987 courtesy of one of my heroes Derrick May which still lifts ANY dancefloor out of nonchalance into hands-in-the-air mania in seconds!

Favourite song to hear at a wedding

Jackie Wilson - Your Love (lifting Me Higher and Higher) - just an exceptionally happy song by an incredible singer that can make even the crappest dancer (i.e. me) bust some moves without upsetting anyone.

Favourite one-hit wonder

The Timelords – Doctorin' The Tardis. Basically the KLF raising two fingers at the pop establishment and proving anyone can have a hit record.

Favourite lyric from a song

And if a double-decker bus/Crashes into us/To die by your side/Is such a heavenly way to die

And if a ten ton truck/Kills the both of us/To die by your side/Well the pleasure, the privilege is mine

The Smiths – There Is a Light That Never Goes out. Yes, it’s a maudlin teen angst anthem but I was there at the time singing along while John Peel played it on Radio 1 and moping about some girl or other. But it’s a beautiful lyric and Morrissey is without doubt one of the finest pop lyricists ever.

Favourite song currently in the top 40

London Grammar – Strong. Along with The xx, James Blake, Mount Kimbie et al there's such a fantastically mature sound coming out of young British music and these guys make me cry weekly with their album.

Favourite song from your own music

Myself and the incredible producer Dan Carey wrote a track called Western Skies about 15 years ago under our Lazyboy guise and sent it to Roddy Frame from Aztec Camera who loved it and turned it into a great song. It didn't make us a million, probably not even ten pounds, but I still love it.