The Bill Bailey Playlist

So, what did the author of Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide to Happiness, tell the NME about the important music in his life?

Shipbuilding by Elvis Costello

‘The terrible irony that the Falklands War encouraged the shipbuilding industry…a beautiful, haunting song.”

Brass in Pocket by The Pretenders

“One of my favourites.”

I Wanna Be Sedated by The Ramones

“My karaoke song.”

Free Nelson Mandela by The Specials

“Up to that point I don’t think I’d heard something so overtly political. I was just a feckless youth…This was such a powerful, direct, call to arms in a way. It made me investigate more.”