Six Songs of Me: Erol Alkan

This article is more than 11 years old

The DJ and producer picks the music that means the most to him as part of our Six Songs of Me project

Tell us about your Six Songs

What was the first song you ever bought?

Daddy Cool – Boney M
I bought it on 7in from Woolworths in Archway in London, where I grew up. I was about six and I couldn't really speak English, I only spoke Turkish. I think I gravitated to it because it had the word "daddy" in the title. I wouldn't play it now but there are some Boney M songs that still stand up today. My parents were really into music: I'm named after a Turkish singer.

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What song always gets you dancing?

If You Want Me to Stay – Sly and the Family Stone
I love the way the whole record unfolds. If I'm anywhere where it's being played I know I'm somewhere good. It has a political level to it. I don't get a chance to dance that much these days but when you're DJing you need to be dancing on the inside. I'm always wary of DJs who stand totally still when they're playing.

What song takes you back to your childhood?

Friend or Foe – Adam Ant
I was a big Adam Ant fan when I was in primary school. One day, when I was 10, we were allowed to take records into assembly to play to the whole school and I took this. There were some confused faces. That was my first DJ gig, I suppose. I asked my teacher not to call me by my name in registration but to call me Adam Ant.

What is your perfect love song?

Close to You – Karen Carpenter
I grew up with it – it's one of those records I know I will have forever. Karen Carpenter is one of my favourite vocalists. She has a beautiful way of pronouncing words. She's pretension-free in a very pure way.

What song would you want at your funeral?

Don't You Know – Jan Hammer Group
I don't want anything too maudlin or too jokey. This song has a nice sentiment to it. It's one of my favourite new old records and I included it on my latest Bugged In mix.

Time for the encore. One last song that makes you, you.

Be My Baby – The Ronettes
I've been infatuated with it since I can remember. I associate it with my life more than any other record. I never tire of it. There's not a note out of place.

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