Gary Jarman, bassist and vocalist of The Cribs, opens up about the songs that have shaped his life, from childhood singalongs to funeral choices. In an exclusive interview, he shares the tracks that evoke emotion, nostalgia, and even a bit of embarrassment.
First love and walk-on song
According to his mother, the first song Jarman fell in love with was 'Only You' by the Flying Pickets. He recalls singing along with his twin brother and bandmate Ryan during a Christmas episode of Top of the Pops. The song now serves as The Cribs' walk-on music, making his mother emotional every time. 'We use the Flying Pickets as our walk-on song and it makes my mum quite emotional,' Jarman says.
First single and karaoke favorite
Jarman's first single purchase was 'Somewhere in My Heart' by Aztec Camera in 1988, bought from Boots in Wakefield after hearing it at a Pontins holiday camp disco in Morecambe. For karaoke, he prefers 'Tarzan Boy' by Baltimora, a song that gained renewed popularity through 'Stranger Things' but which Jarman has performed since its obscure days. 'The best bit is when you get to the chorus and the lyrics are just "Oh-oh-oh", screen after screen,' he explains.
Inexplicable lyrics and party anthems
Jarman admits to knowing every lyric to 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' by the Bee Gees, thanks to obsessive listening to the cassette 'Size Isn't Everything' in 1993. As a party song, he champions 'Bastards of Young' by the Replacements, calling it 'exciting and raw but has more meaning than some dumb, get-your-rocks-off thing.'
Overplayed and secret loves
One song Jarman can no longer listen to is 'Toy Soldiers' by Martika, which he 'absolutely rinsed' as a teenager. Secretly, he adores 'The Power of Love' by Jennifer Rush, despite its overproduced and emotionally heavy style. 'But God, I can't help loving it,' he confesses.
Sex, tears, and morning motivation
For intimate moments, Jarman would choose 'Unchained Melody' by the Righteous Brothers, inspired by his love for 'Ghost' and Patrick Swayze. He jokes it's better than 'Gary's Got a Boner' by the Replacements. The song that changed his life is 'In Bloom' by Nirvana, discovered on a compilation tape featuring heavy metal bands like Sepultura and Pantera. 'Nirvana went on to change my life,' he says. He also admits to crying at songs, most recently at Beachwood Sparks' cover of Sade's 'By Your Side'. For mornings, he picks 'Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy' by Queen as a 'dandyish way to start the day.'
Funeral song and tour
For his funeral, Jarman would choose 'Be Here Now' by George Harrison, describing it as not too lugubrious. He explicitly rules out 'Gary's Got a Boner' by the Replacements, saying he doesn't want to 'bum people out.' The Cribs begin their UK tour in Leeds on 11 July.
