British singer Ella Eyre has shared a deeply personal musical journey, revealing the songs that have defined key moments in her life and career. From childhood inspirations to the track that changed everything, her honest playlist offers a unique insight into the artist behind the music.
Musical Foundations and Firsts
The first song that truly captured Eyre's heart was Good Luck by Basement Jaxx, a track she associates with her mother's CD collection. This song holds particular significance as it was the first one she sang for her managers before they signed her. Another formative memory involves her first physical CD purchase: Feels Just Like It Should by Jamiroquai, which she bought for 69p from the HMV store on Oxford Circus with money given to her by her mum.
From Karaoke to Career-Defining Moments
While Eyre admits she generally hates karaoke, she would choose I'm Outta Love by Anastacia if forced to perform, describing the artist as a major inspiration for being raspy, raw and heartfelt. For party energy, she turns to Millionaire by Kelis featuring André 3000, specifically praising its iconic rap section. However, not all musical memories are positive; she can no longer listen to Love Story by Taylor Swift after a friend borrowed her iPad and played it so repeatedly that it skewed her listening data.
Songs for Strength and Sentiment
When dealing with anxiety or low self-esteem, Eyre relies on Skankin' Sweet by Chronixx to lift her spirits, also using it as her morning wake-up song. She also confesses a surprising love for Mantra by Bring Me the Horizon, a track she enjoys at the gym despite its heavier sound contrasting with her pop roots. The song that truly transformed her life was Waiting All Night by Rudimental, the first track she ever lent her vocals to at age 17. This collaboration reached No 1, won a Brit award, and saw her gain 80,000 Twitter followers in a single night after the ceremony. For pure emotion, Adaugo by the Cavemen moves her to tears, reminding her of a poignant moment at a party in Ghana.
Ella Eyre's new album, Everything in Time, is scheduled for release on 21 November.
